Ch.232Side Story – I’ve Come to End This Virgin (3)

“Overseas short-term training program?”

“Yeah. I’ll be going for two nights and three days this time.”

“Isn’t that the one you applied for several times before but didn’t get? You finally got selected this time. Congratulations, Mom.”

Hamin heard the news that his mother, Hami, had been selected for the short-term training program offered by her workplace.

Despite terms like “exploration” or “training” making it sound like an extension of education or work, it was essentially a welfare program offering overseas travel for employees.

For Hami, who had been raising Hamin alone from a young age and never had the resources to travel far, this was essentially her first overseas trip.

Hearing this good news from his mother early in the morning, Hamin couldn’t help but smile.

He had felt somewhat guilty about having gone on an overseas trip before his mother, even though it was just a school excursion.

“Thank you, son. But… there’s a small problem.”

“Problem?”

“Yes. The departure is on December 31st. Honestly, I don’t know why they chose that date of all days.”

“…Oh.”

A trip departing on December 31st for two nights and three days.

In other words, the next day would be January 1st.

This meant she wouldn’t be able to be with her son on his birthday.

“I could miss any other day, but we’ve always been together on your birthday. What should I do? Should I tell them I’m backing out?”

“What are you saying? I’ll be fine, so go and enjoy yourself. This is your first overseas trip, Mom.”

“Still… I feel bad about leaving my son alone.”

“I’m not alone, especially not anymore.”

Hamin tapped the family photos on the dining table as he spoke.

Once, there had been only a single frame with just mother and son, but now there were also photos with Doyoung and instant photo stickers taken with Sangmin after their reunion.

“I have quite a family. More than I thought.”

“…You’re right. Since we already have many, I hope we get even more!”

“T-that’s for later…”

“Thanks, son! Then I’ll enjoy it to the fullest, just like you said! But in return!”

“Oof!”

*Squeeze*

Hami’s small, delicate arms wrapped tightly around her son.

Now it was quite difficult for her hands to meet behind his back unless she exerted all her strength.

“I’ll celebrate your graduation today with all my heart!”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

Today was Bulsa High School’s winter break ceremony and graduation.

It was essentially Hamin’s last day as a high school student.

**

“Do Hamin, congratulations on your graduation. Thank you for studying hard at our school for three years.”

“Thank you as well. I’ll never forget the time I spent at Bulsa High for these three years.”

“*Sob*… I’m so fortunate that my first school and first students were people like you, Hamin. Please continue to take good care of our Doyoung after graduation!”

“Yes… don’t worry about that. Doyoung is now my reason for trying hard.”

“Wow! My son is so cool!”

“Oh, Mom?”

Times must have really changed.

I clearly remember that when I was in school, high school graduation ceremonies were typically held in February, after winter break was completely over.

“Lee Jeongkyu, congratulations on your graduation. Considering how you were in your first year, I’m truly relieved that you’re graduating without having to repeat a year. You were at risk of going down the wrong path, but thank you for getting back on track and focusing on your studies.”

“S-stop saying such embarrassing things. You were the one who kept pestering me to come back to school.”

“Still, in the end, it was Jeongkyu who made the right choice. Please continue like this after graduation. And of course, absolutely no motorcycles on snowy winter days! Be careful of cars, roads, people, and rampaging kickboards! Don’t drive recklessly on the streets on Christmas Day!”

“I already told you I’m not riding motorcycles anymore! Stop acting like my mom!”

Now they’re holding graduation ceremonies right away in December along with the winter break.

It was my first time wearing a graduation cap with Christmas approaching, let alone the new year.

“Ban Doyoung, congratulations on your graduation.”

“But I’m still a virgin.”

“T-that’s not the kind of graduation I meant!”

This was my second high school graduation ceremony in life, a bit early in December.

I received my diploma from Teacher Miso, marking the end of my three years of high school.

“So even Doyoung is leaving school… I’m so sad. I wish I could have had more classes with all of you… How could you all graduate and leave me behind?”

“Well, that’s because we’re students and you’re a teacher. Are you going to quit teaching after three years?”

“*Sob*… Actually, it’s been two years. I took a year off for maternity leave.”

“Then you should work harder. Look, wave to Solmi who’s waving from the family seats on the second floor.”

“*Sob*… Solmi! Mommy is sad that her precious students are leaving, but I’ll stay strong for you!”

“That’s our teacher.”

*Thwack*

While I was consoling Teacher Miso, a familiar impact hit the back of my head.

“Ouch.”

“Well done. Are you going to keep this up even on graduation day?”

