Ch.192Wherever You Are (5)

What’s with this guy?

That’s what the chairman’s face seemed to be saying.

In the teachers’ office where all the other teachers’ gazes were fixed.

Even in this uncomfortable and heavy situation—a private meeting between himself, the chairman of Seongcheon High School, and a student—Ha-min, who had always remained tense in his actions but never wavered in his convictions or showed any sign of being swayed by the chairman’s proposals, was now for some reason…

“W-what kind of things do girls usually like to receive on their birthdays…? Cosmetics or perfume? Or maybe cute stuffed animals? Of course, I’m not even sure if Do-young would like the same things other girls do… Maybe I should change direction completely and get an RTX 50 series… Ugh, but I don’t have enough money!”

“C-calm down, student Ha-min.”

He was much more flustered and perplexed than when he had heard about the college admission corruption scandal that had pushed him out of Seongcheon High.

“I finally figured out when her birthday is before she told me… But now the date is approaching fast, and if I can’t think of a good gift, the surprise birthday event will be completely pointless!”

“Don’t tell me you’re worried about what the other teachers might think…”

“I-if the other teachers hear this and tell Do-young during class that I’m agonizing over what to give her as a gift, it would ruin everything. But you, Chairman, don’t need to worry about that… right? Since you don’t know who Do-young is.”

“Ah, I see…”

The chairman finally understood why Ha-min had requested a private meeting away from the other teachers’ eyes.

It wasn’t because he trusted the chairman enough to confide a secret that was difficult to tell others.

Rather, it was because the chairman, who was here as a visitor and not involved in the incident at the school, wouldn’t have any reason to leak his secret.

It was no different from posting an anonymous question online and vaguely hoping for an answer from someone whose name and face you don’t know.

In other words, unlike with the other teachers,

Ha-min was treating him as a ‘complete stranger’ during their conversation.

“This… Do-young person you just mentioned…”

“She’s… she’s my girlfriend.”

Ha-min answered the chairman’s question with a reddening face.

“I-it’s a bit embarrassing to say this to someone as impressive as you, Chairman, who must have been popular with women. But I promised myself I wouldn’t be ashamed to acknowledge her as my girlfriend in front of others.”

“No, there’s no need to be embarrassed at all. I’m just… a little surprised. I had assumed that a student like you would be more focused on individual study rather than social activities. Of course, I’m well aware that healthy relationships between adolescents play an important role in developing bright and positive mindsets.”

“H-healthy relationships… Yes.”

At the chairman’s words, memories of his time with Do-young flashed through Ha-min’s mind.

‘Ah, I want to have sex.’

The memory of their first meeting.

‘If Do Ha-min drinks milk, I’ll come out too. Ban Do-young milk.’

The memory of helping Do-young with her class duties on a rainy day.

‘How does Ban Do-young’s special female nurturing porridge taste?’

The memory of eating the nurturing porridge Do-young brought when he was absent from school with a cold.

‘Put it on me.’

The memory of putting her panties back on her after she had entrusted them to him.

“Ugh, uhhh…”

“H-Ha-min student…? Why is your face turning red again…?”

While the end result could be called a healthy relationship, he had slight doubts about whether all their words and actions throughout the process could truly be considered wholesome.

“D-don’t tell me your relationship has progressed beyond what I’m imagining…?”

“N-no! Both of us are still cherry blossoms…!”

Ha-min shouted that neither he nor Do-young had gone that far yet, trying to clear up the chairman’s misunderstanding.

However, not wanting to describe their relationship with somewhat risqué terms like “virgin,” Ha-min recalled his memories with Do-young and expressed their status as “cherry blossoms.”

“I-I used the term cherry blossoms out of nowhere because… well, the flower language of cherry blossoms…”

“It’s alright, I understand. Considering that the flower language of cherry blossoms is ‘purity,’ I can guess that you meant your relationship with that female student is still innocent.”

