Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 64

“Yes, Lee Jung-woo, please stand up and speak.”

“Please fix the bathroom door. When I’m taking a dump, someone might……”

Lee Jung-woo trailed off, seemingly embarrassed.

Hyeon-seong smiled faintly at the sight.

He’s much brighter than before, at least.

That’s a relief.

Lee Jung-woo was someone you could hardly ever see smile in the past. Of course, Kim Il-soo was the cause of all of it.

Swish.

Hyeon-seong turned his head to look at Kim Il-soo’s seat.

As expected, it was empty.

Then, class president Lee Young-min spoke again.

“Okay, now there are two left. Who…….”

“The bathroom is too small. Please make it bigger.”

It was Park Cheol-min.

He was right. Trying to take care of business during break time was a war.

At least the men’s bathroom was better compared to the women’s. The situation was even worse in the women’s bathroom.

Unfortunately, the bathroom was never improved even by the time Hyeon-seong graduated.

The school’s answer was simple.

They didn’t have the budget.

Perhaps a new bathroom would only be possible a few years from now.

In the end, the suggestions were just that: mere suggestions.

Then, class president Lee Young-min spoke again.

“Okay, just one more suggestion left.”

“…….”

His friends were silent once more.

Then, as if exhausted, Lee Young-min said again in a small voice.

“Let’s finish quickly and go home. Okay, who’s last…….”

Then, this time as well, Park Cheol-min quietly rose from his seat.

Lee Young-min’s voice grew louder again.

“Yes, Park Cheol-min.”

“I demand a sincere response from the school regarding the suggestions. What’s the point of making suggestions every day? They don’t even listen, do they?”

Hyeon-seong looked at Park Cheol-min.

Unexpectedly, he was the first one to start changing.

He was always with Kim Il-soo, so I thought he would wander around, but he returned to his place sooner than expected.

On the other hand, Lee Soo-cheol, who used to hang out with them, still hadn’t found his place.

As soon as Park Cheol-min finished speaking, voices of agreement began to emerge from here and there.

“That’s right, what’s the point of talking every day? The school doesn’t even listen…….”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s really too much.”

“Class president, the bathroom problem is really serious, so please talk to them about it.”

Similar complaints poured out.

Then, class president Lee Young-min raised both hands and said.

“Yes, I understand. I also think the bathroom problem is serious. I will do my best to convey this issue more actively. Then, let’s conclude the H.R. [Homeroom].”

Hoo.

A sigh came out of Lee Young-min’s mouth as he wrapped things up.

Sigh.

Hyeon-seong stroked his chin with one hand.

Unfortunately, everything is just an empty echo.

No matter how much they talk, it’s useless. There was no improvement in the bathroom until graduation.

Maybe it was about four years after graduation, when I attended the alumni association after being discharged from the military, they were under construction to build a new bathroom.

That means it will take at least another 5 to 6 years.

A moment later.

Homeroom teacher Shin Min-ho entered.

“Okay, since today is Saturday, don’t stay at school unnecessarily and…….”

There were no special announcements. It was Saturday, so he was telling us not to cause trouble by staying at school and to go home and help our parents with their work.

When I think about it, back then, helping with farm work was so natural and obvious.

Some friends even drove a cultivator [a farm implement used to stir and pulverize the soil] to school on their way to school.

It was to buy fertilizer from the agricultural cooperative.

Shin Min-ho’s gaze lingered on one spot for a moment.

It was Kim Il-soo’s empty seat.

Shin Min-ho’s expression wasn’t very bright as he turned his head.

Then, class president Lee Young-min said.

“Shall I go to Il-soo’s house today?”

“No, it’s okay. If he was coming, he would have already come.”

“Still, just in case…….”

“If anyone’s going, I should go. Anyway, class president, you’ve changed a bit lately. You didn’t used to be like this.”

“Hehe, is that so…….”

Hyeon-seong looked back and forth between the two.

It was an unexpected sight.

The two of them had been cold to each other until the day before yesterday. The homeroom teacher wasn’t at school yesterday either. He probably went to the hospital because of his mother.

But the fact that the relationship between the two had changed meant that there was something Hyeon-seong didn’t know about…….

Pfft.

I don’t want to know about that, but anyway, it’s a relief. It’s also for the sake of the class.

Shin Min-ho looked at Hyeon-seong this time.

