Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Reunion (1)
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"Oh, oh my. Tae-hee. Why the banana outfit...?"
"...It's a penalty. Please bear with me."
It was a bright yellow banana costume.
The lack of any real sense of incongruity was impressive—if you dropped him in a jungle right now, the monkeys might mistake him for a giant banana and carry him off.
The PD and writers at the radio station were taken aback at first when they saw Han Tae-hee's outfit, but soon burst into laughter.
Even Han Tae-hee, who usually brimmed with self-confidence and had a bit of shamelessness to boot, looked a little embarrassed in this situation.
That day, the live broadcast turned into a total comedy fest.
Fans of the show who tuned in out of curiosity about the penalty costume flooded the live text chat with nothing but "lol"s.
- lmao Han Tae-hee what are you doing ㅠㅠ
- DJ sorry my kid's getting his penalty now... lmao
- Human banana Han Tae-hee lmaoooo
Thanks to that, the listenership ratings that day were apparently a bit higher than usual.
The PD came out beaming afterward and even asked him to come in an apple costume next time.
Anyway, good results mean it's all good, right? That's what I told myself.
* * *
Back at the dorm after the morning radio schedule.
With only one gig today, the rest of the day was free time.
The members went off to do their own things, as usual.
I played a round of the game with Go Eun-young and Teddy for the first time in a while, then opened the fridge to grab some water.
That's when Han Tae-hee came strolling out of the big room. Casual hat, hoodie, comfy sweatpants. Backpack slung over his shoulder—he was the picture-perfect college student.
He'd even thrown on some oversized shades for good measure. You could spot him as a Seoyeon University student from a hundred meters away.
"Heading to school?" I asked as I poured water into a glass.
"Yeah. Gotta turn in a report. You know that movie one I mentioned before? Comparing a good movie and a bad one. I finished it."
"Oh."
"And while I'm at it, figure I'll say hi to the prof and my classmates."
I recalled Han Tae-hee intently watching that zombie movie on the way to Busan that had been insanely boring.
So he'd used that for his report after all. Good job, college boy.
Which meant he was heading to Seoyeon University right now.
'Man, I kinda wanna go too after all this time.'
My alma mater, Seoyeon University, where I'd diligently attended for four years.
Hearing he was going there suddenly sparked the urge to visit after so long.
What was I doing around this time back then...? Cramming for finals, or prepping for a club performance maybe.
Ah, real nostalgia. Those were the days. Wonder what my classmates and club buddies are up to now.
Lost in those thoughts, the words just slipped out before I knew it.
"Tae-hee hyung."
"Hm? What's up, Jae? Want me to grab you something?"
"No, not that. Um... mind if I tag along?"
At my out-of-the-blue question, Han Tae-hee tilted his head like he had no idea what I was on about.
"You wanna go to our school, Jae?"
"Just... I've always had this dream of strolling a college campus again. Never really had the chance, though. And I've got nothing going on right now anyway. Can I come with? Please?"
"Oh ho. So our literary boy Ha Jaehas this cute little dream tucked away inside, huh."
Han Tae-hee looked down at me with the eyes you'd give a cat hamming it up for treats right in front of you.
Not the most flattering gaze, but I held my tongue.
Finally, he nodded and plopped down on the sofa.
"Okay. Get dressed quick and let's go."
"...! Got it, hyung."
The second he gave the okay, I bolted to my room, changed in a flash, and came right back out.
Had to move fast before he changed his mind.
He eyed my black coat, gray turtleneck, and beige pants, then pointed to the door.
"Let's roll. Grab a hat and mask."
"Oh, right."
Ever since the Masterpiece Medley stage, people occasionally recognized us, so hats and masks were a must to walk the streets without hassle.
I snagged a black cap and a daily mask from the entryway, put them on, and headed out with him.
On the subway to Seoyeon University entrance station with Han Tae-hee, I felt eyes on us from all directions.
No way they could recognize us even with the hat and mask...? But no one approached, so it was probably just Han Tae-hee being too damn handsome.
'Guy's got aura just standing there.'
Even with the mask and hat, you couldn't hide Han Tae-hee's looks.
He's our group's visual, after all—gotta deliver.
We got off at Seoyeon University entrance station and walked into the campus.
'Our school nailed this one thing, at least.'
Other schools might have an "entrance station," but you end up walking forever just to reach campus.
No wonder one got nicknamed "Far-Far University Station."
But ours was a five-minute walk from the station tops—super convenient back when I was in school.
Stepping onto campus, I felt students' gazes lock straight onto us.
Han Tae-hee whistled softly and leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"They're staring extra hard today. My charm or yours?"
"Think they know us?"
"Maybe not me, but you? You're the a cappella live king and First Winter guy."
"...Don't call me that."
"Uu. Let me have Ho-Mu-Ho-Chaet."
"Don't twist Hong Gildong into this."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his sudden witty pull from the classic tale.
Chatting nonsense like that, we headed toward Moran Hall, where the Theater and Film department office and profs' rooms were.
Moran Hall sat in the campus center, a beautifully designed building. Since it housed arts departments, they'd put extra care into the construction, or so I'd heard.
As we reached it, Han Tae-hee pointed inside with his finger.
