You're from the Class of 2013, Right? (2)
"I was worried since it's all girls, but I'm glad to be in the same group as you, hyung."
"Same here—I'm relieved there's at least one person I know."
Originally, he would've been grouped with Lee Seok-chan. It was odd. Still, at least he wasn't alone. That was a relief.
"Ah, I'm the only one split off! Tsk. Well, at least there are a few cute ones."
"You can tell just from the names?"
"I memorized them roughly during intros earlier. A few have profile pics too."
Maybe limited to girls, but Lee Seok-chan seemed to have great memory and an eye for details.
"Who am I grouped with?"
Seo Joo-hwan checked the groups again. He'd only quickly confirmed Jang Deok-hoon's name and missed the others.
Jeong Ha-yeon too?
This matched his pre-regression memory. He glanced at the other names but didn't recall them well. No one could remember MT groupmates from nearly ten years ago.
But the future had definitely changed.
How?
Lucy replied.
There's no other reason for the change besides Master's actions.
This is because of me? What did I even do?
Nothing special today. What could he have done to alter the groups?
But Lucy contradicted his thoughts.
There are many changed behaviors. You skipped the entrance ceremony, had that tense standoff with Baek Jeong-gi, and your appearance has completely transformed to begin with.
The future changes just from that?
The future can shift with even the smallest actions. And a person's looks matter more than you think.
Trivial changes could alter the future without him realizing. Seo Joo-hwan nodded, convinced. Not a bad shift anyway. Baek Jeong-gi, who would've been in their group originally, was out.
The moment he thought good riddance internally, Lee Seok-chan perked up.
"Wait, I'm the only guy in our group? Sweet~ I love it!"
"Huh? Doesn't it bother you being surrounded by girls?"
"Bother me? Hell no—it's perfect. Kyahaha! A flower garden, a damn flower garden!"
"...Seok-chan hyung, you're something else."
Jang Deok-hoon stared at him in awe. Having gone through all-boys middle and high school, he had zero immunity to girls.
As they chatted about the group, Jeong Ha-yeon arrived. Spotting Lee Seok-chan inside the billiards hall, she stormed over.
"Hey, you bastard—"
She froze. Her fierce scowl faltered upon seeing Seo Joo-hwan and Jang Deok-hoon. Flustered, she plastered on a smile and greeted them.
"Oh, hi. I'm Jeong Ha-yeon. We saw each other in the lecture hall earlier, right?"
"Hello, department head noona. I'm Jang Deok-hoon."
He bowed a full 90 degrees, like greeting a mob boss. Jeong Ha-yeon flinched, flustered.
"N-noona? Uh... j-just, get up first."
"Puhahaha! Oh man, that's hilarious!"
Jeong Ha-yeon panicked while Lee Seok-chan burst into laughter. She shot him a glare but held back in front of Seo Joo-hwan and Jang Deok-hoon, her fist trembling instead. Lee Seok-chan's nonstop cackling drew stares from all around. Eventually, even the billiards hall owner warned them to quiet down.
Once calmed, Jeong Ha-yeon chatted with Lee Seok-chan, then turned to Seo Joo-hwan with twitching eyes.
"You heard everything this morning...?"
"Yeah. Even heard Seok-chan scream."
Her face went blank for a moment before she ruffled her hair in frustration.
"...Shit. Exposed on day one."
"Puhak. Your personality was gonna slip out soon anyway. Just give up."
Lee Seok-chan teased, but he didn't know. As far as Seo Joo-hwan knew, Jeong Ha-yeon hid her true self through all four years of college.
"Ugh, shut up. I'm not dealing with you in college. I'll behave."
"Bullshit. Like that'll happen. And anyone hearing you would think you were a total delinquent in high school. You were a ghost."
"This jerk..."
Lee Seok-chan kept poking relentlessly, chuckling nonstop. Jang Deok-hoon gawked at her sudden shift. Seo Joo-hwan, already suspecting her real personality, just smirked.
Jeong Ha-yeon glanced at Seo Joo-hwan and Jang Deok-hoon.
"You two already know, so whatever... but keep it secret from the others."
She grumbled about being exposed but looked far more relaxed and natural. Honestly, her bold, straightforward true self was way more appealing.
Seo Joo-hwan grinned.
"Got it."
"Understood, noona. My lips are sealed."
Jeong Ha-yeon smiled gratefully and nodded, then tilted her head.
"By the way, you... n-never mind. Wait, you're talking casually to him—what's your age?"
