Chapter 132

<The Eccentric Negotiator>

***

This week, Class 1 of the 3rd grade is in charge of cleaning the bathroom.

The class president had the privilege of being exempt from cleaning, but Jin-hyuk had never skipped cleaning time since his first year.

It wasn’t about setting an example as the class president.

He just felt uncomfortable being the only one exempt. He also hated seeing his classmates act all high and mighty, pretending to supervise each other.

As Jin-hyuk entered the bathroom for cleaning, his brow furrowed deeply.

The pungent smell of cigarette smoke filled the dark bathroom.

‘What kind of jerks smoke in a sacred place like school?’

From the first stall near the window, giggles and cigarette smoke wafted over the partition.

Naturally, Jin-hyuk’s irritation shot up.

Just as he was about to stride over—

“Class president, hold on.”

Song Joo-won, who was cleaning with him, blocked Jin-hyuk and shook his head.

Song Joo-won pointed toward the high school building.

‘High school students?’

Jin-hyuk raised his eyebrows as if to ask, and Song Joo-won nodded.

Well, it’s not like teachers would be smoking and giggling in the student bathroom.

Huuu—, Jin-hyuk let out an uncontrollably long sigh.

‘Why come to the middle school building when they have their own?’

It was a perfectly reasonable and justified anger.

To put it bluntly, why catch raccoons in someone else’s house when you have your own?

If you’re a high school student, shouldn’t you smoke in the high school bathroom to truly embody the spirit of being a high school student?

‘These guys have no sense of ownership.’

Jin-hyuk gently pushed aside his friend and moved toward the problematic stall. Song Joo-won tried to stop him again, but there was no way to hold Jin-hyuk back. It was like trying to stop a typhoon with a butterfly’s wings.

Bang bang bang—!

Jin-hyuk’s fist rapped on the door irritably, and the giggling stopped abruptly, replaced by dead silence.

But the door didn’t open.

What the—?

He knocked again.

Bang bang bang bang bang!

Still, no response.

After letting out a long sigh, Jin-hyuk spoke softly but firmly.

“Come out. Before I splash water in there.”

That’s when it happened.

“Ugh, damn it—.”

A curse was heard, and the door opened.

Sure enough, it was a student wearing the navy blue uniform of Taeyang High School, with a yellow name tag. There were three of them.

‘Yellow name tag means they’re second-years, right?’

He heard that the color of the name tags varied by grade.

Two years ago, Choi Tae-yang, who was a third-year, had the same color, so they must be second-years.

Next to the name tag was a red circular badge that read “Discipline.”

“You called?”

Jin-hyuk wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

Naturally, he had no intention of answering politely.

“You’re smoking in my cleaning area?”

How dare you?

Jin-hyuk briefly imagined grabbing the guy by the side of his head and gently pressing him against the wall.

Just imagining.

‘I have to hold back.’

If this had been last year, when black dragons of rage would suddenly rise from his heart, he definitely would have done it. But now, his calm heart easily resisted the temptation to go berserk.

“Hey, I asked if you called—.”

Just then, the high school student made a threatening chin gesture.

Jin-hyuk instinctively grabbed that chin.

Snap—.

It was a well-defined, protruding chin with a good grip.

If he hadn’t made that threatening gesture, Jin-hyuk wouldn’t have done it. This guy brought it upon himself.

“Ughhh—.”

The 18-year-old guy started babbling.

Wasn’t he overreacting? Jin-hyuk didn’t even grab his collar, worried about hurting his feelings.

Despite being the cause of his discomfort, Jin-hyuk had reached a level of social awareness where he could still consider the other person’s feelings. He realized how much his social skills had grown.

Anyway.

It’s hard to control strength, not to use it. How dare a mere high school brat make a chin gesture that only Choi Mi-kyung, a youth, is allowed to make?

The guy, unable to close his mouth due to Jin-hyuk’s grip, started to emit a foul smell.

Jin-hyuk skipped inhaling and answered kindly.

“Yeah. I called.”

With the high school student’s jaw restrained and struggling in front of him, Jin-hyuk also held his chin and pondered.

What should I say in this situation? Something that conveys, “I’m uncomfortable, so stop messing around and quietly leave.”

Ah, should I just say it as it is?

But Song Joo-won stepped in first.

He clung to Jin-hyuk’s arm and looked at the high school students.

“Uh, seniors. Did you come from another middle school? You don’t know our class president’s name or face?”

The babbling guy and the other two high school students rolled their eyes to look at Jin-hyuk. They could tell he was taller and more built than them, and since middle school students didn’t have name tags, they could only guess he was a third-year based on his casual clothes. But why would high school students know a middle schooler? Of course, they’d never heard of him.

But they could tell he was someone significant. The way his friend spoke and, more importantly, the sheer strength with which he handled the high school student like a baby spoke volumes. Among hormone-driven males, physical strength reigns supreme.

