Ch.191Wherever You Are (4)

# An Offer to Transfer to Sungcheon Science High School

I never expected that the chairman of the school board himself, of all people, would personally come to make that offer.

Usually, wouldn’t they just send a regular employee instead of the chairman?

Though I don’t know the details, someone who recently took on the title of chairman must have many places to visit.

Moreover, according to Teacher Yeo Mi-so,

he had been waiting for me since early morning before I arrived at school.

I know this too.

For someone in such a high position, time is far more valuable than money.

Yet such a person came to school early in the morning to meet me and had been sitting here for over an hour.

For someone like me, just an ordinary student.

For me, who was only selected as an additional candidate because someone else fortunately canceled their admission.

At first, as the chairman said,

I suspected he might be using me for image-making purposes.

If that were the case, investing his time wouldn’t be an issue.

But if that were true, there would have been reporters or at least PR staff from the foundation accompanying him to publicize what I was doing.

Considering what the teachers said about how even the principal was flustered by the chairman’s unexpectedly early visit,

it was hard to see this meeting as something meticulously calculated.

Isn’t this a scene often shown in dramas and movies?

People in high positions never conduct self-promoting actions in secret.

“T-the chairman personally visiting an additional admission student is surprising enough, but to bow his head and apologize like this…”

“I know… I expected him to make an offer, but I never thought he would apologize in front of others like this. He didn’t even bring reporters or foundation staff.”

“No, more importantly, did he just offer to transfer Do Ha-min to Sungcheon Science High School? The chairman himself?”

The other teachers watching the scene were equally surprised.

Naturally, Do Ha-min was a victim of admission fraud,

and while the chairman hadn’t personally orchestrated it, his position placed him on the side of the perpetrators.

But most people know this.

Not many people can easily humble themselves before someone far below their position, even if they are in the wrong.

“While investigating Ha-min’s current situation, I inevitably learned about his school life and grades during the first semester. Mid-term exam results: 2nd in class, 17th in the grade… It seems your grades dropped briefly at the beginning of the semester, perhaps because you couldn’t stabilize mentally after that unfortunate incident.”

“Ah, well… that wasn’t really because I couldn’t adapt to school, but rather because—”

“I understand. From the fact that you chose a distant school as your second choice, it’s clear you were determined to get into Sungcheon. Despite that determination, your hopes were dashed, so it’s completely understandable that your grades would suffer from such disappointment.”

“Well, that’s…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say that his grades had dropped because he was helping Do-young study, who had been completely ignorant about academics, leaving him with little time to focus on his own studies.

Even if it were true, he didn’t want to blame Do-young for his declining grades.

It felt much better to say, “I was lacking. My abilities weren’t good enough.”

“However, I was relieved to learn that you quickly regained your focus and achieved first place in the grade for the final exams. It showed me that you possess a strong mental fortitude that allows you to move forward even in the face of despair.”

“Um, hmm…”

“With such an attitude and mindset, I believe you’ll certainly demonstrate skills that won’t fall behind other students if you come to Sungcheon.”

“Doing well on the finals wasn’t really due to my abilities…”

“You don’t need to downplay yourself like that. The fact that you achieved such results despite being in an unfavorable learning environment is proof that your true abilities are finally being displayed.”

He wanted to say that he hadn’t really worked hard to overcome despair,

but rather had devoted himself to studying to keep a promise he made with Do-young,

but Ha-min couldn’t find the opportunity to say it.

While he didn’t want to attribute any responsibility for his failures or setbacks to Do-young,

he desperately wanted to share the credit for his success through effort with Do-young.

After all, he had been working hard to keep that promise.

Of course, his efforts were solely aimed at keeping his promise with Do-young.

Absolutely not for the reward that Do-young had promised—granting one wish if he kept his promise.

“…”

“Your face is turning a bit red. Perhaps you still have some lingering desire for Sungcheon?”

“No, it’s not that… I just remembered what happened back then.”

To emphasize again, he absolutely wasn’t tempted by Do-young’s reward.

In fact, the reward he received was just returning Do-young’s hug.

He could swear on his favorite work, [Mari★huana], that he had devoted himself to the exam without any ulterior motives.

“It seems those events were quite a blood-boiling experience for you, Ha-min. Just thinking about it makes your face flush.”

“Ugh, umm…”

However, it was beyond Ha-min’s control to prevent his face from turning bright red as those memories came flooding back.

“With that level of enthusiasm, I expect you could achieve even greater growth at Sungcheon without being intimidated by the environment. We spare no expense in creating an optimal study environment for our students. Since we operate a dormitory system for all students, you won’t have to worry about time consumption or stress from long-distance commuting. While there might be some competitive pressure since all students are passionate about their studies, I believe you’ll handle it well.”

