Chapter 31

31. Don't worry too much.

"Se-rin, are you okay?"

"U, uh?"

"Are you okay?"

"A, ah, of course! I'm fine. Completely fine!"

Jin-hyuk was confused. He had only thought that Se-rin had some reason for not singing.

But it wasn't just that she wasn't singing.

Se-rin couldn't sing.

Anxious breathing, continuously flat pitch, a voice that sounded strained and constricted.

To Jin-hyuk, who remembered the brilliant vocals of the previous life's Yeon Se-rin, there were moments when the familiar timbre would surface.

But the grating song that echoed through the audition room was far from the genius vocalist Jin-hyuk knew.

Se-rin's passionate attempt to pour all her energy into the audition, despite her poor singing skills, was almost pitiful.

"No. Actually, I'm not fine. Ha–."

"..."

"Acting wasn't bad, I think... But because of the singing... I'll probably be rejected, right?"

Jin-hyuk shook his head.

"It's not a singing audition. I don't think so. It will be fine, so don't worry too much."

"Ha-."

Se-rin's shoulders slumped with a deep sigh.

What is it? Why?

Is there some reason Se-rin knows that I don't? Or is the problem not with Se-rin but with this world?

Jin-hyuk's thoughts became complicated.

***

"Mr. Kim Jong-ho. I'll put it simply. Think of this as a special opportunity. Consider it the last chance and go all out! Understand?"

"Yes."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho nodded with a serious, stern expression.

"There are two other acting schools in our district besides ours."

Instead, Mr. Oh Tae-ho smiled as if he were flattering Mr. Kim Jong-ho.

"Kids who have been attending acting schools for a long time are usually the ones who have a lot of interest in this field, right? You know, potential. Kids with potential that Mr. Kim likes."

'No way...'

"I think that way. There's no need for three acting schools in this area. It's just a matter of cutting each other's throats in the same industry. It's right to clean up the ones that don't have the scale."

It was the worst. He knew that poaching students from other schools was something that was happening secretly.

But he didn't expect to be asked so openly.

"There. You know, SH has three really good kids. They're already famous in the neighborhood. If you bring them over, other students will probably follow one after another."

Mr. Oh Tae-ho whispered.

"I'm telling you this specially because you're Mr. Kim Jong-ho. Go and grab them!"

For Mr. Kim Jong-ho, this was the limit. He couldn't face his students if he sold his conscience to this extent.

"I'll quit."

"What?"

"I don't want to do it to this extent."

"..."

"I'm sorry."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho bowed and left the office. Watching Mr. Kim Jong-ho leave, Mr. Oh Tae-ho said with a sneer.

"Shit, you're full. Full. What kind of pride do you have in your situation... tsk tsk."

***

"Huh. It's all just excuses, really. I'm just being cowardly."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho thought.

He couldn't stand up to it again. It was no different from the day he fled from the injustices that were being carried out under the name of tradition in Daehak-ro.

Sense of justice? Conscience?

He wasn't righteous or conscientious enough to comfort himself with such words.

He had never fought properly even once. He lacked not only the strength to fight but also the will.

When he couldn't bear it anymore, he would run away like a coward.

If he were to excuse himself with the names of justice and conscience, wouldn't he be ashamed of himself?

He was just a shameful loser and a runaway. That was the most fitting description of himself. He thought so.

"Anyway, even a short connection is still a connection. I'm glad you contacted me. Jin-hyuk, you will really do well. Really."

So, Jin-hyuk first met Mr. Kim Jong-ho like this.

"Hey, hey! Student, wait a moment!"

"Yes? Me?"

"Yes, yes, that's right. By any chance, are you interested in acting? I teach at CMI Acting School, you know."

"It's fine. I attend an acting school."

"Oh, I see. Where do you attend?"

"SH Acting School."

If it were someone like Oh Tae-ho, Jin-hyuk wouldn't have even glanced back. But.

"Oh, oh, Mr. Yeon Seong-hun. He's a really great person. That's great. A talented student learning from such a good actor, I really look forward to it. So, good luck! I'll be looking forward to seeing you on TV or the big screen."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho turned around first.

He had to wait for Do Min-woo, so Jin-hyuk watched Mr. Kim Jong-ho talking to students in front of the school for a while.

Then he realized clearly.

This person is really bad at sales.

But for some reason, he didn't dislike the clumsy man.

"Hey, student! Can I talk to you for a moment..."

He was bad at sales but was a diligent person who came to the school every day.

When they met a few more times, Jin-hyuk and Mr. Kim Jong-ho had a brief conversation about acting.

"Hey, yeah, that's right. Acting is... hahaha!"

The Mr. Kim Jong-ho who was shy when talking to students was now passionately talking about acting.

He was a pure person. That's what Jin-hyuk saw in Mr. Kim Jong-ho.

"Then, where do you plan to go now?"

"Well, I have to go back to my hometown. I might have to farm there. Haha."

Actually, even if he went back to his hometown, he didn't have any land to farm.

His father had already passed away, and his elderly mother was being taken care of by his sister in a nearby city. The rural land had been sold long ago.

"I'm not being cowardly."

"Huh?"

"Being able to leave is also a form of courage."

Leaving. Leaving that place and facing the bottom of his life. Even mercenaries like 'wolves' who crossed the line of life and death in battle couldn't do that.

"Don't belittle yourself so much. You are a courageous person. You are a good person. That's what I think."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho's eyes welled up with tears.

There are times like that. Even if you know it's a cliché, even if you know it's just a cliché comfort, there are times when you want to hear those clichés.

It's okay. You did well. You're doing a great job. Don't worry, it will be fine. It's nothing.

