1st in Class Hides Regression - Chapter 82

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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 Hides Her Regression
Chapter 82
“Hm?”
The Teaching Assistant tilted his head and looked down at Jung Eun-seong.
Jung Eun-seong clenched his fist.
The Teaching Assistant, paying no attention, pointed at Jung Eun-seong and asked me a question.
“Your boyfriend?”
“No!”
“Oh, no?”
“Yes!”
I waved my hand emphatically—absolutely not. The Teaching Assistant, grinning at my fervent denial, threw another jab my way.
“Right, so you’re dating your desk mate? That… vice class president.”
“No?!”
“Oh, this one’s also no?”
“Yes!”
Where did he get that idea? I widened my eyes.
The Teaching Assistant, tilting his head like a curious puppy, pressed on.
“Then why were you two holding hands during class earlier?”
“…What?”
“During Yun Dong-ju’s class. I saw you two walking by.”
……
“Oh, was I not supposed to mention this?”
He made a startled face and covered his mouth with his hand—but once he lowered it, he’d be grinning. I was certain of it. Beside me, Jung Eun-seong stared at me with fierce eyes.
I hastily protested.
“You must have seen wrong.”
“My vision is 20/20 in both eyes.”
“You. Saw. Wrong.”
I gritted my teeth.
At that, the Teaching Assistant laughed and looked between Jung Eun-seong and me, then slapped his own forehead.
“Right, now that I think about it, my vision’s 20/200. I saw wrong.”
……
I gave up trying to say anything.
“What brings you to the Music Room?”
“Oh, talent show practice.”
“Talent show?”
“We Teaching Assistants decided to do a group talent show at Sports Day. The Music Room’s the only soundproof space, so we’re gathering here to rehearse.”
“I see.”
So Teaching Assistants have social obligations too……
“What are you working on?”
“It’s a secret.”
Sure, I’m not curious anyway.
“You’ll be done with your internship once Sports Day is over, right?”
“Yep.”
“That’s good.”
“So you want me to disappear quickly?”
Yes.
“I didn’t mean it that way. You must be working hard.”
“Doesn’t seem like it…. But what about you, Kang Da-hye—have you been preparing a lot for Sports Day?”
“What is there to prepare?”
What with the Do Ha-jun and seven others incident, we couldn’t even properly observe Teachers’ Day, so if we can at least pull off Sports Day well and lift the homeroom teacher’s spirits, that’d be something. That’s all.
“Hmm….”
Though the conversation seemed finished, the Teaching Assistant lingered beside us instead of heading into the Music Room, asking all sorts of random questions—how my studies were going, which subject was hardest.
“Do you do any private tutoring?”
“No.”
I don’t even have money for cram school.
“Don’t go to hagwon either?”
“No.”
“You study alone at home and rank first in school? That’s impressive. The teachers here keep saying they’ll definitely send you to Korea University.”
“Ha ha.”
“If we run into each other on campus after you come to our school, that’d be something.”
Why does this young man have to be so clingy? I narrowed my eyes and asked.
“Sir, if you don’t mind my asking—did you serve in the military?”
“Yes.”
“Then by the time I get to Korea University in two years, you’ll already be graduated and gone, won’t you?”
So stop talking nonsense. I hit him with the facts.
“When Da-hye enrolls, I’ll have to come buy you lunch. You’re my first student, after all.”
…….
What is wrong with him, really?
Just then the Teaching Assistants came trooping up, and the conversation died there.
“Do a good job preparing for Sports Day.”
The Teaching Assistant waved his hand gently and headed into the Music Room.
‘I have no idea why he’s pretending to be so friendly.’
He wasn’t like that before the Regression.
“Oh, that’s right, Da-hye! I actually have 20/10 vision!”
“Uh-huh….”
Just hold on until Sports Day.
Then all his nonsense will be over.
I was staring at the closed Music Room door with a tired expression when Jung Eun-seong suddenly spoke up beside me.
“Did you notice?”
“Notice what?”
“My feet are bigger than that teacher’s.”
“Is that so. I obviously didn’t notice something so pointless.”
“Ten millimeters is pretty significant.”
“What’s the point of this?”
“Which means I’m probably taller too.”
“Huh…?”
Do those two things even correlate? But Jung Eun-seong was unmoved. He pushed forward, his eyes intense.
“I’m still young. Just wait a little longer.”
“What are you, a puppy?”
As if having bigger feet makes you taller.
“You’ve got this.”
I gave his arm a couple of light pats. When I realized I was patting his bare skin under the short-sleeved shirt, it looked far too intentional, so I made sure to tap over the fabric instead.
I was trying to comfort him, but Jung Eun-seong just glared at me instead.
“You’re draining my confidence.”
“If your confidence drains, you won’t grow taller anyway, so….”
