episode_0232

The final exams are over.

Well, it might sound weird, but it’s over.

“Ah, you’ve worked hard.”

I was so tired that I patted myself on the back and told myself that I had worked hard.

“Where are you going.”

I had decided to go on a bike trip during the holidays, so now I needed to plan a route.

“Ah, should we start in Seoul? Just start cleanly from Seoul Station?”

Overwhelming freedom.

Just this alone started me getting excited.

The fact that I could decide from start to finish was not just a joy because it was a trip, but also gave me a strange sense of elation.

I turn on the map to start my bike trip from Seoul Station. Meanwhile, an advertisement for udon pops up on the banner ad next to me.

“Hmm, udon.”

Naturally, I started by searching for a good udon restaurant near Seoul Station.

“Something makes me excited.”

It starts with eating udon at a famous restaurant. I also order fried food as a side dish and eat it together.

What to do next?

Since I ate udon for breakfast, let’s keep running and eat lunch around 2 or 3 o’clock.

‘Shall we go on an eclipse day?’

Next was a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant. Somehow, I started planning my route to eat like this.

‘Oh, let’s go around Jeju Island.’

I don’t know if it was YouTube or a TV program a long time ago, but I think there was a bicycle trip around Jeju Island.

‘Or the whole country?’

Anything would be fine.

It’s good to have a goal, and it’s even more motivating when it’s something you’ve set out to achieve.

In the midst of worrying.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

– Ahn Hyun-ho –

I checked the ringing phone and saw a name on it that wasn’t particularly pleasant.

But since you called, I guess it would be a bit much to just ignore you.

“Hello.”

– Hey, why aren’t you coming?

“I was planning a trip.”

– You’ve already finished that? Final exams just started?

You son of a bitch.

“I was playing around, delusional that the final exams were over.”

– … … This is really useless.

Then what do you want me to do?

I already studied hard and gave it my all for the midterms.

I never thought the final exam would come this early.

– You said you were coming.

“What are you going to do? You didn’t contact me separately?”

First of all, it’s final exam time right now, so where would I go?

– Oh, it wasn’t you? Sorry. I was supposed to hang out with girls from another college today, but I called Chanwoo instead of you.

What the heck is this kid?

“Are you calling to tease me?”

– that’s right.

“… … Where?”

– Are you trying to send away the bald man? You’re too obvious.

You son of a bitch.

I noticed it right away.

If the boss goes, it’s one room.

“The boss likes you guys.”

– shut up.

“Why did you take Chanwoo to a place like that in the first place? He must have a girlfriend.”

I don’t know how many times it might have changed while I wasn’t looking, but anyway, it was now hard to imagine Chanwoo’s life without his girlfriend.

– They broke up.

“Again?”

– I mean, Woojin. I think it would have been nice if she had been a girl.

“… … What are you talking about?”

– Think about it. If a crazy, crazy pretty girl confesses to me, she’ll date anyone. Then I have a chance too!

“Ah, shit. I’m blocking you, you crazy bastard.”

– … … Just kidding.

“Oh, you disgusting little shit. You only have women in your head?”

Clicking his tongue, he vows to himself that he will definitely tell Chanwoo about this.

– Hey, I didn’t do this because I wanted to. Senior Han Kang is the one who arranged this.

“Those guys again?”

– Yeah, it’s those kids again. Before Han Kang and Jin Ho go to the military, they’re making a fuss about finding girlfriends somehow.

“No, just go to the military and then start dating… … .”

Even though the two people’s personalities are like trash, their appearances themselves aren’t that bad.

Han River gives off a handsome church brother vibe.

Pyo Jin-ho has a sturdy bear face.

Since the two of them each have different charms, it wouldn’t be bad if they really tried to date each other.

The problem was that the eyes were too high.

And women with high standards don’t necessarily date men who will be enlisting in the military soon.

– I guess that’s not the case, hyungs. Anyway, we’re going to meet the girls. I heard they’re from the dance department.

