The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 35

“Jinhyuk, you still have one more race left, right? Are you in good condition?” my dad asked while we were eating lunch.

Usually, at these kinds of competitions, the organizers collect participation fees and prepare lunch boxes. However, meals for family members or cheering squads aren’t provided, so families have to use outside restaurants or prepare their own food.

“Ah, this spicy pork bulgogi is so delicious.”

Jinhyuk’s parents, as well as the parents of other friends, had packed food. They added that they couldn’t possibly focus on work since it was the first time their kids had participated in the relay and made it to the finals.

Han Yu-young took care of Kim Young-tae, who seemed a bit lost.

“Teacher, there’s plenty, please have more.”

“Ahaha, thank you. I’m imposing on you unexpectedly.”

“It’s no imposition, we’re grateful to you for taking good care of our Jinhyuk.”

Although food was supposed to be eaten in the spectator seats, most people were sitting around the edge of the stadium to eat, so the Taeyang-gun team followed suit.

Bulgogi, kimbap [seaweed rice rolls], kimchi soup, seasoned vegetables, and even sandwiches that the kids would like. All sorts of food prepared by the parents were spread out. Yeom Byeong-taek’s parents even prepared coffee and fruit tea in large thermoses.

“It feels like we’re on a picnic, it’s nice.”

“That’s right. We and Jinhyuk go to different schools, when else would we eat outside like this as if we’re on a picnic? Come to think of it, your spring picnic is the day after tomorrow.”

Jo Seul-chan had become a Jinhyuk-obsessed fan, and there was nothing that wasn’t about Jinhyuk in their conversations. No one from Jo Seul-chan’s family came, but no one cared, and Jo Seul-chan didn’t feel out of place either.

“We’ll meet in middle school anyway.”

“Aha, that’s right.”

Yeom Byeong-taek, who was talking with Jo Seul-chan, bit his chopsticks and tilted his head.

“But there isn’t a track and field team in middle school, is there? Are there no athletes?”

“Is that so? It’s only in elementary school.”

“Then, are Jinhyuk and Ji-beom going to middle schools with track and field teams, teacher?” Yeom Byeong-taek asked, looking at teacher Kim Young-tae.

“If they want to continue track and field systematically, they should. But most middle schools in our country only form teams temporarily when there are competitions. And if there are athletes, a track and field team that didn’t exist will be created.”

All schools are registered with the track and field federation.

That meant that if you wanted to participate in competitions, you could participate whenever there was one, even if there wasn’t a separate track and field team.

“Temporarily… what’s that?”

“Seul-chan, it’s like training for a short time, like Jinhyuk does.”

Park Ji-beom explained to Jo Seul-chan, and Jinhyuk just listened silently while eating.

‘It’s fun, but I don’t plan on becoming an athlete.’

Let’s just do it as a hobby.

Because I decided to live an ordinary life.

Living an ordinary life. That’s that.

Jinhyuk wanted to make memories with his friends since he had come this far. He also wanted to repay the debt he owed to Kim Young-tae. Even if they couldn’t win the relay, he thought they might be able to get a bronze medal if they were lucky.

After lunch, Jinhyuk and his friends walked barefoot on the grass for a long time. Occasionally, Yeom Byeong-taek would talk about Kim Yang’s older sister and Choi Yang’s older sister, and Jo Seul-chan would talk about ‘mya mya’, but it seemed like everyone was thinking the same thing.

In particular, Park Ji-beom was more desperate than anyone else.

‘Isn’t this the first and last chance to win a prize in the relay, or even in track and field?’

Because Son Jinhyuk is here.

Since Jinhyuk was confirmed as the representative for the 100m and 200m, he would probably participate in the national competition with a relay team formed with other athletes. Anyway.

Not Park Ji-beom.

He had been famous for his speed since he was young in the countryside and had been doing track and field until now, but the world was vast, and there were many talented athletes. Even in Chungcheongnam-do, which has a small population, there were ten elementary school students who could run 100 meters in about 13 seconds. If you expanded it to the whole country, the records would be even shorter, and there would be more athletes.

