Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Academic Field Trip
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The variety show shoot wrapped up, and as soon as I got back, Seo-ah asked me,
“Did the shoot go well?”
“Yeah.”
“How was it?”
“It was pretty fun, in its own way.”
“You didn’t go around saying anything weird, right? Like telling people to worship you or some bullshit like that.”
“Hey, just because I spout nonsense at home sometimes doesn’t mean I’d do it out in public.”
What the hell was she even saying?
No matter how much crap I talk around the house, there’s no way I’d do it outside.
Especially on a major broadcast variety show with sky-high ratings. If I spouted nonsense and got crucified for it, what kind of mess would that be?
“Good, then.”
“Nothing happen while I was gone?”
“Nope, nothing. So when does it air?”
She suddenly got curious about the air date.
“Why, you gonna watch?”
“It’d be fun to see what kind of fool you made of yourself. So when is it?”
“Next week, I think? They usually film a week before airing.”
“Okay, gotta catch the live broadcast.”
“You maniac.”
“Did you tell Mom and Dad?”
“Not yet, but I’ll do it later.”
Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about it. Thinking back on my behavior there...
Well, our parents might see it as me just showing off playfully.
They might even like it, surprisingly.
Anyway, since I’d appeared on a show, I checked my schedule for anything else.
Group project next week... Individual assignments were all posted on the lecture board, so I could just reference those.
Once assignments were done, there was the academic field trip.
I really didn’t want to go.
Maybe because I’d just done a travel variety show, but rushing around to other regions was something I could no longer stomach.
Still, no helping it.
Gotta do it to graduate...
* * *
The academic field trip schedule came out. Date: three days from now.
Thinking about it, most of the students going were third- and fourth-years... I should just hole up quietly.
Main group was the class of ’16.
I heard a few from ’15, and some ’17 and ’18 mixed in.
If the ’17 and ’18s were going, maybe Sihyun and Soo-yeon too?
It’d be nice if we could go together.
Having familiar faces would make it easier.
The ’16 kids... weren’t exactly my favorites.
Starting from Sung Yoon-hwan, who dumped the group project on me claiming he couldn’t do the grunt work, his crew were all similar types.
Word was Sung Yoon-hwan was coming this time too... Better to avoid them altogether.
No matter how much I disliked them, unless they provoked me, I’d just let it slide.
As long as they didn’t piss me off, I had no intention of dredging up old grudges.
It still burned me thinking about it back then, but getting mad as the old me versus now was on a whole different level.
They hadn’t done anything malicious like pissing-themselves An Ye-in; they were just clueless, and it rubbed me the wrong way personally. No need to pick fights over that.
Just treat them like they don’t exist.
I asked Sihyun and Soo-yeon just in case, and both said they were knocking out the field trip early this time.
These days, first- and second-years just skipped them to focus on job prep in third and fourth year.
Guess I’d have to hang with them.
Kim Na-yeon would fit right in.
Class of ’16, huh... Hope it goes smoothly. Even if we go together, they’d probably stick to their cliques, so no clashes, right?
* * *
And so, the day of the academic field trip.
I arrived earlier than expected, and the department lounge was packed with students.
“Ah, Seo-hyun unnie!”
Sihyun and Soo-yeon greeted me warmly, so I waved back with a smile.
“Unnie’s going too?”
“Tried last semester, but the whole thing went up in flames... So yeah, going now. Can’t leave it for senior year or I’ll suffer. You two are super early, though?”
“Na-yeon unnie said do it in first or second year so third and fourth aren’t hell.”
“Exactly. Third and fourth years are packed already; wasting time on a field trip would suck. That’s why I’m stuck doing it now.”
“What do we do there?”
“Dunno exactly, but probably survey dialects, ask locals questions. Heard from classmates.”
What Korean Language and Literature majors did on field trips was simple.
Meet elders, analyze their speech patterns and vocabulary.
According to classmates who went last semester, recording was essential. Lots of unclear pronunciations, so replaying on a recorder multiple times to catch them.
