4. Time Loop (2)
Strangely enough, that thought crossed my mind. I wondered if writing in my diary on Sunday would really create a save point.
Since I had plenty of time anyway, I decided to test it out. I spent this week lounging around just like before, then wrote in my diary on Sunday. Nothing fancy—just jotted down in my notebook, "Survived this week successfully."
Survived this week successfully.
And with that, I went to sleep. Somehow, it felt like I'd gotten a really deep rest.
When I woke up, I checked my phone.
The time loop continued.
"What's different?"
I was curious why the time loop hadn't been prevented. I went back to my desk and compared it to the diary entry from last time. The second one only had the four short words "Survived successfully," so there wasn't much to compare.
I needed to figure out the conditions for the time loop by testing various scenarios. I'd been desperate before because I couldn't find any reason, but now that I had a hunch, motivation surged.
If I really had acquired a save point, it was an incredible power—not just regression, but the ability to rewind time.
Just in case, I wrote in my notebook every day. But the time loop still happened. Waking up every Monday made it seem like the loops operated on a weekly basis.
Another week passed, and to confirm my hypothesis, I wrote the exact same thing as last Sunday's entry. But since it was a diary, I just changed the date.
When I woke up, I grabbed my phone, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.
"Yes!!! It worked!!!"
Time had flowed normally. At the very least, I now knew I could control it. I didn't know the exact method yet, but if it didn't work, I could just write another diary entry—no big deal. Sure, writing two pages worth every week might be a hassle, but I'd gained the power to rewind time.
If a week didn't go as planned, I just wouldn't write the diary. I'd obtained an tremendous ability.
First, I decided what I needed to do. While praying the time loop would end, I'd already thought of a method: stocks.
At first, when I woke up, I had no idea how to make money, but now I had a way. Knowing a week's stock trends meant I knew exactly when to buy and sell.
Stocks basically had daily limits: plus or minus 30% from the previous close. The max profit from one stock was 60%. Of course, in volatile markets, you could buy and sell repeatedly for more, but that was tough.
The reason? After living through a week, I knew the flow and when to buy/sell. But to do it perfectly, I'd have to memorize every hour across five days. No notes or recordings possible. On Monday, I'd rely purely on memory for trades.
Sure, memorable events might let me flip once or twice, but not every time. So, I decided to memorize buy/sell timings for just five stocks per day start.
Trading hours were usually 9 AM to 3:30 PM. After-hours or single-price trading had limits, so I'd stick to regular hours.
One more issue: university. Stock hours overlapped with classes. In the future, phones made it easy, but now it was computers only.
I considered overseas stocks, but that would mess up my rhythm. And I couldn't skip school—my connections were there.
I'd hated Yoo Young-hoon and Joo Hee-rin to death at first, but after dozens of loops killing them off in my mind, revenge didn't even cross it anymore.
Plan: Buy a USB, store my certificate, and trade sporadically at a PC bang near school.
I didn't need to check stocks daily. After Friday close, review charts, memorize stocks and times per day. Max five trades a day.
Too frequent, and I'd miss both classes and trades. In loop weeks, skip school for games/reading, memorize on active Fri-Sun.
No school in loops to avoid boring repeated talks/actions. Even in active weeks, skip diary if issues—no big deal.
Monday came again. Time: 7:15 AM. Since writing the diary let time flow normally, resets now started at 7:15 Mondays.
All preparations complete. I showered, dressed neatly. Had to hurry today—buy stocks at PC bang before 9 AM market open, then class.
On the subway, I reviewed memorized timings. At the PC bang, plugged in USB, logged in with certificate.
At 9 sharp, graphs moved, volumes surged. But not yet. Searched "Hanyang Trading," waited.
Opened at -17%, dipped to 10,000 won buy price. 9:15 AM, -27%, 8,700 won. All-in 1 million won: 114 shares. Left PC bang.
After my buy, the drop stalled. Wouldn't skyrocket, but purchase strength at 60% drop likely. I knew the flow—no worries.
In class, major lecture underway. Professor glanced, checked roll.
60s old prof, neatly combed hair, stern vibe.
"Who are you?"
"Cha Hyun-su. Sorry I'm late."
He checked roll. "Hyun-su, you missed last week and the week before?"
"Yes. I was sick, out two weeks."
"Hm. Better now?"
"Not fully, but okay today."
I hedged to avoid scolding for skipping then tardy.
"Glad you're better. Sit."
Couldn't argue, let me sit. Scanned for empty seat—Kim Ye-rin's side free. Her aloof beauty kept it empty even after two weeks.
"Hey?"
"Ah... hello."
"I'm 20. Speak casually."
Sat by her, greeted easy. Freshmen, but some repeaters—no banmal at first. But I went casual with Ye-rin.
"Ah... okay."
No one approached her before; my friendly greet didn't annoy. Shy, standoffish looks kept others away.
Class: Principles of Economics. Past me got A. 20 years faded it, but refreshed memories.
After, chatted friendly. "Missed class sick. First week intros anyway—got week two summary?"
"Yeah, this should cover it."
My natural vibe eased her; we chatted break away.
Someone disliked it.
"What's with that guy? Hits on hot girl right away?"
Park Woo-jin. He'd eyed Ye-rin but couldn't approach; I broke through.
Others chimed agreement. Similar crushes lurked.
I ignored them.
Next lecture: 40s young male prof, called roll, mentioned me. As expected, smoothed over.
Glanced at Ye-rin occasionally—intently focused, profile captivating. Unreal beauty.
Felt my gaze? Turned, startled at my stare.
"Ah, sorry. Got lost... haha."
"Uh... uh..."
She flustered more, blushed, refocused.
Two majors done: lunch. All money in stocks—planned convenience bread.
Then changed mind.