Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 359

That evening.

A restaurant in downtown Gangneung. The sign read ‘Poongnyeon Restaurant’ [meaning ‘Abundant Harvest Restaurant’]. It was a place frequented by the Business Administration department and its alumni for events.

Not only teaching assistant Min Soo-yeon but also Professor Sohn Min-ho were in attendance.

Hyeon-seong deliberately chose a seat inside.

In his past life, he had ended up sitting next to Professor Sohn Min-ho, which was incredibly uncomfortable. He’d been caught off guard once, but he didn’t want to experience it again.

“Now, let’s begin the orientation party for the Class of ’88, Business Administration, Gangsang University…”

The orientation party began with Kim Myung-woo, the class representative, as the host.

In his past life, Kim Myung-woo was already drunk by this point. Having been drinking since noon, how could he possibly be sober? His words were slurred, his body swayed; it was quite a sight.

In the end, Professor Sohn Min-ho had frowned and left the party in less than 10 minutes. Of course, everyone had to endure the aftermath. As a result, Kim Myung-woo’s mental anguish was indescribable for a year, and at the final end-of-semester party that year, he had no choice but to kneel before his classmates [as a sign of apology and repentance].

“Next, a word from our supervising professor…”

Following Kim Myung-woo’s introduction, Professor Sohn Min-ho’s speech began.

His expression was definitely different from his past life. Perhaps that’s why his speech was longer. In his past life, he had kept it short, but today, it had already been going on for five minutes.

But rather than finding it tedious, Hyeon-seong felt grateful.

Finally, after 10 minutes, his speech ended, and immediately after, teaching assistant Min Soo-yeon’s speech began. Min Soo-yeon’s speech ended neatly, just like in her past life, with the words, ‘Let’s all become one Business Administration department.’

Then, Kim Myung-woo’s self-introduction took place. And naturally, each person’s self-introduction followed in a clockwise direction.

It was when Hyeon-seong had just finished his self-introduction.

Professor Sohn Min-ho suddenly gestured and asked,

“Are you Kim Hyeon-seong?”

“Yes.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Hyeon-seong because of Professor Sohn Min-ho’s interest.

In fact, Hyeon-seong didn’t want this kind of attention. He felt awkward, and more than anything, it was uncomfortable.

But as things go in life, this also didn’t go as Hyeon-seong wished.

It was all because of class representative Kim Myung-woo.

Kim Myung-woo suddenly called out Hyeon-seong, who was sitting down.

“Kim Hyeon-seong, would you please stand up for a moment?”

Kim Myung-woo was being formal, even using honorifics.

Hyeon-seong had no choice but to stand up, given the occasion. As soon as Hyeon-seong stood up, Kim Myung-woo began to speak again.

“As you all know…”

Kim Myung-woo’s explanation continued.

He went on and on, but the main point was that Hyeon-seong was the top student in the entire Gangsang University, so he was the pride of the department. He said he sincerely congratulated him, not out of envy or jealousy. And he didn’t forget to mention that he had enjoyed lunch today.

“In that spirit, let’s all give him a round of applause!”

Clap, clap, clap….

When Kim Myung-woo asked for applause, the classmates began to clap as if they had been waiting for it.

It was now Hyeon-seong’s turn to be embarrassed.

Hyeon-seong was speechless for a moment because the atmosphere was so different from his past life.

But he couldn’t remain silent forever. It was an atmosphere where he had to say something.

Hyeon-seong first bowed his head. Then he immediately continued,

“Thank you. It’s so sudden that I’m embarrassed and don’t know what to say. I just have to say thank you. From now on, with all of you…”

Hyeon-seong said a few more words briefly, bowed his head, and sat down.

It was then.

A strange sound began to be heard from somewhere.

“Sing. A. Song.”

At first, it was one person’s voice, but soon it increased to two or three people, and before he knew it, even teaching assistant Min Soo-yeon and Professor Sohn Min-ho were clapping along as if they were having fun.

Ha!

Hyeon-seong was momentarily dumbfounded by the sight.

In his past life, Sohn Min-ho would have been angry and already left this place. But now, he was clapping and asking to listen to Hyeon-seong’s song.

‘What should I do?’

Hyeon-seong couldn’t help but fall into contemplation for a moment. This was because an entirely unexpected situation was unfolding.

But only for a moment.

Hyeon-seong’s 고민 [worry] didn’t last long.

벌떡! [Suddenly!]

Hyeon-seong 벌떡 [suddenly] stood up from his seat. After all, he himself had created this situation. So, he felt it was his responsibility to liven up the atmosphere.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap~~~~

As soon as Hyeon-seong stood up from his seat, the sound of applause filled the wide room. The applause of 41 people, including 39 students, Min Soo-yeon, and Sohn Min-ho, was beyond imagination.