‘It feels strange to think this is the last time.’

He had been doing track and field for three years, but he had no awards and it was difficult to even advance to the semi-finals.

He had already decided that there was no hope for him in track and field. Like the track and field alumni of Taeyang Elementary School, he had discussed with his parents about going to a middle school with a soccer team.

Park Ji-beom turned his gaze to Son Jinhyuk, who was a little distance away, lying on the grass and giving his younger sister an airplane ride.

‘Please do your best, Jinhyuk.’

This is Park Ji-beom’s last track and field competition.

Park Ji-beom grabbed the blue baton, recalling the pleasant memories of yesterday.

[On your marks-.]

A pleasant tailwind blew.

[Set-.]

He straightened his legs, widened his eyes, and gritted his teeth.

The reddish track that had been with Park Ji-beom throughout his boyhood filled his vision.

The unforgiving urethane track that had never given him a medal, this was the last time.

[Bang-!]

The sound of the starting gun carried by the wind left a long tail.

Ssssh-, phooo-!

How many times did he breathe while running the 100-meter curve?

Park Ji-beom’s face was flushed, and the veins on his forehead and neck were bulging. He was that desperate, and he lifted his knees as much as he was desperate. Could he run faster if he gripped the baton tightly? Park Ji-beom also clenched his fist.

Thump-!

He perfectly passed the baton to the second runner, Yeom Byeong-taek, and watched the second runners in the other lanes move away. Park Ji-beom sat down on the spot.

“Huuuuh, huuuh-. Oh, I’m gonna die!”

Never had he felt this tired after running 100 meters.

Was there any lingering attachment? His eyes felt hot for no reason.

When he received the baton, Yeom Byeong-taek read Park Ji-beom’s eyes. How desperate must Ji-beom have been to run so hard that his eyes were bloodshot?

Even though he wasn’t particularly skilled, he was confident in the straightaway.

Yeom Byeong-taek leaned his upper body forward as if he was going to fall while running. It only felt like he was leaning, but from the perspective of the people watching, it looked like he was running upright with only his head slightly forward. His arms, swinging outward as if he was going to knock down anyone who came near him, were scary. He ran well, shuffling along with his pigeon-toed gait.

Thump-!

“Jo Seuuuul-! Run! Run! Ruuuuuuuuuun-!”

Yeom Byeong-taek pushed Jo Seul-chan with his voice.

Jo Seul-chan, who had no intention of correcting his dialect.

He had been doing track and field since the fourth grade, but his dialect, let alone his running form, hadn’t been corrected. It was his first time participating in a competition because he had been pushed out by Park Ji-beom and Yeom Byeong-taek. And it would be his last competition as an elementary school student.

Hoo-hoo-hoo-!

Tatatatatat-!

I’ll show you the essence of the shuffling run! I’m Jo-bari, who can run as well as Ji-beom on the curve!

Hehehehe-!

Jinhyuk closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath.

[Bang-!]

Park Ji-beom had a great start and passed the baton first. After that, the baton passes continued smoothly like flowing water.

Wow.

They had dropped from 1st to 3rd, and then from 3rd to 4th, but Jo Seul-chan was running towards him, his eyes so wide that even tears were flying.

Jinhyuk lightly lifted his feet and started jogging in place. The anchors in the other lanes would run out to receive the baton, but Jinhyuk planned to receive it securely and then shoot out like a bullet.

After all, he had the advantage in both the start and the sprint.

Park Ji-beom had a good start, and the flow was good. If they didn’t drop the baton, they could win a bronze medal.

He was determined to squeeze every ounce of strength from his muscles.

Even for Park Ji-beom, who was going to sit down on the track and look at him after giving it his all.

‘I can’t just do it half-heartedly this time.’

Jo Seul-chan approached within 10 steps.

