Chapter 29, Part 1: Racing Against Time (4)

"Big son, are you up?"

Mother rubbed her sleepy eyes and came out to the living room.

In the past, Mother always called me by my name, but after my younger brother was born, she started using the term "big son."

The term "big son," which I never heard in my previous life, still felt awkward and strange to me.

Big son.

At first glance, it seemed like nothing special.

But in it, I glimpsed a life in this present existence that was different from my past life.

"Yes, go back to sleep. You must be tired."

"Even if I'm tired, I can't be as tired and stressed as a third-year high school student preparing for college entrance exams. I'll make breakfast soon."

Mother warmed up the side dishes and rice she had stored in the refrigerator, boiled soup, and started making a rolled omelet.

I watched her back silently.

It was strange and fascinating to see a different side of her from my past life.

In my previous life, Mother worked at a restaurant around this time, despite her discomfort.

Her hands were always swollen from washing dishes, and she often wore a pain patch for her aching back.

She also treated me coldly because I hung out with delinquent students when I was in my second year of high school.

But now, everything was 180 degrees different.

Mother still worked as a nurse but had been transferred to a nursing department, allowing her to work regular hours instead of rotating shifts.

Father was still gaining recognition as a novelist.

I consistently ranked first in the school, and my younger brother, Saerang, was growing up healthy and strong.

There was no dark shadow in our family's life, which was 180 degrees different from our past life.

Right then,

Bang!

The door to the small room opened, and a small boy came out into the living room.

Saerang.

My younger brother, who didn't exist in my previous life.

It was endearing to see him walk to the bathroom, tugging at his pants.

"Brother, are you up?"

"Yeah, Saerang, you woke up because you had to pee, didn't you?"

"Uh-huh. Mom, I'm up."

"Saerang, good morning."

"Good morning."

Saerang greeted me and Mother cheerfully and then went into the bathroom.

Pitter-patter.

Even the sound of my brother peeing seemed cute to me. Am I a pervert?

Saerang went back to his room after using the bathroom.

Mother and I had breakfast together.

"How was the mock exam this time?"

"I did well. I don't think I got any questions wrong."

"Wow, that good?"

"Mom, being the son of a famous writer, shouldn't I at least do that well?"

I said with a playful tone.

I was originally a good student in my past life. Except for a brief period of rebellion in my second year of high school, I never ranked below 10th in the school.

Moreover, I had already done an insane amount of studying in medical school.

As a doctor, I read and wrote English papers.

Compared to that, preparing for the college entrance exam was like eating cold porridge.

No wonder I had been going to a boxing gym 2-3 times a week for the past few years to build up my stamina.

"Whatever you do, if you try too hard, you'll get tired quickly. Life is a marathon, so work hard in moderation and take it easy."

"I'll keep that in mind."

While chewing on the rolled omelet, I changed the subject.

Something suddenly came to mind.

"By the way, how is Grandfather doing these days?"

"Grandfather is over the moon. His contract as a formal partner with Shinwon University Hospital was recently extended."

"..."

"But this time, the name of the electronic medical record software they developed is called Shinwon MU."

"Shinwon is Shinwon University, but what's MU?"

"What else? It's your name. They used your initials. M stands for 'Maeul,' and U stands for 'U.'"

"That's quite a shock, isn't it?"

I couldn't help but laugh at Grandfather's naming sense.

I understand that he is grateful and loves his grandson, but to put my initials on hospital software...

If I graduate from medical school and work at Shinwon University Hospital, I'll probably burst into laughter every time I use the EMR.

I learned a bit more about Grandfather from Mother.

His company has been growing steadily even through the recent IMF crisis.

And recently, he has been wanting to see me more often.

"Big son."

"Yes."

"Mom still feels like this is all a dream. I never thought we would be this happy when we were living in that used bookstore."

Mother's eyes were brimming with happiness as she looked at me.

A satisfied smile appeared on my face as I watched her.

I don't think our family of four will be happy forever just because we are happy now.

Life is not a fairy tale.

It doesn't end with a beautiful conclusion where happiness follows after suffering.

But even if countless difficulties and challenges come our way in the future,

I believe I can overcome them wisely.

My name is Maeul, and my brother's name is Saerang.

Perhaps our names symbolize our family's future.

"Anyway, Mom thinks a lot has changed since Big son was born."

"All thanks to you and Father raising me well. Like father, like son, right?"

"Indeed, that's true."

Mother and I exchanged glances and chuckled.

After breakfast, I put on my school uniform, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and left the house.

Mokdong has become much more prosperous compared to when I was in sixth grade.

Apartment complexes have sprung up, and the commercial area has developed significantly.

But I know that the housing prices in Mokdong will continue to rise steadily in the future.

It seems we won't be moving anytime soon.

* * *

Wandering around the open space in front of the commercial area, I imagined the remaining days of my school life.

I had recently taken a nationwide mock exam, and the college entrance exam was just two months away.

My current goal is, of course, to ace the college entrance exam and be admitted as the top student to Shinwon University Medical School.

It's not a difficult goal for me now.

If I don't get into a traffic accident or contract a rare disease before the exam, it's a goal I can achieve without much trouble.

'Well, I've come this far safely.'

Looking back, I'm quite satisfied with the days I've lived from the age of 1 after regressing to my current third year of high school.

Of course, there were several opportunities to make a big splash using the knowledge I brought back from my past life.

But I didn't take them.

I wanted to carefully review and change the things I missed in my surroundings.

Speed isn't everything.