번쩍! [Brightly!]

Hyeon-seong first raised the 막걸리 [makgeolli – Korean rice wine] cup in front of him high. Now that things had come to this, he was going to go all the way.

“If it’s okay, I’d like to propose a toast together, how about it?”

As soon as Hyeon-seong’s words fell, everyone began to raise the 막걸리 [makgeolli – Korean rice wine] cups in front of them.

Then, all eyes turned to one place. It was Hyeon-seong’s mouth. They were telling him to shout the toast. But Hyeon-seong, who had lived a long life, knew that he shouldn’t step forward here.

스윽. [Smoothly.]

Hyeon-seong turned his head and looked at one person.

Then, all the eyes that had been looking at Hyeon-seong turned to one place at the same time as if they had made a promise.

휙! [Swiftly!]

It was the moment when Sohn Min-ho, who was sitting at the end of all the gazes, had a strangely changing expression.

At that time, Hyeon-seong’s words immediately followed.

“Professor! Please lead us with a 멋진 [wonderful] toast!”

“Me?”

Sohn Min-ho looked surprised as if he hadn’t expected it, but he was already getting up from his seat. Sohn Min-ho, who stood up from his seat, wiped his mouth slightly with his left hand. But it was not enough to hide the smile that spread across his lips.

Confirming that 모습 [sight], Hyeon-seong quickly added words.

“After the toast, we’ll do a 파도타기 [wave] with the 술 [alcohol]. And we’ll 복창 [‘repeat loudly’] ‘ 위하여 [For the sake of!]’ three times.”

That’s right. It is the tradition of the Department of Business Administration at Gangsang University. When the 건배사 [toast] is over, they clink glasses and 복창 [‘repeat loudly’] ‘ 위하여 [For the sake of!]’ three times, and after the person who gave the 건배사 [toast] drinks, each person drinks in order, clockwise.

Of course, the other students wouldn’t know, but three people knew. Sohn Min-ho, Min Soo-yeon, and Hyeon-seong.

Was that why?

Min Soo-yeon, who was sitting next to Sohn Min-ho, raised her thumb toward Hyeon-seong and stood up from her seat. Then all the students began to stand up from their seats.

척! [Abruptly!]

Sohn Min-ho raised his 잔 [glass] high.

“It’s an insult to 술 [alcohol] to hold a 술잔 [alcohol glass] and talk for a long time. For the unlimited development of the Class of ’88, Department of Business Administration, Gangsang University!”

“위하여! [For the sake of!]”

A 진풍경 [rare spectacle] was taking place, with the ajummas [middle-aged women] in the kitchen running out to watch the 소리 [sound] that 42 people were 외치는 [shouting].

It was then.

휙! [Swiftly!]

Sohn Min-ho drank the 술잔 [alcohol glass] all at once.

Then, teaching assistant Min Soo-yeon, who was right next to him, brought the 술잔 [alcohol glass] to her mouth and tilted her neck to match the 리듬 [rhythm].

휙! [Swiftly!]

After that, it was automatic.

휙! [Swiftly!] 휙! [Swiftly!] 휙! [Swiftly!]……….

휙! [Swiftly!]

When Kim Myung-woo, the class representative, finished his 원샷 [one-shot] last, the sound of applause suddenly began to be heard.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap~~~~

It was the ajummas [middle-aged women] who had come out of the kitchen to 구경 [watch] a little while ago who started clapping. Before he knew it, the restaurant owner was also smiling broadly and clapping along.

피식. [A slight chuckle.]

A 미소 [smile] naturally 피어났다 [bloomed] on Hyeon-seong’s 입가 [lips].

In his 전생 [previous life], it was a 엉망 [messy] orientation party. But now it was different. The 표정 [expressions] of everyone in this 방 [room] was 말해주고 [telling] that.

Although it was an 행위 [act] of 건배 [toasting] and 마시는 [drinking] a 술 한잔 [glass of alcohol], their 표정 [expressions] were 고무돼 [elated] with 자부심 [pride] that they had done 단체 행동 [group activity] as if they were 추듯 군무 [dancing in formation] with 한마음 [one heart].

Among them, Kim Myung-woo’s 모습 [sight], who was 짓는 [making] a 큰 웃음 [big smile] as if he was 유독 만족스럽다는 [particularly satisfied], came into Hyeon-seong’s 눈 [eyes].

The 낙인 [stigma] of a 불명예스러운 [disgraceful] first 단추 [button], at least this time, that will not happen.

