Chapter 63: After Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall (2)

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

    Illustrations: Here

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    "What are you doing? Not studying? The college entrance exam is tomorrow."

    Ah~ I wouldn''t know about that.

    "Yeah. Go stuff yourself at the snack bar."

    Damn...

    I was flipping through a workbook while talking to Yoonsung. Though I said I was studying, I didnt want to overwork my brain right before the exam, so I was just casually looking through it.

    Other students, regardless of how much they had studied, were adjusting their condition for tomorrow, but Yoonsung was free from all those concerns.

    He already had a job lined up, one that was as tough as hell''s gate.

    "Wow, but how can you even think of working there? Think you can survive?"

    Don''t say that... I''m already feeling overwhelmed. You guys will be college students from March next year, but I''ll be a full-time employee at the snack bar.

    "But you said they pay well."

    If a high salary was enough to endure, we wouldn''t still be looking for part-time jobs...

    "Agreed."

    Still, the days I worked part-time there are a fond memory. I haven''t been able to help out since becoming a senior. I was too busy studying, and Yoonsung didn''t ask for my help.

    I heard Kim Suhwang went there a couple of times instead of me.

    What about Lee Heena? Aren''t you meeting her today?

    "We''re texting, but we decided to rest today and meet after the exam tomorrow."

    Can you get into the same university as her?

    "Impossible."

    That decisive, huh? Even if you do really well in the exam, still impossible?

    "Maybe if I hit the lottery with my scores?"

    The last mock exam I took, I averaged a rank of 2, so if I guess everything right and do incredibly well, maybe I could match her level.

    Wow, me, averaging second place. I can''t thank Heena enough, no matter how many times I do.

    Even if I mess up this exam, my scores will be hundreds of times better than before I met Heena.

    I recall barely managing to get one or two grades in the third rank in the spring and summer of my second year, mostly getting fourth ranks.

    Now, if I do a bit poorly, maybe I''ll average around 2.5?

    So you''ll still make it into a Seoul university?

    "As long as nothing happens on the way to the exam, I should."

    What if, like, your stomach starts hurting during the exam?

    "Are you trying to curse me?"

    Just kidding~ So we won''t see each other tomorrow. How about we all meet this weekend?

    "Sounds good. I''ll tell Heena."

    Seriously, do it right. You have no idea how her face looks when you take her out with us.

    "Don''t slander Heena."

    It''s not slander... Nevermind. Good luck with your exam tomorrow.

    "Alright."

    With that, the call ended, and I closed the workbook I had only opened. The thought of the college entrance exam being tomorrow made me feel restless, making it impossible to study.

    It was the day when all the effort I had put in would show results.

    Recently, even Yoonjung noona had been refraining from visiting our house. She said she''d stay away for a while since I''d be distracted.

    In fact, I didn''t mind much. Maybe I''m less sensitive than I thought, as I didn''t get distracted whether someone was walking around or talking near me while studying.

    But since they were being considerate of me, I didnt feel right telling them not to.

    Thinking about it, I guess I also kept quiet at home during my brothers'' exam periods.

    -The phone vibrated again, and without needing to check who it was, I answered the call. It had to be Heena.

    Although we had been seeing each other almost every day for the past few months for study purposes, we had agreed to rest at our respective homes today, so I expected she would call since texting wasnt enough.

    I had actually thought it was Heena earlier too, but it was surprisingly Yoonsung who called, not texted.

    Anyway, I went to get a glass of water, received encouragement from my family, and headed back to my room.

    I had a good feeling about this.

    I had been doing well in my studies recently, and my last mock exam scores were also good. My family and girlfriend have always been my strength.

    A pleasant level of nervousness enveloped me.

    It seemed like I was set for great success tomorrow.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    The day of the college entrance exam.

    The good mood from last night continued, leaving me feeling excellent since the morning. Heena, who called me for a wake-up call, also said she was in great condition. If only I do well in the exam, everything would seem perfect.

    When it was time to leave the house, everyone except Sunhoo hyung got up early and gathered at the entrance.

    "Son, you got this!"

    "Thanks, Dad!"

    "Do your best. And if it doesnt go well, dont be too hard on yourself."

    "Ah, of course. If I fail, Ill just join Sunhoo hyung at his gaming workshop. You in, hyung?"

    "Ha... Seriously, Han Sunhoo. Stop saying useless comments to Yeonho... Youve worked hard, so youll definitely do well! Cheer up!"

    "Thanks, noona."

    "Its time to go. Better to arrive early and wait than to be late."

    "Right. I''ll enjoy the kimbap, Mom."

    With my familys send-off, I checked one last time for my exam slip and writing tools before leaving the house.

    It was the day of the exam, so there werent many people out except for students like me. The weather was also clear and sunny.

    [ Heena: Im about to enter the school, so turning off my phone! See you after its over! Yeonho, you got this! Love you ]

    I had been texting Heena on the way, but she moved even earlier than me and soon stopped responding. I checked her last message before entering the subway station.

    I tried to calm my increasingly pounding heart. Luckily, the subway arrived right away, and in less than 20 minutes, I reached the station near my school.

    As I got off the subway and looked around, there werent many other students in sight. Heena must have arrived very early, and I was also relatively early.

    Near the entrance of the front staircase, there was an elderly lady struggling to climb, one step at a time, carrying a somewhat heavy-looking bag.

    "Oh my... why is it so hard today..."

    She lamented in a voice loud enough to reach my ears as she ascended the stairs. Seeing this, I moved to help her, at least up to the top of the stairs.

    I thought doing a good deed might improve my luck for the day.

    Most other students had already gone far up, and there seemed to be no one else around to help.

    "...Huh?"

    But before I had climbed many steps towards her, I noticed the lady''s body starting to tilt backwards.

    It was like a scene from a movie, in slow motion, she wobbled and began to fall backwards.

    What should I do? Should I catch her?

    What if something goes wrong?

    Even a minor injury could affect the exam.

    But it could be dangerous if she falls like that.

    What to do

    In that split second, numerous thoughts and concerns flashed through my mind, but my body was already in motion.

    I quickly lunged forward, extending my right arm to catch the elderly ladys shoulder, pulling her towards me as much as possible, and cushioning her fall with my body.

    -Bang!

    "Ugh!!!

    We both tumbled down the stairs together.

    -Zing

    "Ah, ouch"

    At the same time, I felt an intense pain in my right elbow. The sudden surge of agony was so intense that I couldnt even scream properly.

    In the midst of this, only one thought dominated my mind.

    Ah, damn it! The college entrance exam!