1st in Class Hides Regression - Chapter 95

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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
Episode 95
The protagonists in dramas have such strong willpower that they seize success even in situations far worse than mine.
They do live-in tutoring to support their younger siblings through medical school and become judges themselves.
I suppose I wasn’t made of that kind of steel.
Even though I thought I’d done everything possible, I still couldn’t succeed in the end—
and so I can’t afford to waste this miraculous second chance I’ve been given.
—Tutoring? You’re going to do it?
“What’s wrong with that?”
—Of course it’s fine!
My ears felt like they were going to fall off. I frowned and pulled the cellphone away from my ear. Seo Jae-gyeom chattered on at the same elevated volume.
—When should we start? Today?
“I said during winter break.”
—Oh, right, right. What days? What time? When works for you?
Through the phone, there came a bang—as if Seo Jae-gyeom had kicked something.
Even though he was clearly in his comfortable home, I had the strange illusion that he was circling around me right now.
At least one of us was excited.
—So I’m telling everyone you’re doing it? You can’t change your mind this time, understand?
If you do, I’ll cry! Seo Jae-gyeom, brimming with enthusiasm, hung up.
The sudden silence felt awkward. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
Right. If not now, when will I ever tutor anyone? I’m in no position to be picky anyway.
If Seo Jae-gyeom’s mother is recommending a tutor, they’d have to be competent. What’s a little inconvenience compared to that?
No more negative thoughts. Think positive.
Korea University. Tteokbokki with mozzarella and corn added. My own apartment with a ridiculously high ceiling and bright sunlight pouring in every morning. A scruffy Maltese. Me giving a presentation in perfect English in front of a million people. Two billion seven hundred million won.
“Hm….”
My circumstances are difficult, it’s true, but wishing I’d been born into a home like Seo Jae-gyeom’s won’t change anything.
In the end, the only person who can save me now is myself.
I’ll succeed. I’ll succeed and…
tear this filthy world apart and remake it!
Bang!
“Mom! I’m home!”
* * *
“What’s wrong? You seem down.”
“I’m not down, exactly….”
I’m stuffed.
I wrapped both hands around my stomach and hunched my back. Ever since yesterday I’ve been overflowing with energy, so today I ate a lot of the school lunch (menu: noodles with black bean sauce over rice) and kept running around studying hard, so I feel healthier….
The problem is I ate way too much.
“Why is the school lunch so delicious?”
“The school lunch is delicious?”
Jung Eun-seong responded to my murmur with doubt in his voice.
I clearly saw him pile up a mountain of fried rice at lunchtime, but now he’s acting like it wasn’t good.
“It’s delicious. The school lunch.”
“It’s only delicious sometimes.”
“When is it not delicious?”
“When they serve fish cutlet with white sauce.”
“Ah….”
Right, I get that too.
As I panted and looked at my book, Jung Eun-seong set something down in front of me with a thunk. Chocolate milk—it had become almost a daily routine by now. But today I shook my head instead of accepting it.
“I’ve already got milk.”
The banana milk Seo Jae-gyeom gave me.
He got so excited about doing tutoring that he came to my seat this morning and rambled on and on about “I’m going to get a tutor who goes to Korea University, and for the materials we’ll use this, and homework will be this much…” and all that.
He usually doesn’t play basketball at lunch anymore because of the heat, but today he bolted out with a ball right after eating.
Jung Eun-seong’s expression twisted when he saw the carton of banana milk I’d gestured to.
“Why’d you buy it? I was going to get you one.”
“I didn’t buy it. I was given it.”
“By who?”
“If I tell you, you’ll know?”
He’d obviously figure it out anyway. I’ll keep quiet for now.
“Don’t drink that. It’s bad for you.”
“Chocolate milk is just as bad for you.”
“This is different. This is lactose-free, low-sugar chocolate milk.”
“Are you messing with me?”
“I’m serious. Look.”
“Put it away.”
I was in the middle of bickering with Jung Eun-seong, who kept thrusting the ingredient list printed on the back of the milk carton in front of my face.
Tap, tap.
—Ah, ah. Microphone test.
“Huh…?”
I lifted my head at the sudden sound.
Someone was preparing a broadcast through the speaker mounted in the corner of the classroom ceiling next to the TV.
“What’s this? During lunch period?”
Did the teachers have an announcement?
“Hey, everyone be quiet. Broadcast coming.”
At my words, the classmates who’d been chattering fell silent and looked up at the speaker.
I figured a broadcast would start any moment.
—Man, I’m nervous…….
“What the….”
The voice coming through didn’t sound like a teacher. That flippant tone didn’t help.
What kind of teacher connects a microphone and says “Man” like that?
I had a bad feeling about this.
Friends who’d been studying and kids wandering the halls all turned their attention to the broadcast at this unexpected turn.
—Sigh…
The figure on the other side of the microphone let out a sigh that was caught in a plosive, and the sound carried all the way to the Athletic Field.
Yeon-hee, sitting behind me, whispered in my ear.
“Isn’t that Do Ha-jun?”
“Do Ha-jun?”
“I think so. Is Do Ha-jun in the Broadcasting Club?”
“No. He’s in the Drama Club.”
“Then maybe not?”
—Hello, students of Gogogo High School. I’m Do Ha-jun from Class 2-2, second year…….
“…Yeah, it’s him.”
What’s he doing up there?
I glanced around, and everyone in the class had confused expressions on their faces.
Ga-eun made a retching gesture when our eyes met. Do Yeon didn’t even seem interested and plugged her earbuds back in, while Su-a and Sein’s eyes lit up as if they sensed something entertaining was about to happen.
And there in the back, leaning against Park Su-hwan, Jang Ji-won was……
Looking at me with his shoulders trembling, barely holding back his laughter.
This was ominous.
—The reason I’m standing here now is to do something #)($ …….
“What’s he saying?”
“What’s he saying?”
—First of all, I want to thank Jang Ji-won for arranging this moment and giving me the courage…….
“Ji-won, did you make Ha-jun do this?”
A boy from the first group asked Ji-won, his face barely containing an explosion of laughter. Ji-won nodded, looking ready to burst at any moment.
“Yeah. Ha-jun said he had something he really wanted to say in front of everyone.”
“What kind of thing?”
“Just listen and see.”
—I’m sure this sudden broadcast has surprised you all, but please bear with me for a moment. This is something important—my life depends on it…….
“Ah, what’s with the acceptance speech~”
“Why’s he acting like this.”
“Just get to the point~”
—Hey, Kang Da-hye.
“…….”
“…….”
The classroom went dead silent in an instant.
The kids who’d been doing their thing stopped cold and slowly turned to look at me. Jung Eun-seong, standing beside me, muttered “What?” I just kept staring up at the speaker without moving.
Feeling my spine go rigid.
—I startled you by calling out your name like that, didn’t I? Ha ha. I figured you would be.
“…….”
—But I think you already suspected it to some degree. Because what passed between us wasn’t just my feelings alone.
“…….”
-To be honest, our feelings for each other weren’t always good. There were times I felt bitter when you were being arrogant or when the Drama Club business made me feel treated unfairly……
“…….”
-But one day, when I was exhausted, you came to me first. That’s when I felt it.
“…….”
-I realized you could understand the complicated inner world that others can’t easily grasp, and that you could make me smile.
“…….”
-You’re a bit sensitive and have your childish moments, but that’s just something we’ll have to work through together, right? I’ll teach you a lot from my side.
“…….”
-Ahem. Ah, this is embarrassing. I’m not usually good with cheesy expressions like this.
“…….”
-I think I’ll let a song speak for my heart instead. It’s not much, but I practiced hard for it, so listen well. You’d better pay attention, or else.
Pop, pop-pop. Ah. Microphone test. This is my song for you, little Kang Da-hye.
Soon after, the theme song from a drama that had been broadcast last year and become wildly popular flowed through the speakers.
-Yeah~ I don’t even know
when
I
fell
for
you~

