Become a Tutor
They say the last few months as a private feel like a day turning into a year, but honestly, it wasn't quite that bad. More like a month dragging on forever like a year.
Same difference, right? Time just crawled by like I was stuck in some psych ward timeout room.
The silver lining was that, being a senior private and all, they slacked off on the busywork and training for me.
Anyway, that endless month finally ground to a halt...
"Private, why don't you just stand there like a post?"
"Get lost. If I was gonna plant myself like a stake, I wouldn't have taken those discharge punches from you punks yesterday."
"Hahahahahahaha!!"
The moment of discharge had finally arrived.
Staring down the line of juniors ranked by seniority, I exchanged final salutes with the company clerk and captain, then bellowed one last time at my underclassmen.
"Burn rubber!!!"
Burn rubber—that was my parting shot.
Truth be told, I'd always wanted to copy the other seniors yelling it on their way out. Nothing tops it as a discharge send-off.
After that, it was the usual routine.
Headed to the guard post, got congrats from the old-timer in the next company over, snapped one last photo on the way out...
Hopped on a bus, then a train...
"...I'm home."
Back to my family home.
Some guys joke around yelling "Loyalty!" or "Victory!" like they're still at base when they walk in, but not me. I just gave a normal greeting.
"Aigoo, our boy. You're back?"
"Good work these past year and a half."
No matter how I said it, my parents welcomed me with smiles.
"Yeah, I'm home."
"What? Seonwoo's back?"
Shuffling out from the room closest to the entryway came someone with sleepy eyes—a slightly shorter version of me, mid-length hair, same genes. My sister, Seong Lee, three years older.
"Hey, I'm home."
"Yeah, good work these year and a half."
Pat pat.
Sis ruffled my hair, then suddenly pulled something from her pants pocket.
"Discharge gift. Nothing fancy—just get yourself something tasty."
She slapped two crisp golden bills into my hand.
Was this the perks of civilian life? I couldn't help bowing so deep my head nearly hit the floor.
"Thank you! I'll treasure it!"
"Agh, shut up... I'm going back to bed... Sis is tired..."
She waved me off lazily and shuffled back inside.
Gratitude bubbling up, I kept bowing until her door shut. The second it did, I bolted to my own room.
Stepping into the room I'd shared daily with her before enlisting, it finally hit me.
I was back. Back in this warm, cozy home.
No other thoughts—just sleep. Right now.
Didn't even change clothes. Just chucked my bag aside and crashed on the bed.
Quietly, deeply.
*
I woke up alone in the house.
Sis had gone out with friends, Mom and Dad were out on errands.
Discharged son home today, and no welcome spread? Eh, we'd all eat together for dinner anyway—no biggie.
But this starving gut needed filling. Ramen it was. Hate going hungry.
Grabbed a pack from the pantry, set it boiling in a small pot.
As it cooked, I pondered: What's next?
Re-enroll at Jinhan University, sure. But first semester or second? Gotta decide.
First sem means messy schedule, but graduates me half a year sooner—not bad. Downside: barely any time to enjoy this freedom.
Plus, "social readjustment" is a perfect excuse to skip a whole semester.
Of course, lounging a full semester might draw side-eye.
"What to do..."
To maximize this short boil time, I changed clothes first.
Left the ramen bubbling, dashed to my room, swapped outfits quick, tossed the dirties in the hamper.
Back to the kitchen—perfectly done.
"Yep, right on time."
Still got the ramen skills. Grinning, I carried the bowl to the table.
Knock knock!
My pocket buzzed.
Come to think of it, I'd barely checked my phone today except when needed. Discharge day—probably flooded with messages.
Might as well sort 'em while eating. Slurped noodles, checked notifications.
Uni friends, my shameless crew, family group chat—all lit up.
Oh, the separate KakaoTalk? Just spam ads.
Family chat was simple: Grilling meat for dinner—any preferred cuts?
Meat's meat. Replied "Anything's good," moved on.
Uni buds next—not super tight, so basic thanks.
Last: Messages from my shameless pals...
Suddenly Seung-min asking permission? This guy's not the polite type with me. What scheme's he cooking?
Question marks popping over my head, I slurped more ramen and replied.
About a minute later, private chat from Seung-min popped up.
First semester plans? Yeah, right—was just starting to think about it.
Then, out of nowhere, Seung-min dropped an unexpected offer.
Tutoring? Not a bad idea, but... tilted my head.
Because right next door was that cheat-code genius Jisoo Kim.
Bit harsh, but between me, Seung-min, and Jisoo, there's this unspoken gap: grades.
Jisoo's top of the school, I'm middling average bouncing mid-to-upper, Seung-min's bottom-tier musclehead aiming for PE.
Any grades talk, me and Seung-min zip it—that's our template.
If we weren't tight since kids, we'd never hang.
Anyway, Seung-min's reply made perfect sense.
So relatable, I let out an involuntary "ugh."
Flashed back to high school—flipping desks trying to learn from Jisoo.
Couldn't argue there.
Teaching's best from someone who's climbed from the bottom. I'm prime tutor material.
...One semester? Perfect length.
Builds her basics, refreshes my studies too. And tutoring cash on top.
Not even pocket change, maybe.
No-brainer. Replied without hesitation.
And just like that, I became Na-eun Jeong's tutor.
Two days later...
"Excuse me~"
Back at Seung-min's house after a month. Not as his friend Seonwoo Lee this time—but as Na-eun's tutor, Seonwoo Lee.
* * *
Bang! My door flew open while I was holed up studying.
Only one person bursts in like that here.
"Ah, Seung-min. Why slam the—"
Tried snapping at my brother like usual, but it died in three seconds.
"Na-eun Jeong, Seonwoo's in. Your tutor."
Couldn't believe the happy reason he'd barged in.
"What? For real???"
"Yeah, parents approved. Seonwoo's cool with it."
"Hehe... hehehe..."
Grinning like an idiot, but bro had to ruin it.
"No clue. Why Seonwoo? Even if he's my friend, makes zero sense. Nice guy, sure, but that's it..."
"A hundred times cooler than you?"
"Shut your trap. I'm better than him."
"Trap? When you ditched me as a kid and ran off, Seonwoo oppa searched for—"
"That's over ten years ago! Stop milking it!"
"That's not all! Wanna hear the full list!?"
I pulled my fake threat, and he grumbled out.
Alone again, I pictured my crush's face.
Never gets old. Always makes me smile.
That's Seonwoo oppa to me.
Getting dumped for cheating on his girlfriend? I'd never.
So...
"I'll make him fall for me. No matter what."
I'll claim that spot beside him. And never let anyone else have it. Ever.