Eighteen’s Bed Novel Completed - Chapter 101

I wondered if that bastard even attended class, but I was no different, so I had nothing to say. Knowing Kim Minho in his second year, I could roughly guess. It would have been a math class with pop quizzes, and students would be shamed according to the number of mistakes they made. Kim Minho would have, as always, used a stomachache as an excuse and gone to the infirmary. The math teacher, who had no obligation to carry a low-ranking student who didn’t even solve problems, wouldn’t have cared if the kid was sick or not. That’s just how this school is.

In contrast, I received too much attention. My homeroom teacher was a prime example. As soon as I went up the stairs and stepped into the hallway, my eyes met with the homeroom teacher who was scanning Class 1 through the window. The homeroom teacher, who had been pacing with the attendance book, greeted me with a distorted smile. Her gaze fell on my bag.

“Oh. Jun-ah. You’re late?”

“…Hello.”

“Did you go to the hospital again today? What did they say at the hospital? Are you still not feeling well?”

I hadn’t even been to the hospital, so what could I say? I smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.

“I’m sorry for missing class so often.”

“Sorry, my foot! Your health is most important, so it can’t be helped. Now, grades are all about the Suneung… no, that’s not right. Jun, you can definitely aim for early admission. Your grades have always been good, your volunteer points are high, and you have a lot of extracurricular activity experience… You don’t need to worry.”

This was exactly the kind of attention. I just greeted her, but the conversation strangely veered towards grades. It seemed my homeroom teacher was even more shocked than I was.

“I guess I’ve been too complacent.”

“Complacent, my foot!”

The homeroom teacher, flustered, raised her voice. Startled by her own voice, she constantly looked around. The kids in the hallway saw me and the homeroom teacher, but their interest quickly dissipated. It was because the homeroom teacher patted my shoulder and said, “Don’t blame yourself like that.” It was a situation that anyone could understand at a glance, and even I found it uninteresting.

“Everyone stumbles sometimes.”

So I stumbled. I was unintentionally confirmed.

“It might feel like a huge mistake now, but in a year, many things will seem like nothing.”

“Even if I fail to get into university?”

“Of course. University is really nothing in life.”

It was an unbelievable and unrelatable statement. I couldn’t retort, so I just stayed silent. The homeroom teacher then tapped my arm with a subtle smile.

“You probably don’t understand now. I was like that in high school too. You’ll understand when you grow up. No, Jun is smart, so you might understand everything after just a little experience.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Hmm, then, Jun. Can you come with me to the faculty office now?”

“Huh?”

“No, well. I have something to ask you. I’ve already bought lunch, okay? If you’re hungry, would you like to eat it together in the faculty office? If it’s a burden, you can just take it and go to class.”

Suddenly, my homeroom teacher was acting strange. Well, adults are often like this. Their faces smile as usual, but sometimes they exude an atmosphere that’s different from the norm. However, based on the statistics of a life spent observing adults, it’s best to quietly comply when an adult takes this kind of attitude.

“Yes. I’ll go.”

“Okay? Then bring your bag for now.”

Why would she ask me to bring my bag if she had something to ask? At that moment, I realized something unusual. In the faculty office, the homeroom teacher brought out bags of bread that she must have received from somewhere. Then she gestured to me and kindly pulled back the chair in front of the laptop.

“Sit here.”

“Ah, yes.”

As soon as I awkwardly sat down, what I saw was a familiar name and number.

[3rd Year, Class 1, Kang Jun]

Below that were exactly ten names. And Goyohan was not among them. The homeroom teacher moved the mouse and double-clicked my name. At the same time, the file’s real title appeared.

[Student Record]

The homeroom teacher smiled somewhat awkwardly and turned the laptop screen towards me.

“This, you know, just look at it here, and write down anything you want to be included or anything you need. I’ll revise it for you.”

“What? Teacher, but this…”

“Ah! Don’t worry. Our class isn’t the only one doing this. A few kids from the upper classes in third year have done it.”

“…Ah.”

“It’s the principal’s and vice-principal’s directive, so you really don’t have to worry.”

I hesitated and placed my hand on the keyboard. The blinking cursor was clearly visible before my eyes. The homeroom teacher strangely spoke at length, whispering unnecessarily quietly in the silent faculty office where no one else was.

“Today, just check it thoroughly, and if there’s anything to revise, you can come back tomorrow to revise it.”

“Huh?”

“If it’s too much, the day after tomorrow is fine too.”

Is this really okay? I wanted to ask, but I knew I’d only get an “it’s okay” answer anyway, so I closed my mouth. At last, I understood a little of the power of the carefully built tower I had constructed. Surprisingly, I had been given an opportunity to make up for my mistake like this. The world is petty and unfair like this.

After lunch and the fifth period of self-study, I returned to the classroom. Goyohan wasn’t there, but Shin Jaehyun was. Goyohan seemed to have gone to the bathroom. Now’s my chance. I moistened my parched lips with my tongue and awkwardly walked towards Shin Jaehyun. And though I was late, I unnecessarily babbled about why I had come from the faculty office. With a lie, of course. My conscience pricked me.

