Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Group Project Meeting
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KakaoTalk! KakaoTalk! KakaoTalk!
My phone, which never got messages, suddenly lit up with consecutive alerts.
Curious, I checked it out and saw notifications from the group chat we'd made for the group assignment last time.
Shin Ayoung, who'd apparently been busy and only read the messages ten minutes later, was the last to chime in with her approval.
Everyone seemed motivated, at least judging by the read receipts. That was a relief.
It was way better than people ghosting or leaving messages on read.
With that, the alerts stopped.
I scrolled up, downloaded the screenshot Jang Minhyuk had posted, and opened it.
"Oh... fuck, what is this?"
A complex circuit diagram that made an exclamation burst out involuntarily.
It even included questions asking for the solution process and explanations for each step.
I'd figured group assignments wouldn't hand us easy problems, but this level of difficulty was beyond expectations.
The worst part? It required concepts from the finals scope.
A malicious problem designed to force preview and review step by step.
Still, I had time until Saturday, so I cracked open my textbook to study ahead.
I couldn't show up clueless and zone out.
Saturday, 12:30 PM.
I double-checked the meeting spot and time in the group chat.
I stuffed my bag with my study notes and the printouts of the TA's problems, then headed out.
The rule was to arrive ten minutes early, so I left home ahead of schedule.
As spring edged toward summer, I made my way to the cafe.
Contrary to my expectation of being first, Jang Minhyuk had beaten me there and snagged a four-top table.
"Hello. You're early."
"Nah, I just got here."
After a quick greeting, we both stared at our phones in silence until Seo Arin arrived with a bright hello.
"Hi everyone! I'm here. You guys are all early!"
She plopped down next to Jang Minhyuk and started chatting away.
Judging by the casual talk in the group chat, they seemed close.
Two minutes before the appointed time, Shin Ayoung showed up, drawing eyes from around the cafe.
Wide black slacks and a gray cardigan over a white tee—she looked perfect for spring.
"Hi. I'm last. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No! It's fine. It's not even 1 yet."
Only one seat left, so she naturally sat next to me.
The moment she did, a fresh fragrance hit me.
Sure, I'd had plenty through onaholes, but up close in person, it felt entirely different.
Seeing her haughty expression now versus the faces she made during sex created such a massive gap that she almost seemed like a different person.
With everyone assembled, an awkward vibe lingered until Seo Arin clapped to liven things up.
"Shall we order drinks first? I'll have a macchiato!"
She kicked it off, and we each called out our orders.
Seo Arin and Shin Ayoung, seated on the outer side for easy access, went to place them.
Left with just us two guys, the table felt empty.
As I gazed out the window, Jang Minhyuk spoke first.
"Um... you're a returnee student, right? I think I heard that last time."
"Yeah, I enlisted, came back this semester. '17 class, 24 years old."
"Whoa, so you're older than me, hyung. I'm '19 class, haven't done military yet, 22."
I must've looked puzzled—Third year and no service?—so he explained.
"I had surgery, bad back. Worried it'll worsen in service, so I'm holding off for now."
"That's too bad. Surgery, huh..."
As we chatted, Shin Ayoung and Seo Arin returned with the coffees.
We thanked them and sipped while easing into meeting mode.
"Shall we get started?"
I pulled the printed problem from my bag and set it on the table.
They'd probably all seen it, but up close, short groans escaped.
"Uh... isn't this from the later chapters? New symbols I've never seen..."
"Should we wait till we cover it in class?"
"Yeah, maybe do it after the prof explains?"
Seo Arin and Jang Minhyuk said hesitantly.
But Shin Ayoung thought differently, eyeing them.
"I think we should start early. It's finals material anyway—study ahead, ace the grade, kill two birds with one stone."
I nodded; same thought exactly.
2-2 split, but grades came up, and they soon agreed.
Direction set, I broached my plan—though gauging the mood, I figured I'd prepared alone and keep it light today.
"Let's just outline the big plan today and call it. Staring won't solve it."
"Oh, before that, quick question—are you a returnee?"
Same question from Seo Arin as Jang Minhyuk's earlier.
I'd mentioned it when swapping contacts, but she'd probably tuned it out.
As I opened my mouth, Jang Minhyuk jumped in.
"How about proper intros here? We'll be seeing each other till end of semester."
No objections, so he continued.
"I'll go first. Electrical Engineering, '19 class, Jang Minhyuk, 22."
"Same major, '19 class, Seo Arin, 22."
"Back this semester, '17 class, 24, Park Woojin. Electrical Engineering too."
"Same major, '19 class, 22, Shin Ayoung."
Intros done, all eyes turned to me, full of expectation.
"I thought you looked new... yep, returnee."
A vibe that screamed group leader duty incoming.
Oldest, served—reliable, weird logic.
Hard to dodge, so I tested the waters.
"So... could I take group leader?"
"Yes!"
"Sure."
Instant yeses, like they'd been waiting.
Fine, go big—I pulled out my prep.
"Truth is, I studied ahead a bit. This part's next week's lesson; book says here..."
I laid out the detailed plan; they stared, stunned.
No way they'd expected this much prep.
"Just wanna ace the grade. Hope everyone works hard."
Felt like tutoring kids.
Next week study to here, solve this; following week to there...
"Wow! Great pick for leader! So weekly meets to check and study together?"
"Yes, but only if everyone preps. Cool?"
"Yes!"
Agreement all around; my rundown ended.
Plan set, they relaxed with coffee and chit-chat.
As cups neared empty, Shin Ayoung stood.
"Gonna hit the bathroom quick."
Once she was gone, Seo Arin, mid-chat with Jang Minhyuk, switched topics.
"Oh right. Heard the rumor?"
"Which one?"
"Her, Shin Ayoung. Broke up with her boyfriend."
"Oh! Heard that, but isn't it fake?"
"Checked her Insta—couple pics all gone."
"For real? Saw him at school once, super handsome. Tall too. Why?"
"Dunno. Smart, rich family, perfect guy... maybe only Shin Ayoung level can handle?"
"Or maybe tiny dick?"
"Dude, crazy? Hihihihi!"
Overhearing got juicy.
Shin Ayoung broke up?
Just recently they'd dated at Seorol Dae Gongwon Park?
Wanting more, but her footsteps neared; they shut up, pretended busy.
Soon after, coffees drained, we wrapped—next week it is.
Should I drop by her place today?