“Kim Hyeon-seong, come to the counseling room after class.”

“…… Yes.”

The reason he’s calling me is obvious. It’s probably because of Kim Il-soo.

Regardless of right or wrong, Hyeon-seong has some responsibility.

If things go wrong, it could be more troublesome than I thought.

Anyway, that useless human is causing trouble until the end.

Homeroom teacher Shin Min-ho opened his mouth again.

“I’ll say it again, go home early. That’s all! End of homeroom.”

“Attention, bow…….”

It was when class president Lee Young-min was giving the final greeting.

Creak!

The back door of the classroom opened.

Huff, huff!

A person came in, dripping with sweat.

All eyes were on the back of the classroom.

Bow.

Kim Il-soo bowed his head to homeroom teacher Shin Min-ho.

Then, Shin Min-ho said in a loud voice.

“What are you doing? If you’ve come, why don’t you sit down quickly?”

“Yes? Ah……, yes.”

Kim Il-soo sat in his seat.

Then, Shin Min-ho hit the podium and said again.

“Oh, there’s one thing I forgot…….”

Shin Min-ho couldn’t speak for a moment.

It was only natural that he had nothing to say since he hadn’t forgotten anything.

Everyone’s eyes were naturally focused on Shin Min-ho’s mouth at that moment.

Hyeon-seong covered his mouth. He felt like he would burst out laughing if he didn’t.

Anyone could see that the homeroom teacher’s actions were intended to prolong the homeroom time.

The homeroom teacher was just like a queen fart trying to get angry [a Korean expression referring to someone in authority feigning anger or importance].

“Why are you all staring so intently?”

“…….”

“Ahem, clean up properly!”

Everyone’s expressions were full of disappointment at Shin Min-ho’s unsatisfactory conclusion.

But Shin Min-ho said cheerfully as if he didn’t care about that.

“That’s all! End of homeroom!”

Shin Min-ho’s voice was much louder than before.

Then, class president Lee Young-min stood up and said in a loud voice.

“Attention, bow!”

“Thank you.”

The students of the 2nd grade, 2nd class were all greeting loudly.

It was then.

Shin Min-ho, who was about to leave, opened his mouth again.

“Kim Hyeon-seong, Kim Il-soo, to the counseling room!”

Hyeon-seong muttered, looking at Shin Min-ho.

“He’s trying so hard.”

Whether it’s an absence or tardiness……, I’ll know later when I look at the attendance book. Anyway, Shin Min-ho’s efforts were definitely different from before.

The two stood facing each other in the counseling room.

Kim Il-soo spoke first.

“I confirmed it.”

“Confirmed? What?”

“That Choi Min-young is a con artist.”

“What?”

Hyeon-seong doubted his ears.

Kim Il-soo just said he confirmed it himself. That means he took action in some way, and even if he did, how did he confirm it?

Hyeon-seong looked at Kim Il-soo and asked.

“Did you really confirm it?”

“I’m telling you, I did.”

“Did you perhaps go to Seoul yesterday?”

Kim Il-soo nodded instead of answering.

Ha!

Hyeon-seong let out a hollow laugh without realizing it.

For Kim Il-soo, who had absolute faith in Choi Min-young, Hyeon-seong’s words must have been confusing. But I never thought he would go all the way to Seoul to confirm it himself.

That means Kim Il-soo’s desire to go to Seoul this time was great.

He must have wanted to see it with his own eyes as much as he believed in it.

Maybe that’s the natural thing to do.

It’s a matter of his future.

‘Huh?’

Hyeon-seong tilted his head slightly.

‘How?’

Going up and meeting Choi Min-young is easy in a way.

The problem is what comes next.

How did he find out that Choi Min-young was a con artist? He wouldn’t have told him himself.

Hyeon-seong looked at Kim Il-soo and asked.

“How did you find out that Choi Min-young is a con artist? It wouldn’t have been easy.”

“I was lucky.”

“Luck?”

“Yeah. That’s…….”

Kim Il-soo began to briefly explain what happened in Seoul.

Hyeon-seong was dumbfounded after listening to Kim Il-soo’s explanation.

“What? In the bathroom?”

“Yeah, I told you I was lucky. Otherwise, I would have been scammed too.”

“Well…….”

They’re scammers who are determined to scam you.

It would be abnormal not to be scammed.

That’s why even though they talk about the damage cases on TV, the victims keep coming out.