“My grades dropped, you know.”

“Oh? Ah, is that why you came from the faculty office?”

“Yeah, that… I had a little counseling. Other kids came and went too, right?”

As I spoke, I subtly sounded out Shin Jaehyun.

“How many? I’m not sure, but two kids from our class went this morning and came back with some workbooks. Seeing as they were all kids with good grades, it must be a privilege for the teacher’s favorites. The workbooks, I mean.”

Naturally, everyone’s eyes in the classroom turned to my hand. To be precise, it was the workbook in my hand. I couldn’t take my eyes off the workbook in my hand, as if showing it off. It was the workbook my homeroom teacher had given me before I left the faculty office. Shin Jaehyun’s gaze also turned to the workbook. Feeling awkward, I subtly covered it with my palm.

“You got one too.”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Oh? Wait a minute. Bae Seok-ah! You didn’t return my textbook.”

My words were cut off before I could finish. Shin Jaehyun, who always volunteered to be second for everyone, passed me by and spoke to someone walking past. I had no intention of clinging on further. I didn’t want my mistake to be revealed if I opened my mouth again. I thought it was for the best.

Instead, my attention turned to the hallway. Because of Goyohan. I craned my neck, anxious about when Goyohan would return. Then I almost collided with Ahn Jisu, who was about to come out of the Class 2 entrance. I even accidentally dropped the workbook I was holding.

“Ah, sorry.”

“No. …Oh, this.”

Ahn Jisu looked at the workbook I dropped, then suddenly lifted his head and met my eyes. Then he smiled proudly. At that moment, we felt a momentary bond. It might have been a very short and insignificant, weak bond, but still. No, at least I did. It was a simple reason why Ahn Jisu would have felt the same. Because he kindly spoke to me while patting the book with his palm.

“Here. Be careful. You might trip.”

“Oh, thanks.”

“Then, see you later.”

What better excuse is there for a high school student than grades? Today is the day when no one thinks it’s strange if you bury your nose in a workbook even during break time. Inside, I trembled with fear that Goyohan might talk to me, and kept my eyes glued to the workbook.

Now, it’s not a fake anymore; I truly cannot stop studying.

But then, a large hand suddenly appeared over the worm-like writing. There was only one person in this class who would commit such a reckless act. I unconsciously frowned and raised my head. However, Goyohan’s face, which I met, was quite serious, and my irritation quickly subsided.

“They say the internal assessment ratio for the third year is low.”

This sudden remark was so out of the blue that I couldn’t understand its intention at all.

A cold wind poured down, as if my head would crack. How strongly does this school turn on the air conditioner? I rubbed my palm over my skin, which was not just cold but stinging.

“And you could do well on the Suneung.”

“Can’t you see I’m studying for that right now?”

Oops, was I a little too blunt? I unconsciously looked around, afraid that my mistake might turn into bad luck. Fortunately, Goyohan didn’t seem to care much.

“Did I disturb you?”

No. I take it back. He was definitely offended.

Goyohan tapped the workbook with his finger and asked. But, it felt like I had to answer something, yet saying no or yes felt awkward in this situation. So I chose the lesser evil.

“No, it’s fine. Ah… you know I can’t go with you today either. I have to study.”

“Do you really need to tell me? You always couldn’t go with me. In my second year too.”

“…I guess so.”

“Why are you suddenly acting like we used to go together?”

The hand that was covering the workbook was immediately withdrawn. Goyohan, who had stood up, clasped his hands together and supported the back of his head. He had a very lazy and bored expression. It was an attitude as if he was detached from this fierce competition.

“School life is so boring these days.”

A sudden, leisurely remark burst out, and I was so dumbfounded that I instinctively replied.

“Just study.”

At that, Goyohan burst into loud laughter.

He’s truly a strange guy. And I kept glancing around while Goyohan laughed. The thought that dominated my mind then was, ‘Do I look close with Goyohan right now?’ In the middle, my eyes met with someone chattering at the front of the class.

I subtly pulled my chair outwards. It was the opposite side from where Goyohan was.

After class, as I was getting my shoes at the school entrance, I coincidentally saw Han Taesan. Han Taesan clearly raised his hand towards me, but I pretended not to see him and ignored him. Fortunately, Han Taesan also seemed to have some sense, as he didn’t try to acknowledge me. He finally seemed to have gained some awareness.

I pretended to take a taxi to the academy, then drove around the neighborhood and returned to school. Then I found Kim Minho’s saved number and pressed the call button. The dial tone cut off after only two rings.

“Hey, where are you?”

“4th floor faculty restroom—. Hurry up and come up.”

The restroom again? Disgusting bastard. At least it wasn’t the second floor, which was filled with the smell of cigarettes. I walked silently through the quiet school building, where no one was around. It was so quiet that I could even hear the sound of the restroom door opening. As soon as he saw me, Kim Minho loudly pounded on the restroom wall with his palm, then bared his teeth, looking satisfied.

