Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 235

235

“Is it because of the job?”

“……”

“Judging by your silence, am I right?”

“Yeah… actually, I’ve been thinking about it for a few days, and I don’t think it’s worth worrying about alone anymore.”

“So, you’re saying you’re worried about losing your job during the vacation because there won’t be many student customers?”

Kim Il-soo nodded.

“There won’t be many customers, so I don’t think there’s any need for me to come in.”

“Why do you think there won’t be many customers?”

“Well, of course, it’s vacation time…”

“Of course, the number of students will decrease. I’ve known that since I opened the store. That’s why I’ve been working so hard to attract more general customers. The hangover ramen [a spicy ramen dish often eaten as a hangover cure] is part of that.”

“Of course, I know that. But I don’t think we’ll get enough general customers…”

Kim Il-soo still seemed anxious.

Hyunsung looked at Kim Il-soo.

“There will be a difference, but it’ll be enough to cover the basics, so don’t worry too much. I don’t have big expectations for the vacation period anyway.”

“So, you’re saying I can still come in during the vacation?”

“Of course. You need to work hard during the vacation if you want to go to culinary school later, right? I know that better than anyone else. Would I really stop you from coming in just because there aren’t as many customers?”

“I’m just worried about being a burden since there won’t be as many customers.”

Kim Il-soo looked at Hyunsung apologetically.

Hyunsung chuckled.

“Why would you think like that between us?”

“From my perspective, I couldn’t help it. I don’t want my ambition to cause trouble for my friend.”

“So, that’s why you’ve seemed down lately?”

Now that he thought about it, Kim Il-soo’s expression had been a bit dark recently. But Hyunsung had assumed there was another reason and hadn’t realized he was worried about this.

It occurred to Hyunsung that Kim Il-soo might feel that way, and he felt bad for not addressing his friend’s concerns sooner.

Seeing Hyunsung’s slightly apologetic expression, Kim Il-soo continued.

“Actually, I was really worried.”

“I should have picked up on it sooner, but I’ve been focused on other things lately. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just saying it because I felt a little disappointed…”

“That’s not true. You make running the business much easier. Anyway, have you had dinner yet?”

“I was going to go home to eat.”

“Don’t do that. Let’s have dinner together tonight. I have something to tell you.”

“To me? What…?”

“Let’s talk about it over dinner.”

Kim Il-soo looked at Hyunsung and nodded.

The two left the store and headed to Miso Restaurant.

*Screech.*

As they opened the restaurant door, owner Kwon Oh-young greeted Hyunsung warmly.

“Welcome, Mr. Kim.”

“Yes, how have you been? Is business still good?”

“Same as always. By the way, I heard you’ve had a lot more general customers since you were on TV. Is it still going strong?”

“Yes, fortunately, it’s holding steady.”

The broadcast’s impact was better than expected. It had been a month and a half since it aired, but seeing customers still coming because of it, Hyunsung was reminded of the power of broadcasting.

Owner Kwon Oh-young nodded.

“So, you’ll get through this winter vacation okay?”

“Well, I was worried at first, but I think I’ll manage. I don’t have big ambitions for the vacation. I just hope we cover labor costs.”

“Well, considering how well you usually do, just maintaining the status quo during the vacation is a success. You’re a great young man.”

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to the people in the neighborhood supporting me.”

Hyunsung smiled and sat down.

Then owner Kwon Oh-young asked.

“So, what are you having today?”

“Please give me some pork belly. I’m eating dinner, so please include rice.”

“Okay, one moment.”

After owner Kwon Oh-young took the order, Kim Il-soo asked.

“Do you really think we’ll get as many adult customers during the vacation as we do now?”

“I’ll have to see, but I don’t think there will be much of a difference. So don’t worry too much.”

“Okay, I was really worried, but I feel better after talking to you. By the way, what did you want to tell me?”

“Actually, it’s about…”

Hyunsung explained what he had discussed with Yoon Ji-young at the beauty salon earlier: the volunteering idea.

When Hyunsung finished, Kim Il-soo said.

“So, you’re saying we should go to the senior center to volunteer on the last Sunday of every month?”

“Yeah, what do you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea. The ramen shop has gotten a lot of customers because of those elders, so it’s good to show our gratitude.”

“I think so too.”

Hyunsung smiled.

Then Kim Il-soo asked.

“Are we just going to bring ramen?”

“That’s the basic plan, but I’m also going to prepare some *makgeolli* [Korean rice wine] and rice cakes. If possible, I’ll boil some pork too. If we’re going to do it, we should do it right.”

“The project is getting bigger and bigger…”

“If we’re going to do it, shouldn’t we do it properly? It doesn’t seem right to just bring a bowl of ramen.”

Kim Il-soo nodded.

Then Hyunsung added.

“If we bring Jungwoo, Minwoo, and Suhyuk, I think we’ll have enough people. What do you think?”