Let alone that, Jin-hyuk seemed to be speaking sincerely from his perspective.

Mr. Kim Jong-ho wiped away a tear.

"Ahaha. What is this? I feel embarrassed. Haha."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho laughed awkwardly, embarrassed by his tears.

"Anyway, thank you. For saying that."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho looked at the boy in front of him anew. A boy who always seemed mature. A boy who sometimes seemed more experienced than himself.

He was genuinely grateful to Jin-hyuk.

"Since you've mustered the courage, how about taking one more step?"

"Huh?"

"Our school is looking for someone to temporarily guide the drama club. Someone who knows a lot about theater."

It was a bold proposal from the principal. If it was necessary for the school's drama festival next year, they would welcome the right expert as Jin-hyuk wished. It seemed they had Mr. Yeon Seong-hun in mind.

But since Mr. Yeon Seong-hun couldn't guide them, Jin-hyuk discussed with him and decided to ask Mr. Kim Jong-ho. It was right after he heard that Mr. Kim Jong-ho had decided to quit at the school entrance.

"Jin-hyuk. I heard that Mr. Kim Jong-ho is a good person. He has talent. He would be perfect for guiding the drama club."

That was why Jin-hyuk contacted Mr. Kim Jong-ho.

"Of course, it's a temporary position for a few months..."

It would probably solve his living expenses for the time being.

Although it was only a few months of respite, if he took a step forward, the next path might become visible.

If Mr. Kim Jong-ho were to prove his character and skills in the drama club, another path might open up.

"If you want, I can arrange a meeting with the principal."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho's eyes widened.

'No, how can a high school freshman arrange a meeting with the principal... Could this kid be some kind of weirdo?'

Jin-hyuk's extraordinary aura was not just about his appearance and potential as a star.

Mr. Kim Jong-ho had taught children here for over a year, so he knew that there were quite a few children of high-ranking social figures in this area.

While Mr. Kim Jong-ho was stunned by the unexpected proposal,

"Jin-hyuk!"

Yeon Se-rin and a few other girls approached Jin-hyuk, waving their hands.

"Jin-hyuk, what's up? Let's eat tteokbokki together!"

"What. Just..."

"Huh? Who is this?"

Se-rin looked at Mr. Kim Jong-ho, who was standing dumbfounded next to Jin-hyuk.

"Oh, someone I know."

"Oh, hello! I'm Se-rin, Jin-hyuk's friend!"

"Yes, yes, nice to meet you."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho greeted with a somewhat awkward expression. Jin-hyuk said to him,

"Then, I have to go because I have an appointment... Think about it and let me know."

"Uh, uh, okay. Then, have a good time with your friends. I'll go."

Mr. Kim Jong-ho quickly said goodbye and turned around. One of the girls standing next to Se-rin said, looking at Mr. Kim Jong-ho as he walked away.

"I know that person."

"Huh?"

"That person is a teacher at CMI Acting School. He often came to our school."

"Really? Then, did he ask Jin-hyuk to switch to his school?"

Before Jin-hyuk, who shook his head, could say anything,

"No. That teacher is not like that. I heard from friends who switched to CMI that he is very kind. They said he might be fired soon."

"What?"

"Anyway, let's go quickly! Wow, eating tteokbokki with Jin-hyuk, what a surprise!"

The excited girls jumped up and down.

***

It was because of the promise with Do Min-woo. A promise made with a clueless kid at the school snack stand.

Jin-hyuk didn't know much about high school relationships. But he could tell that it was a time of intense curiosity and desire.

Over the past few months, whether it was boys or girls, whenever they gathered, the topic of conversation never failed to be about relationships.

To adapt to his new life as a teenager and to help the clumsy kid who called him his best friend, he was willing to put in a little effort.

'Just introducing you, that's all.'

'No way. No matter what, I'm a natural.'

'Natural?'

'Pursuing a natural meeting.'

'...'

He couldn't understand. How was being led to meet at a tteokbokki shop considered a natural meeting?

Jin-hyuk still couldn't understand the actions of these teenage boys and girls. But he had to adapt.

'Got it? We meet naturally there.'

So, this 'natural' meeting was so unnatural...

"Uh, uh? W-Who is t-this? I-It's not Jin-hyuk! He's here to eat tteokbokki."

Do Min-woo's acting skills were terrible.

Woo Jin-hyuk instinctively looked for a place to hide or take cover. Unfortunately, there was no suitable place.

The girls who were with Jin-hyuk giggled.

I knew it. Such a ridiculous plan. There's no way this would work...

"Kyaa! So cute. Who is this? Jin-hyuk's friend?"

"Adorable! Adorable!"

...

Jin-hyuk once again felt that he was far from understanding the deep nature of teenagers.

Still, it was fortunate. Jin-hyuk, who was uncharacteristically following the drama club girls to the tteokbokki shop, was surrounded by them in an awkward atmosphere. When Do Min-woo came in, it was a relief.

"Oh, so you and Jin-hyuk go to the same acting school?"

"Yep, that's right."

Do Min-woo was already taking the lead with his usual charm.

Son of a gun. He should have done that from the start. What was with that terrible acting...

"Jin-hyuk, aren't you eating tteokbokki?"

"I already ate."

"Already?"

Yeon Se-rin tilted her head. She had felt something was off since Jin-hyuk said he would go to the tteokbokki shop with them.

He hardly touched the tteokbokki he said he wanted to eat. Jin-hyuk.

Se-rin's gaze shifted to Do Min-woo, who was excitedly chatting. At that moment,

"Hey, who is this? Do Min-woo! Woo Jin-hyuk!"

The student council president, Kim Min-young, approached.

"Huh? Kim Min-you