Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 393

393

“Check? What is it?”

“No, it’s nothing. Go inside first. I’ll be right there.”

Hyunsung finished speaking and left the restaurant, heading towards the Pungnyeon Restaurant’s private parking lot, about two minutes away.

‘It can’t be.’

Hyunsung shook his head, trying to reassure himself it wasn’t true. It was an unconscious action.

A moment later.

“Haa…”

A deep sigh escaped Hyunsung as he arrived at the parking lot. Even as he walked, he’d hoped it wasn’t true, that his friend wouldn’t ignore him after their conversation and ride his motorcycle.

But…

“This son of a bitch, really…”

In the end, a curse escaped Hyunsung’s lips. No matter how he looked at it, this was too much. The least Jeongsu could do was listen. Instead, he’d completely ignored him, and the motorcycle was parked proudly in the parking lot.

“So, that’s how you want to play it!”

The corner of Hyunsung’s mouth twisted. He wouldn’t let it go now. Part of him wanted to leave Jeongsu to his fate, but he knew he couldn’t. This was an opportunity to correct his bad habits.

“Hyunsung-ah.”

As he returned from the parking lot, teaching assistant Min Suyeon called his name as she entered the restaurant.

“Yes, Teacher. Are you just arriving?”

“Yeah, but why are you coming from that way?”

“Ah, it’s because of someone. There’s this guy who just won’t listen. I don’t know how to correct his behavior…”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Jeongsu. He’s at it again…”

Hyunsung explained the situation to Min Suyeon. As he spoke, her expression subtly changed. When he finished, she immediately said, “So, he’s habitually driving under the influence?”

“Yes, even if I tell him, he doesn’t think about changing.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Pardon?”

“Just watch. This kind of guy is just…”

Min Suyeon stopped, clenching her teeth as if she was getting angry.

It was then.

“What are you two doing here?”

Professor Son Minho entered the restaurant and asked them.

Hyunsung smiled and immediately replied, “We were waiting for you, Professor.”

“Hey, Kim Hyunsung. You’re going to make it a habit. You should lie in moderation.”

“Haha, did it show?”

Son Minho chuckled, then lightly patted Hyunsung on the shoulder. “You blink when you lie.”

“…”

Hyunsung was speechless. It might be nothing, but he was surprised that Son Minho knew such small details.

A moment later.

As the three of them sat down, the class representative, Kim Myungwoo, stood up and began the end-of-semester party.

Hyunsung smiled as he watched Kim Myungwoo.

In his past life, Myungwoo would have been cautiously watching his friends’ reactions, like a criminal. But now, he looked confident. His year as class representative had been perfect.

Was that why?

Soon after, during the election for the 2nd-year class representative, no one nominated anyone else. In the end, Kim Myungwoo decided to take responsibility for the 2nd year of the Class of ’88 Business Administration once again.

How much time had passed?

“Kim Myungwoo!”

Professor Son Minho called his name.

A professor calling a student’s name might be ordinary, but at this moment, it felt different. His serious voice conveyed that.

Was that why?

Kim Myungwoo’s response was also different. “Yes! Professor!”

“You worked hard for a year! Have a drink!”

Son Minho held out his glass, his voice heavy with sincerity.

Pouring!

Son Minho poured the alcohol, smiling.

The glass was soon full, and he continued, “Keep going. And I’m asking you for another year!”

It was a sight Hyunsung had never seen in his past life, which made it feel unfamiliar.

As Kim Myungwoo emptied his glass, Son Minho spoke again, looking at everyone, not just Myungwoo. “Everyone! You’ve worked hard for a year, so let’s give a round of applause for Kim Myungwoo, the class representative who will work hard for us for another year!”

With those words, Son Minho began to applaud first.

Then, as if on cue, everyone began to applaud.

Son Minho was definitely giving Kim Myungwoo strength.

Hyunsung applauded more enthusiastically than ever before, happy that re-buttoning the first button [correcting the initial course of events] had changed things so much.

Before he knew it, the end-of-semester party was heading towards its finale.

“Oh Jeongsu!”

Teaching assistant Min Suyeon suddenly called out Oh Jeongsu’s name loudly.

“Yes?”

A surprised Oh Jeongsu jumped up from his seat. All the students’ eyes alternated between Min Suyeon and Oh Jeongsu, wondering what would happen next.

Smirk.

Only one person was smiling: Hyunsung. He seemed to know what was coming, and his expression showed anticipation.

As expected, she immediately began to move.

“Come on!”

Min Suyeon beckoned with her finger, targeting Oh Jeongsu.

‘What is it?’

Oh Jeongsu was dumbfounded. There was no reason for Min Suyeon to call him. What made him feel worse was her behavior.

Her finger.

It was like he was a stray dog being called over.

But what could he do? Hierarchy was everything. She was a senior from the Class of ’82, like the sky [a figure of immense authority], so he couldn’t even frown.

And what was really absurd was Hyunsung sitting next to Min Suyeon, looking at him and smiling, as if he was enjoying the situation.

