1st in Class Hides Regression - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Ranked 1st in School Hiding Her Regression
Chapter 58
“Pitiful?”
When you say pitiful, could you possibly mean…
‘
A
face that
Koreans
deeply adore’—an abbreviation of that?
The moment my eyes widened, Jung Eun-seong added his explanation.
“What I mean is, to someone as academically gifted as you, someone older like me seems….”
“You’re older than me?”
You’re actually eleven years younger than me in substance.
“Jung Eun-seong, you’re the same age as me.”
“My point is, my expiration date is coming up soon.”
“Expiration date?!”
“Most idols debut in their teens, right?”
“???”
I couldn’t make sense of what he was saying.
Idol. Teens. Expiration date.
“So what you’re really saying is—since you’re eighteen and that’s not particularly young for a trainee, you think it looks pathetic in my eyes that you’re still fixated on debuting, is that it?”
“…Yeah.”
“Not at all.”
Of course you can be anxious since you don’t know your own future, but I know for a fact that you’ll debut next year.
And you’ll be hugely successful, too.
Sure, your bandmates will all turn out to be delinquents and absolute disasters, dragging you down with them into scandal, forcing you to write an apology statement and exercise restraint, and then after riding out the wave you’ll reluctantly enlist, come back to a flood of abuse, weather all manner of rumors and malicious comments, and on top of everything else the aftereffects of a car accident caused by a sasaeng fan will leave you unable to dance anymore, and pictures will circulate online—shots of you sleeping in the dorm, you in the shower wearing just shorts, your passport photo—an absolutely staggering array of hardships….
‘When I list it all out like this, Eun-seong’s future really is a thorny path.’
But you succeed nonetheless.
And even if you don’t succeed.
“There’s nothing pitiful about it. You’re chasing your dream.”
“What if I fail?”
“That’s not how it works. You don’t suddenly stop being pitiful just because you succeed, or become pitiful if you fail. What matters is that you tried.”
“But everyone mocks people who fail.”
“Those people never had the courage to start in the first place. They’re the real losers—who are they to mock anyone?”
Anyone who’s actually attempted something and tasted success doesn’t carelessly mock others. They know how brutally difficult the process is.
Only those without courage who accomplish nothing, or those who’ve failed themselves, mock others for failing.
At least people who’ve failed come away with experience. Those mockers have nothing at all.
“But if I fail, my life is ruined, isn’t it?”
“That’s not true. A life doesn’t fall apart that easily.”
I shook my head firmly.
I bombed the College Entrance Exam at nineteen, but my life didn’t fall apart. After that, I was able to keep attempting things.
Those attempts all failed too, but still—my life didn’t fall apart.
Actually, I thought it had fallen apart…until I regressed right at that moment!
Life really doesn’t fall apart that easily!
“Unless you start gambling, become addicted to drugs, or commit violent crimes like murder or robbery. A mere failure isn’t going to ruin your life.”
“…….”
“If you’re really that worried, study a bit in your spare time. Prepare for the possibility of failure. Any profession requires basic knowledge, after all.”
I mumbled while avoiding his eyes.
Am I being presumptuous, acting so knowledgeable when I don’t know anything about the entertainment industry?
But I’m telling the truth.
Eun-seong won’t fail. Even if the future changes and he fails to debut, that’s a failure to debut—not a failure of life itself.
“Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is…I’ve never thought you were pitiful. If anything, you’re remarkable. At this age, already knowing what you want to do and chasing after it.”
I don’t really have a dream like that yet…My only dream is getting into Korea University. I added the words almost to myself.
I released his school uniform necktie, which I’d been fidgeting with until just a moment ago.
It was more wrinkled than I expected. Watching carefully, I smoothed out the fabric gently. Glancing at Eun-seong’s silent face.
“So you’re saying I’m not pitiful in your eyes?”
“Right. Not even a little.”
“Don’t change your mind later.”
“I won’t.”
‘Does my evaluation really matter to you that much?’ I wanted to ask, but seeing how satisfied Eun-seong looked by the repeated affirmation, I let it go.
“But what does this have to do with you not talking to me?”
I steered us back to the subject I’d momentarily drifted from. Jung Eun-seong responded with a hint of wounded feelings.
“You hate it when Do Hye-jun talks to you.”
“…So?”
……
“You’re worried I might think you and Do Hye-jun are on the same level? Because you think you’re pathetic?”
He nodded.
“For God’s sake.”
How could he think such a thing? How could you possibly be on his level?
