Chapter 69

Doyugeon finally took out the answer sheet with a sense of relief that it was over, in order to check the answers.

After flipping through dozens of pages, he noticed three questions were wrong. However, it wasn’t due to incorrect use of mathematical formulas or approaches but mere calculation mistakes, so it seemed unnecessary to write them in his error notebook. It was a satisfying result.

At this rate, wouldn’t it be possible to finish a problem book a day as Cha Haneul mentioned? When he had decided to study for the exam, he thought that was just Haneul boasting, but now it was starting to seem feasible.

After tidying up the desk, Doyugeon briefly pressed his eyes since they were dry from concentrating for such a long time. Although he felt a sense of accomplishment, it wasn’t all joy. There was a lingering feeling of powerlessness and failure. What would improving his grades really mean? Studying hard now and continuing in high school would allow him to enter a good university and secure a good job, right? Although it wasn’t a certain guarantee, it did increase the chances.

He felt stagnant. His scores were improving and his ranking was on the rise, but this wasn’t what he wanted. These methods wouldn’t help him achieve what he truly desired.

When they were in elementary school, Cha Haneul had once told him a story.

“Why do we study? Are you already in your rebellious phase? I don’t have an answer.”

That was when her responses were correct but somewhat curt.

“It’s for university, right? Why ask such an obvious question?”

…Was she actually a friend?

“Anyway, I’ll explain it to you. Yes, it’s for university, but not exactly for learning. The knowledge taught during undergraduate studies has gaps and isn’t readily applicable to real-world situations since references aren’t properly taught. So, why do you need a university diploma? If you like the elite path, then it might be for that. It’s stable, after all.”

Now thinking about it, Cha Haneul was even stranger back in elementary school. She’s strange now, but she was stranger back then.

“But something more important than that is infrastructure – interpersonal infrastructure. Or, put simply, networking. … You know what I mean…? Right, you’re smart enough. You’re amazing.”

Now reflecting, why did Cha Haneul tell this to a primary school kid? And what did she learn at home to make such claims as an elementary student? Was it a successorship lesson?

“Since we’re on the topic, I’ll briefly explain interpersonal infrastructure. The key network in university isn’t your same-age friends but their networks. It’s about having the kind of friends who can say things like ‘You’re interested in this field? I mentioned you to an uncle I know, and he’s interested. Do you want to meet briefly?’ Then, through that meeting where you hear field-related stories and exchange small talk, you might even get the chance for a short tour.”

Young Cha Haneul continued further.

“Through this, you naturally meet professionals in the relevant field. One of those professionals who has become a friend might suddenly face trouble and urgently need someone to fill in saying, ‘Do you want to try it out?’ The work will mostly be errands, so it won’t be too difficult. So, voila, by the time you graduate from university, you suddenly become a well-experienced freshman. These kids with such networks end up playing together within their own cliques. Anyway, now do you understand why we need to study? To get these opportunities, you should go to a good university. Research shows most good university students come from high-income or highly educated families. Well, I think the explanation is good enough. I believe someone smart like you would understand. So, will you stop bothering me now? You’re annoying even though you’re a piece of interpersonal infrastructure. Have you understood it now? Or am I just talking for nothing?”

Cha Haneul was weird back then.

And because of that, Doyugeon admired and liked her.

But the meaning of an unreachable heart is useless. There’s no significance in the end of an unattainable path.

He sighed. His insides felt hot.

He took his sword and came out to the living room. No matter how much he sharpened his swordsmanship, it was futile against magic, and risking his life for sword strikes was nothing but a dangerous move. If one strike could not split the sky or topple Mount Tai, what was the point of all of this?

But since this was all he could do, he continued silently, for the chance that one day might come.

He wiped the blade with his hand. Somewhere deep inside, he hoped he might suddenly grow stronger as if climbing a staircase. If he just kept honing his swordsmanship and leveling up, wouldn’t he reach the next stage and gain the strength to change reality? It was probably an empty hope, but the anticipation and impatience kept him from stopping. If he endured more risks and growth, wouldn’t he truly gain more strength?

However, Cha Haneul always blocked him from attempting such actions. She warned him, helped him from the side, and sometimes even resolved the problems herself. Although it was thankful, this kept everything stagnant. Like spinning in circles within a safe fence.

A question came to mind: Did he need to break free from Cha Haneul? Did he need to separate for now to distinguish purpose from means?

His phone rang. It was Yumina’s call. He leaned back on the sofa while answering.

“Hello!”

“Your greeting is so cheerful; did something nice happen?”

“Whether it’s nice or not depends on you. If something goes wrong, I’ll be the one suffering.”

Given that she mentioned being involved in the middle, it probably meant Cha Haneul asked her for help.

“Involved in the middle?”

“Hmm. Do I have to spell it out for you?”

It seemed like Cha Haneul had definitely asked her.

“It’s not really necessary. So, what’s this nice thing that might happen? Should I be hopeful?”

“Ho ho. Aren’t we about to have our final exams and then winter break before becoming high school students?”