"Jae-ya. I'm gonna head in, submit the report, say hi to the prof and classmates. What about you? Wanna come in?"
"Nah, I wanna wander the campus a bit more. Meet back here at this bench later?"
"Sounds good. Yeah. I'll call when I'm done."
"Alright. See you."
I waved to Han Tae-hee as he headed into the building, then plopped down on the bench.
I took a deep breath. The school air felt welcoming after so long.
What was I really doing around this time back then? Feels like five years ago—ancient history.
Racking my brain, I sat on the bench watching students pass by.
They looked great, arms full of major textbooks, walking with friends.
After about five minutes there, I got up and started slowly strolling the campus.
Stepping on familiar paths, seeing familiar sights—memories bubbled up fresh.
'Could run into classmates like this. Or club friends. Either way, it'd be awesome.'
Wandering aimlessly, I found myself at Mae-hwa Hall, where the Korean Education department office was.
Class must've just ended—students were pouring out.
That's when, in the crowd, I spotted a guy.
The instant I saw his face,
"Huh...?"
My heart nearly stopped.
Because he was
"me...?"
The "me" from my memories. My true self.
The real me, Seo Il-hyun.
He looked exactly like the face I always saw in the mirror.
"What the fuck is this...?"
I couldn't process it. My head felt frozen solid.
Was I seeing things? No, impossible.
That's definitely me. The odds of someone looking that much like me existing in this world—let alone on this campus—are zero.
The guy who looked like "me" came out of Mae-hwa Hall and hurried off somewhere.
Reflexively, I jumped up and dashed after him, grabbing his arm.
"...Who—"
The moment he turned, saw my face, his complexion went ghostly pale.
He looked utterly horrified, like he'd seen a ghost, muttering "Ah, ah..." in panic, unable to hide it.
And then, in a flash,
"...Hey!"
He shook off my arm and bolted away from me.
It happened so suddenly I lost my grip.
"Damn it!"
I chased after him with everything I had.
Some primal instinct screamed I couldn't let him get away now.
* * *
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Seoyeon University Bamboo Grove
#50233 Story #Romance #Crushing Hard
The guy in the black mask sitting on the bench near Moran Hall around 1:30-2pm on Nov 22
Black coat, gray turtleneck, beige pants. Height about 175-178cm maybe
Even with the mask, his eyes were insanely pretty
We locked eyes a few times and whoa... the aura ㅠㅠ
Debated asking for his number but he left while I was agonizing, so I missed my shot ㅠㅠㅠ
If you're single, wanna meet at the same bench near Moran Hall on the 25th at 2pm?
I'm no slouch looks-wise either!!! lol
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Comments (16)
- The chosen one wins again...
└ Chosen one wins... And I'm forever the loser... fuck
└ Chosen ones just sit on benches and win. Unfair world
└ ㅠㅠ I wanna date too
- Omg I saw him too, aura was total celeb level. Is he from our school??
└ Doesn't seem like it... No one that hot outside Theater/Film
└ Same thought here
- I saw him too and nah, not from our school~ He's an idol. Search EverPlanet Lee Jae!
└ Omg
└ That's him for sure
└ No wonder he was so hot, already everyone's man... ㅜㅜ Clean pass, but for a sec I really loved you... Thanks ㅜㅜㅜ
└ Saw this comment and checked him out—guy who sang Han-cheol's winter OST. Fuck why was today my free period
- As the comment above said, not from our school!! Idol from the same group as our Theater/Film ㅎㅌㅎ who was here today too apparently! Friend said everyone said hi to ㅎㅌㅎ when he came
└ ㅠㅠ Thanks, was crushing hard but so sad now...
- Campus heartthrob turns out to be national idol... This is getting fun
└ Actually kinda like it
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Seoyeon University Bamboo Grove
#50234 Story #Question #Curious
Anyone see that campus chase around 2pm today? lmao
Thought it was track team practice
Both guys were hauling ass lololol
Watched for like 5 mins then had to go to lecture so missed the end
Wondering if he caught him—sending this in
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Comments (7)
- Yeah I saw lmao he caught him lololol
└ lmaoooo thx ㅠ
- But both had crazy physiques tho ours??
└ One's from our school
└ Omg who?? Black coat? Or blue cardigan?
└ Blue cardigan yeah Korean Ed's SYH famous but idk??
└ Whoa heard of him tall cold hottie in Korean Ed... That's the guy makes sense ㄷㄷ
* * *
Lee Jae-oh's training had built up my strength and agility for times like this.
I tailed the guy nonstop for five minutes.
He tired out first and stopped, and I finally grabbed him.
"Huff, huff... Got you."
"......"
"Hey, dude. Why'd you run?"
Panting hard, I gripped the back of his neck and checked his face again.
'Yup.'
No mistake. This face was mine, no doubt.
Confirming it triggered a new system alert.
[You have encountered 'Seo Il-hyun' from 'Life's Second Round.']
Seeing the message hit like a confirmation shot—my head went ice cold.
Catching my breath, I spoke to him calmly.
"Let's talk."
"......This has gotta be, a dream."
But what was up with him?
I couldn't help but be baffled watching him shake his head, denying reality like his life depended on it.