Did you spend class time jiggling your leg next to him, sighing “Excuse me~” every ten seconds? Did you spout off half-baked advice and contradict everything while knowing nothing? Did you make mistakes and never apologize? Or—could it be you smell bad?
“I worried for nothing.”
I shook my head firmly, and Jung Eun-seong pouted his lips. Handsome as he was, that expression wasn’t particularly cute—it was funny.
‘I still don’t quite follow Jung Eun-seong’s way of thinking.’
He was such an odd one that even his thoughts came out strange, I suppose. I’d have to accept it as is.
“We’re almost there.”
I pulled myself away from Jung Eun-seong, who’d been pressed close, and looked out the window. We’d turned into a familiar alley. The taxi slowed its pace gradually.
I offered one last remark to Jung Eun-seong, who looked cheerful despite his wrinkled necktie.
“By the way, Jung Eun-seong.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s Do Ha-jun. Not Do Hye-jun.”
“Do I really need to know?”
“Yes!”
* * *
“Is that noona around again today?”
“Don’t even mention it. The Villa Landlady brings you up every time I run into her.”
“The landlady really likes me, doesn’t she?”
“When did you start wanting to be a singer, Jung Eun-seong?”
“Actually.”
“Hmm?”
“Never mind.”
“What.”
“Anyway, it worked out well. You and Ji-su are getting along.”
“We’re not close.”
“Then who are you close with?”
“You.”
The stairs came to an end as we talked back and forth.
The crumbling Villa came into view.
I called out to Jung Eun-seong, who was watching me all the way until I got inside, as he did every day.
“That’s right, Jung Eun-seong.”
I spoke as if it had just occurred to me, but in truth I’d been rehearsing this ever since I got out of the taxi.
“Happy birthday.”
At least spend these last few hours enjoying yourself.
“You think you’ll never forget today, don’t you?”
I said it as a joke, so he laughed—a face so bright you’d need no streetlight.
Then Jung Eun-seong suddenly turned serious and made a demand.
“Where’s my present?”
“I already gave you one.”
“I had a rough day. Give me two.”
“Why should I give you a gift when you’re the one who struggled…”
I protested, but Jung Eun-seong was unfazed.
“Teach me to study.”
“I’m already teaching you.”
“Not like that.”
“Huh?”
What, am I supposed to extract knowledge from my brain and hand it to you?
“Study with me for the College Entrance Exam.”
That’s a gift?
“I don’t mind either way…but you’ll actually study?”
“I need to prepare for the possibility of failure.”
“I’m pretty intense about it.”
“It’s fine. I like a challenge.”
“Alright then.”
I nodded, and Jung Eun-seong extended his hand.
“Promise me.”
“You ask for the strangest things.”
I clicked my tongue even as I hooked my pinky finger with his without hesitation.
Every time we touched, I noticed it—his hand was genuinely large and warm. His fingers were long too.
“Seal it.”
“Done.”
“Sign it.”
“Done.”
“Copy it.”
He pressed the seal first this time, even though he’d been reluctant about it before.
He must be full of determination to study. I looked up at Jung Eun-seong with quiet satisfaction.
Even after the promise was done, Jung Eun-seong didn’t leave.
“Is that your sister’s place over there?”
“Yeah. The top floor.”
Where do you usually study, Kang Da-hye?”
“The library, or… a study room?”
“Does it work out?”
“I just do it. What else?”
“When are they switching our desk partners again?”
“You don’t know?”
“I wish we could switch tomorrow.”
“Don’t you like your current partner?”
“It’s not that.”
After exchanging a few meaningless words, Jung Eun-seong scratched his eyebrow and blurted it out.
“Don’t you think I end up making some kind of promise every time I give you a ride?”
“…Yeah, you do.”
This was the second time, and I’d made a promise both times.
“I’ll have to think of something good to promise next time.”
The way Jung Eun-seong said “next time” so naturally caught my ear, but I asked as if nothing was wrong.
“Is there something you want to promise about?”
“It’s a secret.”
“Come on. Just tell me.”
“No.”
“Tell me now and let’s promise right now.”
“No. It has to be next time.”
I wrinkled my nose, wondering what kind of promise he was planning. Then Jung Eun-seong looked at me and closed one eye.
His expression was playful—somewhere between a smile and a wink—as he spoke.
“If I don’t tell you, you’ll get curious and ask me to give you a ride again next time.”
……
“I’ll be waiting for you, okay?”
……
That cheeky…!

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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