Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 165

He continued immediately.

“I stopped doing it for a while, but I’m going to start again from now on.”

“So, you’re saying you’ve dreamed of being a chef since you were young?”

“I just liked cooking.”

“So, you’ve come full circle and are finally pursuing your childhood dream?”

Kim Il-soo responded with a smile.

Then, Hyun-sung asked again.

“So, that’s why you studied until dawn?”

“Strangely enough, I could do it. I mean, I didn’t feel sleepy while studying. It’s a first for me too. Hehe…”

Kim Il-soo was still embarrassed.

His passion seemed to be contained within his innocence.

Hyun-sung smiled slightly and continued.

“Hey, Kim Il-soo! Congratulations on rediscovering your childhood dream.”

“It’s all thanks to you. Thanks.”

Kim Il-soo lightly tapped Hyun-sung’s shoulder. Then, as if by agreement, they looked at each other, smiled, and headed to the classroom.

Creak.

As soon as Hyun-sung entered the classroom and sat down, Lee Jung-woo approached him as if he had been waiting.

Then, he asked abruptly.

“How was it?”

“How was what?”

“What else? Of course, I’m talking about the morning business.”

“You were so curious, how did you hold back? But you seem more anxious than me.”

He only showed his face briefly on the opening day yesterday and disappeared. He said there was no point in being there, as he couldn’t help and would only be a nuisance.

I told him to at least have some ramen before leaving, but he hastily avoided the offer. He probably thought that was the best way to help Hyun-sung.

Anyway, he’s a grateful guy, both in my past life and now.

Lee Jung-woo asked again.

“So, how was it?”

“Geez, you’re going to suffocate. If there were no customers with Jung-woo being so worried, it would be a disaster.”

“So, there were customers?”

“Yeah, you idiot. Fortunately, there were. So, take a breather now.”

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Jung-woo.

Only then did his expression seem to relax, as if he was a little relieved.

Looking at Lee Jung-woo, Hyun-sung asked.

“Hey, Lee Jung-woo, are you that worried?”

“Of course. It’s my friend’s first business venture… And also because of my mom. She was very worried last night too.”

Why wouldn’t she be?

From Shin Myung-soon’s perspective, she would definitely be. Lee Jung-woo, watching her from the side, couldn’t say it, but he felt the same way.

Hyun-sung said again.

“Jung-woo, don’t worry too much. Of course, it’s natural to be anxious, but trust me and watch.”

“Okay. Isn’t me acting like this a burden to you?”

“No, not a burden, but it’s not helpful to either of us. It’s not just about me; it won’t help you either.”

After all, Lee Jung-woo is a sophomore in high school, so he’s bound to be sensitive.

Hyun-sung might be okay, but Lee Jung-woo’s case is different. He’s at a sensitive age where focusing on one thing can disrupt his daily life.

Hyun-sung looked at Lee Jung-woo and asked.

“You haven’t been studying well lately, have you?”

“Huh? How did you know?”

“You have all sorts of other worries in your head, so how could you study? Right?”

“Hehe, I guess…”

Lee Jung-woo readily admitted.

Looking at Lee Jung-woo, Hyun-sung continued.

“See? So, from this moment on, stop worrying and focus on studying. You know that studying is what you can do for your hardworking mother, right?”

“Okay. I feel relieved to hear that there were customers this morning. And like you said, I’ll stop thinking about other things and just study. That’s what I can do.”

“Good thinking. And you shouldn’t neglect exercising either. Got it?”

“Geez, anyone would think you’re my older brother. Okay, I’ll exercise hard and study hard, so you sell ramen hard too.”

“Okay. Let’s work hard together.”

Lee Jung-woo smiled at Hyun-sung and returned to his seat.

He was very worried about Hyun-sung.

Hyun-sung watched Lee Jung-woo’s disappearing back.

Just a month ago, he looked very unstable when he walked, as if he had no strength in his legs. But now, thanks to consistent exercise, that appearance was nowhere to be found.

Was that why?

A smile had already spread across Hyun-sung’s face as he watched Lee Jung-woo’s back.

The first period was Korean language class.

“Okay, who wants to read what we’re learning today?”

As soon as the Korean language teacher finished speaking, the classroom became as quiet as a mouse. It was a common occurrence, so the atmosphere wasn’t awkward at all.

Then it happened.

Someone raised their hand.

“Oh? Kim Il-soo!”

The Korean language teacher was surprised, so his voice naturally became louder. Then, all eyes turned to one place. At the same time, exclamations began to come from someone’s mouth.

“Wow…”

That was just the beginning.

As one person started, the same reactions came from everywhere.

