1. The Repeater Student and the Tutor
Episode 1. The Exam Repeater and Her Tutor
"Hmm."
Jin-hyeok drew a red line across the test paper.
"This one's correct. This one too."
His pen stopped at the next question.
"This one's wrong."
"Ah."
A short sigh escaped from beside him. Jin-hyeok scanned the grading section before setting his pen down.
"But your scores have improved a lot."
Na-eun grinned brightly before subtly scooting her chair closer. Her fresh, radiant face came right up to him, and her ample chest pressed warmly against Jin-hyeok's arm.
The crisp scent of her perfume made his ears burn red.
"So, oppa? Think I'll pass?"
"Not a chance with these scores."
Suppressing his pounding heart, Jin-hyeok flicked her forehead with his finger.
"Tch. So full of yourself."
"But you've definitely improved. I might actually have some expectations for your next mock exam."
"Really?"
Na-eun's eyes sparkled.
"If I get a Top Grade on the next mock exam, what'll you give me?"
"Hey, are you studying for me or for yourself?"
"Why? Oppa, promise me!"
She clung to his arm again, shaking him. The weight of her whining pressed against him. Jin-hyeok finally raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine, fine. What do you want?"
"A movie?"
"You can watch movies anytime."
"There's one I really want to see."
"Which one?"
"I'll tell you after I get my grade."
"Alright."
Just then, the door knocked.
Na-eun quickly detached herself from his arm and answered.
"Yeah?"
The door opened, and a soft voice drifted in.
"You're not bothering Jin-hyeok again, are you?"
"I'm not!"
Eun-ju entered, carrying a tray of sliced apples. Her striking beauty instantly shifted the atmosphere in the room. Jin-hyeok immediately stood and approached her. His fingers stiffened slightly as he took the tray.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Oh, it's nothing. Is Na-eun studying hard?"
"I am studying properly."
Ignoring Na-eun's grumbling, Jin-hyeok answered.
"I'll make sure she learns well, so don't worry."
"Ah, really. What would I do without you, Jin-hyeok?"
Eun-ju smiled gently. Jin-hyeok chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"We have to study. Get out."
Na-eun pushed Eun-ju's back and turned back to Jin-hyeok.
"Let's solve the next one quickly!"
"Got it."
Jin-hyeok's eyes briefly followed Eun-ju's retreating figure as she closed the door. Only after the door shut did he return to the desk and turn his attention back to Na-eun.
"Alright, that's it for today."
"Ugh... I'm exhausted..."
Na-eun flopped facedown onto the desk. Jin-hyeok gently ruffled her hair.
"You worked hard, so here's your reward."
"This is not a reward!"
Despite her words, she didn't pull away from his touch.
"Should I head home, then?"
As Jin-hyeok stood, Na-eun quickly followed.
When the two stepped out of the room, Eun-ju, sitting in the living room, looked up.
"Finished already?"
"Yep."
At Na-eun's reply, Eun-ju rose from her seat.
"Thanks, Jin-hyeok."
"Don't mention it."
"A medical student giving free tutoring like this—where else would you find that?"
"Haha, I have to help my little sister out, don't I?"
Jin-hyeok answered energetically. Na-eun pouted at his words.
"I'm gonna get into the same university as oppa."
"Oppa? You should call him 'teacher' now."
Eun-ju interjected. Jin-hyeok chuckled at the exchange and headed for the front door. Na-eun scampered after him.
"I'll get going, then."
"Alright, take care."
"I'll walk oppa out."
"Sure."
Na-eun slipped on her slippers and followed Jin-hyeok out of the apartment.
While waiting for the elevator, she sidled up close to him. Standing beside Jin-hyeok, who was nearly 190 cm tall, she giggled as she looked up.
"Don't we look like a cicada clinging to an old tree?"
Then she suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. The soft press of her chest against his side made Jin-hyeok's face flush. He gently peeled her off.
"What are you doing, acting like a kid?"
"You used to hug me all the time when I was little!"
"You're twenty now."
"It's only a two-year difference!"
"Two years is like heaven and earth."
"Wow, what a fossil."
As they bantered, the elevator arrived. The two stepped out of the apartment building.
"See you."
"I'll walk you to the corner."
"You should go back and review instead."
"I need breaks too, you know."
