The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 167

*

Park Sanggi’s affection isn’t limited to his girlfriend, Park Jeonghwa.

Shim Inhee from Cheongju Girls’ Middle School is pretty, and Kim Eunji from Taeyang Girls’ Middle School too—ah, scratch that.

Having tried various sports since childhood for rehabilitation after heart surgery, what Park Sanggi loves most is soccer.

His memories related to sports are diverse.

From swimming to track and field, soccer… and even ballet, a memory of a ‘bulging crotch’ he’d rather forget.

‘……Ughhh-! Power, rise, Grace Skull!’

There was a time when he considered soccer the best sport. That thought lingers, but he’s realized that track and field could easily take its place, even though he hasn’t dedicated much time to it.

Soccer, which requires long-term stamina, and track and field, which demands all-out effort in a short burst. Both have their unique charms. Above all, track and field was appealing because he didn’t have to bump into other players. It felt like it was giving freedom to Park Sanggi, who disliked physical contact.

The only downside was that it ended so quickly.

‘Go, Jo Seulmon!’

Thud-!

After passing the baton, Park Sanggi caught his breath and eyed the other runners.

Thanks to the lead Son Jinhyuk had created, they were still in first place.

However.

‘Ah, they’ve closed the gap a lot.’

Those country bumpkins are damn fast.

Do those kids who go to sports middle school just run all day long?

Should I give Jo Seulchan, who’s running like his tail is on fire, a push? Whew—he let out a long, heavy breath.

‘……Science helps you, Jo Seulmon.’

Park Sanggi is a weirdo, indeed.

*

Heheheh-.

Now is the moment for Jo Seulchan’s incantation to take effect.

It’s a shame that he can’t show his full strength on the curved track because he’s in lane 6, but so what?

His posture, which has been considerably corrected through training, is no different from any other track and field athlete, and his speed has also increased quite a bit.

‘Shibalshibalshishibal-.’

The incantation he’s been repeating since his junior high days feels particularly fitting today.

If it was because he was hungry before, today it’s because of the desperation of it being the last time, which makes him grit his teeth and say it automatically. Or maybe it’s just a habit.

As he came out of the curved track, two competitors were right on Jo Seulchan’s shoulder.

‘Shieebal-!’

Yeom Byeongtaek will finish it off.

Thud-.

As he passed the white baton into Yeom Byeongtaek’s hand, a long sigh of relief washed over him.

‘Hoo-!’

Yeom Byeongtaek, who had warmed up sufficiently, took a deep breath and held it.

After carefully observing Jinhyuk running the 100 meters, he realized that he ran like this for the first 20 meters or so.

All or nothing.

It was impromptu, but if he imitated it like this, wouldn’t he be able to run as fast as Jinhyuk?

It’s strange.

He has energy left.

His face was flushed red as if it would burst, but he felt a sense of ease in his breathing.

He never managed to fix his pigeon-toed walk. However, the feeling of running on his toes and the new routine of raising his ankles stuck to him like a glove.

Nevertheless, the limit of his skills was clear.

‘Damn it.’

As he always feels, sports middle school isn’t for just anyone.

That guy is the one who came in second in the 100 and 200 meters.

A guy slower than Jinhyuk, faster than me, and annoying.

The leader, who had already overtaken Yeom Byeongtaek, was already close to the finish line.

Another school between the leader and Yeom Byeongtaek, and another school next to his shoulder.

– ‘If we get 5th place, we’re maintaining our position, and even 4th place is good.’

That’s what the records say.

It seemed that the variable Jinhyuk had expected hadn’t occurred. He was running in 3rd place, so maybe that variable had already been accounted for.

Hoo-oo-oop-!

He held his breath again.

‘Please, just one person……’

His heavy head became light, and it felt like a big hole had been punched in his stomach, and he didn’t even feel air resistance. He could feel the player who had been running alongside him falling behind, and the guy who had been showing his back was quickly getting closer.

Yes, there’s no situation as familiar as running while looking at someone’s back and gritting your teeth. He just had to run while looking at the back of the first-place runner.

‘Rather than regretting it for the rest of my life-.’

It’s better to die running.

Let’s die!

Hoo-oo-oop-. He filled his lungs, which seemed to have no more room, and puffed up his chest like a balloon.

[Taang-.]

Along with the signal announcing the first-place runner’s finish.

Yeom Byeongtaek, who had squeezed out a few more steps, thrust his chest forward.

With the thought of throwing his body, with the determination to hit the front with his chin.

Hu-uk hu-uk-.

‘Aigoo, I’m gonna die-!’

It was the first time that the 100-meter section he had run so many times was this difficult. From the 50-meter mark, he had really pulled out every last bit of strength, with the determination to burn the rest of his lifespan.

Finally, the tiresome track and field is over, his eyes welled up with tears.

Murmuring, murmuring-.

‘Are there two in second place?’

‘It’s ambiguous. They came in at the same time-.’

Neither Yeom Byeongtaek nor the player who came in with him were sure of the result.

