Chapter 79
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: I Ended Up Going on the MT. (2)
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The morning of the MT departure day.
There was a note stuck to the thermos that Teacher had left at the front door.
-I've got morning classes today, so I'm heading out early. You're going on the MT from school, right? I've prepared it in advance, so eat well and have a safe trip!
Teacher had left fresh breast milk behind again today, without fail.
She was faithfully keeping her promise to provide fresh milk every single time.
Gulp-.
Gulp-.
I immediately unscrewed the lid and drank the breast milk she'd diligently expressed that morning.
These days, nothing beat it as a breakfast substitute.
'Alright, time to pack my bags.'
It was just some simple underwear and a few changes of clothes, nothing much.
But sitting there packing my bag from the morning made it feel like I was heading out on a field trip, filling me with excitement.
I stuffed in my clothes and socks. What else did I need?
My eyes landed on the pile of pill bottles in the corner.
'......Stamina restoratives?'
Did I really need them for the MT? But these days, you never knew when or where something might happen.
I filled my bag with the stamina pills and popped one right into my mouth.
Throb!
It kicked in right away, as expected.
A fresh start to the day.
I might not need it immediately, but taking one in advance made the whole day feel solid and reliable.
Riiiing-.
Riiiing-.
I'd finished getting ready and was waiting in my room when the phone rang from the student council president.
"Hello?"
-Hey, it's me, Jinwoo.
"Yes, President."
-Sorry, but where are you right now?
"I'm waiting in my room. It felt too early to head out."
-Good. Could you swing by the department office at school?
"Sure, no problem. What's up?"
-You know Professor Park Jiyeon? The new one who started this semester?
It was a name I'd never heard before.
I'd only taken major classes with the usual professors, and I had no reason to go to the college building otherwise.
"No, I don't think I've met her."
-She only teaches first-year classes, so that makes sense if you haven't heard. Anyway, she has a favor to ask.
"Got it. Should I head over now?"
-Yeah, sorry about this. You're the only one nearby right now. We've got plenty of time before departure, so handle it and come straight down. I'll wait.
"Okay, President. See you later."
Click-.
The call ended, and I grabbed my bag.
'Perfect timing. I was bored with all this time to kill before heading out.'
I slung my packed bag over my shoulder and headed straight to school.
When I arrived at the department office, the entrance was a mess of paper stacks and boxes.
Peeking inside, I saw a female student who looked like a TA bustling around with a box by herself.
"Excuse me... TA? I got a call that the professor wanted to see me."
"Huh? Who?"
She had wavy hair cascading down and round glasses—a senior TA.
She turned to me with a face worn down by grad school life.
"Ah, I'm Lee Jinwoo. The president told me to come up."
"Jinwoo? Sent by the president, huh?"
She called the president just "president," so she was definitely older.
Probably a grad student who'd finished undergrad, so late twenties at least.
"Come on in. You're quicker than I expected."
"Hi."
The TA senior wasn't a stunning beauty, but there was a subtle sexiness in her expressions.
My eyes kept drifting to her fair skin and the firm curve of her hips.
"Sorry it's a bit messy inside. Things are hectic. Could you grab that box for me first?"
"Sure."
I picked up the box stacked next to the TA senior.
"It's MT departure day, right? Thanks so much for coming to help anyway."
"No big deal. Still got time before we leave."
"Heh. Alright. I'll let you go before departure. Now take this to the professor's lab. Not too heavy, is it?"
"Nah, it's fine."
I followed the TA senior, box in hand, to the professor's lab in the next building.
I didn't come here often, but the professor research building always had this musty dust smell and shadowy gloom that made the air feel oppressive.
We arrived at Professor Park Jiyeon's lab, tucked in the darkest corner of the gloomy building.
The TA senior set down her box and said,
"Just put the box over there for now. Next, we'll sort what's inside."
She finished speaking and stared right at me.
......??
She's staring pretty openly.
"This your first time seeing me, Jinwoo?"
"Yeah. There was a different TA when I reenrolled."
"Oh? Haha. Guess you're not just buttering me up."
"Huh?"
"I'm not the TA. I'm the new one this semester, and since I only teach first-years, you wouldn't know."
The TA senior—no, Professor—pointed to the nameplate on the desk with her name on it and laughed.
"......You're the professor?"