To fully utilize the advantages of regression, I needed to match the pace of my past life.

'Let me think.'

I searched my memory again.

At this point, nothing special happened.

In my past life, I would have been tempted by delinquent friends due to my rebellion in my second year of high school, but in this life, I didn't rebel.

Naturally, I didn't have any dealings with delinquent students.

'I can't let my guard down. After all, I don't know everything.'

I didn't relax.

There's always a chance that the situations and people I've changed through regression could become variables.

And life, after all, is a perverse creature that expects humans to fail and be discouraged.

Just because nothing significant happened in my past life doesn't mean it will be the same this time.

"Good morning."

I snapped out of my thoughts at the familiar voice.

Turning my head, I saw Kim Jisoo, wearing a high school uniform, waving and approaching me.

Kim Jisoo, who had been acting since elementary school, had blossomed in beauty in high school.

I heard that some boys from nearby high schools had formed a "Kim Jisoo expedition team" to come and see her.

I see Kim Jisoo almost every day, so I'm not particularly impressed.

"It's so hot this morning."

"Yeah, I'm already sweating after just a short walk."

Kim Jisoo fanned her collar with her hand. I looked at her and asked,

"Jisoo, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Is it okay for us to go to school together every day? You're a rising star. Doesn't your agency say anything?"

"You're quick, Maeul. You're like a sports car."

"Don't push it. I'm just asking because you've become more famous recently."

A few weeks ago, Kim Jisoo started filming a drama called 'Stormy Sea.'

In 'Stormy Sea,' Kim Jisoo played the high school version of the female lead, gaining attention from viewers.

She's finally starting to shine as an actress.

"Nothing much? Actually... the ratings aren't that great, and I only had a minor role."

"But aren't you recognized by quite a few people these days?"

"Compared to before?"

Kim Jisoo smiled.

In elementary school, Kim Jisoo was known as a tomboy, but as she grew older, her personality (or temperament) mellowed.

Words like "reckless," "naughty," and "wild" no longer fit her.

That's why sometimes I laugh when I compare the Kim Jisoo in my memories with the one in front of me.

"Come here. I'll put on some sunscreen for you."

While applying the sunscreen Kim Jisoo took out of her bag, I remained silent like a baby.

This has become a daily ritual during our morning commute to school.

We continued to chat as we walked to school.

Over time, our relationships have changed significantly.

Kaburi and Kim Yo-han went to a vocational high school and got along well.

They meet and play about twice a month.

Son Seung-woo, who nearly died from choking, moved and enrolled in a middle and high school with a soccer team.

We started similarly, but we each went our separate ways.

Perhaps growing up means finding our own paths and setting out on them.

"I can't see you on weekdays, but let's meet on the weekend and watch a movie together. I'll know if you say no again."

"Of course. Do you think I don't know about our Kim lady's straightforward personality?"

Kim Jisoo giggled, covering her mouth at my joke.

"I'll text you later."

"Sure. Take care of your schedule."

After parting ways with Kim Jisoo, I headed to my high school.

The classroom for 3-9 was quiet.

A few students who arrived early were studying with their textbooks open.

The tense atmosphere unique to a third-year high school class filled the room.

"Scalp, you're here?"

Song Yun-ho, my closest friend in the class, acknowledged me.

Unfortunately, my nickname, "Scalp," achieved a grand slam from elementary school to middle school and high school.

Even with regression, I couldn't escape the clutches of this childish nickname.

My friends all said the same thing:

The nickname "Scalp" stuck to my mouth and couldn't be removed.

"Let's talk outside since the others are studying."

"Sure."

I put my bag down and went out into the hallway.

"Hey, you really seem to be working out properly?"

"What do you mean?"

"You look especially good today. I heard you go to a boxing gym. It seems you're not just fooling around."

"I'm building stamina, relieving stress, and can discipline unruly students. It's a three-for-one deal."

I shrugged.

After my English speaking and listening skills reached a certain level, I had a lot of free time.

So I started going to a boxing gym.

There was a reason I chose boxing among many sports.

Some patients and their guardians try to intimidate doctors with their physical strength.

Boxing was the best sport to deal with such troublemakers and build stamina.

"Bookworm, you're here early?"

A mocking voice came from the corner of the hallway, and Shim Byung-soo appeared.

Behind him were a few delinquents known in the school.

Shim Byung-soo.

A kid who has hated and envied me since elementary school.

In my past life, I was a flawless top student, but now he has fallen into delinquency.

From the rumors that he started drinking and smoking,

to the recent gossip that he has been bullying classmates.

Shim Byung-soo's recent behavior was enough to irritate me.

"You're here early too. They say early risers smoke early. It seems to be true."

I mocked, catching the smell of cigarettes from the approaching Shim Byung-soo.

His face turned red and pale.

"Brat, your attitude... But even if I smoke, my mock exam scores will be better than yours. I've been getting private tutoring from a doctor from Shinwon University for a few months now."

"..."

"You're beneath me this time."

"Please pray to God that it's true."

"Unlucky brat, don't think you'll stay first forever."

Shim Byung-soo poked my shoulder with his and entered the classroom.

It took a while for the tension we created to dissipate.

"He seems to have quite a bit of inferiority complex towards you. Being second is still a good achievement."

"Life shows that there are always people who can't stand being beneath others. Those kinds usually don't have a good ending."

I frowned as I watched Shim Byung-soo's back.

If there's a threat to my third-year high school life, it might start with Shim Byung-soo.

Suddenly, I had a foreboding feeling.