That 그가 다시 잡았다 [he regained] the 분위기 [atmosphere].

“Now, now, let’s 가라앉히시고 [calm down] the 흥분 [excitement] and listen to the 노래 [song] of our 영웅 [hero] Kim Hyeon-seong.”

Clap, clap, clap~~~

As soon as Kim Myung-woo’s 말이 끝났다 [words ended], the 박수 소리 [applause sound] 울려 퍼졌다 [echoed] again, and Hyeon-seong naturally 들었다 [picked up] a 숟가락 [spoon]. It was to 대신하기 [substitute] a 마이크 [microphone]. After all, it was an 시대 [era] when there were no 노래방 기계 [karaoke machines]. It was a 방법 [method] that he 선택한 [chose] because he had to 이끌어 [lead] the 분위기 [atmosphere] only with 생목소리 [raw voice].

“음음! [Ahem! Ahem!]”

He 풀었다 [loosened] his 목부터 [throat] simply. The 부를 노래 [song to sing] was already 정해져 있었다 [decided]. It was a 애창곡 [favorite song] even in his 전생 [previous life], and later he found out that this 노래 [song] was also a 애창곡 [favorite song] of 또 한 사람 [another person].

Right, teaching assistant Min Soo-yeon.

Hyeon-seong 힐긋 바라본 [glanced at] Min Soo-yeon and then 가져갔다 [brought] the 숟가락 [spoon] to his 입 바로 [mouth directly].

휙! [Swiftly!]

And then 들었다 [raised] his 왼손 [left hand] high. At the same time, he began to 하기 [do] the 노래 [song] while 흔들며 [shaking] his 손 [hand].

“아리아라~~ 쓰리쓰리~~ 아라리오~~~~~ 아리아리~~ 고개로~~ 넘어간다~~~~~” [These are lyrics from the Korean folk song “Arirang”, specifically the Gangwon-do version.]

It was when Hyeon-seong had just 끝났 [finished] the ‘강원도 아리랑’ [Gangwon-do Arirang] 전주 [prelude].

An 전혀 예상 밖의 일이 일어나고 말았다 [entirely unexpected thing happened].

Min Soo-yeon 벌떡 일어났다 [suddenly stood up] and 튀어나온 [jumped out] to the 방 가운데 [center of the room].

체면 [Face/Social standing]?

애초에 그런 말은 어울리지 않는 말이었다 [such words were not suitable] to 그녀 [her]. Even in her 전생 [previous life], she was 충실할 뿐이었다 [only faithful] to the 감정 [emotions] of 매 순간 [every moment]. That was her 최고의 매력 [best charm].

Hyeon-seong began to 부르기 [sing] the 노래 [song] in a 더 큰 소리 [louder voice].

“아주까리~~ 정자는~~ 구경자리~~~~~ 살구나무~~ 정자로만~~ 만나보세~~~~~” [More lyrics from the Gangwon-do Arirang folk song.]

Min Soo-yeon’s 춤사위 [dance moves] was 확실히 달랐 [definitely different] from the 춤 [dance] of 보통 사람 [ordinary people]. This was also her 특기 [specialty]. She had 또 일가견이 있었다 [another talent] about 춤 [dancing] to the 정도 [extent] that she 맡을 [took on] the 탈춤 동아리 회장 [mask dance club president] during 대학 시절 [university days].

Her 흥 [excitement] was 터져 나오고 [bursting out] from her 몸 전체 [whole body].

덩실덩실! [Bouncing and swaying!]

At that 순간 [moment], 또 한 사람 [another person] began to 추기 춤 [dance] from Min Soo-yeon’s 옆자리 [next seat]. It was 과대표 [class representative] Kim Myung-woo 바로 [immediately]. In his 전생 [previous life], he was 됐던 개 [become a dog] with 낮술 [daytime drinking], but today he began to 추기 춤 [dance] 대표해서 [representing] the 과 [department].

Was that why?

Hyeon-seong’s 목소리 [voice] that was 부르는 [singing] the 노래 [song] began to 더욱 커지기 [become louder].

시간이 흐르고 [Time passed].

When he 남겼을 [left] the 마지막 소절 [last verse], there was 한 명도 없었다 [not one person] who was 앉아있는 [sitting] in their 자리 [seat]. No, 한 사람만은 [only one person] 지키고 [kept] their 자리 [seat] to the 끝까지 [end].

It was 지도교수인 [supervising professor] Sohn Min-ho 바로 [immediately].

저벅. [Footsteps.]