Unable to win the argument, Jin-hyeok just laughed and waved. Na-eun hooked her arm around his, pressing it snugly between her breasts. The soft sensation against his forearm made his face burn. He cooled his flushed cheeks in the night air as they walked slowly.
Yet, Eun-ju's smile from earlier lingered stubbornly in his mind.
Then Na-eun spoke up.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Have you ever been on a blind date?"
"A blind date? No."
"But medical students get set up all the time, right?"
"Too busy studying."
"You're not even in the Main Program yet."
"They look at your pre-med grades these days."
"So you've never been set up?"
Jin-hyeok hesitated briefly.
"A few offers came in."
Na-eun tightened her grip on his arm.
"Did you go?"
"No, I didn't."
"Really?"
At his answer, Na-eun's lips curled slightly.
"Why not?"
"None of your business."
She huffed.
"Stop worrying about my love life and focus on your grades."
"Ugh, seriously. It's break time right now."
Jin-hyeok mussed her hair as she grumbled.
"Go inside. I'll text you tomorrow."
Reluctantly, Na-eun released his arm.
"Be careful."
"Yeah."
Jin-hyeok waved back as Na-eun turned around multiple times before finally heading toward the subway station.
Jin-hyeok was tutoring Na-eun as usual, but today, she kept slumping over.
"Tired?"
"Ugh... My head hurts."
Na-eun pressed her throbbing forehead and sighed.
"Hmm. It's not that time yet, is it?"
"Wha—you pervert!"
Na-eun shrieked and smacked his head with her workbook.
"Ow! Stop!"
Jin-hyeok rubbed his head as she huffed.
"You made me memorize your cycle when you were little."
"I—I never did that!"
"You circled the dates on the calendar and made me buy you yogurt and mint-choco ice cream every month. I even delivered them to you."
Na-eun's face stiffened. Memories of her childhood demands came flooding back.
"A—ahhh! Shut up!"
Her face burning red, she threw herself onto the bed. Jin-hyeok snickered at her reaction.
"If you're struggling, take a break. Don't push yourself."
"Mm..."
Na-eun buried her face in the pillow and mumbled. Jin-hyeok stood up.
"I'll go to the bathroom real quick."
"Okay."
Though she muttered something, Jin-hyeok left the room. Stretching, he glanced around the living room but didn't see Eun-ju.
Where did she go?
Without much thought, he opened the bathroom door—
And froze.
Eun-ju was there. Fresh from the shower, she had just begun dressing.
"——!"
Jin-hyeok swallowed the sound threatening to escape. Eun-ju stood equally stunned. They stared at each other blankly before Jin-hyeok hastily shut the door.
Her barely-covered body was seared into his vision. Unbelievable for a woman nearing forty—not an ounce of excess. And those full, round breasts—pale, their tips tinged pink—
What the hell am I thinking?!
He shook his head violently.
The bathroom door opened, and Eun-ju stepped out, her head bowed.
"I—I'm so sorry."
Jin-hyeok hastily lowered his head. Avoiding his gaze, she murmured,
"N-no, it's my fault. I usually lock it... I must've forgotten today."
Drops of water still clung to her damp hair, her smooth skin faintly visible. A sweet, intoxicating scent seemed to reach him.
Eun-ju scurried to her room without meeting his eyes. It took Jin-hyeok a long moment to cool his burning face before returning to Na-eun's room.
Eun-ju hurried into her room, shutting the door and leaning against it.
I'm insane. Absolutely insane.
There was a bathroom in her room—she had chosen to use the one in the hallway. And if she was honest, she had wanted this to happen.
She had enjoyed the way Jin-hyeok looked at her.
Eun-ju had married at twenty.
Right after starting college, she fell for an older professor. The young student and the aging scholar—their love burned like wildfire. When she unexpectedly got pregnant, they married despite everyone's objections.
They had one daughter. They wanted another, but her husband's age made it difficult.
The love hadn't faded. But the fiery passion of their youth was long gone. His age meant their intimacy had dwindled to nothing.
And then—the boy who once had a crush on her had grown into a man. Without realizing it, she had started enjoying his gaze... until she crossed a line.
You crazy bitch.
She cursed herself. Yet Jin-hyeok's image wouldn't leave her mind. Right before the door closed, she had seen the bulge in his pants—because of her. The realization made her stomach clench and her heart race wildly.
Haah... This is wrong. Get a grip.
She tried to erase the memory. But Jin-hyeok's flushed face—and what had risen beneath it—refused to fade.