“They’ll probably like it.”

“Okay, let’s consider that settled.”

At that moment, Yoon Oh-young brought the pork belly.

After the meat and side dishes were set up, the two began grilling the meat.

How much time had passed?

Hyunsung looked at Kim Il-soo.

“The final exam is only a week away. What should we do?”

“Can’t we gather at the restaurant and study like we did for the midterm?”

“Well, that’s not up to us. Let’s discuss it with the others tomorrow and decide.”

“Okay, I got it. Let’s do that. Let’s finish the rest of the meat.”

The two finished eating.

The next evening.

Five people were gathered at Hyunsung’s ramen shop.

Hyunsung spoke first.

“As you all know, the final exam starts next week, so I wanted to discuss how we should study. I hope everyone will share their thoughts.”

As soon as Hyunsung finished, Kim Il-soo spoke.

“I think we should gather and study like we did for the midterm. What do you guys think?”

“I think that would be good too,” Lee Jungwoo said.

Lee Suhyuk, who was next to him, nodded.

“I agree. Last time, I definitely felt it was more efficient to study with others than alone.”

Now it was up to Hyunsung and Lee Minwoo.

Lee Minwoo spoke first.

“I wasn’t there last time, so I don’t know, but if everyone says it’s good, I’ll join you. But can I join?”

“Of course. What qualifications do you need to study? You’re our friend, so why wouldn’t you be able to?”

Lee Jungwoo smiled.

Then Hyunsung said.

“Jungwoo is right. Minwoo, you can join us anytime.”

“Okay, I got it. Then I’ll join too.”

Lee Minwoo smiled.

Then Lee Jungwoo looked at Kim Il-soo.

“We’re going to compete again to see who does better this time.”

“Okay, I was behind last time, but I’m going to win this time.”

“Do you think it’s as easy as you say?”

“You’re so arrogant because you won once, huh? We’ll see.”

Kim Il-soo glared at Lee Jungwoo, his lips tightly closed.

A smile spread across Hyunsung’s face.

He laughed at the sight of Kim Il-soo and Lee Jungwoo, so different from their previous lives.

Everyone went home, leaving Hyunsung alone.

About 30 minutes passed.

*Knock knock.*

Someone knocked on the door.

When Hyunsung opened it, Han Myungsoo and Kim Taejin from the Jandi Faction were standing outside.

“What are you guys doing here at this hour?”

“We came to ask you for a favor, senior.”

“A favor? What favor?”

“We don’t have a place to study.”

Hyunsung tilted his head, not understanding.

Then Han Myungsoo spoke.

“As you know, senior, the final exam is next week, right?”

“Of course.”

“So, we’re trying to study together, but there’s nowhere to go. The school classrooms are too cold.”

“Ah…”

Hyunsung finally understood.

It was mid-December, so it was naturally cold. Studying in the classroom in the evening after the sun went down was impossible.

And the school wouldn’t turn on the heater.

Han Myungsoo said.

“Is there anything we can do?”

“So, you want to study here in the evening?”

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t see any other way.”

“Um…”

Hyunsung hesitated.

He couldn’t ignore them after they asked for help.

After thinking for a moment, Hyunsung looked at Han Myungsoo.

“How many people are there?”

“Quite a few.”

“You’re not saying all 30 members of the Jandi Faction are coming, are you?”

“Of course not. Excluding those who live too far away, 20 of us want to join.”

“Twenty people?”

“Yes, we did well on the midterm, so everyone wants to study. That’s after reducing the number as much as possible.”

Hyunsung nodded.

That meant they’d need to use not only the main area but also the back room.

Hyunsung said.

“Okay. I’ll light the briquettes in the back room starting tomorrow, so bring them in.”

“Really?”

“I can’t ignore them when they want to study.”

“You’re the best, senior.”

Han Myungsoo and Kim Taejin exchanged satisfied smiles.

Hyunsung smiled.

It was amazing that the guys who had only caused trouble a few months ago were now coming to study.

Kim Taejin asked.

“Do you seniors also study here?”

“Yeah, five of us decided to.”

“So, there will be 25 of us studying here?”

Hyunsung smiled and nodded.

Then Kim Taejin said.

“You must be a great person, senior.”

“Why are you saying that?”

“Isn’t it true? This whole situation is possible because of you, senior. If you think about it, the fact that we’re studying is all thanks to you.”

“That’s…”

Hyunsung didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected the Jandi Faction to change this much.

Han Myungsoo called Hyunsung in a low voice.

“Senior!”

“Why are you suddenly setting that kind of mood?”

“I’ll never forget it, even when I grow up. If it weren’t for you, senior, we’d still be extorting money from kids in the back alleys.”

“……”

“Thank you, senior!”

*Thump thump.*

Hyunsung lightly patted Han Myungsoo’s shoulder.