Fortunately, the chairman nodded as if he understood what Ha-min meant.

Despite the awkward and abbreviated expression, the chairman grasped its meaning precisely.

“Y-you really are a school chairman. You even know about flower language…”

“Student Ha-min, you seem to have quite a literary talent in addition to your aptitude for science and engineering. Expressing your relationship with your beloved as ‘cherry blossoms.'”

“M-my mother loves flowers. That’s how I learned about flower language.”

“…I see.”

The chairman nodded quietly at Ha-min’s words.

“S-since this is my first time having a girlfriend, I don’t know much… Could I possibly get some advice about birthday gifts? I feel like you would know about these things, Chairman…”

“I appreciate your high estimation of me, but truthfully, I don’t have as much experience with women as you might think.”

“R-really…? You have such an impressive first impression, I was sure you must have been popular with women.”

“Hahaha, my family was strict, I was shy, and studying was all I knew how to do… As a result, I’ve only dated one woman in my life, whom I met during my school days. That’s why, despite being in the position of chairman, I’m still a bachelor. I’m not sure if I can provide an answer that would satisfy you.”

“But… you did have someone. Couldn’t you give me some advice based on gifts or events you planned for her…?”

“What? From my memories with her?”

Despite the chairman’s somewhat reluctant attitude, Ha-min continued to seek his advice.

“Would that be alright…? I don’t think I can give proper advice.”

“Being shy and only knowing how to study applies to me too. Although my mother isn’t particularly strict with me… But since you had similar traits to mine, I’m sure you must have had the same concerns, and the choices you made after those concerns would definitely help me.”

“…”

The chairman fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

“…Women cherish memories more than we might think. Especially memories of ‘firsts.’ First impressions, first meetings, first dates…”

“But isn’t that true for everyone, not just women? I also think there are many childhood memories that I consider precious.”

“But even you, student Ha-min, haven’t you had experiences where you set aside memories and precious recollections of the past to make an uncertain future a little more certain and stable?”

“…”

Ha-min hesitated for a moment, unable to continue speaking after hearing those words.

What had he done just before entering this school?

The day he failed to get into Seongcheon and his admission to this school was confirmed.

Blaming himself for not keeping his promise to his mother and coming to a school in another region,

and what he did to design a proper future.

It was the act of clearing out all his novels, comics, games, and other forms of entertainment.

All the things that could have remained as memories for him.

Ha-min was already, more than he himself had thought,

a person who could discard the past for the future.

“The memories, recollections, and traces of the past that we readily discard for a better future. Sometimes, those can become invaluable assets in people’s lives. And sometimes, they transform into something beyond what we had imagined for the future.”

“…”

“I think it would be good to consider that point when making plans for your girlfriend. This is the modest advice I can offer.”

“…No, it was really helpful. I’m glad I sought your advice, Chairman. Thank you so much for taking the time despite your busy schedule!”

Ha-min’s expression had brightened considerably compared to before receiving the chairman’s advice.

It was a clear and bright smile, as if he had firmly made up his mind about what choice to make.

“I wish you good luck, student Ha-min. But please continue to study diligently afterward.”

“I-I’ll keep that in mind…!”

Ha-min bowed respectfully to the chairman and turned away with a bright expression until the very end.

“Student Ha-min…”

“Yes?”

Just before opening the classroom door.

The chairman suddenly called out to Ha-min.

“How is… your mother doing?”

The chairman asked cautiously, his face as red as Ha-min’s had been moments ago.

“…”

And just as Ha-min was about to open his mouth to answer that question,

-Creak!

The door Ha-min was holding made a rough sound as it opened from the outside.

“D-Do-young…?”

“Is this student… the one student Ha-min mentioned.”

Do-young, who had been waiting outside for their conversation to end, threw herself into Ha-min’s arms and said:

“Mister, why are you making dad jokes to my baby?”

What’s with this guy?

The chairman’s face seemed to be saying that again.