“High school students. I’m looking forward to that. As a celebration of becoming high school students, do you want to hang out together? I heard the water park opens around spring.”

“That’s something you should propose through our young lady. I just suspect she might’ve been eavesdropping.”

“Ah, what eavesdropping?”

“Haha…”

Yumina didn’t have a high opinion of Cha Haneul. Even though they go to the same middle school, she sees more than she should, but it’s somewhat excessive.

“By the way, since we’re becoming high school students, what do you think about living together?”

“Living together… with who?”

“You and our young lady.”

A couple of inappropriate thoughts briefly crossed his mind, and his face heated up. He shook his head to clear them away.

“Hmm.”

Yumina added after a moment.

“As well as me and Laplace, making it a group of four. It’s not just the two of you; it’s four.”

“I was just momentarily surprised.”

“Asking for an excuse when no one asked is more suspicious.”

“Not…”

He put down the phone, wiped his face, and picked it back up.

“Are you still listening?”

“Yes, I’m listening very well.”

“I know you didn’t hear, but I’ll move past it.”

It was somewhat irritating that she pointed it out.

“Apparently, the expenses will be handled by our young lady. If she covers the rent and maintenance fees, it’s probably reasonable to expect some meals too. If you keep eating ramen, she might end up paying anyway.”

It was apparent from her cheerful tone that this was the part she liked.

“So, in the end, Cha Haneul is covering the costs?”

“Do you feel burdened? If you don’t want to, say so quickly.”

Inappropriate thoughts resurfaced for a moment, so he quickly shook them off.

“It’s not that I don’t.”

He learned a few more details before hanging up. Living together? It was a situation he imagined but never properly considered. Feeling restless, he paced around the living room. Was accepting this invitation a mistake? Was it rash to accept without proper thought or consideration? Would Cha Haneul be disappointed living together?

The intercom rang.

When he opened the door, Grandpa stood there. It was a familiar face. The group’s secretary, whose name he did not know.

“May I come in?”

“Yes… Please come in.”

It was an unexpected visit.

The secretary smiled kindly.

“May I come in?”

The visit was unexpected.

“Of course… Please come in.”

The secretary entered and leisurely looked around the home.

“Your home…”

The secretary flicked the corner of the TV with his finger. It made a soft sound.

“It’s cozy. Ha ha. By the way, have you had lunch yet?”

“I haven’t, but why are you here?”

The reason for the visit wasn’t clear.

“Perfect. The chairman has invited you to lunch.”

The secretary picked up and inspected the sword left on the table.

“It seems I should bring this along too.”

The intent wasn’t clear.

After a short pause, Doyugeon replied.

“I’m not declining…”

He learned a few more details before ending the call. Living together? It was a scenario he had imagined but never seriously considered. He felt uneasy, pacing around the living room. Was accepting the offer a rash decision? Should he have thought it through more carefully? Would Cha Haneul be disappointed living together? His anxiety grew.

The intercom buzzed again.

When he opened the door, he found Grandpa standing there, a familiar face. The group’s secretary, whose name he had never heard.

“May I come in?”

“Umm… yes, please come in.”

It was an unexpected visit.

The secretary entered and leisurely looked around the house.

“Your home…”

The secretary flicked the corner of the TV with his finger. A small sound echoed.

“It’s cozy. Ha ha. By the way, did you have lunch?”

“I haven’t, but why did you come here?”

The reason for visiting wasn’t clear.

“Perfect. The chairman invited you to lunch.”

The secretary picked up the sword he had left on the table to take a closer look.

“It seems I should take this along as well.”

The intent wasn’t clear.

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*

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“I’ve reflected, and realized I’ve made many mistakes. I should have acted earlier, but I hesitated unnecessarily.”

The dining atmosphere was awkward. It was especially peculiar that Grandpa, who seemed to disdain Doyugeon’s existence, was speaking kindly.

“Isn’t that right?”

The chairman smiled gently and asked.

“…Yes.”

It was uncomfortable. The doenjang stew tasted delicious as Cha Haneul mentioned, but he wasn’t enjoying it. The meal with just the two of them made it even worse. Would it have been different with Cha Haneul present? Of course, it would have been.

“Shouldn’t we focus on the times we live in, not on family backgrounds when forming relationships? If two people love each other, that’s what matters, right?”

Hastily swallowing what was in his mouth,

“…Yes, that’s true.”

“Of course, you might worry, but trusting my granddaughter’s judgment is the right thing, isn’t it? And it’s old-fashioned for a grandfather to interfere in his granddaughter’s relationships, isn’t it?”

It was obviously true, but affirming it in front of someone else felt suffocating.

“Isn’t that right?”

Prodded to respond, he drank some water and answered.

“…Yes.”

He felt he should respond and agree, but no more words came.

The chairman nodded and muttered.

“But.”

He continued.

“That’s your opinion.”

The chairman chuckled.

“What are you agreeing to? Heh!”

His gaze was icy.

“We’ll end the meal here. I’ve heard you use a sword. Well, so do I. How about we have some post-meal exercise? Or shall we head back as is?”

Doyugeon couldn’t resist the provocation.

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