Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: 14-Year-Old Math Genius Yoo Seo-ha Heads to America
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Comments poured in by the thousands in an instant.
Most were self-mocking takes on Korea's neglect of basic sciences.
Basic science researchers swarmed the comments, taking over.
For decades, policies prioritizing rapid growth had sidelined basic science. The researchers cried out, but their voices didn't carry far.
Seo-ha stared blankly at the flood of phone notifications from morning.
Ding—
"Another one."
-Seo-ha, you going to America? Tell your big bro first! No choice, let's start with some MMA or kickboxing right now.
-Go ahead two years early. I'll catch up later ㅠㅠ
The messages were exploding.
Seo-ha set his phone down for a moment and stepped outside.
Creak—
The familiar groan of the floorboards underfoot was welcoming.
The scent of grilling mackerel wafted from the kitchen door crack.
"Mom!"
Mi-young, apron-clad, turned from setting the table.
"What?"
"Am I going to America? There's an article."
Mi-young paused briefly, then casually transferred side dishes.
"That's the plan. School's covering everything. Dad quit his job too; we're all going."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Your dad's already going nuts studying English.
County office work must've been tough. Dealing with complainers is exhausting."
"Is it okay to decide this so easily?"
"Why not? I was a good student too. English is a cinch. Thanks to you, we get to leave this backwater."
"What about Seo-eun?"
"She's off bragging to her friends now that America's on."
Seo-ha blinked in a daze.
The whole family's move was decided just like that—as casually as a tofu run to the store.
He had plenty to say, but seeing his mom humming happily, he thought it wasn't so bad.
"Go get Seo-eun for breakfast. Grab a block of tofu on the way."
Seo-ha nodded absentmindedly.
"Okay."
His head was full of question marks.
But with everyone happy, he just wanted to share the joy for now.
Mi-young laid out five admission letters.
"Where to? Terms are similar; pick any."
All top-world-ranked universities.
Seo-ha chose MIT.
'Safest neighborhood? Seo-eun likes Cambridge too.'
With the school set, enrollment prep flew by.
Days later, MIT's international office sent a Korean staffer.
"I'll handle all procedures."
I-20 issuance, visa interview, family stay docs—he breezed through like a pro.
"Um, what about Seo-ha's high school diploma?"
The staffer reassured Mi-young.
"No worries. Seo-ha qualifies for Exceptional Admission.
Research achievements, recommendations, and paper validations take priority over standard education."
"But..."
Mi-young's face stayed dark despite the explanation.
She couldn't shake the worry that Seo-ha wouldn't graduate high school properly.
She decided to visit the school.
Knock knock.
"Come in, Seo-ha's mom!"
The principal jumped up, bowing politely.
"Saw the paper. Sending Yoo to America, huh?"
Mi-young hesitated, then spoke.
"Yes, but can Seo-ha get his diploma? I came to see if there's a way."
The principal adjusted his glasses and nodded.
"I was about to bring it up."
Already the gifted school's top output, but with boundless future potential.
In the principal's mind, Seo-ha was already the first to win Nobel and Fields Medals simultaneously.
MIT would list as alma mater, but folks would check his high school too.
"Seo-ha is our school's pride. I must help however I can."
Mi-young looked at him in surprise.
"So graduation is possible?"
"Gifted schools differ from regulars. We've coordinated with the district office.
Other schools have early advancement cases after a year, and they got diplomas."
The principal recalled Seo-ha's first day a year ago.
He'd hoped for a boon, but not this much.
"Seo-ha's intellect far exceeded high school scope. IMO gold, stellar papers.
If I could, I'd give him a PhD."
Mi-young sighed in relief.
The weight lifted from her chest.
Slide.
He pulled early graduation request forms and district reports from his drawer—prepped ahead.
"Just let us feature Seo-ha in promo materials? We'll coordinate portrait and name use first."
"Of course! He loved this school."
"Great."
Thud!
The principal's seal stamped the papers.
「Early Graduation Approval Request」
Reason: Yoo Seo-ha's exceptional academic achievements and early overseas university advancement
As enrollment wrapped up, Seo-ha grew urgent.
U.S. fall semester: late August.
Boost family's English before departure.
"Mom, apple!
Shorten it. 'Ae' sound, not 'eh'."
Post-dinner, they gathered amiably for English practice.
"Dad! 'What?' is rude. Never use it."
Seo-ha made practical grammar books for his parents, correcting tricky pronunciations in spare moments.
Goal: smooth communication.
Minimize discomfort in a new land for his beloved parents.
'Did they always love studying? Must be excited for U.S. life.'
Seeing their unexpected zeal, Seo-ha tilted his head.
Deep night.
Desk lamp shadows stretched long for the couple.
Mi-young and Cheol-ho closed books only after reviewing the day's words.
"One more? Don't stumble in front of Seo-ha."
Cheol-ho nodded, hit record.
The clumsy English from the player was painfully awkward, but they endured.
They'd memorized Seo-ha's '100 Survival Phrases'; now practicing real use.
"Where is the nearest clinic?"
"Whoa! Your pronunciation was pro-level."
Resuming studies revitalized their life, even beyond Seo-ha.
"You sure? It's resignation, not leave..."
Mi-young felt grateful yet sorry for Cheol-ho's bold quit.
"Family sticks together.
I'm the head. Not too lame to support wife and two kids."
She'd worried if her lifelong civil servant husband could adapt.
But here he was, the sturdiest provider.
"Tough times ahead, but I'll find work there. English first."
Mi-young nodded at his words.
Surprisingly timid, stability-loving, adventure-averse.
Most advanced nation, yet guns and drugs everyday.
Nights sleepless over family mishaps.
Folks warned: penniless U.S. = hardship; casual racism routine.
But together, they'd weather anything.
'It'll be fine.'
She murmured a memorized line.
"It's ok. We will be fine."