Chapter 3

3. Future Diary (1)

Ding-dong-

"This is the Seoul National University Station, please exit through the left door."

The announcement for the Line 2 subway car echoed.

People who were seated here and there hurriedly got up and moved toward the exit door.

Yoo Seo-jun, who was sitting in the middle of the car, also stood up and stretched. A large bundle on the luggage rack above his head caught the eye.

He picked up the comically large bundle and slung a large bag over his shoulder. Though the load looked heavy and cumbersome, surprisingly, it seemed like an ordinary burden when he held it, thanks to his large build.

Yoo Seo-jun was nearly 190 cm tall. His somewhat plump physique gave him a rather imposing presence. His facial features were not those of a handsome man but rather a rugged, bandit-like appearance.

If it weren't for his innocent-looking expression and eyes, he would have looked like a thug. Of course, only his eyes were innocent; no one knew what he was really like.

Yoo Seo-jun was 19 years old, a freshman who had just graduated from high school and entered university.

"Huff."

Following the crowd off the subway, he took a deep breath. Having just arrived from the countryside, he found it hard to get used to the subway. Not knowing the way, he looked around for a moment. A sign pointing to the exit was visible above his head.

Since people were heading in that direction, he didn't need to check, but being somewhat meticulous despite his appearance, he confirmed the sign a few times before climbing the stairs. He handed his ticket to the ticket inspector, who gave him a sharp look, and then he exited.

Today, March 1st, was both Samiljeol and a Sunday. Thanks to the holiday, the subway station was relatively quiet. Which way should I go? The passage from underground to above ground always made him hesitate. A sign indicating the direction to Seoul National University and Gwanak-gu Office caught his eye.

The above-ground scenery was a typical street. A wide road, about eight lanes, stretched in all directions, and buildings were densely packed. However, there was no sign of the university he was looking for. Had he gotten off at the wrong station?

In such cases, asking for directions is the fastest way. Yoo Seo-jun asked a passing auntie.

"Auntie, which way is Seoul National University?"

"Go straight that way."

The auntie, slightly startled by his large build, pointed to the road beyond her.

Yoo Seo-jun bowed. He had always been taught proper manners from a young age.

He couldn't see the university. Judging by the station name, it must be nearby. Though the heavy load was a bit of a hindrance, he decided to walk briskly. After all, the bus fare was also a waste.

After about ten minutes of walking, he finally reached the top of the hill. From there, he could see the entrance of Seoul National University, which he had been looking for, in the distance.

"Damn, why is it so far? They said it's Seoul National University Station, but the university is a twenty-minute walk from the station. I've been completely misled."

The large bundle in his hand made him feel resentful. With no other option, he trudged down the hill. It was easier than climbing, but the frustration over the misleading station name didn't easily subside.

Finally, the entrance of Seoul National University came into view. It was a unique gate made of tall, black metal, resembling the letter 'S'. This gate, shaped like the Korean letters ㅅ, ㄱ, ㄷ, was said to represent Seoul National University. To some, it might look like a cool sculpture, but to him, who had no interest in art, it looked like a large piece of scrap metal.

Yoo Seo-jun stood in front of the entrance, lost in thought.

"Whoever asks about the path of the nation, let them look up to Gwanak."

This phrase, symbolizing the Gwanak campus of Seoul National University, filled him with excitement. The past three years of hard work to get into this university flashed through his mind.

Yoo Seo-jun graduated from a small rural high school in Gangwon Province. Like any student who excelled in studies in the countryside, he was the pride of his school, maintaining the top rank from middle school to high school graduation. However, the college entrance exam, where all high school students across the country competed, was a different story. There were students as good as, or even better than, him everywhere, especially in Gangnam.

In the end, his college entrance exam score was 282 out of 340. In the relatively difficult exam this year, it was enough to get into a lower-tier department at Seoul National University or a top-tier department at a prestigious private university.

He was very interested in economics. Since finance was the artery that moved the world, he had planned to apply to the economics or business department of a prestigious private university. However, his homeroom teacher and the principal strongly opposed it, insisting that he must attend Seoul National University to bring honor to the school. They persuaded him to show that it was possible to get into Seoul National University even from a rural area.

In the end, he gave in and was accepted into the philosophy department at Seoul National University. It was the best choice for the school's reputation, but it was a choice far from his aptitude and aspirations. Nonetheless, at this new starting point, he had to shake off all regrets and muster his strength.

After passing through the main gate, he saw a circular road stretching to both sides. Buildings were still not visible. He blamed himself for not properly researching before coming. Indeed, knowledge is power.

Since it was a holiday, there were few cars, so he asked a passing student for the location of the dormitory.

The student pointed to a hill on the left.

"Follow the road for about 30 minutes."

"Ugh!"

Yoo Seo-jun was disheartened. He had already walked a long way from the subway station, and now he had to walk even more, carrying such a heavy load. He regretted not taking a taxi from the beginning.