I almost told him that at least his face was way more handsome than that Teaching Assistant’s, so he should be proud of that. But I stopped myself.
“I wish that teacher would leave soon.”
“Don’t worry. He’ll be gone after Sports Day.”
Why does time go by so fast?
After Sports Day comes the Final Exam, and then break starts.
So before we begin Sports Day, let’s get the postponed business done.
And that is, precisely speaking.
Seat reassignment.
Right now, our class is still sitting in the same seats since after the Class President Election.
The designated seating got reshuffled once when Park Su-hwan and Do Ha-jun made a fuss, and then it got vaguely changed again when that group of troublemakers got banished. It’s been in a state of flux.
I’d say it’s time we did a full reshuffle to refresh the atmosphere.
And.
‘There are no shortage of kids who want to sit with Jung Eun-seong and Seo Jae-gyeom.’
I need to rotate seats as often as possible.
“Why are you switching partners already? We haven’t even been sitting together that long.”
“What are you talking about? It’s been over a month.”
I ignored Seo Jae-gyeom’s nonsense and started tearing up notebook paper to write numbers on it.
“Da-hye.”
Jang Ji-won, who normally wouldn’t say a single word to me and had been especially out to get me after her husband transferred out, suddenly came up and spoke to me in the sweetest voice.
“There’s someone I’d like to sit with.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Then pray hard for it.”
“Can’t you help me out, Da-hye?”
“…? Of course I can’t.”
What are you talking about? She folded the numbered slips of paper in half twice as she spoke.
“Once everyone’s drawn their seats, you can swap with whoever you want afterward—but I can’t give you special treatment and seat you wherever you’d like.”
Jang Ji-won glared at me and left without another word.
From across the room, Ga-eun made eye contact and twirled her finger beside her head.
I laughed and stepped forward.
“Starting from Group 1, come up in order and take your seats.”
After everyone drew, I unfolded my slip—I’d landed in the middle of Group 2. Not the front seat I’d hoped for. A pity.
Who’s my desk partner?
“Kang Da-hye.”
“Oh. Lee Seo-jun.”
Lee Seo-jun approached with a flushed face and set his School Bag on the desk beside mine.
Reference: Lee Seo-jun. Ranked 30th in School. The one who recommended me during Class President Election. First person to report the Do Ha-jun and Park Su-hwan incident.
‘Lee Seo-jun seems fine.’
Quiet and well-behaved.
Lee Seo-jun, now sitting next to me, looked up with cow-like eyes.
“This is the first time we’ve been desk partners.”
“That’s right. This is only the second time we’ve switched.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“If you like changing seats, should I suggest we do it more often next time?”
“No, no! This is perfect just like it is.”
“Okay. Let’s do well together. If either of us starts nodding off, wake the other up. Share notes, too.”
“Yes!”
Hmm.
This partner should be manageable.
Now, let’s see where Jung Eun-seong is sitting……
Tap.
“…You’re here?”
“Yeah.”
Jung Eun-seong walked over carrying his textbook and sat down diagonally behind me, right behind Lee Seo-jun.
“Da-hye!”
Yeon-hee was walking over with her textbook when she saw that Jung Eun-seong was her partner, and everything she was holding clattered to the floor.
Jung Eun-seong glanced at the mess and picked up her textbook, handing it to her.
“Thank you…!”
Yeon-hee’s face went red.
I watched her stiffen and sit up in perfect posture. I pretended to be calm, but my own heart was racing just the same.
‘What if my stomach makes a noise during class?’
I scratched my head because it itched—what if he thinks I haven’t washed my hair?
Can he see inside my desk from where he’s sitting?
He definitely can!
I hurriedly organized my seat and shoved my things into the desk.
I glanced back and our eyes met. Jung Eun-seong, who seemed to have been watching me with his chin propped on his hand the whole time, spoke.
“What are you looking at?”
“…Nothing.”
…I need to make sure to eat breakfast tomorrow.
Anyway.
I put my hand in my pocket and felt the photograph of Jung Eun-seong.
It’s just printed paper, but touching it feels as embarrassing and awkward as if I were touching Jung Eun-seong himself.
And the photo size is huge.
You know how at photography studios, when you get your ID photo taken, they ask if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend and then print an extra copy in a large size as a memento?
That’s the size.
☆This does NOT mean I’m Jung Eun-seong’s girlfriend★
I thought, shrinking my fingertips.
‘Where am I supposed to keep this?’
Inside my Problem Book?
But then if I opened it in front of my friends and the photo just fell out—
What about at home?
Under my pillow, keeping it carefully, and taking it out before bed?
Why would they even give this to me?
This is really awkward.
“Kang Da-hye, why are you smiling?”
“Why aren’t you smiling?”

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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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