The Sixty-Year-Old’s School Trip (1)
In the Soviet Union, a new piece of legislation was being pushed through the Politburo: [Limited inheritance is permitted.] This was a significant development, as it established the right to limited inheritance in the constitution itself, even before the official authorization of private enterprise scheduled for March. Because it was enshrined in the constitution, it wouldn't be easily overturned, even if someone were to stage a coup later on. Of course, Gorbachev would need to keep the Soviet atmosphere favorable for at least the next decade to ensure no coup leader could dismantle the existing constitution. And honestly, that was an easy task. With Yoon-gi openly operating private businesses in the Soviet Union as if they were state-owned enterprises, there was no chance Gorbachev’s approval rating would drop.
Simultaneously, the establishment of a PMC was also being pushed forward. However, even with Gorbachev’s approval, the procedures were far more complicated than expected, so the PMC wasn't going to be established overnight. It would likely take at least a month of waiting. Because of this, Yoon-gi was able to attend school quite normally for once.
It was the final day of midterms in October. The kids were checking their answers against Yoon-gi’s test paper. They were a blessed generation, able to keep their own test papers thanks to the OMR cards. While home computers were still a distant dream, as the OMR cards suggested, schools and various institutions were already utilizing computer technology.
“Ah, damn it! I got an 86!”
The kids, who held a sincere belief that it was impossible for Yoon-gi’s test paper to be anything less than a perfect 100, began to show mixed reactions. Most were in the 70s or 80s. However, some were cheering.
“Yes! I’m gonna ask my dad to buy me a Super Genesis when he goes on his business trip to Japan!”
“Whoa, you got a 100?”
“No, a 62. My dad just told me not to get a ‘Fail’ grade.”
“What? I got a 94 and I’m still getting scolded!”
Yoon-gi’s test paper circulated through the entire class before returning to his desk, just as the teacher walked in.
“Alright, cut the local broadcast.”
The classic line every student had heard at least once from their homeroom teacher. “Did everyone do well on this exam? I wish people would stop asking if your homeroom teacher is a Korean literature teacher.”
The kids all laughed at the homeroom teacher, who was dressed in the stereotypical fashion of a math teacher: full golf wear.
“So, what do you think the class average is going to be?”
At the teacher’s question, the class fell silent.
“Oh, come on. I know you’re all grading with Yoon-gi’s paper. Speak up.”
The class president raised a hand and answered, “43 points, sir!”
The kids who had been grading with Yoon-gi’s paper were the ones who actually studied, but reality was always cold.
“Sigh, at least it’s one point higher than last time. Please, just don’t be dead last. It’s hard for me to keep pulling on your nipples, you know.”
The corporal punishment inflicted on male students in the 80s was beyond imagination. Pulling on nipples was just a standard occurrence. In severe cases, it was common to have one’s hair plucked from places where a human hand shouldn't touch. No, this was actually considered a ‘good teacher.’ Generally, corporal punishment meant being beaten with a stick until your buttocks were bruised, or getting slapped until you had a nosebleed, or being punched with a ring-wearing fist until your mouth burst.
Even then, such ‘disciplinary’ corporal punishment was usually reserved for average or poor kids. The teachers—no, the ‘instructors’—never dared to touch the kids who actually caused real trouble. Why? Because they were scared. In that sense, by 80s standards, Yoon-gi’s homeroom teacher was on the better side of average. Truly.
“The reason I tell you not to be last isn't for any other reason. If you scale any ability from zero to a hundred, life is always easier if you can maintain a 60. A 60-point knowledge will definitely be useful someday. You get it?”
YES!!
The class, not being afraid of their homeroom teacher, answered loudly with smiling faces.
“Oh, and next week is the long-awaited school trip. Is everyone ready for the trip?”
Usually, school trips were taken in the second year of high school. However, Yoon-gi’s high school had been forced to cancel last year’s trip due to a severe flu outbreak. Consequently, as last year’s second-years became this year’s third-years, it was changed so that those who applied could go. Since the college entrance exam was scheduled for mid-December, there was still some leeway in October. Of course, it was true that the number of participants had decreased slightly compared to a typical school trip.
YES!!!
With another loud response, everyone looked at Yoon-gi with grateful eyes.
“Now, our school trip, which was supposed to be to Gyeongju, has been changed to Jeju Island thanks to Yoon-gi. Everyone’s tired of Gyeongju, right?”
At the teacher’s words, a mischievous kid in the class jumped up.
“Oh, we’ve been to Gyeongju so many times, I even know how many stones are in the Cheomseongdae!”
“You brat, I even know how many blades of grass are there. Anyway, everyone, a round of applause for Yoon-gi!”
As everyone clapped, Yoon-gi smiled, feeling good. Yoon-gi had already paid for the entire school’s trip expenses. Normally, he would have been too busy to go, but thanks to the time he gained while preparing for the PMC establishment, he was able to join. He figured he’d treat the whole school while he was at it. It wasn't exactly a burdensome amount. By modern standards, it was roughly 200 million won.
“Anyway, everyone, don’t get hurt before the trip. If you get hurt and can’t go, when else are you going to get a free trip? Am I right?”
Laughter spread through the classroom once more.
“Alright, since exams are over early today, get some rest. You can go to the arcade or the pool hall, but if I catch any of you at places that sell alcohol like a Gogo-jang, don’t expect to make it to the school trip.”