“What? But I haven’t even said I’ll—”

“Of course, nothing has been formally arranged yet. The school is quite in turmoil both internally and externally due to the whistleblowing case I initiated as soon as I became chairman. There’s a lot of discussion about whether to accept you, who was supposed to be an additional successful candidate at that time, or just leave the vacancy unfilled.”

“Oh, it seems like it’s more you talking than actual discussion…”

“But…! If Ha-min has even the slightest desire to pursue his dreams at Sungcheon, I will make sure to transfer you as our student, no matter what happens. I will ensure that you never again experience the injustice you faced due to lack of money or power…”

“Stop…! Please stop it!”

Ha-min raised his voice toward the chairman who wasn’t giving him a chance to speak, raising his fist as if about to slam it on the table.

‘Son, no matter how frustrated or angry you are, those feelings shouldn’t dictate your behavior.’

But at that moment, his mother’s teachings flashed through his mind, and Ha-min stopped his right hand from hitting the table by grabbing it with his other hand.

-Tap

A tiny sound, even softer than the knock students make when visiting the teachers’ office, echoed faintly on the table.

“I-I’m sorry for interrupting. I just couldn’t help myself for a moment…”

Ha-min quickly removed his hand from the table and carefully looked at the chairman as he spoke.

“Huh…?”

In Ha-min’s eyes, the chairman appeared slightly frightened, hunching his posture a bit,

and holding his coffee mug like a shield to cover his face.

“Ah, s-sorry. I’m a bit of a scaredy-cat… I often get startled by small things like this.”

“I-I’m sorry for startling you…”

“No, looking back, I realize I was a bit excited and just kept rambling on about what I wanted to say. I understand your frustrated anger.”

“Yes, I should apologize too… I’m also someone who gets scared easily and dislikes these things, yet I ended up doing something like this.”

“As humans, we’re bound to make mistakes. What’s more important is how we take responsibility for those mistakes afterward.”

Ha-min was also a bit surprised.

From his perspective, Chairman Cheon Sang-min was a tall man with a very dignified appearance.

Unlike himself, who would get startled by each of Do-young’s pranks and react clumsily,

he thought the chairman would be someone who wouldn’t even blink at ordinary disturbances.

If I continue to be manipulated by Do-young’s pranks even as an adult,

will I end up showing such embarrassing reactions to Do-young?

While he wasn’t sure about other things, he felt he needed to fix his habit of shrinking his entire body and making a “heek” sound when startled before becoming an adult.

“But the fact that Ha-min’s body reacted to frustration before words could… Does this mean that in Ha-min’s heart, there’s already a firm answer, making my offer meaningless? Can I interpret it that way?”

“…Yes. Still, thank you for the offer. I had some worries in my mind, and at least one small one has been resolved, which makes me feel a bit relieved.”

“I see, understood.”

The chairman nodded, accepting it more easily than expected.

It seemed he was prepared to respect whatever choice Ha-min made.

“Then I’ll get going. I can’t miss consecutive classes on the first day of the second semester.”

“Yes, I’ll respect Ha-min’s decision… W-wait.”

Just as Ha-min was about to stand up with a sense of regret,

the chairman grabbed his shoulder, tilting his head as if something was strange.

“Hm? Why, why are you stopping me?”

“Did you just say that ‘one small worry’ among the concerns you had was resolved?”

“Yes, what about it?”

“Small… Are you saying that the admission fraud at Sungcheon High, which was your goal and caused you bitter frustration, is just a small worry?”

“Well… it’s in the past now. I’m doing well at my current school…”

“T-then! What is this bigger worry that’s troubling you! What could possibly be more distressing than that…!”

“Um… even if I tell you, you can’t help with it. It’s an extremely serious and personal matter…”

“Tell me anyway! Is it school violence? If not, health issues…? Or if not that… has something happened to your family… to your mother…! If it’s something like that, I’ll help in any way I can! No matter what!”

“I’m not sure if I should say this… with other people around.”

“I understand. Teachers… could we possibly borrow an empty classroom?”

Realizing that Ha-min’s worry was serious, the chairman asked other teachers to lend them an empty club room where they could be alone.

“Now, here we’ll have no problems. I’d like you to share that serious worry you’re carrying with me.”

“O-okay, I’ll tell you…”

In the privacy of their meeting, Ha-min cautiously opened up to the chairman.

“Actually…”

“Actually…?”

“Do-young’s birthday is coming up soon, and I still haven’t decided what to get him! What should I do, Chairman? You’re handsome and tall, so you must have dated many women! Please tell me what I should do!”

“…Huh?”

The end of August marked the beginning of the second semester.

Do-young’s birthday, September 6th, was just around the corner.