Do Ha-jun’s voice rang out.
I covered my mouth with my hand.
-It might be a mistake~~~
“…….”
-Ahhhh-ehhhhh…
“He’s lost it…”
From behind, Yeon-hee cursed softly.
Yeah, he really has lost it.
Surely he’s not trying to con… to co…
No. It’s fine.
He hasn’t said the crucial word yet. As long as he doesn’t say that word, I can just write this off as Do Ha-jun being crazy and somehow get past it.
…But actually, I can’t get past it…
What do I do? Should I run to the Broadcasting Club right now and grab the microphone?
Even as I spiraled in confusion, the song continued on.
-From the very beginning, I’ve loved you!!!!Yes! I love you like this~~~~~ Kang Da-hye, are you listening?!
“…….”
-Even if my clumsy! words~ are corny and untrustworthy, I mean what I’m saying↗
Soon Do Ha-jun drew a breath and brought the song to its end.
-I love
-you,
-so
-muuuuuuch…
-Whoooo~~~~
Clap-clap-clap. The faint sound of Do Ha-jun clapping for himself could be heard.
-Ahem.
No way.
Please.
-Kang Da-hye of Class 2-2!
Please, please, please….
-Will you go out with me, little one?
“Ah….”
Ah.
Ah…
Ah!!!!!!!!!!

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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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