Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 96

96

“Principal!”

Hyun-sung’s voice was full of energy as he called out to Principal Park Sang-hyun.

“Why? Do you have a good idea?”

“What if, and I mean if, we could build the restroom ourselves?”

“What do you mean? Build it ourselves…?”

Park Sang-hyun shook his head.

That was out of the question. A restroom wasn’t child’s play, and even if they could build it, the cost would be astronomical.

On the other hand, Hyun-sung had a different idea.

He didn’t think they should dismiss it outright. In some ways, it was a simple task. Dig a hole, bury the septic tank, and pour concrete over it. Then, divide it into stalls.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

But while it wouldn’t be easy, he didn’t think it was impossible either.

The problem was money.

Eventually, they would need to hire heavy equipment and some workers.

It all came down to money…

Hyun-sung continued.

“When I think about it, I don’t think it’s impossible. What’s so special about a restroom? If we do the septic tank properly and divide the space above it, wouldn’t that be enough?”

“That’s easier said than done. It’s not a typical construction project.”

“Of course. I’m not taking it lightly. But we’re not building a hotel-level restroom. If we focus on practicality, I think it’s doable.”

“You’re not suggesting you’ll do it yourself, are you?”

“Of course not. What skills do I have? I’m just saying that instead of dismissing it outright, we should leave the possibility open. I think that’s the least we can do for the students, alumni, and faculty who participated in the survey.”

Principal Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung after hearing his words.

No matter how he looked at it, Hyun-sung seemed strange.

He didn’t think a student could easily come up with such an idea.

Then, something suddenly occurred to Principal Park Sang-hyun.

“Oh, I wanted to ask you something…”

“To me?”

“I heard you’re running a business. How did that happen?”

“You’ve already heard? It just happened that way.”

Rumors certainly spread quickly.

He expected it was his homeroom teacher. It was natural for the teacher to report to the principal.

He wasn’t trying to hide it anyway.

He was planning to tell him and arrange a meeting. He thought that was the proper etiquette.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Please visit sometime with the cooperative director. It’s just ramen, but I’ll do my best to serve you.”

“Haha, really?”

“I was going to tell you after we opened anyway. Of course, we have to have an opening ceremony, right?”

“You’re quite something. I guess that’s why you’re already thinking about business. Anyway, congratulations in advance, and I hope you make it big.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard.”

Principal Park Sang-hyun had another question. It was about the sign. He couldn’t recall seeing a sign with just ‘Ramen’ on it, let alone a ramen he didn’t even know.

Principal Park Sang-hyun looked at Hyun-sung and asked again.

“Was that sign your idea too?”

“Yes, I designed it myself.”

“Haha, impressive. But that ramen… I’ve never seen it before.”

“Ah, yes. It’s a ramen that will be released soon. I know it’s hard to believe, but it will definitely be out next month.”

Hyun-sung didn’t know how else to explain it, so he just said that.

Principal Park Sang-hyun was dumbfounded.

Was this for real?

It wasn’t even out yet. And it would be out next month.

But he was already putting it on the sign to sell it.

He was dumbfounded, but he decided to let it go rather than badger a young student.

“Alright. Since you’re starting, work hard.”

“Yes, thank you. And thank you for not asking further. I know it’s a ridiculous situation, but I don’t have anything else to say right now, so I appreciate your understanding.”

“Haha… alright.”

“And I hope you’ll think more about the restroom issue. I don’t think it’s time to make a decision right now.”

“I agree. I’ll try to find other ways to solve the problem. Let’s do our best. It all comes down to money in the end.”

They decided to postpone the restroom issue for now.

No matter how they looked at it, the problem was money. Their conclusion was that the success of the restroom project depended on how much money they could raise.

Hyun-sung was just arriving at the school gate after leaving the principal’s office.

“Why are those guys…?”

Han Myung-soo and Kim Tae-jin, the ‘Grass Clan,’ were waiting for Hyun-sung.

As Hyun-sung approached, they bowed to him at a 90-degree angle.

Hyun-sung spoke first.

“Hey, Han Myung-soo.”

“Yes, Senior!”

It was true that the word ‘senior’ was less grating than ‘hyungnim’ [older brother – a term typically used to address older male friends or acquaintances]. Calling him ‘hyungnim’ reminded him of gangsters and thugs, which made him uncomfortable.

Hyun-sung continued.

“Is there a reason for you guys to be waiting for me here? I thought we agreed to meet after the midterm exams.”

“We were waiting because we have a favor to ask of you, Senior.”

“A favor?”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. He couldn’t think of anything these guys would ask him for.

Then, Han Myung-soo spoke again.

“It’s about studying.”

“Studying?”

That was unexpected. He never thought he would hear the word ‘studying’ from Han Myung-soo.