Whoosh-!

He lifted his head forward and increased the pitch of his legs.

He moved forward, moving his feet half the stride of Jo Seul-chan.

Dubabak-!

The anchors of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams started.

His fighting spirit boiled at the sound of their footsteps.

Thump-!

He felt the cylindrical stick deep in his palm.

He gripped it as if he was going to break it.

It was hard. It was definitely the baton.

“Jinhyuk! Please do your best-”

Jo Seul-chan’s desperate cry didn’t reach Jinhyuk’s ears.

Phoo-ah-.

Had the sound of the wind brushing past his ears ever sounded so fierce? It felt like he was running on a windy day.

The back of the 3rd place team’s anchor disappeared in an instant.

He could feel the rebound of the track with his toes. It quickly traveled up his ankles and provoked his thigh muscles. He returned the provocation of the hard ground as it was. Paang-. The track, which should have made a dull sound, rang out cheerfully.

The shoulder of the 2nd place runner became blurry.

“Huuuuaaaap-!”

He took a deep breath and closed his windpipe.

The 1st place runner, whose shoulder was momentarily aligned with his, seemed to glance at Jinhyuk. He didn’t care and just ran forward. There were still about 10 meters left.

Phoo-hooooo-!

He slowly released air from his cheeks, which were swollen as if they were about to burst. Neither his legs nor his arms could rest until the end. He swung his arms more forcefully than ever, and squeezed his thighs until they felt like they would explode.

His legs felt heavy, as if fatigue had built up.

He tightened his abs and pulled up his thighs.

Waaaaaaa-!

The distance between him and Park Ji-beom, who had jumped up from sitting and raised both arms, rapidly decreased. He couldn’t hear the cheers from the spectators or the voice of teacher Kim Young-tae.

But he knew.

‘I did it!’

Park Ji-beom was the first to run up and hug Jinhyuk tightly.

“…Uuuuh-ber-ber.”

…Thank you, Jinhyuk. Thank you for making good memories, he said.

Park Ji-beom hugged the anchor for a long time and wouldn’t let go.

Yeom Byeong and Jo Seul ran over, tears streaming down their faces.

Two event staff members approached the hugging children and peered at them.

“Hey kids, can you separate for a moment? Or just stick your heads out?”

Gold medals were placed around the necks of the four Taeyang-gun representatives.

Son Gwang-yeon captured the scene with his camera.

Jeong Bong-soo frowned deeply.

Lee Hae-dong chewed gum while looking at the track and asked.

“Hey, did you see that just now?”

“We saw it together, you idiot.”

“Ha-, damn. That guy was just playing around yesterday.”

“I have no words. I can’t believe he’s thirteen years old.”

“I pressed the stop button when number 91 started, let’s see….”

Lee Hae-dong narrowed his eyes, tilted his head back, and stared at the electronic watch on his wrist. The numbers were blurry, as if he already had presbyopia [age-related farsightedness].

“It’s 10.50 seconds? It’s not accurate, but still.”

It was an unbelievable record, and it wasn’t an accurate measurement.

But anyone who watched it would have a hard time describing the scene without that much exaggeration.

Lee Hae-dong, who was about to explain that he ran a longer distance than the other runners and pressed the stop button late, eventually swallowed his words.

“It seems like that’s about right. Let’s give up on our dreams.”

“Why?”

“With that kind of skill, it’s better to just do track and field.”

Lee Hae-dong nodded at Jeong Bong-soo’s lament.

It was a waste of such great running ability to switch to another sport.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah. Let’s go home.”

Lee Hae-dong and Jeong Bong-soo shook off their lingering feelings and got up, dusting off their butts.

But they knew. They would come back to see that athlete again. If they couldn’t catch an athlete like that, what kind of promising athlete could they catch?

‘Ah, but I didn’t check his name.’

There was no electronic scoreboard in the stadium.

The two friends headed to the operations desk to check the name of the unknown athlete.

