Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 62

Sunbin arrived at school that day with a slightly troubled heart.

He had achieved an excellent result at the SPDC, winning an award of merit. This even brought a rare smile to his father’s face, a man not known for giving praise easily.

But Sunbin was troubled for many reasons.

First, he had been uneasy since the SPDC ended because he had been completely outshone by his classmate, Woojin. The comparison was embarrassing.

He should have been proud of his award.

However, Sunbin wanted to surpass Woojin even more than he wanted to enjoy his award.

Ever since that night of design during O.T. when he worked with Woojin, he started to feel inferior, a feeling that grew slowly in his heart.

Even if Sunbin had only achieved special recognition instead of the award of merit, he would have been happier if he had beaten Woojin.

But this troubled feeling was nothing compared to the unease he felt upon arriving at school.

Just moments ago, he had heard something unexpected from Professor Park Junmin.

Sunbin, it seems the award you’re due to receive might not be an award of merit, but the grand prize.

Pardon? Professor, what are you talking about?

I only heard this from Kitae just now…

Kitae, the president of the third-year students’ association?

Yes, that Kim Kitae.

With a bitter expression, Park Junmin revealed the shocking news to Sunbin.

Your classmate Woojin, the one who received the grand prize this time…

Yes, what about Woojin, sir?

It seems he cheated.

E-excuse me…?

From the model to the design, it seems he outsourced everything to an external design firm.

Kitae says he already has enough evidence.

T-that can’t be true.

Apparently, a complaint was already filed with the Seoul Design Foundation over the weekend.

By Kitae, sir?

Yes. It seems someone in the construction industry noticed it first and filed the complaint.

As Professor Park Junmin explained, if Woojin’s grand prize was taken away, the award Sunbin would receive would change.

In this competition, he was in 5th place, one step below the rank needed for the grand prize.

However, more than joy, Sunbin felt confusion.

The Woojin that Sunbin knew would not do such a thing. Just because he felt inferior to Woojin didn’t mean he would doubt his character. Sunbin wasn’t that petty.

Of course, the work he brought to the competition was so good that even I was surprised…

Honestly, even Sunbin found Woojin’s work unbelievable.

It was better than Woojin’s usual talent; it felt like it denied all his hard work over the past six months.

When Woojin gave his presentation at the final judging, Sunbin felt a huge wall between them.

But even without cheating, he’s talented enough to win an award… Why would he risk cheating?

Even as Sunbin told himself that Woojin wouldn’t have done it, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.

Of course, it would be good if his award was upgraded to the grand prize.

But more than that, if this happened, it would be like beating Woojin.

That was why Sunbin was confused.

And now, sitting on the sofa in Professor Park Junmin’s office, he couldn’t say a word.

Not until Professor Park Junmin spoke to him again.

Sunbin, you’re quite close to Woojin, aren’t you?

Yes, we’re fairly close.

Kitae will probably bring Woojin here soon, so have a good talk with him when he arrives.

About what, Professor?

Junmin’s expression turned bitter again.

Tell him to confess to the SPDC before things get out of hand. If he does that, I’ll try to smooth things over with the school.

You’re just first-year students, and you’re at an age where you can make these kinds of mistakes.

Junmin’s expression was almost certain, and Sunbin understood his reasoning.

If Sunbin hadn’t seen Woojin’s true abilities, he would have thought the same as Junmin.

Woojin’s work was simply too good to be from a freshman.

So, Sunbin replied in a small voice.

There wasn’t really anything else to say.

Yes.

Hearing Sunbin’s reply, Junmin rose from the sofa and walked to the back of his office.

He picked up the lighter on the table, sat by the window, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

Hoo.

Professor Park Junmin also looked troubled, just as much as Sunbin.

Just until yesterday, he had been happy about a first-year student winning the grand prize.

How should I report this to the department head…?

After about ten minutes, the two people they had been waiting for appeared.

As they walked towards Professor Park Junmin’s office, an awkward silence hung between Kim Kitae and Woojin.

But only for a moment.

Kim Kitae, walking slightly ahead of Woojin, spoke first. He was too eager to speak to stay silent.

Seo Woojin. Do you happen to know why you’re being summoned to Professor Park’s office?

Woojin couldn’t see Kim Kitae’s expression as he walked ahead, but he knew one thing.

He was very excited.

He must be thrilled to get rid of a junior who’s been a thorn in his side.

Woojin could sense Kim Kitae’s mood without having to read his mind.

Crushing a pesky junior who dared to cheat and interfere with his senior’s grand prize win would give Kim Kitae a lot of pleasure.

Of course, Woojin was ready to turn the pleasure Kim Kitae was expecting into humiliation and shame.

For now, Woo-jin decided to play along with Gi-tae’s game. He was actually enjoying the situation.

“I really don’t know,” Woo-jin said.

“Oh? You really don’t?” Gi-tae asked.