Perhaps that was why…

“Follow me.”

Hyun-sung’s actions were different from usual.

Hyun-sung walked to the convenience store next to the main gate. He went inside and bought three ‘Jjujjubba’ [a popular Korean ice cream bar] ice bars.

“Here, eat this first.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The two guys bowed deeply for a single ice bar.

Come to think of it, this was the first time Hyun-sung had tasted Jjujjubba since his regression. Back then, even this was precious, and he had to watch his friends eat it from the side.

They say the ugliest thing is watching someone else eat, but he couldn’t help but look. And on the days they gave him a bite, he would tilt his head back and taste the sweetness that dripped down.

He couldn’t put his mouth on the Jjujjubba, so he had to eat it that way.

Slurp, slurp.

It tasted pretty good after all this time.

After eating some of the Jjujjubba, Hyun-sung asked first.

“So, what’s this favor you wanted to ask?”

“Please teach us how to study.”

“What?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be surprised.

He had his own problems to deal with. If it were before, he could force himself to teach the underachievers, but it was different now. He had barely finished the first year of middle school and had only started the second year a few days ago.

It was impossible to teach someone in this situation.

“Didn’t you tell us to study? So please teach us.”

“What? Are you guys trying to pressure me?”

“It’s not pressure. We can’t do it on our own. We’ve tried for a few days, but we can’t do anything by ourselves.”

That was true.

What could they do if they just gathered together?.

But the problem was Hyun-sung.

Of course, he understood their situation. But the problem was that Hyun-sung’s situation was just as difficult. It was impossible.

“No way!”

He had no choice.

He decided that it was best to avoid this, no matter what excuse he had to make.

“Why not? I know you’re in the top 5 in the class. Can’t you teach us enough with that?”

“What? Did you guys already do a background check on me?”

“It’s not a background check. We have to show that much sincerity, don’t we?”

“Sincerity?”

They seemed to be determined.

Han Myung-soo was blocking any chance of escape.

He was more meticulous than he thought.

He was using the word ‘sincerity’ to sugarcoat it, but Hyun-sung knew what he was up to.

But Hyun-sung wasn’t going to fall for it.

“You guys don’t know, but I’m busy with other things these days.”

He couldn’t say that he wasn’t good enough, so he decided to make up an excuse about being busy.

But that was just Hyun-sung’s thought.

“Is it because of the ramen shop?”

“What? How do you guys know about that? Don’t tell me that’s also ‘sincerity’?”

“Why are you being like this? We have a few guys. We already knew that much. And we’re not asking you to teach us every day. Two or three times a week is enough. Can’t you do that much?”

“Look at these guys. They’re really determined.”

He didn’t expect them to be so serious about studying. He had set the condition because he thought it would naturally distance him from the Grass Clan.

But listening to Han Myung-soo now, it seemed that it was all Hyun-sung’s delusion.

No matter how he thought about it, it was hard to understand. He was sure that they had turned their backs on studying.

That’s why he confidently set the condition, but now he was about to be completely defeated.

Hyun-sung opened his mouth again.

“Han Myung-soo, let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Is studying your idea?”

Scratch, scratch.

Han Myung-soo scratched his head at Hyun-sung’s question. Then, he said awkwardly.

“No.”

“No? What do you mean?”

He naturally thought it was Han Myung-soo’s idea. He asked just in case, but he got an unexpected answer.

Then he became even more curious about the reason.

Hyun-sung asked again in a hurry.

“It’s not? Aren’t you the boss?”

“I don’t do dictatorship.”

“What? Dictatorship? That means…”

“I don’t make important decisions on my own.”

He was dumbfounded. Hyun-sung was out of his mind at Han Myung-soo’s sudden answer.

It was so far from what he expected. Not making decisions alone meant that he was gathering the opinions of the majority, but did that make sense? Especially for guys who were running a delinquent organization.

Hyun-sung asked again.

“Not making decisions alone means you guys even vote?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

He felt like he had been hit.

Voting in an organization, and not even a healthy one.

Hyun-sung was speechless for a moment at the thought of making decisions by voting.

This time, Han Myung-soo spoke first.

“Why? Is it strange?”

“It’s not just strange, it’s shocking.”

“It’s not like we vote on every decision. It’s only for important matters. Of course, I decide what those important matters are.”

“So, you’re saying you voted on this matter.”

“Yes, I was actually surprised too. They hate studying, but when I opened the lid, they said they wanted to study. But what’s funny is the reason they want to study.”

Gulp.

Hyun-sung swallowed hard. He had already finished the Jjujjubba a while ago.

It was a moment of tension.

“You’re saying there was another reason for studying. It’s not just about studying?”

“Yes. But do you know what that reason is?”

“What is it? Why are you stalling like this?”

“It’s because of you, Senior.”

“What?”