Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Going Back (5)
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Staff room.
I paused for a moment in front of the door with that plaque.
Back in my student days, opening this door had been terrifying. But Dojun waltzed right in like it was his own bedroom.
"Come on in."
"It's pretty empty."
"Vacation time. Only grunts like me or a handful of teachers show up. To check on the kids' self-study."
"Slackin' off."
"Says the guy who never served. This big bro did active duty in a badass unit~."
"Yeah, I'm exempt."
"...No reserves either?"
"Yup. Total exemption. No training camp."
The staff room was deserted.
With vacation in full swing, only a tiny number of teachers were around to supervise the students' self-study.
I glanced at the seating chart by the entrance.
No one I recognized. Bummer.
"No familiar faces left."
"It's a public school, not private. Most cycle out after two or three years to other places."
I stepped into the counseling room off the staff room, looking around in wonder.
"What, first time in a counseling room?"
"Never went to college."
"Oh, right. Forgot."
This was the room for one-on-one talks with teachers—mostly college counseling. I'd never set foot in it, being the dropout type.
"So when'd you wake up, anyway?"
"Last Christmas?"
"Huh? How're you walking around already if you woke up then? Cut the bullshit."
"No lie. Doc called it a Christmas miracle."
"For real?"
I nodded.
Myth and my parents bought it since I was fine now. Anyone else would think I was nuts.
"Wait, hold up. If you woke last Christmas, why show up at school now?"
Zing.
Dojun's gaze sharpened on me.
Ahem. I started to turn away, no defense ready, then remembered the doctor's advice.
...Yeah.
Better spill it while I had the chance.
"I chickened out, man."
"What?"
"Seven years gone. Everyone's moved on fine. Figured they'd be weirded out if I just popped up."
My voice trailed off as I spoke.
Even I realized how dumb it sounded now.
But Dojun listened seriously. Shockingly.
"Yeah, could happen."
"What?"
Weird. Normally he'd be like, "Quit whining, dumbass," with curses flying.
Instead, he stirred instant coffee from the break area, staring straight at me.
"Seven years. Not one or two—seven. Waking up after that? Yeah, you'd freak."
"...Whoa. You're finally grown up."
"What, man?"
"Thought you'd curse me out like old times."
"I'm a teacher now, asshole. Gotta hear the kid out."
"What? Kid?"
"Yup. No diploma, right? Middle school grad at best."
Crash. Clatter. Bang.
Chaos erupted in the counseling room.
I smirked down at Dojun, coffee mix dumped upside down on his head.
"Ha, getting old! Weak sauce."
"Guh...! That Christmas thing's gotta be fake. Impossible."
We tidied the mess and sat back down.
"Oh yeah. Middle school grad."
Dojun wiped coffee from his hair with a towel and rummaged through the stacked bookshelves in the back.
Counseling rooms double as storage since they're rarely used.
Anyway. Time to settle this.
"Want another?"
"Nah, got something for you."
Whoosh.
Something flat flew at me.
I caught it on instinct.
"What's this?"
It looked like a diploma frame.
Carefully, I unfolded the fancy-cut paper.
Graduation certificate.
With my name on it.
"Congrats, graduate."
"...Ugh. Trying to make me emotional?"
"Figured you'd shed a tear at least."
"I'm holding it in. Shut up."
Seven years later, I gingerly folded my diploma.
Couldn't risk bawling in front of him.
"How'd this even survive?"
"Your homeroom teacher kept it. Remember that music teacher who started our senior year?"
"Yeah."
"She kept it too. Then I took over. Not much keeping—just checked it was safe in the unused shelf."
"Oh."
I closed my eyes.
Not crying. Absolutely.
Just feeling sweat trickle down my cheek from the overzealous heater. I sat quietly.
"Yo, towel here."
"That's the one you used for coffee, psycho."
"Whatever. Or should our Legend cry—"
"Shut it."
