Chapter 42, Chapter 4: The Knot (2)

Thud. Thud.

After the sixth period class ended, Sim Byung-soo's footsteps were heavy as he walked down the school corridor.

His destination was not the staff room but the vice principal's office.

The weight of the vice principal's office made him anxious and uneasy.

With so few students in the entire school, why did the vice principal specifically call for him?

Bad news usually comes unexpectedly.

Sim Byung-soo began to speculate about the possible bad news that could befall him.

No matter how he thought about it, there was only one thing that bothered him.

No matter how he thought about it, there was only one thing that felt off.

Park Jung-hoon.

Apart from bullying Park Jung-hoon, nothing else came to mind.

But a question still lingered.

He thought the Park Jung-hoon incident had been properly resolved by his homeroom teacher.

What could be the reason for the vice principal's summons?

The answer was inside the vice principal's office, where he had just arrived.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"It's Sim Byung-soo from 3rd grade."

"Come in."

When he entered the vice principal's office, he saw the vice principal sitting on a sofa for guests.

The vice principal's expression as he looked at Sim Byung-soo was dark.

It almost seemed like he was looking at him with disdain.

Sim Byung-soo instinctively knew his premonition was correct.

"Sit over there."

"Yes, Vice Principal."

"Byung-soo, I heard you were a model student who studies well and is trustworthy. But it turns out you're the complete opposite."

"I don't understand what you mean... I don't know what you're talking about."

Sim Byung-soo immediately played dumb.

Politicians always claim they can't remember when cornered.

They say they don't know, don't they?

"You can't get away with just pretending. If that were the case, I wouldn't have called you here. Not only did you bully your friend, but you also disgraced the school... What kind of person are you...?"

The vice principal's voice carried a subtle anger.

Reading the ominous signs, Sim Byung-soo shrank back.

What? Why is this happening?

This means they're completely recognizing me as a school bully, right?

Do they have solid evidence to pin this on me?

"You can't cover this up, no matter how much your parents try to influence the Parent-Teacher Association."

The vice principal, as if reading his thoughts, threw a few photos on the table.

Photos of Park Jung-hoon's wrist with burn marks.

Photos of bruises on his shins.

The moment he saw the photos, Sim Byung-soo felt a chill run down his spine.

It was hard to believe that the dim-witted and gentle Park Jung-hoon could leave such evidence.

But Sim Byung-soo wasn't one to back down easily.

The photos clearly showed that Park Jung-hoon had been bullied by someone.

But they didn't prove who had bullied him.

In other words, it was only half the evidence.

Sim Byung-soo instinctively saw a way out.

"Vice Principal, this is a frame-up. I never bullied Byung-soo."

"Pitiful fool, this isn't all!"

The vice principal, who had just shouted, took out a phone from his suit pocket.

-Why, are you going to burn my wrist with a cigarette again?

-Can't you do it twice if you did it once?

-You're really a piece of work. It's a real shame that the teachers don't know your true nature.

-You bastard, I'll see you.

Squish!

A recording of the conversation between Park Jung-hoon and me on the rooftop a few days ago.

When a video shot with a camcorder was added, Sim Byung-soo was speechless.

He realized he was in a situation with no way out.

That day, Park Jung-hoon seemed strange...

It seems this was the reason.

"I talked to Jung-hoon before you came. He said a lawsuit has already been filed, and the news will report on this matter within this week."

"What? That's too... "

"This time, I can't protect you. You're facing expulsion at the very least. Talk to your parents and see if you can reach an agreement. I don't know anything else."

The vice principal waved his hand irritably.

It was a clear dismissal.

After receiving so much money from my mother, how can you treat me like this?

Sim Byung-soo glared at the vice principal and left the office.

Anxiety, fear, tension, and confusion.

The final destination of the swirling emotions was anger.

Not towards Park Jung-hoon, but towards Lee Min-seok.

Park Jung-hoon, a dim-witted guy, couldn't have planned this so thoroughly.

As always, Lee Min-seok was the mastermind behind this incident.

'You want to die together, huh? Fine. Let's see how this goes.'

Sim Byung-soo grumbled as he crossed the corridor.

* * *

In front of a hamburger franchise near Mok-dong Station.

I arrived at the meeting place first and waited for Park Jung-hoon. The sky seemed unusually clear and blue today.

It must be because of my mood.

Two weeks ago, a school violence self-governance committee meeting was held within the school.

As a result, Sim Byung-soo was unanimously expelled.

His lackeys received suspensions.

This was because the evidence we, Park Jung-hoon and I, had gathered meticulously was effective.

On the other hand, lawyer Kwak Jun-ho is proceeding with the lawsuit based on the evidence, and the information I provided to the journalist was broadcast last week.

Legally and publicly, Sim Byung-soo is in a corner from which he can't escape.

Of course, I don't think the revenge is perfect.

I don't think the pain Sim Byung-soo will face in the future will be greater than what Park Jung-hoon has endured.

But the fact that I did the best revenge I could at my current level is undeniable.

'Feels good.'

The taste of revenge, experienced for the first time in both my past and present life, was like a carbonated drink.

It was thrilling and satisfying.

I was even worried about getting addicted to revenge.

While helping Park Jung-hoon with his revenge, I realized something.

Revenge is necessary for my mental health.

Revenge is about destroying the other party with concrete evidence.

I will likely have many opportunities for revenge, even after becoming a doctor.

From Kang Tae-sub to senior residents and other professors.