When the minute the supervisor was reviewing the video felt like an eternity.

The announcer’s voice echoed through the speakers.

[In the men’s 400-meter relay, according to the rules, Taeyang Middle School, whose chest crossed the finish line first-.]

Ehehehehehehe-.

The corners of Yeom Byeongtaek’s mouth, who was sprawled out, went up, and a hysterical laugh escaped.

Whether he was laughing or crying.

‘Ahahaha……Huk-, I……Huk- am Yeom Byeongtaek, who ate duck eggs and grew his chest-.’

Yeom Byeongtaek finally covered his eyes with his forearm.

Still holding the baton tightly.

***

‘Shibal……’

Lee Byeongse, watching the players piled on top of Yeom Byeongtaek, finally cursed.

Min Yongrak, who was about to go to the players, watched Lee Byeongse’s reaction.

At first, he thought it was because they didn’t get first place. Since those immature guys were looking more excited than the first-place team, he wondered if the coach was cursing because of that.

Soon, a chuckle burst out.

Hic-.

Lee Byeongse wiped away a liquid that was either tears or snot with the towel around his neck.

‘Aren’t you going, sir?’

‘Ah, let them be-. It’s their last competition, so they should have some fun together-.’

With a smile, Min Yongrak quietly sat back down.

He had thought he was a scary person because of his gruff appearance and the frequent cursing.

Turns out, he’s a warm-hearted swearer?

***

Lee Byeongse, who had returned from the competition, became busy.

‘Ha-, why is the national competition application separate?’

Just because they were qualified didn’t mean they were automatically granted the right to participate.

They had to send a fax with the students’ personal information, parental consent forms, and an application form with the school principal’s seal.

‘It’s a good thing I asked Yeong Taeheon first.’

How fortunate it is to be able to get advice from someone with experience.

There was a guide from the competition organizing committee, but the delivery of reading the words and hearing them spoken was completely different.

Fortunately, the method hadn’t changed from three years ago.

Lee Byeongse, who was about to send the fax, paused.

‘Wait.’

The image of Yeom Byeongtaek and Jo Seulchan crying their eyes out after the relay flashed through his mind.

*

Lee Byeongse requested a meeting with the vice-principal.

He wasn’t confident. Every time Lee Byeongse planned something, the stingy vice-principal would always hold him back with financial issues, saying that they shouldn’t waste sponsorship money without substance.

It was the same now.

What vice-principal would like a teacher asking for money so that graduating seniors, who no longer represent the school, could attend the national competition? Lee Byeongse himself wouldn’t like it if he were the vice-principal.

Still, wouldn’t the kids like it if their incompetent teacher did this much for them?

‘……We’re all one team-. We’ve been through a lot together-.’

The vice-principal, with his eyes half-closed, just tapped the paper on the table with his index finger.

Lee Byeongse sighed inwardly.

Ha, is it not going to work out this time either? They’re in their third year, and if they miss classes, the parents won’t like it either, right?

‘If it’s not possible, then it can’t be-.’

‘Go ahead and go.’

‘-Jyu. Huh?’

The vice-principal’s finger, which had been sending Morse code, stopped.

‘Have a good trip. Make sure you get the parental consent forms before that.’

Before Lee Byeongse came, the vice-principal had already received a call from Son Gwangyeon, the president.

That his son wanted to show his friends around Seoul. He expressed it indirectly, but who wouldn’t know that it meant he wanted to go with them?

‘Even so- is it okay?’

‘You said you’re a team. If you’re a team, you have to move together.’

The vice-principal, with a relaxed expression and a smirk, took out a yellow envelope from his pocket.

‘You should get some fresh air too, Mr. Lee-.’

Whether Lee Byeongse, holding the thick envelope, made a sullen face or not.

The vice-principal, who got up first, patted him on the shoulder and left the principal’s office.

Lee Byeongse’s eyes widened as if they would pop out as he checked the contents of the envelope, glaring at it.

‘That guy is supposed to be the principal next year, did he become more generous?’

***

As if to defy the expectations of some that the competition would be postponed due to the heatwave, the national competition in September was held as scheduled. Even if it wasn’t because of the expected difficulties in securing the stadium if the schedule was postponed, how could they easily change a national event? Regardless of the low interest. It was wishful thinking, or rather, it was just some people’s wishful thinking since there was no plan to postpone it in the first place.

Still, it’ll be a bit cooler in September, right?

‘Ugh-! Did I live in a place like this?’

Min Yongrak fanned himself with his shirt collar, making a fuss.

August and September were only different in numbers.

Still, it’ll be a bit less hot since it’s in the north, right?

‘Ughhh-. It’s hotter than our town-.’

Even if it wasn’t for Jo Seulchan’s groaning, it was unbearably hot.

The fact that Yeom Byeongtaek had lost his words was enough evidence.

‘It’s a good thing Sanggi didn’t come. Hey, Yeom Byeong, isn’t that right? The teacher said he’d show us around Seoul, but it looks like he’s trying to dry us to death in Seoul-.’