“Teaching assistant, what’s the matter…?”

Oh Jeongsu approached Min Suyeon and slowly spoke.

Then, Min Suyeon showed a strange behavior. Without a word, she looked at him and moved only her fingertips while her palm was open.

The only difference from before was that she had moved with one finger, but now she was moving with her palm.

“…”

Oh Jeongsu couldn’t understand what her actions meant, so he just stood there.

After a while.

Gulp, gulp.

Min Suyeon drank a glass of makgeolli [Korean rice wine] and immediately said, “Oh Jeongsu!”

Min Suyeon’s voice was strong, meaning she was very uncomfortable.

Was that why?

There was tension in Oh Jeongsu’s voice as he answered, “Yes! Teaching assistant!”

“You rode your motorcycle here today, didn’t you?”

“Yes? …”

Oh Jeongsu was startled. The distance between the restaurant and the parking lot was quite far, meaning someone would have to deliberately go there to know he’d ridden his motorcycle. But it wasn’t like Min Suyeon had deliberately gone to the parking lot…

‘What the hell is going on?’

Oh Jeongsu couldn’t say anything and could only hesitate.

Then, Min Suyeon immediately continued, “Are you even in your right mind?”

“…”

“You clearly promised me during the first semester, didn’t you? That you would never drink and ride your motorcycle again. You haven’t forgotten already, have you?”

“…Yes.”

“But?”

“…”

Oh Jeongsu had nothing to say. He had clearly gone to the teaching assistant’s office himself and received the key on the condition that he would never drink and ride his motorcycle again.

Min Suyeon continued, “Is it because I’m a teaching assistant that my words don’t sound like words?”

“N, no, that’s not it. Absolutely not…”

“But?”

“…”

“Should I just pretend I don’t know? I’ll do that if you want. You’re an adult now anyway. You decide.”

With those words, Min Suyeon poured makgeolli into her empty glass and drank it all.

Then, Oh Jeongsu immediately lowered his head. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? And honestly, you don’t have to be sorry to me. I’m just a teaching assistant anyway, so you’re ignoring my words, right? Isn’t that right?”

Min Suyeon was pouring it out as if she had made up her mind. But at some point, her eyes began to turn red, showing her sincere concern for the students.

Then, Son Minho, who was next to her, called Oh Jeongsu. “Hey, Oh Jeongsu.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Give me the key.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, give me the motorcycle key. Why? You don’t want to?”

“Ah, no.”

Having grasped the atmosphere, Oh Jeongsu quickly placed the motorcycle key in front of Son Minho.

“Come pick it up in three months! That’s the price for making Ms. Min cry.”

“…”

Pouring.

Son Minho poured makgeolli into a glass and held it out to Oh Jeongsu. “Drink this and sing a song.”

“Yes? Now?”

Oh Jeongsu was dumbfounded. Was it even possible to sing a song in this situation? Min Suyeon was sobbing in front of him, and he wouldn’t be riding his motorcycle for three months.

It was then.

Min Suyeon looked at him and said, “What are you going to do about this atmosphere?”

“Yes?”

“Look with your eyes. This gloomy atmosphere. So, sing a song. No, I’m an accomplice too, so I’ll do it too. Here, drink.”

Min Suyeon held out her glass to Oh Jeongsu.

It was an absurd and dumbfounding moment, but Oh Jeongsu had no choice. Anyone could see that he was the one who had ruined the end-of-semester party atmosphere.

Gulp, gulp.

Oh Jeongsu emptied his glass and reluctantly stood up, holding a spoon as a microphone and looking at everyone.

Then, he immediately bowed his head to Min Suyeon. “I’m sorry. And thank you. Thank you for shedding tears for someone like me. Honestly, I was touched. I will never drink and ride my motorcycle again. I swear.”

With those words, Oh Jeongsu bowed his head to Min Suyeon once more.

Then, he immediately began to sing, as if he was embarrassed.

-And now~~~ the end is near~~~

As the first verse ended, Min Suyeon suddenly unwrapped tissues, held them in both hands, and began to dance. It was the moment when her specialty, the Salpuri dance [a Korean traditional dance to purify souls], was unleashed.

She had been on the verge of tears just a moment ago. She was now dancing with all her might to liven up the atmosphere.

My Way and the Salpuri dance, a combination that seemed impossible at first glance, surprisingly created a fantastic harmony.

Was it thanks to that?

The end-of-semester party atmosphere began to revive as if nothing had happened.

Hyunsung looked at Oh Jeongsu, who was singing.

All roads lead to Rome [there are many ways to achieve the same goal]. In any case, he had prevented his accident. In his past life, he had lived in pain for the rest of his life due to a momentary mistake. At least that wouldn’t happen now. That was enough.

It was the moment when the reason why Hyunsung had given up Korea University and had to come to Gangsang University, his purpose, was achieved.

Gulp, gulp.

Hyunsung emptied the glass in front of him with a good feeling.

Oh Jeongsu’s song was still echoing in the restaurant.

-And more~~~ much more than this~~~ I did it my way~~~