Yes...
At the somewhat weak response, the teacher’s eyes widened.
“These little rascals?”
YES!!!
Hearing the loud response again, the teacher nodded, looking satisfied. “Good, class president!”
“Attention, salute!”
With a loud greeting, the students began to pour out of the classroom at incredible speed. Of course, some of them would likely put on wigs and head to the Gogo-jang. After all, the kids who wouldn't listen would go even if you handcuffed them. But it was true that it was effective enough to stop the kids who were just thinking, ‘Should I go?’”
“Yoon-gi is probably the most wholesome conglomerate chairman in the world.” At Won-hee’s words, Jin-su nodded. “True, true.”
Because of what happened before, the three were in the same class again. Yoon-gi had pulled some strings. So, the three left the school gate at the same time and headed straight for the arcade. A conglomerate chairman going to an arcade during his break—no matter how you looked at it, he was the most wholesome chairman in the world.
“Seriously, this arcade is the best in the neighborhood. Maybe it’s because Yoon-gi manages it?” Jin-su said as he opened the arcade door, and Won-hee nodded. It was a bright arcade with absolutely no smell of cigarettes. It was completely different from other 80s arcades, which were filled with thick smoke, spit on the floor, and dim lighting. Furthermore, there was a burly man standing guard in the shop. Thanks to him, it had become virtually impossible for high schoolers to extort money from elementary or middle schoolers.
“The only downside is that there are too many people. You have to wait so long just to play a round.”
It was the only arcade local parents allowed. With solid security and no cigarettes or delinquent students, it had a great reputation. And above all, Yoon-gi showed up occasionally. An arcade where the number one chaebol in Korea occasionally appeared. Thanks to that, a funny situation had arisen where the place was rumored to be a ‘lucky spot for academic success.’
“Come to think of it, I heard a kid from another school who played on the machine you just left got first in his grade last time.” At Won-hee’s words, Yoon-gi burst into a chuckle. “No way.”
“No, really. My friend played the game you played last time and got a 90 in math this time. He used to get 70s.”
“He must have worked that much harder.”
“I’m telling you, that’s not it!”
People love to believe in transcendental powers. That’s why even Won-hee, who watched Yoon-gi from the side, believed in such superstitions.
“But why are your grades like that?” However, there was always an exception to everything. At Jin-su’s remark, Won-hee’s face turned beet red.
“Hey! You have lower grades than me!”
“No, I sit in the seat you vacate after playing games. So, shouldn't I be getting perfect scores?”
“You…!” Just as Won-hee was about to explode, Yoon-gi wrapped his arms around both of their shoulders.
“Forget it, let’s settle this with a game. The loser is a ‘game noob,’ okay?”
“Hey, I’m better at games than him!”
“Bullshit! I won last time!”
The method to make men burn with passion: ‘You’re a game noob.’ Thanks to Yoon-gi, this method had become effective starting in the 80s.
*
Yoon-gi had never been on a school trip in his life. In his days living as Kim Chanyeol, it was impossible for him to have gone. Nowadays, if a family was poor, the state would provide support so they could go. But even when Yoon-gi was young, such support didn't exist, and even if it had, it would have been turned into alcohol and ended up in the belly of that bastard of a father. And even after living the life of Choi Yoon-gi, he hadn't been able to go. He was too busy. But this time, Yoon-gi decided to go on the school trip. This would effectively be the last school trip of his life. He hadn't expected much this time either, but the timing was perfect. Since he had the chance, not going would be a betrayal of fate. Yoon-gi was humming a tune on the bus chartered for the school trip heading to the airport.
“Are you sure you don’t want to sit in the very back?” Won-hee was referring to the five seats in the very back of the bus, where only the most powerful kids in the class could sit. But Yoon-gi just sat in a regular seat with Won-hee.
“Yeah. If you had, I could have sat with you too.” Jin-su, who had lost the game yesterday, was sitting in the seat in front of Yoon-gi, but he had turned his body around, leaning over to face Yoon-gi and Won-hee.
“That spot is surprisingly uncomfortable, you know.” At Yoon-gi’s reply, neither Won-hee nor Jin-su could deny it. Unlike regular seats where you could recline the backrest, the very back seats couldn't.
“Well, that’s true, but…” At Won-hee’s concession, Jin-su nodded, and soon Yoon-gi focused back on the cassette tape music. A portable cassette player was a must-have for an 80s school trip. Since Yoon-gi only had an earphone in one ear, there was naturally one earphone left over.
“I’m going to listen!”
“No, I’m going to listen!”
“You lost to me in the game yesterday!”
“That was just about the seat!”
While Won-hee and Jin-su were fighting over the remaining earphone, Yoon-gi didn't bother to stop them. ‘Isn't this also the true taste of a trip?’ He wanted to enjoy everything a school trip had to offer. And so, the heavens were showing Yoon-gi the first course of his school trip.
Screech—!
“We’re stopping at this rest area for 15 minutes, so everyone who needs to use the restroom, go ahead!”
At the homeroom teacher’s words, about half the kids got off the bus. The teacher and the bus driver did the same. When there were no chaperones around, two strange men suddenly boarded the vehicle.
“Well, everyone. We’re here because we have a great product to show you today!”