Whew.
I sighed.
How'd something so simple keep me dodging for so long?
Feeling lighter inside, I stretched.
"Hey, can't end it here."
He scooted right up to me.
Pulled out his phone, arm extended.
"For what?"
"Gotta snap a pic for Legend's seven-year-late graduation. Post on Insta? No complaints?"
"...Do what you want, idiot."
"Kids'll see it. You cool?"
I nodded.
Once the dam broke, I didn't care.
Some'd be happy like him. Others not.
"Alright~. Say cheese. One, two, three~."
Click.
Flash popped.
Why the flash?
"Warn a guy if you're flashing."
"Heh, thought I'd post you looking good? Frowning it is for Insta."
"You crazy bastard—"
Thud. Crash. Smash.
Another brawl. We ended in truce, slumped in our seats.
"Haa... haa..."
"Huff... huff... Hey, Legend."
"What?"
"Why'd you show up outta nowhere?"
"Huh?"
"Good you manned up, but there had to be a trigger."
I shut my mouth at his question.
Spill or not?
Normally, no. But after reuniting with an old friend, unloading baggage, sweating it out—my vibe was high.
I came clean.
"Gonna confess."
"...What? How's that related?"
"It just is. Don't ask. You'll get hurt."
"You nutcase. How's your confession tied to this? You were out seven years. Already got a girl?"
"Nah? One who waited seven years?"
"Bullshit. Spill."
"Yup."
"Unfair! I stayed awake seven years and I'm solo."
"Losers lose."
"Arrrgh!!!"
Punches flew again.
Friendly taps, no real force.
Felt like clearing a hurdle.
A hotel suite in Busan.
Myth stared at her phone with puffed cheeks.
"What's up, sis? Something happen?"
Yuuri, lounging beside her on the absurdly plush bed, spotted it and scooted over.
Myth glued to her phone meant one thing: waiting for a message. Lately, from one person.
"Something's off."
"What?"
"Feels like Legend's got an issue."
"Pardon?"
Ah, another headache brewing.
I welcomed the familiar throb and asked.
"What's the problem?"
"Dunno."
"Pardon?"
"Just... yeah. Feels weird."
Myth thought of Legend.
Same tone as always. Messages no different.
- Legend: Went to high school today
- Myth: Alma mater?
- Legend: Yup. Friend's a teacher now, got my diploma lol
- Myth: Not a girl, right?
- Legend: (Photo: holding diploma with friend, peace sign)
- Legend: Lol male. No worries
Nothing odd in the latest chat.
But something nagged.
Lighter than usual? Brighter smile?
Woman's intuition? Uneasy vibe.
Wanted to be by Legend's side right now.
'Well, I always feel that.'
More like glued to him.
Hugging tight, whispering love.
Ah, that's usual too.
Dunno.
Suddenly missed him terribly.
"Yuuri."
Woman's—or manager's—instinct hit Yuuri too.
Ah, trouble incoming. Frontal lobe screamed.
"Sis, please. We're on hotel vacay this time."
"Nah, you enjoy. I'll KTX solo. Day 4's light recording—do it and bounce."
"Sis..."
"Sorry, really. Leaving the card. Room service all you want."
"Quit that or I sound like the money-grubbing blocker."
"Taking the card?"
"Book you the earliest Day 4 KTX?"
Myth burst laughing at Yuuri's quick pivot.
Such a cutie.
Why she kept her close.
Not Yeona-level sharp, but quick on cues, thoughtful, decent talker.
Next-gen VTuber material.
"Haha, yeah. Dawn train."
"So devoted."
"We'll meet someone like that someday~."
Poke.
Myth set her phone aside, sinking into bed.
That dizzying, body-wrapping hotel plushness.
Your arms cozier, more missed.
"Ah, can't wait."
Just two days apart, yet this ache.
Myth smiled, drifting off, missing Yuuri's tongue-stuck-out grimace.