Ch.258253 – Open Class

Defining NoName in a single word was truly a difficult task.

The first word that comes to mind would certainly be “genius.”

Even parents who used to scold their children for not working as hard as Name stopped their nagging after watching her on the Genius Discovery show.

They couldn’t guarantee they’d outperform Name even if they attended the academy themselves instead of their children.

Parents typically welcomed intelligent friends for their children with open arms, but her unique status became an issue.

‘Victim of the Walpurgis terror attack.’

Recently, the whole world was in an uproar after she was targeted in a bombing during a livestream.

While initially revealed as the act of an inferiority-complex-driven psychopath, when connections to Walpurgis were discovered, prosecutors sought the death penalty under anti-terrorism laws.

While a normal child might justifiably hide at home for years with trauma, Name boldly recorded videos mocking the terrorists.

For better or worse, NoName wasn’t an ordinary child.

A child who could make history in Korea if she continued on this path.

But a child whose survival to adulthood remained questionable.

“What do you think, Johan?”

“Huh?”

“About Name. What kind of friend is she?”

So the parent decided to ask their child directly.

Stories in the media are always subject to distortion.

“She’s kind, cute, but also super strong.”

“Strong?”

“Yeah. She even beat Jun in arm wrestling this morning!”

“Really? She must be very strong!”

“You know what? Name is also really good at gonggi. She once played in genius mode for over 100 years, and also…”

“Okay, Johan. Class is about to start, so let’s go sit down. I’ll chat with the other parents for a bit. Pay attention in class, alright?”

“Okay, see you at lunch.”

Due to space limitations, not all parents could observe the classes at once.

Parents who stepped into the hallway during fourth period exchanged greetings and caught up with each other.

Among them was Hong Jun’s father, whom Johan had mentioned earlier.

A former martial artist who now works as an entertainer on various variety shows.

His intimidating presence made it obvious where his son got his genes from.

That wasn’t all.

From the first appearance of Samyeon Link’s president and COO Lee Ha-ru’s father, to the attendance of both parents of Kim Han-gyeol, who was currently very busy as a partner magician for the Raon Clan.

Though they were all influential figures, there was one central person.

Professor Cheon Kyu-jin of Korea University, who immediately recognized Name’s talent when she was barely surviving in internet cafes and decided to adopt her.

“It seems kids these days have arm wrestling during breaks.”

Johan’s mother broke the awkward atmosphere by speaking first.

“Hahaha! I thought nobody could match our Jun, but he couldn’t do anything against Name and Yu-na! He’s just big but so timid.”

“Girls at this age usually handle aura better! Jun has natural talent, so he’ll be formidable later on.”

“Jun is so polite and has such good manners! I’m so envious of how well you’ve raised him!”

“Not at all. We have three stoic sons, and my wife always complains to me that she’d be happy every day if she had a cute daughter like Name. Don’t you agree, Name’s father?”

“Ah, yes…”

Despite three breaks between classes, Professor Cheon missed every opportunity to speak with Name.

She always went to the bathroom with her friends and returned just before class started.

He wondered if she might be intentionally avoiding him.

“By the way, is Name doing okay? No aftereffects? It’s terrible that such a horrific thing could happen to a child…”

“I need to teach my child never to accept unknown packages.”

Classes continued without anything special through the fourth period.

After lunch, Jacqueline Carroll announced that the fifth period would be held in the auditorium for both students and parents.

The academy was officially beginning its practice combat schedule.

The homeroom teacher explained in detail what activities would be done during practice and how representatives for each grade would be selected for upcoming competitions.

This was the moment when children’s “talents” would truly be tested.

While many students develop their abilities later, parents naturally want their children to excel ahead of others.

As the fourth period music class was ending and the sound of recorders was fading…

“Who is that person…?”

At the end of the hallway, a woman was slowly walking toward them, firmly holding the hands of two young men on either side.

She wasn’t dressed in luxury brands nor styled like the other young parents.

The petite woman appeared unable to walk well without the support of the young men.

Yet each step forward was filled with intense determination to move ahead.

As the parents’ chatter died down and she reached Class 2-A…

Her appearance suddenly overlapped with the face of one of the female students in Class A.

