Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: High School Preparations
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With the final exams of the first semester of third year behind us, it was time to start preparing for high school.
Why so early? Because second semester grades don't count toward high school admissions anyway.
The scores came out shortly after the exams ended, and I checked my report card.
Fortunately, it looked like I'd managed to take back the top spot from Kim Doyun. If I couldn't claim first with these grades, it would mean he'd aced everything, but according to the novel, Kim Doyun doesn't reach that level until after high school.
So for now, first place was rightfully mine.
Anyway, that's beside the point...
"Haneul, could you come with me to the office for a bit?"
My college counseling session had arrived. Wait, no—high school counseling.
I got up from my seat and followed the teacher to the staff room.
The staff room is a mysterious place. Even though I hadn't done anything wrong, it has this magic that makes you feel like a criminal.
It's impossible not to get nervous there.
"Have a seat, Haneul."
I sat down as the teacher directed, and she glanced over my report card while looking at me.
"Haneul... you've done incredibly well. Aside from that one time, you've been top of the school every single term."
"...Thank you."
"Hee-hee, thank you? You earned it."
My conscience stung. A 23-year-old army vet seriously studying to beat middle schoolers? Yeah, that hit hard.
If this were some elite school district, maybe it'd be different, but this is just a totally ordinary place. It made me feel even guiltier.
"With scores like yours, science high schools are a free pass, and even gifted schools are worth applying to. What do you think?"
Science high schools or gifted academies—places that had nothing to do with my previous life.
Even at my best back then, I might've scraped into a top local high school, and private schools with their hefty tuition were out of the question.
Not with my circumstances.
That's why the teacher's words felt so unbelievable right now.
The idea that I could attend one of those schools was like a dream.
But my answer was already decided.
"...I'll think about it."
I'd pretend to mull it over.
I wasn't just worried about whether I'd thrive there...
This might sound weird, but in my past life, I was a liberal arts major. Not science—liberal arts.
Science high schools and gifted academies are extreme STEM-focused, and I'd be competing with kids who've been ahead of the curve forever. Could I survive?
No way. I'm certain of it.
I know my limits precisely. Top middle-tier university at best. But even the bottom students at those schools breeze into top universities.
No merits, just downsides. Why force it?
"Alright, Haneul. Think it over carefully."
"Yes, ma'am."
I stood, bowed to the teacher, and headed back to class.
As I returned, Seol, who had been staring at the door, lit up with a bright smile.
"Haneul...!"
She came running over with quick little steps and looked up at me.
"What did the teacher say?"
"...Just praised my good grades."
"Really? You're amazing, Haneul."
Seeing her beaming like that made my heart ache even more.
Guilt from lying to her, and unease from hearing praise I didn't fully deserve.
I went back to my seat, and Seol trailed after me, chattering away about this and that.
While nodding along until she finished, I thought to myself.
Don't let it slip. Never let her find out about the science high school or gifted academy recommendations.
She might get the wrong idea.
That's what I thought, but daylight words are heard by birds, and nighttime words by mice.
No amount of caution on my part could prevent it.
On the way home, Seol asked me hesitantly.
"...Haneul."
"Yeah?"
"...Where are you thinking of going to high school?"
"Dunno... Probably the same place as you?"
She clamped her mouth shut at my words.
That's when I realized what she'd heard.
After some internal debate, I chose silence. Nothing was set in stone yet.
But Seol just came out and said it.
"...Haneul, you could go to a really academic high school, right?"
I didn't respond, just gave a small nod.
Seol pressed her lips together tightly at my reaction, and we walked home in silence.
Once at my house, Seol acted completely normal.
She picked up Dasom, who was bouncing around, played with her, and chatted warmly with Mom.
But I could feel her subtly avoiding me.
...My silence must've caused a little misunderstanding.
I was still pondering how to fix it when it was time for her to go.
"Auntie, I'm heading out."
"Okay, take care~"
"Unni! Bye-bye!"
"Bye, Dasom. I'll come again~ Haneul doesn't need to see me out."
"...Okay."
I nodded at her words, and Seol gave me a small wave goodbye.
-Creeeak... click.
The moment Seol stepped outside, Mom asked me.
"Haneul, did something happen with Seol?"
It was obvious enough for Mom to notice.
I stroked Dasom, who was gazing wistfully at the door, and shook my head.
"...It's nothing."
"Still, want to tell me? You never know."
No more lies—I gave her the rough rundown.
About the teacher recommending science high or gifted schools, and Seol overhearing because she wants to go to the same school as me.
Mom listened, then asked right away.
"Haneul, are you thinking of going to a science high, gifted school... or maybe a special-purpose private high?"
I shook my head immediately.
I didn't particularly want to go there. I just wanted to go to the same school as Seol.
Mom followed up with why.
"Why? Because of Seol?"
That question stopped me cold.
The answers I had ready were safe ones.
Like, I'm not sure I can keep up the grades there. I still don't know what I want to do, etc.
Perfectly neutral stuff. But hearing Seol's name from Mom's mouth made it impossible to say.
I tried to force it out.
It's not that, I just don't think I can maintain the scores, I want to try various things at a normal school.
But the words stuck. My inner voice warning no more lies.
I pushed past it somehow.
"...Honestly, I don't think I have talent in sciences. I probably couldn't keep my grades up at a science high or gifted school."
"What about a special-purpose private or autonomous public high? Your dad and I can afford that."
"...But I'd just be studying all the time. I want to experience different things."
I countered as best I could, but Mom hit the nail on the head.
"It has nothing to do with Seol?"
Nothing to do with Seol?
Could it?
No. Of course it did.
The truth I'd been trying to ignore even from myself.
That truth was Seol.
Seol's still shy around people. She seems better, but without me, she doesn't smile much at others. Even with Ji-yoon around, it's only 'a bit' okay.
Plus, she seems careful but is secretly scatterbrained, pure beyond her years, kind and gentle to boot—so much so that if someone bullied her, she wouldn't even resist.
How could I leave a girl like that and go to another school?
"...No."
"You show it when you lie, son."
It was the first time I truly realized what kind of person Mom was.
In dramas, moms always know their kids inside out, but I'd dismissed it. Parents are people too—how could they know?
But no. She'd seen right through the feelings I'd tried to hide. Mom really understood me.
Even if we were mother and son only by the author's design.
"You need to clear up Seol's misunderstanding, huh? Wait, it's not even a misunderstanding. She thinks you're skipping other schools for her sake—and you'd be right."
I could only nod, lips pressed tight.
I had to soothe Seol's hurt feelings. And get her unspoken permission.
Permission to go to the same school.
And to get that...
"...Seol."
"Yeah?"
"You free this weekend?"
I arranged to meet Seol over the weekend.
We'd hang out, and once her mood improved, I'd apologize.