This was his second visit to Seoul National University. He had submitted his application through his high school, so he had no reason to visit the university. His first visit was for the interview, but he had come by the school teacher's car, so he didn't have to wander around like this. He had only gotten out of the car and gone directly to the interview building.

"Huff, huff. What is this?"

After a long walk along the circular road, he finally arrived at the dormitory. Freshmen, like him, were visible everywhere.

He completed the registration procedures and unpacked his belongings in the assigned room.

He immediately collapsed on the bed. He was extremely tired. He reflected on his unprepared first day at Seoul National University.

In the evening, he got up and went to the dormitory cafeteria for dinner. The food was decent. When you're away from home and hungry, anything tastes good.

A convenience store next to the cafeteria caught his eye.

The store sold a variety of items, from snacks to stationery.

A diary caught his attention. It was a thick diary with a copper-colored leather cover.

A strange feeling suddenly enveloped him. It felt like an electric current stimulating all his senses. He felt a mysterious, fateful connection to the diary.

Yoo Seo-jun frowned and stared at the diary. It was ordinary, yet it strongly attracted him.

"Would you like this one?"

After staring for a while, the store clerk asked.

Though it was a bit expensive, Yoo Seo-jun bought the diary. He wanted to start his new life by recording his daily life in writing.

The surface of the diary was smooth, and the feel of it in his hands was excellent. He was satisfied.

The first night in the dormitory, away from home, felt somewhat unfamiliar.

The dormitory room, designed for two people, was divided by a partition in the middle, with a bed, wardrobe, and desk in each section.

When it got dark outside, he turned on a small study lamp in the room. Sitting at the desk, he felt a strange sensation, different from before. Starting tomorrow, he would officially become a college student, and a new daily life would begin, different from his rural life.

Yoo Seo-jun opened the diary he had bought from the convenience store.

A mysterious item that felt like a fateful connection. He wanted to record the significant first step of his new life in the diary.

He took a deep breath and slowly began to write.

"March 1, 1987, Sunday. The first night in the Seoul National University dormitory. A new life begins today. I want to live a life without regrets. I plan to record the major events of my life in this diary. Perhaps this diary will someday be a small help to my life."

He briefly wrote down his feelings about buying the diary and put down the pen.

He suddenly looked at the opposite side of the room. Since it was a two-person room, someone should have moved in on the other side, but it was still empty.

"Someone will move in tomorrow."

Yoo Seo-jun muttered to himself and lay down on the bed. He had to force himself to sleep.

Thus, the first night of his college life passed.

When Yoo Seo-jun fell asleep, a strange change occurred next to the diary on his desk. A faint copper-colored light began to flicker.

Gradually, the copper-colored light took shape and became more distinct.

Surprisingly, three diaries identical to the one he had bought were placed there. The only difference was that they looked old and worn.

**

Yoo Seo-jun opened his eyes at a little past 7:00 AM.

Yawning, he realized he was not in his usual home. He gathered his toiletries and started his day.

After finishing his preparations, he was about to go for breakfast when his gaze fell on his desk. His head tilted in confusion.

"Huh?"

Next to the diary he had bought yesterday, three identical diaries were placed.

This was his room, and he had locked the door when he went to bed. No one had entered, and there was no reason for anyone to enter. This was strange.

Moreover, the diaries were identical. It was as if a ghost had come to cry.

He felt a bit uneasy and carefully examined the diaries.

The covers were somewhat worn. The diary he had bought yesterday was a shiny new one, but these diaries showed clear signs of age.

He reached out to open the diary. The moment his hand touched it, a tingling sensation ran through him. Unconsciously, he withdrew his hand.

The same strange feeling he had felt when he first saw the diary in the store came back.

Yoo Seo-jun tilted his head and opened the old diary.

His eyes widened.

"T-This is... this is..."

Surprisingly, the first page of the old diary contained the exact content he had written last night.

*

March 1, 1987, Sunday. In the Seoul National University dormitory... (omitted)

*

He hurriedly opened the diary he had bought yesterday to compare.

His eyes darted back and forth, and his mouth opened wide. It was identical. The exact words he had written, in his own handwriting. The only difference was that the ink had faded over time.

"What is this?"

The reality was unbelievable. There were two identical diaries, but one looked old and worn. It didn't take long for him to realize what this meant.

He quickly turned to the next page.

*

March 2, 1987, Monday. The orientation ceremony was held. The school's main stadium was crowded with parents and guests. I finally felt like a true college student.

At lunchtime, I went to the department office to submit my enrollment documents. The staff was away, so I had to wait. After an hour, the staff returned. I was frustrated but had no choice. After finishing my business, I went to the dormitory cafeteria for lunch. The menu was pork cutlet and a set meal. It was a special meal to celebrate the start of the school year.

The problem was that the pork cutlet was all gone by the time I arrived. I had no choice but to eat the set meal. I was very angry with the department office staff. If it weren't for him...

In the evening, my roommate arrived. His name is Koo In-hyuk, a first-year physics student. He's a bit strange.