Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 133

133

The purpose of humanities studies is college, but the problem is that the number of students who actually attend college is quite small compared to the overall student population.

We’re talking about, at most, 5 or 6 individuals, or roughly 2-3% of the student body.

Yet, the entire academic schedule is geared towards college entrance exams. Even students who have no intention of pursuing higher education are compelled to study late into the night.

It’s a tremendous waste of time, when you think about it.

They could be studying for qualifications that are actually useful in the real world after graduation. That would be far more beneficial.

Or, they could start preparing for the civil service exam early on. There are many ways they could use their time more efficiently.

However, no such system exists, and that’s the biggest problem at this rural school.

Hyun-sung, having organized his thoughts, addressed Principal Park Sang-hyun.

“I believe the biggest issue is the lack of diverse career paths.”

“Career paths?”

“Do you know how many students from our school went on to college last year?”

Principal Park Sang-hyun paused, thinking for a moment before responding.

“If I recall correctly, including junior colleges, it was around 6 students.”

“And what happened to the rest?”

“I suppose they found jobs on their own…”

This was the core of the problem.

The students who go on to college, though few, are accounted for.

But no one seems to care about what happens to the 98% who don’t go to college – where they find work or what they end up doing.

Once they graduate, that’s the end of the school’s concern.

So, where do these graduates go? What becomes of them?

Hoo.

Hyun-sung took a shallow breath and continued.

“I’m guessing even you, Principal, don’t know?”

“Now that you mention it…”

“Where do you think those graduates end up and what kind of lives do they lead? They’re thrown into society without any preparation. How difficult do you think it is for them to survive?”

Hyun-sung hadn’t fully grasped this back then either.

It was only years later that he learned about the struggles his friends faced. Lacking specialized skills, they often found work in factories through connections.

Even getting a job through connections was better than nothing. The hardships of those who didn’t have such connections were unimaginable.

Ultimately, many of them ended up returning to their hometown.

Principal Park Sang-hyun seemed lost in thought for a moment, remaining silent.

After a pause.

“It weighs heavily on my heart to hear it put so bluntly.”

“I understand that it’s realistically unavoidable. But I’m bringing it up because I hope we can change things, even if only a little.”

“Yes, I understand your point. Now that I hear it, I agree that it’s a critical issue.”

“In any case, the most pressing concern right now is the seniors in their third year. They’ll be entering society as soon as the second semester ends.”

“That’s correct.”

Principal Park Sang-hyun nodded.

Seeing his reaction, Hyun-sung continued.

“We won’t be able to overhaul the entire school system. But…”

“But? What is it? Don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“I think we can offer them a chance. There are still five months left before graduation. So, starting now…”

Principal Park Sang-hyun tilted his head, a gesture indicating he didn’t quite understand.

Seeing his confusion, Hyun-sung elaborated.

“Of course, it won’t be easy, but we can start by creating opportunities. The first step would be career counseling.”

“Career counseling?”

“Yes, understanding their aspirations is the first priority.”

“That’s true. What’s next?”

“We should allow them to study what they’re interested in. Currently, they’re so focused on exam subjects that they don’t even have time to read other books.”

Principal Park Sang-hyun, who had been listening intently, slowly shook his head from side to side.

Seeing this, Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“Is it not possible after all?”

“I understand your intentions, but if we do that, the school’s core educational function will be compromised. As you pointed out, it might be the right thing to do for the 98% of students who don’t go to college.”

“…”

“But since this isn’t a vocational school, we can’t disregard the established public education system. This is a fundamental issue, making it very difficult to implement.”

Hyun-sung had anticipated this resistance.

But he had still held out hope. As expected, change is difficult within the existing framework.

Hyun-sung suddenly felt deflated.

Then Principal Park Sang-hyun spoke again.

“The school can’t take the lead on this initiative.”

“What do you mean?”

“If the students themselves make that choice first, I can’t exactly stop them, can I?”

“So, the school can’t initiate it, but if the students take the initiative, you won’t interfere.”

Was this a compromise?

What Principal Park Sang-hyun was suggesting was that if the students themselves took action, he wouldn’t stand in their way.

In this scenario, student awareness becomes a crucial factor.

How much do they understand the gravity of the situation?

Hyun-sung hadn’t understood it in the past either. It was only as an adult that he realized how flawed the public education system was.

That being said, it wouldn’t be effective for Hyun-sung to directly try to persuade the third-year students at this point. The only viable approach is to work indirectly through the student council president.

“Haa!”

A sigh escaped Hyun-sung’s lips without him realizing it.

It’s that difficult.

Principal Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung and commented.

“You’ve chosen a very challenging problem.”

“I think so too. But it’s the most important issue.”

“I understand your concerns, so let’s try to find a solution. You’ve certainly identified the core problem.”

“Yes, I’ll keep thinking about it too. Then I’ll be on my way…”

Hyun-sung’s mood remained somber as he left the principal’s office.

He understood the problem, but the solution seemed elusive. Perhaps he shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. But now that he had, he felt a sense of responsibility.

The first step was to meet with the student council president.

After class, Hyun-sung met with Na Min-soo, the student council president.

“Hello, senior.”

“Oh, hey. Thanks to you, Hyun-sung, the bathroom issue was resolved so smoothly. Thanks for your hard work.”

“Don’t mention it. I didn’t do it alone. You worked hard too, senior. It was a team effort.”

“What are you talking about? Anyway, what brings you here today?”

Na Min-soo had moved to Chuncheon after graduating from middle school, but returned at the start of his second year of high school.