“Wooooow…”

“Kim Il-sooooooo…”

“What’s going on…”

The Korean language teacher waved his hand as the class atmosphere suddenly became strange and continued.

“Okay, quiet, quiet. Kim Il-soo, stand up and read what we’re learning today.”

As the Korean language teacher barely created an atmosphere, Kim Il-soo stood up from his seat and opened his Korean language textbook.

“Hmm…”

Kim Il-soo cleared his throat, perhaps nervous himself.

Kim Il-soo began to read.

“The components of writing include first…”

Hyun-sung’s gaze couldn’t help but go to Kim Il-soo, not the Korean language textbook. He couldn’t help but be surprised by Kim Il-soo’s unexpected actions.

Can a person change this much?

Until recently, Kim Il-soo had done all sorts of bad things. In short, he was like a thug.

But that Kim Il-soo…

Clap clap clap…

As Kim Il-soo finished reading, applause suddenly erupted. The classmates were clapping. But the atmosphere wasn’t awkward at all.

It generally doesn’t make sense to applaud just for reading a textbook. But the fact that the situation wasn’t awkward at all meant that everyone acknowledged that the situation was special.

The current situation was telling that.

Change.

Kim Il-soo had broken out of his mold in front of all his friends.

Then, the Korean language teacher continued.

“Kim Il-soo!”

“Yes.”

“How do you feel about receiving applause?”

The Korean language teacher knew very well what Kim Il-soo had been like until now, so he was asking.

Kim Il-soo scratched his head and answered.

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Embarrassed? Can you explain to your friends what that means?”

“I don’t know if it can be expressed in one word, but it’s embarrassment about the life I’ve lived.”

“Can I take it to mean that you won’t live that way in the future?”

Hyun-sung wanted to express his gratitude for the Korean language teacher’s actions. In some ways, it was a situation that could have been dismissed as a simple happening.

But he didn’t just let the situation pass and led the atmosphere, and Hyun-sung was endlessly grateful for his consideration in allowing Kim Il-soo to change naturally in front of his friends.

Kim Il-soo’s short answer followed.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Good. I don’t think it’s a problem that I need to talk about at length, and the fact that your classmates applauded means they welcome your change. Do you have anything else you want to say to your friends?”

“I definitely want to say I’m sorry to the friends I’ve hurt.”

Kim Il-soo sat down after finishing those words.

Then, the Korean language teacher continued.

“Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to acknowledge those mistakes and not make them again. Of course, a sincere apology must be a prerequisite.”

The students’ gazes were naturally directed at the Korean language teacher.

Then, the Korean language teacher continued again.

“I think there was enough sincerity in Kim Il-soo’s actions today. I think you all feel the same way, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

Several people nodded and answered.

“I hope you will watch this friend’s change directly in the future. I sincerely hope that this time today is not a wasted time.”

As the Korean language teacher finished speaking, Kim Il-soo stood up from his seat and bowed to the podium. Then, the classmates who were watching the scene began to applaud once again.

Of course, it wasn’t something that could happen during a normal class. It would have been impossible without the Korean language teacher’s consideration.

That much meant that there was something in Kim Il-soo’s actions today that could move people’s hearts.

Hyun-sung looked at Kim Il-soo from afar.

His new appearance on the way to school this morning came to mind again. Kim Il-soo, who had looked back on himself for whatever reason and gained some enlightenment as a result.

Hyun-sung watched Kim Il-soo for a long time, as if expecting his change in the future.

The Korean language class became a time for everyone to participate thanks to Kim Il-soo’s performance(?). Even the students who always dozed off didn’t sleep today.

It was another small change in Class 2 of the 2nd grade brought about by Kim Il-soo’s change.

***

After all classes were over, it was time for dismissal.

Homeroom teacher Shin Min-ho called Kim Il-soo’s name.

“Kim Il-soo.”

“Yes.”

“I heard you did something today?”

“…”

Kim Il-soo scratched his head and said nothing.

Then, Shin Min-ho said again.

“Anyway, I feel good today. I’ve been in charge of Class 2 of the 2nd grade until now, and I’ve never felt so good as I do today. In that sense, dismissal is over. Have a good weekend and see you on Monday. That’s all!”

It was the shortest dismissal time ever.

As Shin Min-ho left the classroom, cheers were heard from everywhere. It was the students’ desire on a Saturday afternoon to finish even a second earlier.

After a while.

“Let’s go quickly.”

Kim Il-soo approached Hyun-sung and said.

“Yeah, by the way, I don’t know how many customers will come on Saturday.”

“I know, right? I’m curious about that too. I hope a lot come…”

Kim Il-soo was worried as if it were his own business.

Then, Lee Jung-woo approached the two of them and said.