Eighteen’s Bed Novel Completed - Chapter 103 The Arrogant Accuser

“Wow, I didn’t see you that way…”

Kim Minho’s eyes shone transparently, as if he were truly impressed.

“You’re a strategist! Damn, you’re right. Wow, crazy! No wonder. Guys with brains are different. Yeah, there was a reason those bastards dragged you around. Yeah! You’re right! Timing is everything.”

Kim Minho even punched the air, making a huge fuss. I was worried he might stubbornly refuse again, but it seemed my words were better than he expected, as he kept exclaiming in admiration. Fearing Kim Minho might change his mind, I subtly asked,

“After summer vacation, that’ll be okay, right?”

“Of course, of course! Hey, that’s a really good idea. How about, right after vacation ends? Would that be okay? Like, would the kids spread it like crazy?”

“A little later than that. When it’s really boring, with nothing to spread. That’s best.”

“Crazy, ah, my mouth is already itching. Ah, how am I going to endure this fun?”

Even as he said that, Kim Minho kept snickering, unable to suppress his laughter. Seeing his pathetic state, I felt a little relieved. Good, at least I bought some time.

I had no intention of doing what Kim Minho wanted. However, my reputation couldn’t have even the slightest blemish. It was already a fragile tower, crumbling after being shattered by Go Yohan. I had a good future set by my parents. That’s why I had to use my head more than others. What should I do? How should I handle this? While I was thinking, summer vacation arrived.

It was my last high school summer vacation.

My parents came to visit for the vacation. With the car packed full of gifts, they burst into tears as soon as they saw me. My mother, especially, was more so. She held my face, scrutinizing every detail, and only relaxed after seeing that I was perfectly fine.

The main topic came up that evening. It was at a restaurant, in front of a lavish spread of food accumulated under the pretext of ‘the sin of not taking care of their son.’ My father even took a call and left midway, and my mother, slicing meat heavily soaked in blood with a knife, casually dropped the bomb of my hardship.

“They said you ranked 12th in the whole school.”

My gaze instinctively dropped to the floor.

“Ah…”

Of course, it was a situation I would have to face someday, but revealing the truth was something I truly wished to avoid. I always felt a strange sense of guilt towards my parents, so I had a habit of downplaying bad things as much as possible. My dropped grades fell into that category. However, that desperately hidden secret reached my mother without my wanting it to. I had been prepared for it, and it was inevitable.

“When did you find out?”

“A long time ago. I purposely didn’t say anything, fearing it would hurt you.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what!”

The silver cutlery landed heavily on the table. My mother swallowed her anger.

“Don’t say that. It breaks my heart when you say things like that, son. What did you do wrong? It’s because of those pathetic bugs. Those trash who tried to drag my son down out of jealousy. My son was just unlucky. I’m the same. I left my son alone too much, thinking he’d do everything well on his own. I’ll reflect on it too.”

This absolute support only made me more distressed. It felt like I had become a son who had shattered their trust.

“No, it’s not. I just couldn’t concentrate. I’ll do better from now on.”

“Don’t worry. Your mom already looked into everything. There are so many kind parents out there, and I received many recommendations for good consulting. With your grades, regular admission is definitely possible, and after listening calmly, they said it’s not hopeless.”

“Ah, yes. My homeroom teacher said the same thing.”

“Of course, they would. And these days, all the consultants are really skilled. When I asked over the phone, they said that just by looking at your record so far, you’ve done so well that you can definitely do it. You just need to follow their lead. No need to worry. Fill up your volunteer hours more, and increase your participation in school competitions.”

“I don’t have time for volunteer work…”

“It’s okay. I already spoke to my friend at the hospital. You don’t need to go.”

“…What about school competitions? There are only six months left. There won’t be any competitions to participate in.”

“Your mom is meeting the vice principal tomorrow, so that’s fine too.”

“What are you going to do when you meet them?”

“Jun.”

A calm voice soothed me. My parents were always this absolute. The constant, anxious worries that always stirred within me vanished with that one word.

“Mom will take care of everything.”

Kang Jun was truly blessed with good parents. No matter how many thousands of times I thought about it, the answer was always the same.

“My son, just do as you’ve been doing without any worries. Don’t be discouraged. My son is going to grow up and make people work for him. Understand?”