I am confident that I can handle the revenge left as homework.

Having regressed, I am growing, little by little, and steadily.

"You're early?"

From a distance, Park Jung-hoon waved and approached, his face bright and energetic.

After Sim Byung-soo was expelled, Park Jung-hoon regained his original vitality.

It was a pleasant and welcome change.

"Exactly 10 minutes early."

"Are you hungry? Let's go in."

We entered the hamburger shop, placed our orders, and sat by the window.

"Min-seok, I'm really grateful. It's all thanks to you. If it weren't for you, I would still be suffering at the hands of Sim Byung-soo."

Park Jung-hoon started with a thank you.

For a while now, Park Jung-hoon has regarded me as his savior.

"Alright, that's enough. You're going to make my ears bleed."

"But if I don't do this, I won't be able to express my gratitude."

"I didn't get here alone. Your courage was also important. So, the fact that we made Sim Byung-soo suffer is a joint effort."

I smiled and replied.

Reflecting on my past life, I felt a bit regretful.

If someone had reached out to me during my internship and residency when I was being bullied, I might have been able to showcase my abilities earlier.

And perhaps,

The person I am saving in this regression might not be others.

It might be myself, who suffered from powerlessness and defeat.

As I became involved with one person after another and solved their problems,

I felt as if I was healing my past wounds.

"Well, I wasn't that bad, right?"

Park Jung-hoon also smiled and continued.

"Min-seok, you said your dream is to be a doctor, right? You'll be a great doctor. I went to a local internal medicine clinic as you suggested."

"..."

"The doctor said I really have gastroesophageal reflux disease after a gastroscopy. I thought I had a heart condition because my chest hurt."

"Heart conditions are rare at our age. It's more likely to be chest pain due to gastrointestinal issues. Anyway..."

I calmly changed the topic.

Come to think of it, I didn't know much about Park Jung-hoon.

In my past life, I was too busy studying, and in this life, I was too busy dealing with Sim Byung-soo.

"Jung-hoon, what do you want to be in the future?"

"Me? I have something in mind. A dentist."

"A dentist?"

I tilted my head slightly at the unexpected answer.

"Yes. Our family isn't well-off, and especially my father can't afford dental treatment."

"..."

"I want to become a dentist and give my parents better dental care. It won't be easy because my grades aren't good enough."

I remember hearing that a friend became a dentist at a class reunion...

It seems that friend was Park Jung-hoon.

I felt a sticky sense of kinship with Park Jung-hoon, who chose dentistry out of filial piety.

"If I become a dentist, I'll definitely give you free dental care."

"Even implants?"

"Of course. If I can't do that, how can I repay your kindness?"

I chuckled at Park Jung-hoon's joke.

Who would have thought I'd end up with dental insurance like this?

Life is full of surprises.

For a while, we talked about Sim Byung-soo, tearing him apart like dried squid.

Park Jung-hoon said that Sim Byung-soo and his parents recently came to see him, begging for a settlement.

He said it was satisfying to see Sim Byung-soo, who couldn't even lift his head, looking dejected.

Of course, the settlement was refused.

In Park Jung-hoon's case, justice was not dead.

Just as a doctor saves lives, people must revive justice.

I felt I could do both, not just be a doctor but also revive justice.

"..."

"..."

When the conversation paused, I looked out the window.

The sunlight was shining like a gem in my direction.

It seemed that becoming a medical student was the only thing left.

* * *

The sun set, and the moon rose.

I was on my way home, tired after spending a burning time with Park Jung-hoon until 8 PM.

We watched a movie, went for a walk, and shopped.

It was almost like a date.

After giving Sim Byung-soo a taste of his own medicine, this rare break was sweet.

Park Jung-hoon seemed to be physically and mentally healthier, which relieved me.

But as I was passing through a villa village on my way home,

I felt a chill and saw someone lying in a secluded alley.

"Is anyone there? P... Please help me."

The weak, almost lifeless voice of the fallen person triggered my instincts.

Without a moment's hesitation, I ran down the secluded alley, which was flanked by walls on both sides.

Had he been hit by a thug in this dark alley?

Or had he collapsed due to a pre-existing condition?

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind in an instant.

"Are you okay?"

I knelt down and examined the fallen person.

Upon closer inspection, it was not an adult but a student my age.

There were no visible signs of trauma, and he was conscious.

His breathing and pulse seemed normal.

"I'm sorry... don't blame me too much."

The student, who had been groaning a moment ago, spoke clearly.

He got up without any apparent discomfort and brushed off his clothes.

What was going on?

How could someone who was groaning in pain a moment ago be so fine now?

My surprise quickly turned to suspicion.

Something was definitely wrong.

"What are you talking about...?"

"I was also threatened, so don't blame me. I'll report it right away."

The student ran away at an incredible speed, escaping the dark alley.

I stared blankly at his retreating figure before snapping back to reality.

The ominous words he left behind were being reinterpreted in my mind.

"Simple, that's good. Lee Min-seok, you are."

A familiar yet unwanted voice echoed.

Turning around, I saw Sim Byung-soo approaching with his hands in his pockets.

On the opposite side of the alley, familiar delinquents blocked the way.

"Traps aren't just for you to set. How does it feel to be the rat now?"

A cold smile hung on Sim Byung-soo's lips, illuminated by the streetlights.

His appearance was nothing but laughable.

It seemed like a last desperate attempt after being expelled...

But was I really the one who fell into the trap?