Some even shared pre-liberation stories, including old songs from back then.
Probably similar this time.
“Just record well, and reports are easy.”
“Ah, Senior Seo-hyun, you’re here?”
“Yeah? Oh, yeah.”
That’s when Kim Na-yeon approached. I’d gotten casual with Sihyun and Soo-yeon, so half-talk slipped out.
“Oh, casual now?”
“Slipped out. Since we’re at it, wanna keep it casual?”
“Sure. Easier that way. Heard you went on a variety show?”
“Huh? How’d you know? Didn’t tell classmates.”
...How did they know? I hadn’t mentioned appearing on a show.
“...You didn’t say?”
“Nope. Didn’t tell them... How’d you find out?”
“What show?”
“Nananwae.”
“No way, really?”
“Yeah. Management Bureau scouted me... Anyway, went with colleagues.”
Kim Na-yeon looked genuinely envious. Makes sense. No MZ gen kid grew up without Nananwae.
“Heard you even went to the White House? Clips were insane... Seeing you on video felt unreal.”
“Same here. Situation got serious, rushed there to sort it, then suddenly White House invite.”
“You’re fluent in English?”
“Language barriers vanished after becoming a dragon.”
“...Cheat!”
Na-yeon’s shout had Sihyun and Soo-yeon staring wide-eyed.
...It is kinda cheat.
Felt eyes from around us tuning in.
Better cut this topic.
Not something to brag about.
I changed subjects, asking Na-yeon about today’s plans.
“Any idea what we’re doing? Not clear on field trip details.”
“Just note elders’ talk, listen to profs, write reports, group presentations. That’s it.”
“Same as what classmates said.”
“Last semester was similar. Anyway, should be fun today. Drinking party hype!”
“...Drink in moderation, okay?”
“Hey, what’s Korean Lit without booze? We’re the romantic souls.”
“Sounds good, but you’re just drunks.”
“Uh... Can’t deny.”
“Anything heavy to carry?”
“Oh, piled over there.”
She pointed: mountains of soju, beer, snacks.
These crazies were set to drink till they dropped.
“...That’s a lot. Lunch and dinner?”
“Caterers bringing boxed meals.”
“Got it.”
Na-yeon’s phone buzzed. She clapped, getting juniors’ attention.
“Bus is here! Grab the gear!”
“Yes!”
Watching them, I told Na-yeon,
“I’ll handle that.”
“Huh?”
“No need to strain. It’s tough, floors up and down.”
“You’ll carry all that alone?”
She looked puzzled. Silently, I levitated the pile with magic.
Telekinesis, I guess.
“Whoa!”
“What’s that?!”
Na-yeon, Sihyun, Soo-yeon, even other students gawked. I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Magic.”
“You do magic too, senior?”
“Picked it up after the US trip.”
“So it’ll be on Nananwae?”
“Yeah.”
“...Epic. Must-watch.”
“Not just me; colleagues too, should be fun. PD said ratings gold.”
“Now I really gotta watch. Anyway, thanks a ton!”
“Thanks, senior!”
Relieved juniors beamed thanks.
Still eyeing the floating booze and snacks, curiosity unmasked now that magic was real.
“Bus where?”
“Liberal Arts entrance!”
“Be back.”
“Huh, what?”
I teleported. Gear too, of course.
At the entrance, drivers startled.
“Wha-what!?”
“Hello, drivers. Korean Lit student for today’s field trip.”
“Ah, yes! You’re the Bureau Chief!”
“Haha... Yep.”
“Honored to drive you.”
“Please take care today.”
“Of course.”
Chatted briefly, then back to lounge.
I announced,
“Ta-da. Can do this too.”
“What?! Teleport?”
“Yep.”
“Cheat!”
Juniors stared in awe and envy.
Can’t blame ’em.
Grinning smugly at them.
This is fun.
Anyway, we headed to the Liberal Arts entrance and boarded.
The academic field trip truly began.