What could I say to such excessive praise and infinite trust? I agonized over the overwhelming shame.

“…Thank you so much.”

“It’s not ‘thank you,’ it’s natural.”

“Um, but who told you?”

Even amidst the torrent of shame, a question arose. It was pure curiosity. I wondered whose parents cared about me and offered such benefits.

“What? Your grades? Well, I heard it from your academy teacher. They said it was serious, but it wasn’t that serious.”

“No, not that… the consulting. Who recommended it to you?”

“Why?”

My mother tilted her head slightly and asked.

“Oh, I was just wondering if it was Jisoo from class 2.”

“Jisoo? Ahn Jisoo? The one who always ranked first in school before you, right? Why her? Are you close?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. We’re just a little close.”

“Really? I guess the child and the mother are different. Her mother is a real tough cookie. She’s famous for only taking good information from our meetings and then completely shutting her mouth when she gets good information outside. If her son wasn’t good at studying, she would have left the group long ago with that personality. Ugh.”

They’re alike. Like a child, like a parent, they say. I thought to myself and then mumbled quietly. My mother seemed to have heard it, as she put down her cup and asked,

“What did you say?”

“No, nothing.”

I quickly waved my hand. Then I smiled as naturally as possible. My mother smiled lightly at my smile, then lightly tapped the table with her hand and spoke as if something just occurred to her.

“The consulting, ah, you know the next-door neighbor, right? The boy who lives next door. The one who’s in the same class as you.”

“Yes… what?”

“It’s his mother. She contacted me first, asking if I was thinking of getting college admissions consulting. I didn’t expect anything. She just spilled all sorts of high-level information. Her help was really big.”

“Next door?”

“Yes, next door. Their eldest son has been through the admissions process once, so they’re very well-informed. They’re real experts!”

“Next door, you said?”

“I said so. Why do you keep asking?”

“…”

What is this? What on earth is going on? In my mind, the fragile-looking middle-aged woman smiled elegantly, like that smile I’d seen sometime before. Actually, her face was blurry. She wasn’t that impressive of a person, so why was she suddenly appearing here?

“How did she know your number?”

“It would be strange if she didn’t know. All the parents have a contact network.”

“Suddenly, how did she know my situation…”

“Of course, she’d know well. Their second son is close with you, isn’t he? In the same class?”

“What?”

Well, that’s true, but… I couldn’t understand the situation at all.

Why would that person suddenly show me such kindness? Especially to an arrogant next-door high schooler who hadn’t visited since that incident and had only done suspicious things? Was there some ulterior motive? My expression automatically furrowed. Or was she bribing the arrogant high schooler who knew her son’s secret, or was she forgiving me with a heart as vast as the ocean? Her incomprehensible actions consumed my nerves.

“Why, is something wrong?”

“…Are you going to visit her? Her?”

“Are you worried because she’s your friend’s parent? It’s okay. Mom will go alone.”

What will you do, Kang Jun? You’re at a crossroads of choice. Will you run, or will you face it?

The conclusion reached after brief deliberation was the latter. Kang Jun doesn’t like loose ends. It’s better to face it and come to a conclusion. Also, I loathed being blindsided without knowing what was going on.

“No, she’s someone who directly helped me succeed. I should go visit her myself. Wouldn’t she think I’m rude if I don’t?”

“That would be even better, then.”

Thinking of Go Yohan and his house, a person came to mind. It was humiliating and shameful, but it was someone I had to meet someday.

“But… it’s embarrassing to have received help. I hope my classmate doesn’t know.”

“Jun.”

My parents, who gave birth to me and raised me, definitely tend to overvalue me unconditionally. Whether it’s because of the guilt of leaving their child alone their whole lives, or because I’m their only son and they find me lovely, I don’t know.

“You’re too kind, that’s your problem. Your mom isn’t worried about your grades or anything, she’s worried because you’re too kind.”

“Are you practicing your acting well?”

Kim Minho, this bastard, has terrible timing. He sent the message when I was holding a large flower basket in one hand and a paper bag containing wine and a brand-name necklace in the other. Of all times, I had to be awkwardly holding my phone with my hands full. My mother, waiting for a response after ringing the doorbell, happened to see the screen light up once.