“Oh, I’m not jealous at all.”

It’s not a joke, I’m not jealous at all. Despite my words, Ahn Hyun-ho laughed.

– Woojin, men don’t like pretty or attractive women.

“So you confessed to Seo-han?”

– … … You fucking kid.

The guy coughed and then continued talking.

– Men like new women.

Stop.

I just hung up.

I was living a crappy life, but it was pretty crappy.

‘So we became friends… … .’

Anyway, I didn’t really think much about the fact that the morons went out to play without me.

However, it just feels a bit dirty because it feels like I’m being bullied.

“Something’s strange.”

It is ambiguous that he didn’t go even though I called him, but he didn’t even pretend to call him.

‘Ah, that’s enough. Thanks to you, I’ve come to my senses a bit.’

Looking back at myself, who had just been fantasizing about going on a trip.

Rather, thanks to Ahn Hyun-ho’s phone call, unlike those guys, I started to feel a burning desire to do well on the test.

I open the book with the intention of focusing on my studies.

And then after a few minutes, I covered it again.

Surprisingly, motivation isn’t something that can be achieved just by having someone else instill it in you.

“Oh, that’s annoying.”

I know I have to study, but I don’t feel like doing it, so I feel strangely depressed.

While trying to come to my senses by swearing at myself several times.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

The phone rang again.

I thought it was some idiot calling me again, but that wasn’t it.

– Yoo Ah-rin –

Yoo Ah-rin called again, reading my frustrated feelings. I quickly accepted, but there was a brief moment of silence.

“Hello?”

When I asked why she wasn’t saying anything, Yu Ah-rin took a deep breath and answered.

– Are you busy now?

Why is he asking about my time?

Usually they just tell you to take it out.

“Not busy.”

I answered because I thought it was not an ordinary thing, but Yu Ah-rin still paused for a moment before continuing.

That must mean it’s hard for her to say that.

– Do you remember the last time you pulled down your pants?

“Ah, when are you taking the test?”

I remember it was during the midterms, but now the finals are just around the corner.

Time really flies.

– I promised to grant your wish back then. Because I won the bet.

I still remember that.

I thought it was forgotten naturally.

“Right, remember? Why? What should I do for you?”

Anyway, there’s nothing I can do right now. I jump up and push away the book that is calling me as if telling me to study.

– Come somewhere with me.

Is it a hotel?

I wish it was a hotel.

Come to think of it, Yu Ah-rin also bought a cat costume from our store a long time ago.

I wish you would come wearing that.

“Anywhere.”

I smiled brightly and started preparing to go out right away.

* * *

“Are you here?”

I never thought there would still be a place like this in Korea.

I stare blankly at the large building. It doesn’t have many floors, but it stretches out sideways.

The sign read, “Daehan Hee Nae Taekwondo,” which was a somewhat old-fashioned but still very old name.

“Why is it suddenly included in the name of strength?”

As I blankly stare up at the sign, a casually dressed Yuarin next to me taps me on the back.

“You opened a business during the IMF crisis. You cheered for the Republic of Korea to stay strong.”

“It’s really old for a Taekwondo club.”

I tried to count the years, but I was pushed inside by Yu Ah-rin who told me to hurry and go in.

Maybe it was because it was evening, but there were a lot of middle and high school students and adults there, and it definitely didn’t look like usual.

Should I say it is professional?

“You have spirit.”

As she muttered, Yu Ah-rin snickered. She felt strangely proud of herself for the compliments directed at the Taekwondo gym.

“… … Are you Arin?”

At that time, a middle-aged man who was watching the students kick recognized Yoo Ah-rin.

The black belt around his waist was worn and tattered, his hair was dyed a very dark shade of black, and he was wrinkled, but his body itself looked better than mine.

“Teacher, it’s been a while.”

It felt just like a teacher’s lesson, and it really was.

“Oh my! How’s college? Are you doing well? I heard Jin-ho saw you once.”