“Hey, Kang Jun. I knew you’d come. Damn it, you’d be crazy not to be tempted. Huh? Goyohan, that bastard, who knows what he’ll do to you, and you’re not in a position to just shut up and do nothing.”

“Cut the crap, what’s your plan?”

“Ah, impatient, aren’t we? Listen. This is a really original plan. The best strategy to completely crush Goyohan. Ah, this bastard, this one thing will finish him, and he’ll get hell at home too. We can even get all the kids on our side, you know?”

Kim Minho disgustingly licked his chapped lips with his thick tongue. In his eyes, which stared intently at me, a clear ambition shone.

“You, try confessing to Goyohan.”

“…What?”

As an aside, the secret shared by a few top-scoring students in Class 1 and Class 2 never spread. Not even Shin Jaehyun knew. Truly. The most solid cartel in this school was a different one. It was surprising that I was a beneficiary of that cartel.

And it’s still true now. I was at the center of change. A big change that only Kim Minho and I knew about.

“And I’ll record it! How about that, isn’t it amazing?”

“You son of a bitch! Are you crazy?”

I regret it. I regret listening to Kim Minho. Why did I pick up this auditory trash? My agitated mind sharpened its edge. Moreover, yelling without realizing it meant I had momentarily lost even my conviction not to let others see my agitation.

First and foremost, I was angry.

“I, I, I’d do that—why would I do that!”

“Hey, no. This is a really good idea, I’m telling you!”

“You, you bastard, are you messing with me right now?”

“Ah, crazy—shut up!”

“Hey!”

After yelling, my head instantly cooled down. Crazy. Only then did I come to my senses.

With the feeling of picking up spilled water, I pressed my lips together. As I, who had been raging, suddenly fell silent, Kim Minho also lowered his voice a little. His gleaming eyes checked the restroom door. I, too, watched the situation for a moment with tense eyes. There was no change. Kim Minho moved his body and opened the door. He scanned the hallway left and right, then closed the door again and returned.

“No one’s here, you bastard.”

A sigh of relief escaped me. And then, after glancing around, I continued the conversation with Kim Minho. At first, I was the one who had more to say.

“You’re trying to make me a fool too, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not, I’m telling you! Haven’t you seen Han Junwoo, that bastard? Damn it, this is a jackpot. One hundred percent that bastard will, uh, uh… yeah… act shy and all that crap. But? The moment he does it, it’s just over. This is a real nuclear bomb, I’m telling you! You don’t have to worry. I’ll be filming well from behind the window, and at the crucial moment, I’ll just bam! appear. ‘Yohan-ah! It’s a hidden camera! Ta-da! Surprise! Just a prank!’ If we make a big show of it like that, you just get out of there, and it’s over. You know it’ll be really boring if you take this seriously, right? Just exude that kind of atmosphere. Then he’ll be the only fool. Got it?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. What are you going to do with the video? Spread it at school? Then what do I become in that video, that crazy—damn it, me acting like that? Don’t I become a fool too!”

“Ah! I’ll stop it from happening to you!”

“How are you going to do that? Even if you tell them not to, won’t the kids think strange things? I, what, you want me to play the role of acting like I like him? Me? To Goyohan? Don’t you think I won’t be mentioned? Who’s always being mentioned with Goyohan, it’s me! You talk like you have a hole in your mouth… What are you going to do!”

“Hey! You ungrateful bastard who knows nothing! Huh? Look at you. Don’t you know I stopped you from becoming Goyohan’s official whatever? Damn it, huh? If you saw my achievements, you should have figured it out. I’m really good, I’m telling you! I’ve talked so much that the kids wouldn’t believe me, would they? I have more credibility than Goyohan, I’m telling you! Goyohan is nothing. He’s really piled up a lot, so the kids have a lot of complaints. And if you keep doing that, you’ll ruin your life in an instant. You need to cut ties quickly.”

Kim Minho grabbed my shoulder and fell silent for a moment. He was checking if there were any sounds around. As soon as he realized it was quiet, he continued speaking.

“And if you contribute to this, if you show that you’re on my side, Kim Minho’s side, not Goyohan’s, then your reputation will be completely cleared. It’s certain, I’m telling you! Look at Park Dongcheol, that bastard. He used to be part of Han Junwoo’s gang, didn’t he? But look at him now. That bastard is the best at badmouthing Han Junwoo. He acted like it wasn’t him and completely got out of it. No, no. There was someone worse than Park Dongcheol. Right, you did that too. Right, right! You’ve done it once before. Just like you abandoned Han Junwoo, why can’t you abandon that perverted bastard Goyohan? Why are you so damn fussy and sensitive?”

If victory were determined by voice volume, I could never beat Kim Minho. This was a talent determined from the beginning. Kim Minho’s voice had a heavy power. Whether positive or negative, when a fierce tone, a heavy voice, and a terribly loud volume combined, you couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

“Just as I thought.”

“What, punk? What’s just as you thought?”