I looked at my watch and it was 10 minutes past.

Hyeon-seong got up from his seat and said.

“I’m leaving.”

“What? What if the homeroom teacher comes?”

“You’re so naive…. The homeroom teacher isn’t coming, you idiot. Why would the homeroom teacher come here?”

“Then why did he tell us to…….”

“Don’t you know why?”

Kim Il-soo nodded.

Then, Hyeon-seong said again.

“He must have thought we needed time to talk.”

“What? Huh….”

Kim Il-soo was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t help but laugh.

Hyeon-seong looked at him and asked again.

“By any chance……, did your grandmother tell you to go to school?”

“What? How did you…….”

Hyeon-seong just smiled instead of answering. Then he turned around and headed towards the door.

Creak.

It was when Hyeon-seong was about to open the door.

“Wait!”

Kim Il-soo called out to Hyeon-seong.

When Hyeon-seong turned around, Kim Il-soo opened his mouth again.

“Choi Min-young, how did you know that bastard was a con artist?”

“Are you that curious?”

“It doesn’t make sense.”

It’s a natural reaction.

But there’s no way to explain it. I didn’t want to sell dreams to this guy either.

Hyeon-seong said with a cold look.

“If you want to know, formally apologize to Lee Jung-woo in front of your classmates by kneeling down.”

“What?”

“I think a human being should do that much, but you didn’t think that everything would be over if you just came to school, did you?”

Kim Il-soo’s expression hardened.

Hyeon-seong said again.

“How have you lived until now……, shouldn’t you at least pay the price for your sins?”

“Crazy bastard!”

As expected, it seemed like Kim Il-soo couldn’t accept it.

That was the same for Hyeon-seong.

I had no intention of just glossing over it like this.

I made him come to school for now. Now it’s the next step.

Tolerance?

What a joke.

I have no intention of doing that at all.

It’s not bad to generously forgive what’s wrong. But there’s a limit to that. If you forgive too easily, that evil nature will be repeated again.

Hyeon-seong left the counseling room, leaving Kim Il-soo behind.

***

“Did you wait long?”

Hyeon-seong said, looking at Lee Jung-woo.

“No, I just got back from going to my mom’s.”

“To your mother? Why?”

Lee Jung-woo handed over a black plastic bag instead of answering.

Hyeon-seong asked.

“What is this?”

“Kimbap [Korean seaweed rice rolls]. You wouldn’t have packed a lunch anyway since it’s Saturday, right? You have to fill your stomach before you exercise. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I was hungry anyway, so this is perfect. Let’s eat.”

The two began to eat kimbap.

Lee Jung-woo, who was eating kimbap, looked at Hyeon-seong and asked.

“By the way, did you tell my mom about Kim Tae-chon?”

“Yeah, why?”

“No, she was watching the news last night and suddenly said something strange.”

“What did she say?”

“Well, she said you told her that Kim Tae-chon would be caught tomorrow. Is that true?”

Hyeon-seong smiled and nodded.

Then, Lee Jung-woo laughed as if he was dumbfounded. Then he said again.

“Why did you do that?”

“What?”

“Why are you saying such ridiculous things?”

Lee Jung-woo was looking at him as if he was pathetic.

Then, Hyeon-seong smiled and said.

“You’ll know tomorrow whether it makes sense or not.”

“What? Does that mean you’re really confident?”

Lee Jung-woo was subtly getting competitive.

Then, Hyeon-seong was the same.

“Of course. Otherwise, how would I dare say such a thing to your mother?”

“Wanna bet?”

“Bet?”

“Yeah, if you’re that confident, there’s no reason not to.”

Lee Jung-woo was full of confidence.

Then, Hyeon-seong smiled slightly and said.

“You’re going to regret it…….”

“Well, we’ll see who regrets it tomorrow. Don’t you think?”

Lee Jung-woo was now subtly enjoying it.

Hyeon-seong had nothing to lose.

Anyway, Lee Jung-woo made the offer first.

Then…….

The corners of Hyeon-seong’s lips curled up slightly.

“Call!”

“Good. What should we bet on?”

“Whatever you want, but don’t ask me to go easy on you later or say it’s too much between friends.”

“I’m grateful.”

Judging from his expression, it was already a game that Lee Jung-woo had won.

Hyeon-seong couldn’t help but laugh at Lee Jung-woo.