“… … Well, I saw it.”

You don’t add that you tore it to pieces with words.

don’t worry.

Brother Jin-ho is probably having fun with the dance and girls right now.

“The man next to me is… ….”

“My boyfriend.”

“Haha! Hahaha! Arin’s boyfriend! It’s Kim Woojin!”

Let’s just smile brightly and say we’re happy, but the manager looks even more embarrassed.

But seeing me like this, Yu Ah-rin smiled and said without saying anything.

“Hey, Manager. Actually, I came here because I have something to tell you.”

Then Yoo Ah-rin slowly grabbed my hand.

I was a little embarrassed, but the manager standing across from me also noticed it.

“Do you remember what you said before? You told me to be a player.”

“That’s right? But you refused.”

The manager quietly crossed his arms.

Then he drew the line with a tone that was clearly different from before.

“It’s too late now.”

Yoo Ah-rin, now a sophomore in college.

It was obvious that it was too late to turn back into a player now.

but.

I could tell by the hand I was holding.

Even Yu Ah-rin had already anticipated this.

“I’m not going to be a player.”

Yu Ah-rin said confidently.

“No, it’s some kind of business… …I came to make a proposal.”

This was Yoo Ah-rin’s true intention.

Maybe that’s why I held her hand tightly without realizing it.

I hope you find courage.

“Back in the old days, the director would take the kids to perform with Taekwondo.”

“… … That’s right.”

“Let’s do that again.”

The manager slowly opens his mouth.

It seemed like he was surprised by the unexpected remark, and I was a little embarrassed as well.

performance?

I know there are people who perform with Taekwondo. Aren’t there videos on YouTube that foreigners react well to, saying it’s Korean dance?

“You can use people who are physically fit among the people in the Taekwondo gym. If they feel burdened, you can use them as part-time workers at first, or you can simply make a video with shorts and upload it to YouTube.”

Youtube and shorts?

I felt like something was connected.

There was a time when Yoo Ah-rin became famous for hitting me in shorts while spinning around on a windmill.

“They say that a performance troupe needs a performance venue and an audience, but that’s not the case anymore. You can just perform on video, and there are an infinite number of audiences.”

“… … .”

“It’s not just about showing the results, but even the practice process itself will be a series of processes that will make the audience immerse themselves in the performance.”

I got the feeling that it wasn’t just something Yu Ah-rin thought and said.

An expert in this field.

Since Yu Ah-rin is a close friend of my ex-girlfriend, I think she might have received some help from her.

But definitely.

It must have been her who started it.

“I just explained the big picture for now. I’ll go into the details and explain them later.”

After saying that, Yoo Ah-rin calmly lets go of my hand.

Seems like it’s okay now.

The teacher glanced at me as he headed to the office.

He smiled softly as if he had realized something and then said something.

“I’ll give you a little time, so take what you deserve.”

“Ugh.”

Yoo Ah-rin makes an awkward expression as if she’s been stabbed. Then, she stops going to the office and returns to me.

Hug.

Even though there were other people around, Yua Rin didn’t hesitate and came to me with her arms around me.

I also hugged her back in the same way.

“What are you doing?”

Let’s ask her a question while hugging her. Yua Rin whispered, burying her face further into my chest as if embarrassed.

“Charge the container.”

“Huh.”

He asks, hugging her tightly in cuteness.

“How did you think of this? I never dreamed of it.”

I’ve heard people say they’re going to go to a taekwondo studio during vacation, but I didn’t know it was like this.

“Studying and exercising. I know you do it all for us.”

“… … .”

“That’s why I wanted to do that too. I wanted to show something moving forward.”

After saying that, Yoo Ah-rin left me. She went into the office without showing me her reddened face.

I suddenly started to feel like I wanted to study.

‘I want to go back and study right away.’

I want to do well on the final exam.

I wanted to show the kids a better Kim Woo-jin.

And I made another promise.

‘I’ll have to ask him to do it while wearing the dobok later.’