In that sense, Jin-hyuk found it convenient. He didn’t have to waste precious time negotiating when a simple gesture would do. This is what efficiency looks like.

Anyway, there’s a clear distinction between when to use your head and when to use your strength. Is there really a need to approach everything with a negotiating attitude?

“Class president, let him go. Okay?”

“Maybe.”

At Song Joo-won’s plea, Jin-hyuk pretended to relent and loosened his grip.

Jin-hyuk was grateful to Song Joo-won. He had been trying to come up with a reason to back down after using so much strength.

‘If this had happened last year, these guys would’ve been done for.’

Even when there were guys smoking in the bathroom, Jin-hyuk would just glare at them. He never caught them and lectured them or tattled to the teachers.

If they want to shorten their own lifespan, that’s their business.

His dissatisfaction with these high school students stemmed from them polluting his cleaning area.

After releasing the grip and taking a step back, Jin-hyuk glared at the high school students with a pitiful look.

As the guys stood there, unable to do anything, Son Jin-hyuk growled with an annoyed expression.

“Take off your jackets.”

The high school students hesitated.

“I said take off your jackets. Jackets.”

Ignorant fools. Don’t they know what a jacket is?

Finally, the guys started taking off their jackets.

*

“Class president, is this okay?”

Song Joo-won, who was sipping banana-flavored milk in the hallway outside the bathroom, asked.

“What?”

“They’re high school seniors.”

“What’s not okay about it?”

Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they deserve respect. It’s their actions that determine whether they’re treated like adults. Jin-hyuk muttered vaguely, like Cheon Gil-ryong.

Even Jo Il-hun called me “hyung,” man. Well, that’s a different case, but still.

Flap flap—! Flap flap!

The sound of flapping came from the bathroom.

The high school students were fanning themselves with their jackets.

There was no need to fear even if they retaliated, but Jin-hyuk felt the need to compromise.

After all, even though they’re all hot-blooded youths, there’s no need to cause unnecessary bloodshed. More importantly, through a few clashes, Jin-hyuk realized he wasn’t the type to actively resort to violence in unnecessary situations. So, he just ordered them to get rid of the cigarette smell.

“Class president, is cleaning done?”

Lee Seung-hoon and Shin Woo-sung appeared.

The Ssireum Club friends had come looking for Jin-hyuk when he didn’t show up for their extracurricular time. After hearing the situation, they frowned. They stayed by their friend’s side, just in case.

Finally, the high school students, their faces red and sweat dripping from their foreheads, came out. They wouldn’t come back, if only to save face. They had already been humiliated by middle schoolers and felt ashamed. If they came back, they’d really be thoughtless fools.

Jin-hyuk, with his arms crossed, leaned against the hallway wall and stared indifferently.

Until the red-faced high school students disappeared from sight.

He was ready to say something if they made eye contact, but the high school students just hurried away.

Tsk—.

‘Kids with no brains, trying to act tough.’

Jin-hyuk uncrossed his arms and stepped away from the wall.

Lee Seung-hoon, who had been squatting with Shin Woo-sung playing a coin game, also stood up. He made a cheerful sound by rubbing the coin between his fingers.

Lee Seung-hoon held out his clenched fist to Jin-hyuk.

“Class president, wanna guess?”

“Heads.”

Jin-hyuk clicked indifferently.

The sound of the coin flipping from below is different, man. How dare you challenge the superhuman senses of Son Jin-hyuk? He thought confidently.

Lee Seung-hoon, who had opened his hand, laughed like a fool.

“Hehe-, it’s tails.”

Well, even superhumans can make mistakes. No one’s perfect.

Jin-hyuk took out a 100-won coin from his pocket and handed it to Lee Seung-hoon.

He dislikes bets, but Lee Seung-hoon is a special friend.

“Is it math today?”

“Eee-.”

Though somewhat delayed, he had to tutor his friends.

Thanks to Jin-hyuk, Lee Seung-hoon and Shin Woo-sung, despite being part of the sports team, had risen to the ranks of top students.

Jo Seol-chan and Yeom Byeong-taek always used their quick feet to escape.

‘Sigh-, I can’t force them.’

Lee Seung-hoon and Shin Woo-sung had gotten used to it since their first year, so now it was more like studying together than tutoring. But Jin-hyuk still felt guilty for not being able to take care of Jo Seol-chan and Yeom Byeong-taek.

The three big guys filled the hallway as they walked, with Song Joo-won trailing behind.

Shin Woo-sung, who had injured his ear during Ssireum training, removed the bandage and asked.

“Class president, aren’t you running for student council president?”

“Who would vote for me······.”

His tone was self-deprecating.

But his friends seemed to think the same. They knew all too well how much of an outsider Jin-hyuk was.

No one spoke until they returned to the classroom.

Jin-hyuk’s silent sigh filled the hallway.

Those jerks.

They just filled me with hot air, but didn’t say I’d definitely win.

‘They didn’t say it, damn it.’

Ah, should I give it a try?

Maybe I can do it if I try?