Glaring at each other once up and down.

They said they were giving up on their dreams.

A banner was hung at the main gate of Taeyang Elementary School.

Kim Young-tae and the kids finished their morning exercise and reminisced about the emotion of that day.

They had always participated in the opening ceremony, but it was the first time they had participated in the closing ceremony. It was a little disappointing that they didn’t receive the overall ranking trophy because they were pushed out by the number of gold medals in other events, such as the high jump, middle and long distance, and women’s events, even though there was a four-time champion from the county.

“Teacher Kim Young-tae, did you bring the receipts?”

“Yes, thank you.”

It was a competition where they hadn’t expected to advance to the finals.

Thankfully, the head of the administration office had supported their travel expenses, so Kim Young-tae’s emergency fund was safely preserved.

‘Should I not mention that the parents gave me envelopes as a thank you?’

Son Jinhyuk’s father had given him 200,000 won [approximately $150 USD].

He said he was grateful that he took good care of Jinhyuk, even though he was a student from another school.

It was a lot of money.

‘I should buy the kids some pork belly.’

After finishing their morning exercise, Park Ji-beom and Yeom Byeong-taek sat on a bench and drank milk. Thanks to track and field, their bare upper bodies were solid even though they were elementary school students.

“Ji-beom, I wonder what Jinhyuk is doing?”

“I’ve only seen him a few times, but I miss him.”

Park Ji-beom took out a photo from his tracksuit top.

It was a photo of Kim Young-tae and the four runners smiling brightly with their gold medals after winning the relay. Thanks to Jinhyuk’s kind father, Park Ji-beom had a photo of a moment he would never forget.

Yeom Byeong-taek glanced at the photo and stretched, turning his clasped hands over.

“Ugh-! It would have been better if it was our school.”

Of course, it would have been better.

The banner at the main gate would have been different too. Park Ji-beom didn’t bother to reply and thought that there would probably be a banner saying ‘Son Jinhyuk, Four-Time Champion’.

The banner was hung at Eodong Elementary School.

Even though it was a short banner, the letters were cut off on the left and right because the width of the main gate was narrow.

“Kikikik-, four-time champion.”

“They should have at least left out the school name.”

The children giggled.

‘I wish they had hung it on a tree like the academic competition banners…’

Jinhyuk had secretly hoped that they wouldn’t hang anything, but he knew the school administration liked to show off, so he didn’t express any opinion.

“When are you going to the national competition?” A neighborhood friend, Choi Mi-kyung, asked.

She didn’t put anything on, but her lips were getting redder and her smiling eyes were curving nicely. It was a smile that would make boys’ hearts flutter. In his previous life, she had transferred schools when she was ten, so it was the first time he was seeing Choi Mi-kyung grow up.

Jinhyuk answered before Choi Mi-kyung could hit his shoulder.

“Yeah. At the end of June.”

“Should we go cheer you on?”

“It’s a school day, what cheering? They said I have to do a training camp with kids from other regions too.”

Choi Mi-kyung pouted as if she was disappointed.

“Are you going to run home again today?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s take the bus together. Or we can walk…”

He wondered why she was acting like this. But it wasn’t like Jinhyuk hadn’t met women in his previous life because he lacked ability. There were female students who confessed to him, and he received a lot of attention after he became an adult.

‘Girls mature early.’

But wasn’t Son Jinhyuk a being who was closer to being precocious than mature?

He was a four-time champion in terms of experience.

No matter how old his body was, his friends were children.

But he didn’t want to hurt his closest friend either.

‘What should I do…?’

What did they say to do in this situation?

Jinhyuk briefly recalled the dating and social skills he had learned from texts.

As the blurry fog cleared, the phrase came to mind as if it was drawn on his retina.

If you confess, you might just remain good friends?

‘Should I try it?’

It was when Choi Mi-kyung sighed while watching Jinhyuk, who was frowning and thinking hard by himself.