Hyun-sung didn’t know the reason, but he suspected it had something to do with his GPA [Grade Point Average].

Hyun-sung looked at Na Min-soo and asked.

“You’re planning to go to college, right?”

“I have to. But that’s not why you came to see me, is it? What’s up?”

“How many people do you think will go?”

Hyun-sung repeated his question.

Na Min-soo paused, considering the question before responding.

“Are you talking about college admissions now?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m not sure, but I’d guess around six people will go. But why are you asking?”

“Six people is about 3%.”

Na Min-soo nodded, still unsure of the purpose of these questions.

“Stop beating around the bush. What’s your point?”

“I want to talk about the 97%.”

“So, you want to talk about the students who won’t be going to college?”

“Yes, so…”

Hyun-sung recounted his meeting with the principal during lunch in detail. Na Min-soo listened with growing interest.

“That makes sense when you explain it. But can we actually change this?”

“Of course, we can’t change everything. But I think we can shift the atmosphere if we make a concerted effort.”

“The problem is how aware they are. That won’t be easy either. Most of them just see school as a playground…”

“I’m worried about that too. But if even a few people get on board, won’t that start to change things?”

“Well… I see your point, so I’ll talk to a few people.”

Na Min-soo readily agreed with Hyun-sung’s suggestion.

Usually, he would have made some sarcastic remark, but he didn’t. This showed why Na Min-soo was a good student council president.

Hyun-sung, having parted ways with Na Min-soo, headed towards the ramen shop.

He had just entered the alley when he exclaimed,

“What is this!”

Hyun-sung was taken aback.

There was a considerable line of students in front of the store.

Thud.

Hyun-sung quickened his pace.

He couldn’t help but be surprised again when he reached the front of the store.

Kim Il-soo, Lee Jung-woo, and Shin Myung-soon were working diligently to serve fish cakes and tteokbokki [Korean spicy rice cakes].

“Mother, what’s going on?”

“I know, right? As soon as class ended, students suddenly swarmed in.”

It wasn’t that she had no expectations, since today was the first day of business. But she hadn’t anticipated customers lining up like this.

“Mother, do you have enough ingredients?”

“No, there’s not much left. I didn’t think we’d sell this much.”

“Is there enough for the students still waiting in line?”

“Wait a minute, let me see… What should I do? I don’t think there’s enough.”

“Huh!”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but chuckle as he observed the long queue.

Ten minutes later.

“I’m sorry. That’s all the ingredients we have for today…”

They had literally sold out.

The students in line had no choice but to turn away, disappointed.

The four of them exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh.

After a moment.

Shin Myung-soon grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand.

“Hyun-sung was right.”

“Yes?”

“This was a jackpot location. That dream came true.”

“By the way, how much did you sell today?”

Shin Myung-soon held up one finger.

Lee Jung-woo, who was standing nearby, asked in surprise.

“Ten thousand won [approximately $7.50 USD]?”

Shin Myung-soon smiled brightly and nodded.

Selling ten thousand won worth of just fish cakes and tteokbokki is no small feat.

Hyun-sung looked at Shin Myung-soon and asked.

“How was business in the morning?”

“It wasn’t bad in the morning either.”

“Mostly students, right?”

“There were a few adult customers, but you could say that over 90% were students. And as expected, the peak was right after class.”

As expected.

If this continues, there will be a long line in the alley to eat ramen after school, just like in his previous life.

It was an exciting prospect just thinking about it.

At that moment.

Oh Sang-cheol was receiving a report from Choi Min-sung.

“Is that really true?”

“That’s what I’m saying. They ran out of ingredients, and the students left disappointed.”

“You mean they’re lining up in the alley to buy fish cakes and tteokbokki?”

Oh Sang-cheol was dumbfounded.

He knew that Shin Myung-soon was starting her business today. She was selling fish cakes and tteokbokki outside with a table, not inside the store.

He had dismissed it.

He doubted she would sell much doing it that way.

But now he was hearing that she had run out of ingredients and customers were being turned away.

‘How can this be happening?’

The problem isn’t Shin Myung-soon.

It’s that kid.

The more he tried to ignore him, the more he kept getting under his skin like a splinter.

He secured a contract in a location that others had written off due to the previous owner’s death, and he completely transformed it into a thriving business.

And now, before he even starts his main business, he’s hearing that there are already lines forming in the alley.

How can a young man accomplish so much?

Oh Sang-cheol shook his head and spat out venom.

Choi Min-sung looked at Oh Sang-cheol and said.

“Oh! Hyung [older brother/male friend], did you know about that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“About the school bathroom issue on the agenda of this alumni association. That’s the kid’s doing.”

“What are you talking about?”

“So…”

Choi Min-sung began to explain the recent events to Oh Sang-cheol. As Choi Min-sung’s explanation continued, Oh Sang-cheol’s face grew darker.

Finally, when Choi Min-sung finished, Oh Sang-cheol wore an expression of disbelief.

“You mean Park Hee-cheol knew about it in advance?”

“Well, I think he must have known. Otherwise, would that cheapskate have donated a million won [approximately $750 USD] out of the blue?”

“What, so I was tricked by those guys again?”

“It seems like we’re the only ones who got fooled again.”

Oh Sang-cheol was speechless. He had wondered why Park Hee-cheol was making donations so readily. He had felt compelled to match the donation out of pride.

There’s something Oh Sang-cheol doesn’t know.

Park Hee-cheol was unaware that the bathroom issue was Hyun-sung’s suggestion. He had simply participated in the donation out of genuine concern.

134

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