Park Sanggi regretted not being able to attend, saying that he had to attend a family gathering in Cheongju on the weekend.

Yeom Byeongtaek just nodded with vacant eyes and a gaping mouth.

He didn’t want to say anything.

They didn’t even provide tents like they did at the regional competition.

The athletes had a waiting room, but it was like they were telling the audience to die of heatstroke in a hot pot.

It was the same for the coaches.

‘Fresh air my ass…… I’m gonna die of heatstroke-.’

Lee Byeongse muttered to himself with a look of despair.

Then, a savior appeared.

A person who was confusing whether they were a person in a bear costume or a bear in a person costume.

‘You’ve all worked hard in this heat. Please take one of these-.’

‘Oh? Team Leader Yang, what brings you here……’

Min Yongrak, who was sweating profusely and on the verge of fainting, grinned as he received the parasol that Yang Gangwook handed him. He was so happy to see a colleague who worked with him at the country estate in the distant city of Seoul.

‘Oh, Manager Min, you’ve been through a lot. I came because I had something to report and stopped by.’

‘Report? What? To whom? Did the team leader come himself? When?’

Yang Gangwook moved his thick, short neck and gestured towards the VIP seats.

There, Yoo Sera, wearing sunglasses, was smiling mischievously and waving her hand.

Yongrak, jam jam- [a playful way of saying ‘look here’].

‘Ah……, the chairman came. You should have told me sooner.’

But something was strange.

‘Does Team Leader Yang have anything to report to the chairman?’

‘No. I stopped by on my way to see the vice-chairman.’

Yang Gangwook answered Min Yongrak’s question diligently and handed a parasol to Lee Byeongse as well.

‘You’ve worked hard, sir. Mr. Jinhyuk’s father specifically asked me to convey his gratitude.’

‘Aigoo-, you didn’t have to do this……’

Should I use this?

After looking around for a moment, Lee Byeongse unfolded the parasol without hesitation. The others were wearing strangely shaped gisaeng [Korean courtesan] hats that they were selling at the entrance of the stadium.

A physical education teacher from the Land of Courtesy wearing a gisaeng hat and a parasol. It’s the end of the world, the end of the world.

‘When is the final?’

‘The 100-meter is tomorrow, and the 200-meter is the day after tomorrow.’

The 100-meter race is held one day before the 200-meter race.

‘Then-.’

‘Yes-. Take care-.’

Yang Gangwook nodded and quickly left.

***

‘You’ve all worked hard. I’m sorry for being an employer who doesn’t provide anything.’

Unlike his soft words, Hong Gijun’s expression was extremely stern.

It was similar to the aura of a mafia boss who had seized power, distributed management duties to various experts, and focused on scheming.

Yang Gangwook and Moon Seokil, taken aback by Hong Gijun’s changed appearance, swallowed hard with tense faces. It was because Hong Gijun’s gaze was chilling, as if a well-honed razor blade was pressed against their necks.

‘Who is overseeing your work?’

‘I left it to Myung Hyunwoo and Yoo Taehwa, respectively.’

Hong Gijun, nodding as he listened to Yang Gangwook’s answer, turned his gaze to Moon Seokil this time.

‘Kim Inrang has been assigned a separate mission. Only Jeong Sangtae and Kang Heonchang came.’

‘Okay. You handled it well. It was enough for you to come. You’re the one who leads the demolition crew.’

Moon Seokil, who had bowed his head once without a word, asked.

‘If the matter gets too big, it will cause problems for the vice-chairman’s movements, and I’m afraid of that.’

‘There is no such thing as a small incident.’

Moon Seokil’s eyebrows twitched. It was an action that came out when it was difficult to immediately understand the other person’s words.

‘An incident is like a balloon. It swells up until it bursts. If it’s something that shrinks on its own, it’s not a balloon or an incident, but a simple happening.’

‘Should we burst it?’

‘Burst it and tear it to shreds. So that it can never imitate a balloon again.’

It was stern and resolute.

As expected of a person who became the real power of a large group at a young age.

Moon Seokil straightened his posture.

‘Should we go right away today?’

‘Rest today and go tomorrow. You’ve come all this way, so you should rest too, and those guys…… let them enjoy their last festival tonight.’

‘Yes.’

‘Team Leader Yang, make sure to support them well from behind.’

‘Leave it to me.’

After Yang Gangwook and Moon Seokil left the office, Hong Gijun loosened his tie and sighed. Hoo-.

‘The atmosphere is definitely different from the other employees.’

It’s brutal. It makes you shake your head involuntarily.

They were men so full of vigor that it even felt like being a mouse in front of a cat when facing them. On the other hand, their faces even looked excited without any signs of tension. They must be warriors about to embark on a thrilling operation.

How does that guy Son Gwangyeon joke around with those guys?

‘Ah, I need to pee.’

Hong Gijun, who had kicked his seat, took hurried steps.

Even the vice-chairman of a group that dominates the world beyond Korea is no different from a dog that needs to poop when he has an urgent need to go to the bathroom.