“Hello, I apologize for the commotion. This is my first time attending such an event.”

The woman bowed her head in greeting.

Her slightly husky voice drew everyone’s attention.

“Yes… hello…?”

The other parents awkwardly returned her greeting, but the woman seemed delighted and smiled broadly.

“Yes, pleased to meet you all. I’m Seo Yu-na’s mother.”

* * *

[So Ma-ru: I should go to the open class today to see Name too!]

I wondered what nonsense the So Ma-ru and So No-eul brothers were talking about when they suddenly said they were coming to see me.

Recently, Yu-na’s mother had begun walking practice while undergoing rehabilitation therapy at the hospital, and I was told her condition had improved enough that she could walk on her own, albeit still unsteadily.

Yu-na doesn’t know this yet.

In other words, Yu-na’s mother attending the parent observation day was a surprise prepared for Yu-na.

“Yu-na, look at me for a second.”

“Hmm?”

Yu-na’s mother is now outside in the hallway.

I gently combed her red bangs with a tail comb so she could look pretty for her mother.

I also made sure to wipe away the white saliva marks around her mouth from playing the recorder.

“Mmm, stop it now!”

“You look pretty, Yu-na.”

“Whatever, let’s hurry and go eat lunch.”

She doesn’t even respond to my compliments anymore.

“Name, aren’t you eating lunch today?”

Yu-na, who was about to dash out of the classroom, turned back when she saw me still sitting at my desk.

“I should eat with my parents. Wouldn’t they be sad if I just ran off with a friend?”

“Oh right… your dad came… okay… enjoy your meal…”

Yu-na’s lips jutted out in a pout.

“Not me. I’m talking about you, Seo Yu-na.”

“…?”

I turned her body 180 degrees and pointed out the window at someone who seemed to be making a big misunderstanding.

There was So No-eul, a head taller than everyone else, with So Ma-ru beside him.

And at the wide-open back door stood the person Yu-na loved most, anxiously waiting for her.

It was Yu-na’s mother.

“M… Mom…? MOM!”

Yu-na shot out like an arrow and threw herself into her mother’s arms.

I slowly got up from my seat and followed her.

“My, my, it’s been so long since I heard my Yu-na’s voice, and it’s so loud!”

“Hic… M-Mom… hic… what? You were at the hospital yesterday, why are you here… sniff…”

“I came because I missed you. Am I not allowed to come here?”

“No, that’s not it… waaahh!”

Yu-na burst into tears in her mother’s arms.

Despite Yu-na’s mother’s small frame, she could easily embrace her young daughter.

Yu-na’s tears flowed endlessly at this sudden mother-daughter reunion.

After crying in her mother’s arms like a baby for a while…

Feeling embarrassed by her behavior, Yu-na quickly turned her head and wiped her tears with her arm.

There was nothing to be embarrassed about with only Professor Cheon and me in the classroom.

“Done crying?”

“Ugh… no… hic…”

Why deny it?

“You look much better than before, ma’am. You didn’t bring a wheelchair, so you’ve already started rehabilitation therapy?”

“I need to get better quickly so Yu-na and I can go for walks together. I can’t keep bothering my sons to lend me their hands forever.”

“Mom, we really don’t mind at all!”

“That’s just a figure of speech, you boys. Name, please let me know if our Ma-ru skips class, okay? I’ll give him a good scolding.”

“Haha, I will. I’ll keep in touch often.”

“Hey, NoName, when have I ever skipped class? You’re the one who—”

Editor So Ma-ru started to protest angrily but quickly shut his mouth when he saw Professor Cheon standing behind me.

“Shall we all go have lunch together?”

We’d have to wait in line for a while, but there was no choice since we hadn’t brought our own lunch boxes.

Yu-na scurried back to me, grabbed my hand tightly, and swung my arm back and forth.

She was like an excited puppy wagging its tail.

Meanwhile, Professor Cheon was walking behind us, maintaining an awkward distance.

He really is cautious about everything.

Sometimes it’s frustrating to watch.

I grabbed his rough hand with my empty left hand and looked up at him.

“Professor Cheon!”