"Yeah. I thought you were flattering me at first, so I played along, but you kept looking, and it seemed genuine."
"Sorry, Professor."
"No, I'm flattered you think I look young. Anyway, we need to hustle if you want to make your departure."
The professor pulled out a folding chair from the corner and set up a spot for me.
'How old is she? She looks way too young.'
I never knew our department had such a young professor.
Even at most late twenties, so probably not a full professor yet.
Even as a contract lecturer, was that age possible? She must be seriously talented.
"First, we'll scan all these materials, transfer them to the computer, and sort them. Too much for one person, and time's tight."
"Got it. I'll do it as fast as I can."
"Thanks. I wouldn't have made the deadline alone."
I started sorting with the professor.
The quiet professor's lab, just the two of us.
For a good while, only the sound of typing and rustling papers filled the room.
'Looks like I won't make it in time for departure.'
I hurried as much as I could, but there was just too much.
Hard to call in more people for this kind of task, so we'd have to finish it ourselves—and at this rate, we'd be at least 30 minutes late.
"Professor, I'll step out for a quick call."
"Sure. Take your time."
I went outside and called the president.
"President, looks like it'll take me a while longer."
-Yeah? How much longer? Want me to send more people now?
"No, it's not that kind of task. Better if you guys go ahead without me."
-No way, we can't leave without you. We'll wait till you're done.
"That'll mess up everyone else's schedule. I'll come separately as the latecomer, so head out first."
-I'd feel terrible. Want me to call the professor so you can slip out midway?
"Nah. She seems stressed about finishing on time. I'll wrap it up and come."
-Sorry, Jinwoo. My bad for sending you there.
"It's fine. See you at the dorm."
-Alright. Drive safe.
Back in the lab, the professor looked apologetic.
"Jinwoo, what do we do? Departure's almost here. I'll finish the rest, so go join the others."
"No, I just told them I'd come late separately."
"Huh? Why? MT's more fun with everyone together. Now I feel bad."
"It's okay. I'd feel worse leaving it half-done. Let's just finish up quick."
"Thanks."
I finished the remaining work with the professor.
It took way longer than planned, but the relief of completing it on time was worth it.
"Seriously, thank you. You saved me. But now you can't go with the group."
"I can leave now. Just gotta check for a rental car I can reserve quick."
"Rental? You drive?"
"Yeah, don't have a car yet though."
"Want to take my car?"
"Huh? Your car, Professor?"
"Yeah. It's an old beater, but I'm stuck here till Sunday anyway for my paper. You guys return Sunday, right?"
"Uh... yeah. You sure it's okay?"
"Of course. Daily insurance can be signed up same-day now. I'll handle it. Take my car."
The professor pulled the car keys from her drawer.
They looked pretty beat-up, like some ancient relic.
"Drive safe. It's parked right below, easy to find."
"Uh... thanks, Professor."
"No, thank you more. Let's grab a meal when you get back. Really appreciated today."
I said goodbye to the professor and headed to the building parking lot.
No need to hunt for the car.
An old model stood out immediately.
'This thing won't blow away on the highway, will it?'
True to its age, it used a key ignition.
I inserted the key and turned it. The car sputtered to life like it was on its last breath.
'......Should make it there alive.'
As I steeled myself to depart, my phone rang again—the president.
"Yes, President."
-Jinwoo! Why are you still there? I would've stayed too if I'd known!
It was Hana noona's voice.
I recalled her excited texts about coming on the MT together.
"That's how it went. See you at the dorm later."
-Ugh... I bought snacks for you and everything.
I heard noona mumbling in the background, but the president took the phone back.
-Jinwoo, you heading out?
"Yeah, about to."
-Cool. Could you pick up one of the first-years who got left behind at the first rest stop after the highway entrance?
"Huh? Sure, who?"
-One first-year stranded at the rest stop. Can you give them a ride on your way?
"Ah... yeah, I'll do that."
-Thanks. I'll text you the dorm address. Drive safe.
The call ended, and I got the destination via text.
'What... no nav in this car?'
To my dismay, my retro phone didn't support navigation apps.
Damn feature phone.
'First rest stop after the highway...'
I could probably find the rest stop somehow.
Once I met the stranded student, I could use their phone for nav.
'Here goes.'
I drove the professor's car toward my first destination.