Hyeon-seong 옮겼다 발걸음을 [moved his steps] 향해 [towards] Sohn Min-ho while 부르는 [singing] the 노래 [song]. After all, if he stayed like this, Sohn Min-ho would 절대 일어나지 [never get up] from his 자리 [seat]. He’d think that was his 마지막 체면 [last bit of face/social standing].

But after living to some 정도 [extent], he 알겠더라 [understood]. Sometimes that 체면 [face/social standing] is 오히려 쓸데없는 자존심 [rather useless pride].

스윽. [Smoothly.]

Hyeon-seong, who 다가간 [approached], 내밀었다 [extended] his 손 [hand] 향해 [towards] Sohn Min-ho.

피식. [A slight chuckle.]

Sohn Min-ho, who 바라본 [looked at] Hyeon-seong’s 손 [hand], 웃었다 가볍게 [smiled lightly]. He could 알 수 있었다 [know] that it was the 순간 [moment] of 마지막 고민 [last hesitation]. That he was 고민을 한다는 건 [hesitating means] 이미 반은 내렸다는 결정을 [already half decided] in his 마음속으로 [heart].

덥석. [Firmly.]

Hyeon-seong, who 확인한 [confirmed] 이미 his 마음 [already his heart], 잡았다 [grabbed] Sohn Min-ho’s 손 [hand] in a 판단에 [judgment] that there was 더 이상 망설일 필요가 없다는 [no need to hesitate anymore].

아니나 다를까 [As expected].

Sohn Min-ho 잡았다 [grabbed] Hyeon-seong’s 손 [hand] 꽉 [tightly] at that 순간 [moment].

두 사람 선 나란히 [Two people stood side by side].

Suddenly, 박수가 울려 퍼졌다 [applause echoed] 향해 [towards] 두 사람 [two people] in the 방안 [room].

It was 차례 [turn] to 부를 [sing] the 남은 마지막 소절 [remaining last verse] 이제 [now].

At that time, he 들었다 [felt] a 느낌 [feeling] that something was 닿는 [touching] on his 오른쪽 어깨 위로 [right shoulder]. It was 팔 [arm] of 지도교수인 [supervising professor] Sohn Min-ho 바로 [immediately] who was 어깨동무를 하고 [putting his arm around the shoulder] 옆에서 [next to him]. For a 순간 [moment], Hyeon-seong 빠졌다 [fell] in 잠깐 고민 [brief hesitation]. But that 고민 [hesitation] was not 길지 [long].

Hyeon-seong 걸쳤다 [put] his 왼팔 [left arm] on Sohn Min-ho’s 어깨 바로 [shoulder immediately]. He 한 것이다 어깨동무를 [put his arm around the shoulder]. Then Sohn Min-ho 바라보며 [looking at] Hyeon-seong 웃었다 씩 [smiled slightly].

Hyeon-seong 가져왔다 [brought] the 숟가락 [spoon] that he was 들고 [holding] in his 오른손 [right hand] to the 가운데 [middle] of 두 사람 바로 [two people immediately].

And then he began to 부르기 [sing] the 마지막 소절 [last verse] in a 큰 소리 [loud voice]. Of course, Sohn Min-ho also 같이 [together].

“아리랑~~ 고개다~~ 주막집을~~ 짓고~~ 정든님~~ 오기만~~ 기다린다~~~~~~” [More lyrics from the Gangwon-do Arirang folk song.]

“아리아리~~ 쓰리쓰리~~ 아라리오~~~~~ 아리아리~~ 고개로~~ 넘어간다~~~~~” [More lyrics from the Gangwon-do Arirang folk song.]

As they 들어서자 [entered] the 후렴구 [chorus], everyone was 함께 부르고 [singing together] the 노래 [song] in 한목소리 [one voice] as if they had 약속이나 [made a promise]. 기쁨이 넘쳐나고 [Joy was overflowing] to the 정도 [extent] that it was 힘들 정도로 [difficult] to 표현하기 [express] in 말 [words] on everyone’s 얼굴 [face].

It was then.

툭툭. [Tap tap.]

누군가 두드렸다 [Someone tapped] his 어깨 [shoulder]. Of course, that 누군가는 [someone] was Sohn Min-ho who was 어깨동무를 하고 [putting his arm around the shoulder] 옆에서 바로 [next to him immediately].

기분이 묘했다 [It felt strange]. In his 전생 [previous life], it was Sohn Min-ho who was 항상 차갑고 [always cold] 가득 찼던 [filled] with 권위 [authority]. That 그가 두드린 [he tapped] 자신의 어깨 [his shoulder].

But his 새로운 모습 [new appearance] was not 다가 아니었다 [not all] that.

1시간 뒤 [One hour later].

Sohn Min-ho, who 일어난 [got up] from his 자리 [seat], 불렀다 [called] Kim Myung-woo.

