Na-eun's Stubbornness
Na-eun's CSAT wrapped up brilliantly, right around the time the scores came out. I, too, finished up my finals and the semester along with them.
"Ughhh~ Semester's o-ver~"
Even though it was my first semester back after a long break, I'm pretty satisfied. I don't think I'll hit a perfect 4.0 GPA, but 3.8 should be doable.
It's not enough for scholarships, but it's still a solid score. My dad's workplace covers my tuition anyway, so no real burden there.
My grades matter, sure, but Na-eun's are way more important.
Why? Because, just like she said, Na-eun nailed all 1st-grade scores across the board.
And yet, here we are—I'm fighting with Na-eun for the first time over this.
It's not just me. Her parents are at it too. Everyone's clashing with her, except Seung-min, who apparently isn't bothering.
She aced the CSAT, so why the fight?
The reason's kinda ridiculous, if you ask me.
"Na-eun, sweetie, with these scores, you could aim higher. Sinchon or Anam are totally within reach, and even Korea University if luck's on your side."
"Mom, I'm going to Jinhan University, period. I'll get full-ride scholarships there, and my GPA will be even better."
"Na-eun, a university's name carries weight. Sure, individual skills and majors matter more these days, but you can't ignore the prestige."
"Mom, Jinhan University's a great school too."
"You could go somewhere even better."
That's the crux—she could get into top schools but stubbornly insists on Jinhan University. That's why we're all arguing.
Seung-min called me over, and even with me right there, they're still going at it.
Seung-min watches, half-scolding his mom without really scolding.
"Mom, just let her be. Let the kid go wherever she wants."
"Seung-min, you're her brother—shouldn't you be convincing her...!"
"I said let her go~"
"Hey, let's hit the PC bang."
I came to hang with Seung-min today, so PC bang it is.
But for some reason, I feel like I need to talk Na-eun into it.
I shake my head at Seung-min. "I'll talk to Na-eun."
"Didn't you already fight with her once?"
"Yeah, but I gotta try convincing her."
"Just let it go, man. She's not a little kid at 19."
"She is."
At 19, she's still a kid. Hasn't even hit adulthood yet.
Sure, I've done my military service, but out in the real world, I'm still green. Na-eun? She's not even out of high school.
If a girl like that's not a kid, who is?
"Tch... Do what you want."
Seung-min clicks his tongue, slips on his shoes.
"You coming to the PC bang?"
"If I don't go now with you, timing'll be off, so I'll just game at home."
"Eh, suit yourself. I'll head there first and start playing."
"Okay."
I send Seung-min off first and slip inside the house.
Na-eun spots me and looks a bit startled.
"Oppa...? W-what brings you to our house...?"
"Was gonna hang with Seung-min, but I figured I should talk to you one more time."
"...I told you. I'm going to Jinhan University, no matter what."
She jumps in first, like she knows what's coming—like nothing will sway her from Jinhan.
Yeah, I get it. I knew her resolve was ironclad.
I've felt it since around June. Even with killer scores, she'd stick to Jinhan. She wants our school that bad.
I still don't know why, though.
I give a light bow and greeting to her mom watching us, then turn to Na-eun. "Na-eun, shall we go to your room first?"
"...Yeah, okay."
I take her hand gently and lead her to her room.
She follows close, sits on a chair as soon as we're in, and looks up at me.
"...Oppa, I'm really going to Jinhan. No matter what."
"Even if I try to stop you?"
"Yes."
"Even if your parents keep trying?"
"...Yes."
She's dead set. So I switch tactics a bit.
"...Na-eun, I'm just curious—why Jinhan University so bad?"
"Huh...?"
"There must be a reason you're fixated on it."
She blinks a few times at my question, then spouts something unconvincing.
"......Jinhan's a good school. Top five in Korea, and it has a university hospital—perfect for nursing jobs."
"Top five, sure, but Korea U, Sinchon, Anam? Top three, rock solid. And they all have university hospitals."
Na-eun purses her lips, then mutters defensively.
"...Nursing programs are super competitive. Korea U's impossible. Sinchon and Anam too."
Bull. Total bull.
"Sinchon or Anam? With all 1st grades, you could get in. Luck helps, but odds are good. Nursing's popular, but your scores outshine it."
Harsh to say, but her scores are almost too good for nursing. Not the scores themselves, but she could aim higher and still get Korea U if she picked a less demanding major.
Still, she wants nursing—and Korea U nursing is a no-go, fair.
But Sinchon and Anam? Totally doable. Might not walk in the front door, but early rounds of waitlists, she'd snag a spot. Guaranteed.
Choosing Jinhan with those scores? Recipe for regret.
"...Jinhan's nursing program has a long history."
Running out of excuses, now it's about history.
I'm no nursing expert, but one thing's clear.
"Even so, it doesn't outweigh university prestige."
Na-eun drops her head, starts trembling.
She's about to cry, so I pivot the convo—scare her a little, really.
"...Na-eun."
"Yes...."
"......Have you thought about the perks of going to Jinhan?"
"Yes......"
"First, scholarships. High chance you're top or second in admissions—full tuition covered."
I wait for her slow nod, then drop the harsh truth.
"But that's it. Nothing more. To not regret Jinhan, you'd have to top every class. All A+ every subject."
She shivers, looks up with a teary face.
But my real point's next.
"Obviously, pulling all A+s makes Jinhan the right call. Korea U, Sinchon, Anam? Impossible there. Promise all A+s, and even your parents couldn't stop you."
Harsh truth, but her only way—to convince her parents, justify her choice.
Her eyes sparkle at that, nodding eagerly.
"...I'll do it."
"You will?"
"Yes, all A+s... I'll get them."
Her voice has this determined edge, so I just shrug.
"Fine, if that's it, I won't stop you. Your parents won't either."
"......Oppa."
"Yeah, Na-eun?"
"......Thank you."
I nod quietly at that.
And soon after, I got the message from her: 'Convinced Mom and Dad!'
Did I do the right thing? From my view, pushing her to a top school was ideal.
But while nagging, I subtly helped her case.
I hope it was the right call—for her sake, her parents', everyone's.
By the way, her parents planned to oppose hard but let her choose if she held firm. When she vowed to top her department, they happily agreed.
They're total daughter spoiling types, those two.