The Good Oppa
Shin Jaewoo had grown closer to Moon Sojeong, the good oppa figure for her, in a symbolic way. He decided to share one truth with her—the fact that he hadn't mentioned it before.
"Huh?"
Moon Sojeong jumped in surprise at his words.
"The director... of the academy?"
"Yeah. Director of Yujae Academy."
"Yujae Academy…?"
Moon Sojeong murmured the name Shin Jaewoo had told her. Strangely, it didn't feel unfamiliar.
Where have I heard that before…?
She couldn't recall it right away at first. But soon, Moon Sojeong remembered what that name signified.
Right. It was definitely…!
Yujae Academy, the school corporation that had acquired Baekje University. She recalled seeing that name somewhere.
She hadn't looked it up in the news herself, but as a Baekje University student on leave, she'd received the official notice.
So the person who took over the university is oppa?
The banner hanging at the university entrance when she started school. The new director everyone was welcoming—it had been Shin Jaewoo.
She stared at him in shock. And now, his visit finally made sense.
"Ah! So when you said you wanted to check out Baekje University…?"
"Right. I was the one who acquired it."
"…!"
She'd already guessed, but hearing him confirm it felt different. Now everything from that day truly clicked.
He was wandering around like he was inspecting and investigating… that's what it was?
He really had been touring the university as its director. Who would've thought a university chairman would scout the place like some incognito king?
Then a sudden thought brushed her mind. Shin Jaewoo excitedly chatting with Park Woojin.
"Oppa, um…"
"What?"
No matter what, that conversation they'd had seemed too unrealistic. Especially if he was the director.
"You weren't serious about everything you said back then, were you?"
"What I said back then? What do you mean?"
Shin Jaewoo tilted his head at her question.
"At the cafeteria…"
She only said that much, but it was enough for Shin Jaewoo to recall her doubt.
"The cafeteria? Oh, right. The idea session with those two students?"
His calm tone made her pupils dilate and tremble.
She could feel it from his voice.
That really was just an idea discussion back then? Not some wild fantasy?
Shin Jaewoo seemed genuinely convinced of it.
"You're really going to implement all those ideas we talked about? For real?"
"Of course. Why not?"
His counter-question left her mouth agape. She couldn't close it.
What is up with this oppa?
Worried, she spoke up.
"That stuff's gonna cost a fortune… You sure you're okay with that?"
Baekje University was already bleeding money just maintaining what it had. And now Shin Jaewoo was talking about pouring in even more investment.
They called him just a landlord at school…!
Come to think of it, was the university land part of his rental business? Buildings were buildings, after all.
Shin Jaewoo smiled.
"Don't worry about the money. I can more than handle you and our kid."
"O-our kid?"
"You said you'd have my baby. Was that a lie?"
His retort made her face flush. But she denied it right away.
"N-no! Of course I'll ha— Wait, that's because you tricked me!"
She accused him, sounding wronged.
Shin Jaewoo shrugged at her words.
"Obviously that was a lie. You think I'd really skip protection?"
"Eek!"
During their intimacy, he'd clearly said he wouldn't use protection. Telling her not to worry about it, when he'd secretly done it anyway.
Moon Sojeong felt a mix of betrayal, relief… and regret.
She hid the last one.
Steering the topic back, she asked, "So you're really gonna do all that?"
"Naturally. Though we'll have to review what's feasible under current laws."
"Whoa."
It was so surreal hearing "review." That's when she realized his words were dead serious.
And naturally, another fact dawned on her.
Oppa… you're even richer than I thought.
She'd already seen glimpses of Shin Jaewoo's wealth. That mansion. The Rolls-Royce and Ferrari she'd ridden in herself.
But his fortune was even more immense than she'd imagined.
"Huh?"
The girl's shocked face staring at him.
"You don't have to worry about that place anymore. I've taken care of everything."
"Taken care… of…?"
She struggled to find words.
Seong Yubin. She never could've imagined this scenario.
It's taken care of?
The debts of her parents that had tormented her lately. All that baggage from loan sharks over something she barely knew about.
"They won't come anymore. And you don't have to pay it back."
Shin Jaewoo said he'd handled it all.
Naturally, one thought crossed her mind. He'd paid off her parents' debts himself.
And that's exactly what Shin Jaewoo had in mind.
"Th-that money wasn't pocket change…"
Seong Yubin stammered, her eyes welling up with tears.
Her head was filled with nothing but What do I do?
After burdening his grandmother Park Sun-ok, now she'd burdened him too.
"Just being by halmoni's side was more than enough payment, Yubin."
His words felt so warm. She could sense how much he cared for Park Sun-ok.
This was family—the part she'd never had.
Seong Yubin bit her lip, then bowed deeply toward him.
"Thank you so much!"
Her voice rang out strong. Her near-90-degree bow made Shin Jaewoo wave it off.
"No, no need to thank me like that. It wasn't a big deal for me anyway."
"Still…"
From what she'd heard, her parents' debt exceeded 100 million won. He'd brushed off that massive sum.
With the insane interest, she'd thought it'd take her a lifetime to pay.
"I'll pay you back for life, oppa. I swear I will… Hnngh."
At some point, Seong Yubin couldn't hold back and burst into tears.
She'd bowed to hide them in the first place.
I didn't want to cry…
But she failed. Like a little kid, she wailed openly.
Shin Jaewoo panicked at her reaction.
Now I look like the bad guy.
She'd bowed to hide her tears, but now lifted her head, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists, still sobbing.
Comforting her had him breaking a sweat. All he could really do was pat her back.
She's crying like a real kid.
Her heartbroken sobs showed just how much she'd suffered alone. Without even family to lean on.
It was admirable how she'd endured solo.
And somehow, he felt a protective urge toward her, like a little sister akin to Kim Minseo.
"Call me anytime if you need anything."
He gave her his number.
"I can't do much, but money issues? I can handle those easy."
"Sniff. No… You've helped enough already… How could I ask you for more? I'll definitely pay you back."
She was truly admirable and mature.
Shin Jaewoo didn't push further.
Fine. If that's what makes you comfortable, go for it.
Seong Yubin had a different charm from Moon Sojeong, whom he'd just been with.
She was cute. Her girl-next-door face contrasted her killer figure, amplifying it.
"Oppa, you're my benefactor."
Hearing that from such a cute girl didn't feel bad at all.
I was the bad guy earlier, now I'm the benefactor.
Seong Yubin spread her arms wide like a child.
"Oppa is a really, really good person."
From bad guy to good guy.
"Don't trust people so easily. How do you know I'm not bad?"
"Oppa is absolutely not a bad person. You're a good person. And…"
He wasn't sure how to respond to her blind praise.
Then she trailed off, looking at him.
"To me, you're a good oppa."
Her words made his heart flutter wildly.
She seemed embarrassed too, turning away abruptly after saying it.
Watching her trot off, Shin Jaewoo wrapped up his Daejeon schedule.
I've inspected Baekje University.
Now he could head back and dive into foundation work proper.
But one last item remained before that.
He was in Daejeon anyway. Time to reunite with the old crew after so long.
Wonder how those guys are doing?
A class reunion.