What is it about elections that messes with people’s minds?

Even those who act like flounders only during elections must’ve been hooked on this election high.

Election high.

***

Yoo Jin, who’s in kindergarten, and Jeong Won, who’s crawling around.

Looking at his two younger siblings, Jin-hyuk still feels like he’s dreaming.

‘I should get used to it.’

He vaguely remembers stories of lottery winners he saw on the news.

Many who couldn’t believe their sudden fortune lost their sense of reality and spent recklessly, only to end up poor again.

‘Even if it’s a dream, I won’t live recklessly.’

He vowed to cherish every moment.

Jin-hyuk subtly pinched his thigh. He was holding Jeong Won with one arm.

The pain rising from his thigh made him smile contentedly as he played with Jeong Won.

“Who’s a good baby-, how did you get so handsome-.”

Seeing how much the little guy has grown, breast milk must be really good. Even though he’s not even a year old, he’s so robust that his mom already finds it hard to carry him.

But Jin-hyuk, who has grown bigger and stronger, could handle it much more easily than when Yoo Jin was a baby.

“Oh my baby-. Should we have a deep conversation with your big brother?”

“Aewoo-?”

What’s this old man saying?

The baby’s sparkling eyes seemed to look down on him, making Jin-hyuk laugh like a fool.

“The World Cup is happening in the U.S. this year. What do you think about our country’s performance?”

“Oooh-.”

Chop chop chop-.

Jeong Won slapped Jin-hyuk’s mouth with his tiny hand.

“Ouch, ouch-.”

Is he telling me to stop bragging?

Anyway, judging by the jeering sounds, Jeong Won doesn’t seem optimistic about the national team’s performance.

‘All I can think of is Seo Jeong-won’s uppercut.’

Jin-hyuk didn’t watch a single game properly. The reason was obvious.

Some results would be criticized for being weak, while others would be praised for trying hard. The media’s reaction was predictable.

How easy it is to analyze and evaluate after the results are out.

“Jeong Won, do you want to be a soccer player when you grow up?”

“Oooh-.”

Guess not?

Jeong Won, with his eyes focused in the middle, made his lips into a trumpet shape, sending a bigger jeer. It looked like the face he makes when pooping.

Even when Yoo Jin was a baby, Jin-hyuk had all sorts of conversations with her. Even though she couldn’t understand, her eyebrows wiggling and eyes sparkling were so cute that he couldn’t help but keep talking.

Jeong Won also seemed to enjoy talking with his big brother, reacting with all his might whenever Jin-hyuk said something.

Jin-hyuk carried Jeong Won around the living room.

Passing by the plant display with his dad’s prized orchids and his mom’s favorite succulents.

“Oh-, don’t cut the leaves-.”

They also looked at the fish tank with bubbling water.

Jeong Won even put his hand into the tank filled with native fish like catfish and minnows.

“Ew-, they’re slippery-.”

Jin-hyuk lifted the baby high and made eye contact.

“Who’s a good baby-. Would it be good for you if your big brother became student council president?”

“Aea-.”

Jeong Won spread his arms like wings and spoke, but Jin-hyuk couldn’t understand.

What on earth is he saying······.

But.

Jeong Won’s reaction aside, the atmosphere in the house suddenly felt off.

Even his mom, who was stroking Yoo Jin’s head, and his dad, who was drinking citron tea, were rolling their eyes, deliberately holding back their words.

‘Ah, maybe.’

Jin-hyuk realized he had made a mistake.

They probably want to brag about their son but are holding back because they don’t want to burden me.

When Jin-hyuk won a gold medal at the athletics competition in sixth grade, his dad had been on the phone with Hong Ki-jun for days, bragging. The gold medal he won back then had its plating worn off because his mom polished it every day. But the fact that they didn’t say anything now showed they didn’t want to pressure their son.

Hmm hmm-.

Turning toward his parents, Jin-hyuk cleared his throat.

“Mom, Dad.”

“Ugh-!”

“Kyaaak-!”

Their reactions were almost like a competition.

Both parents flinched simultaneously. Jin-hyuk did too.

‘Ugh, goosebumps.’

Goosebumps like chicken skin rose on his arms.

“Don’t do that-.”

His mom, with a pained expression, almost pleaded.

Seeing this, Yoo Jin clapped and giggled.

Even though he’s a big guy, to his parents, he’s still their little boy. It seems he’ll have to keep calling them Mom and Dad.

Jin-hyuk sighed and asked.

“Mom, would it be good if I ran for student council president?”

“Well, what’s in it for me······. I’d just be called the president’s mom. Ahem!”

She seemed to put a subtle emphasis on “president’s mom.”

“What about you, Dad?”

“Well, I’d just like an elevator in the school or something······.”

Son Kwang-yeon said this while wiping the already spotless living room floor with his palm.

But why would a three-story building need an elevator?

Wait, an elevator······.

Jin-hyuk’s eyes suddenly glazed over.