“과대표 [Class representative]!”

“네, 교수님~~임! [Yes, Professor!]”

Kim Myung-woo’s 목소리 [voice] 약간 늘어졌다 [slightly slurred] 탓인지 [because of] 술기운 [alcohol]. But Sohn Min-ho, who 바라본 [looked at] that 모습 [sight], 꺼냈다 [took out] a 하얀 봉투 [white envelope] from his 안주머니 [inner pocket] while 웃으며 씩 [smiling slightly] as if he was 아무렇지도 [nothing].

“이거 받아 [Take this]. 술 조금 먹고 [Drink a little alcohol], 애들 끝까지 잘 챙기고 [take care of the kids until the end], 난 이만 간다 [I’m leaving now].”

“넵! 교수님! [Yes, Professor!]”

Kim Myung-woo 받았다 [received] the 봉투 [envelope] that Sohn Min-ho 내민 [extended] while 꺾으며 [bending] his 허리를 [waist] 90도로 [90 degrees].

It is 금일봉 [a bonus/gift of money].

금일봉 [bonus/gift of money] that he 못 했던 구경도 [couldn’t even see] in his 전생 [previous life]. After all, it is 얘기 [story] that there was 봉투 들어있었다 [an envelope was inside] in Sohn Min-ho’s 안주머니 [inner pocket] even in his 전생 [previous life]. It was 단지 [just] that it was not a 상황 [situation] that he could 줄 [give] that.

His 마음이 오죽했을까 [how much his heart must have ached] because it became a 상황 [situation] that he could not 줄 it [give it] even though he 이미 준비를 했는데 [already prepared it]. That is why he 닫아버렸던 [closed off] even his 마음 [heart] about the 학생들에 [students] 뿐만이 아니라 [as well as] 봉투도 [envelope too].

It was when 2시간쯤 지났을 [about 2 hours had passed] after Sohn Min-ho 떠나고 [left].

다들 바빴다 [Everyone was busy] 나누기에 얘기를 [sharing stories] with the 사람들과 [people] who were 옆에 [next to] as 술기운 [alcohol] 어느 정도 오르자 [rose to some extent]. Hyeon-seong was 마찬가지도 [the same].

Hyeon-seong’s 상대 [partner] was 오정수 [Oh Jeong-su]. The 장본인 [person responsible] who 만들도록 오도록 [made him come] 강상대로 [Gangsang University] not 한국대 [Korea University] 자신을 [himself].

It was when 두 사람이 하고 있었을 얘기를 한참 [two people were talking for a while].

“어? 저 자식들…… [Huh? Those guys……].”

두 사람이 들어왔다 [Two people came] in Hyeon-seong’s 눈 [eyes]. When he 그러고 보니 [thought about it], it was 두 명 중의 세 명 [two out of three people] who 만들었던 엉망 [made a mess] the 개강 파티 [orientation party] in his 전생 [previous life]. Since 한 사람은 [one person] is 과대표인 [class representative] Kim Myung-woo, it is 일단 제외다 [excluded for now] today.

It was 김수용과 최민용 [Kim Su-yong and Choi Min-yong] who become 개 [become dogs] if they only 먹으면 술 [drink alcohol]. When he 그러고 보니 [thought about it], he was 깜빡하고 있었다 [forgetting]. It was because he 썼기 신경만 [only paid attention] to 과대표인 [class representative] Kim Myung-woo.

But the 곳은 자리 [place] that 그런 그들이 향한 [they were heading] was the 자리 [seat] where 조교 [teaching assistant] Min Soo-yeon is 앉아있는 [sitting].

어슬렁! [Strolling!]

The 모습 [sight] that they were 걸어가는 [walking] was 닮은 듯했다 개 [seemed like dogs] to 봐도 딱 [look at].

피식. [A slight chuckle.]

Hyeon-seong 웃음이 나왔다 [smiled] 자신도 모르게 [unconsciously] 바라보며 [looking at] 그런 그들을 [them]. Now 저들은 모른다 [they don’t know] the 진가 [true value] of Min Soo-yeon. So, Min Soo-yeon looked 만만해 [easy] to them in 술기운 [alcohol].

Hyeon-seong’s 시선 [gaze] was 바라보고 [looking at] the 웃고 있는 [smiling] Min Soo-yeon. As Hyeon-seong, who 알고 있는 well [knows well] 어찌 다룰지 개 [how to handle dogs] Min Soo-yeon will 잠시 후면 이제 [soon], it was 뿐이었다 안 나올 웃음 그저 [couldn’t help but smile].

“하하, 하하하…… [Haha, hahaha……].”