“Who is it?”

“It’s nothing. Just a friend from school.”

“They’re not bothering you or anything, are they? Not a strange friend?”

“No way.”

I wrinkled my nose and smiled. Then I painstakingly moved my thumb to type a short message and sent it.

“Shut up.”

I prayed and prayed that Kim Minho would shut up. In front of this crazy Catholic family. Soon, with a loud noise, the gate opened, and in the familiar garden stood an unfamiliar, kind face.

“You’re here? I’m sorry for coming out late. I have been preparing various things since you said you were coming.”

“No, not at all, it’s my first time meeting you. I’m sorry for not coming sooner. We live right next door, but I kept putting it off, using work as an excuse. I truly don’t deserve to be a parent.”

“No, I feel the same. I’m busy taking care of my youngest, and busy taking care of my eldest… These days, we just contact each other by phone, so I’ve become complacent.”

“Please take this first.”

“Oh my, why all this… It’s really fine.”

After the polite greetings mixed with adult excuses ended, my introduction began. My mother pointed to me with one hand, and I showed the gifts in my hands and bowed my head.

“…Hello.”

As I straightened up slightly, my eyes met Go Yohan’s mother’s. It was an awkward moment. To be honest, it would be a lie to say it wasn’t uncomfortable. But I had to do what I had to do.

“Oh, yes… Nice to meet you. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“Oh, have we seen each other?”

“Yes. Before.”

Her kind and gentle face smiled cautiously, very generously. It was I who spoke first to my mother, who was puzzled by the mention of a previous meeting. I quickly explained to my mother.

“I’ve only met her once.”

“When? Why didn’t I know?”

“…I’ve visited here a few times before.”

I bowed even deeper than before.

“I am truly sorry about what happened then. Yohan and I have apologized and settled things well.”

First thing I had to do: keep my promise with Go Yohan.

“…Did you have something to apologize for? This is the first I’m hearing of it, son.”

“No, it’s just… I’m sorry for apologizing so late.”

“Jun, what kind of…?”

My mother placed her hand on my back and asked quietly, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer. The reason I didn’t make excuses was that I didn’t want to reveal my mistake. Apologizing as soon as our eyes met was also for that reason. Rather than talking about our situations in detail and easing the atmosphere in a plausible setting, I wanted to get it over with quickly and urgently. The topic of conversation usually changes when the location changes. My intention was to resolve the matter in a place where I wouldn’t linger long.

“Indeed, what is there to apologize for?”

But I didn’t expect her to ask so directly. I thought she, being a seemingly fragile person, would just let it go, but she deliberately picked out the very topic I wanted to avoid.

“Oh, what? Ah… that is…”

I glanced at my mother. I definitely had something to say. Words I had rehearsed for months. ‘At that time, I acted arrogantly. That’s why I was too ashamed and sorry to visit. Yohan and I are close again, so please don’t think it’s strange if I don’t visit.’ I should have said that. But my mouth wouldn’t open, like a mute who had eaten honey. I kept glancing at my mother.

I thought it would be easier with my mother here. Should I have just come alone and apologized with my eyes closed? I had just kept postponing it because meeting this family was so awkward.

“That is…”

My mouth gaped. Words that couldn’t come out burst like air bubbles. I closed my mouth, opened it, licked my lips, mumbled, glanced around at the silent atmosphere, and finally clenched my fists. Just as I was about to utter a terrible confession from my choked throat, a calm voice cut off my courage.

“Auntie really doesn’t know what you did wrong, weren’t you always polite?”

“Huh?”

“Oh, really?”

“Of course, if I didn’t think so highly of Jun, would I have contacted you directly out of concern for him?”

“My goodness.”

“I truly envy you for having such a son.”

My mother’s face flushed with admiration. And her crescent eyes looked at me proudly. I, on the other hand, was dumbfounded, only able to stare at my mother and Go Yohan’s mother.

“I really did give birth to a good son. He’s so commendable.”

“Indeed. I wish I had a son just like Jun. My children aren’t as good-natured… Even my husband praises Jun endlessly.”

At those words, my mother’s face instantly brightened. With a genuinely happy expression, my mother returned the compliment with full politeness.