“Well… I submitted all the assignments for the course. I think I did well on the finals too, so I really don’t know why you called me here,” Woo-jin replied innocently.

Woo-jin spoke in a clear, innocent voice. Gi-tae slowed down a little.

Gi-tae thought he would soon wipe that annoying smile off Woo-jin’s face.

Still, seeing him so nonchalant was getting on his nerves.

“Think hard, Seo Woo-jin. Here’s a hint: it’s not for anything good,” Gi-tae said.

Gi-tae’s voice almost made Woo-jin laugh. He almost forgot he was pretending to play along.

Woo-jin thought Gi-tae was like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

However, he didn’t want to get into a fight with Gi-tae in the busy hallway.

Woo-jin barely stopped himself from laughing and started acting again.

“Well, I don’t know, Senior. I don’t think I did anything wrong…” Woo-jin said.

Hearing Woo-jin’s words, Gi-tae looked even more frustrated. He bit his lip and kept walking.

Gi-tae thought he could properly teach this thick-skinned fellow a lesson with a little more patience.

Thud- Thud-

They arrived in front of Professor Park Joon-min’s office. Gi-tae knocked lightly on the door and spoke.

“Professor, it’s Gi-tae.”

“Yes, come in,” the Professor replied.

Creak!

Woo-jin and Gi-tae sat side by side in front of Professor Park Joon-min.

Professor Park Joon-min broke the silence first.

“Woo-jin, do you know why I called you here?” he asked, almost echoing Gi-tae.

But Woo-jin heard something different in the Professor’s voice.

Gi-tae sounded angry and like he thought he was better than Woo-jin. But the Professor sounded like he felt sorry for Woo-jin.

So Woo-jin replied simply, “No, I really don’t know.”

Kim Gi-tae glared at Woo-jin. Park Joon-min continued, as if he expected that answer.

“The work you submitted to the SPDC and won the grand prize with,” Professor Park said.

“Yes, Professor,” Woo-jin replied.

“Did you do all of it yourself?”

Silence filled the room.

Even Sun-bin, who was listening from the sofa, held his breath, waiting for Woo-jin’s answer.

“There’s no way I could have done it all myself,” Woo-jin said calmly, breaking the silence.

“Hmm…?” Professor Park responded.

“My team members Han So-yeon and Jayden also worked on it with me,” Woo-jin added.

Professor Park looked displeased for the first time.

“Are you trying to… play games with me, Seo Woo-jin?” he asked.

But Woo-jin had expected this reaction. He continued to speak without changing his expression.

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this, Professor. I’m just telling you the truth. I don’t understand why you’re so angry,” Woo-jin said.

“What?” Professor Park asked, dumbfounded.

Gi-tae jumped into the conversation. “Seo Woo-jin. Are you stupid?”

“Of course not,” Woo-jin replied.

“Do you really think the professor called you here for no reason at all?” Gi-tae asked.

Woo-jin looked angry and retorted, “There must be a reason. But you haven’t told me!”

“What…?” Gi-tae stammered.

“Don’t make such a dumbfounded face, Senior. I’m the one who’s most dumbfounded right now,” Woo-jin said in a slightly harsher tone.

“If you suddenly call me here and talk to me like this without telling me the reason, what am I supposed to say?” Woo-jin looked back and forth between Professor Park and Kim Gi-tae, who were both speechless.

Neither of them had expected Woo-jin to be so confident.

But Gi-tae had seen the evidence himself. He thought Woo-jin was bluffing.

“I don’t know what you’re so confident about,” Gi-tae glared at Woo-jin.

“All the evidence that you cheated has already been passed on to the SPDC,” Gi-tae said, watching Woo-jin’s expression.

He thought Woo-jin would flinch when he mentioned the evidence.

But Woo-jin had no reason to be nervous. He was enjoying the situation even more.

However, he widened his eyes and questioned Gi-tae to move the plan forward.

“Cheating?” Woo-jin asked.

Kim Gi-tae, as if waiting for it, immediately began to tear Woo-jin apart.

“Your design, your plans, and even your model. All of it was outsourced, and we have the evidence, you bastard,” Gi-tae said.

Hearing Gi-tae’s words, Woo-jin looked genuinely surprised this time.

‘What? Design and plans? What is this guy talking about?’ Woo-jin thought.

He had expected them to accuse him of outsourcing the model, using the photos from WJ Studio’s workshop. But he didn’t expect them to say he outsourced the plans and designs too, since there was no evidence.

Gi-tae’s story surprised Woo-jin. He hadn’t expected them to accuse him of outsourcing the designs too. But even though he was surprised, Woo-jin quickly understood what was happening.

He knew Kim Gi-tae’s character well. ‘This is just too obvious for this guy. He can’t believe a freshman could design better than him,’ Woo-jin thought.

Woo-jin felt himself getting more and more excited. He wondered what Kim Gi-tae’s expression would be at the end of this meeting.

Perhaps Woo-jin wasn’t just enjoying this situation a little.

Golden Print