"Twenty-three."
"Huh? For real?"
Her eyes widened. No way a first-year was twenty-three, she must've thought. Seo Joo-hwan chuckled and extended his hand.
"You're twenty-three too, right?"
"Yeah. Never expected a same-age in the class."
They shook naturally. Midway through the friendly grip, her eyes bulged, and she yelped.
"You—why didn't you show up to the entrance ceremony?!"
"Eh? Just felt like skipping."
"Dammit. I should've skipped too. If you'd been there, I wouldn't be interim department head!"
She clawed at her hair in deep regret. She'd taken the role because of her age. Seo Joo-hwan inwardly apologized, pitied her, and sighed in relief. If he'd attended, it'd be him stuck with it.
*
Jeong Ha-yeon was great at billiards—on par with Lee Seok-chan. Seo Joo-hwan picked it up fast, Jang Deok-hoon tried hard but stayed dead last the whole time, even with handicaps.
Lee Seok-chan and Jeong Ha-yeon giggled, teasing him.
"Deok-hoon, you suck for real."
"...This is my first time today."
"I was better than you my first time, dude."
"Joo-hwan's good now. He improved quick."
"That's 'cause Joo-hwan hyung's amazing. I'm just average!"
Mute Jang Deok-hoon protesting was hilarious. Seo Joo-hwan patted his shoulder consolingly.
"Deok-hoon."
"Yes, hyungnim."
His bead-like eyes stared loyally. Seo Joo-hwan grinned.
"You fucking suck."
"Hyungnim..."
"Uhahaha!"
His massive frame with that betrayed puppy face was mismatched and funnier.
Hooked on billiards, the four lost track of time, spending three hours there. They moved to bowling for two more. By the time they noticed, it was evening.
Jeong Ha-yeon clutched her stomach, grimacing.
"Let's eat. I'm starving."
"Me too. Deok-hoon, you're from Anyang, right? Know any good spots?"
Jang Deok-hoon, an Anyang native of twenty years, pondered.
"I know a hot soup joint and killer home-cooked meal place."
"...Anywhere else?"
"There's Jang Udon—a cheap eats spot with great tteokbokki, noodles, and fried rice."
"Nah, food's fine, but... booze. A place for drinks."
Lee Seok-chan mimed chugging soju. Jang Deok-hoon scratched his head awkwardly.
"I don't drink, so not sure."
"Ah... you're twenty, right?"
"Yeah. Forgot."
They all realized anew. Jang Deok-hoon's looks didn't scream twenty. Even Seo Joo-hwan had forgotten.
Hurt, Jang Deok-hoon glanced at his hyung and noona, then perked up.
"My big bro goes to one often. Wanna try there?"
"A bar?"
"Yes. He's a regular."
"Okay. Let's go. Joo-hwan hyung, cool?"
"Yeah. That works."
Seo Joo-hwan nodded. Jeong Ha-yeon beside him sniped.
"Hey, why not ask me?"
"Here she goes. I know you don't know—why bother?"
"Still ask!"
"Hah. Know any?"
"Idiot, do I look like I do?"
"You crazy bitch?"
Old friends, yet bickering nonstop. Their baseless jabs and retorts flowed like breathing. Seo Joo-hwan smirked, watching. They fought hard but without grudges—just pure camaraderie. Made him enviously wish he'd been their friend.
I wanted to hang with them.
He'd walled himself off before, fearing he'd spread his misfortune. Ironic and joyful to achieve it on day one this life. No wonder blessings poured since morning—his luck was turning.
As Seo Joo-hwan mulled his cringey thoughts, they arrived.
"Here. Bro says the side dishes are killer."
"Ooh, let's head in. Starving."
Lee Seok-chan clutched his gut, bounding up the stairs gleefully. Jeong Ha-yeon and Jang Deok-hoon followed. Seo Joo-hwan opened the door—and froze at an unexpected face.
"Ah, that jerk."
"Annoying."
Grumbles leaked from Lee Seok-chan and Jeong Ha-yeon ahead. Seo Joo-hwan frowned too.
Baek Jeong-gi?
Baek Jeong-gi and department girls filled the space—half familiar from today, likely all first-years.
"Huh?"
Feeling eyes, Baek Jeong-gi turned. Their gazes locked. His eyes widened in surprise—he recognized them. Eyebrows twitching, he flashed a bright smile and approached Seo Joo-hwan.
"Hello. Seo Joo-hwan sunbae, you're from the class of 2013, right?"