“Even if you’re my new sister-in-law, you should treat me like a teacher on the last day, Doyoung.”

“That’s too much. Who cares about Teacher Miso more than I do? Right, class president?”

“Enough. You got your diploma, so go sit down. Don’t you see the line of people waiting behind you?”

On this graduation day, the last day at Bulsa High.

While such final moments usually come with some lingering emotions,

I didn’t feel as tearful or nostalgic as I might have expected.

It wasn’t because this was my second graduation ceremony, or because my feelings for the people I met in this world were shallow.

Rather, I believed that our relationships would remain unchanged even after this graduation.

Knowing that today wasn’t the end allowed me to act normally.

Sahyang and Hyerang would continue to be my closest friends,

Teacher Miso would always be my emotional and passionate teacher,

And Ahn Seongkyung would forever be our strict, red-glasses-wearing class president.

“Waaah! Do Hamin, save me! These merciless chicken coop cats are bullying me now!”

“This guy. When things get tough, he immediately runs to his husband for help.”

And of course, Do Hamin would forever be on my side.

Husband, huh.

“D-Doyoung probably just said that because she didn’t want to see Teacher Miso sad at the graduation ceremony. Don’t be too harsh on her, guys.”

“See? Did you hear that? This is how you need to understand the context of words, and that’s how you get a perfect score on the college entrance exam.”

“Ugh, this girl is the same even on graduation day.”

Naturally, Ban Doyoung would always be Ban Doyoung.

.

.

.

“Congratulations on your graduation, my daughter. And Hamin, thank you for taking care of Doyoung for these three years.”

“Congratulations, son! And our future daughter-in-law! Here, you two. Accept these congratulatory bouquets!”

“Oh, they’re beautiful. Thank you, moms. Were you two together this whole time?”

After the ceremony ended, during the time for taking photos with family.

My mom and Do Hami, who had been watching the ceremony from the second floor of the auditorium, came down together to congratulate Do Hamin.

“Leon, Solmi, be careful when going down the stairs, okay?”

“Yes! Grandpa! I’ll be careful! Auntie and Leon should be careful too!”

“Ban Leon, I told you not to read books while walking. Especially not when going down stairs.”

“If I fall, noona will catch me. I trust Siyoung noona.”

“This kid…?”

Behind them, Leon and Solmi, who had now learned to walk, were slowly coming down the stairs one step at a time, holding their dad’s and Siyoung’s hands.

“There must have been so many people that it was hard to find each other, so how did you meet up so quickly?”

“Hehe, a beauty like our senior Joonsuk can be found even in a sea of people. The original source of the beauty that Doyoung inherited can’t be hidden.”

“Well, just look at the chest and you’ll find her quickly.”

“She stood out immediately among all those people. Hoobae Hami just has something different about her compared to others.”

“Well, just look at the chest and you’ll find her quickly.”

“Isn’t that a strange way to identify someone?”

“But it works quickly, doesn’t it?”

Even though Do Hamin said that, he didn’t deny it either.

“Sigh… he should have been here at this gathering with Doyoung’s family. That damn brother is always absent during important moments.”

“Oh, I was wondering who was missing. So it’s that f—ing father.”

“Seongcheon High is also having their graduation ceremony today. As the foundation’s chairman, I guess he couldn’t miss it.”

“Hmph, that’s ridiculous. Do Hamin’s dad became chairman before him, chronologically speaking.”

“W-we can’t really determine priorities that way.”

“It’s okay, I’ll make him regret missing this for the rest of his life! Hamin, Doyoung! Stand over there for a moment! I’m going to take a picture to send to that man!”

Do Hami said this while raising her phone camera toward us.

“Hmm… so you’re taking a picture of us in our graduation caps to send to Dad who couldn’t see it in person, right?”

“Oh, Do Hamin. Not bad. You quickly understood the hidden meaning in Do Hami’s words.”

“Hamin! Doyoung! Strike a pose! Like you’re so happy you could die!”

“T-that request is too vague.”

“Why overthink it? It’s not like we haven’t taken couple photos before. If you can’t think of anything, just do the pose from your favorite photo we’ve taken together.”

“My… favorite one.”

Do Hamin thought for a few seconds,

then, as if he’d made up his mind, quietly placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Oh, looks like he’s decided.”

“Yes, I’ve decided. The photo when I was happiest.”

“Alright, Do Hami! We’re ready to take the picture again!”

“Okay! I’ll take it again! One, two…!”

Just as Do Hami’s lips parted to say “three”…

*Click*

“…Huh?”

An unexpected small touch landed on my cheek.