Chapter 397 (1/2)

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“Learned Hopelessness is terrible than we think. Mama, Yeo Ryung, or Eunmi over there have endeavored to live in hope against any frustrating situations.”

“Um… but I think you can’t compare us with Eunmi…”

Although I had been hovering between different universes, my life couldn’t become a documentary material but maybe something for Marvel movies. Jooin shrugged at my hesitating response and shortly agreed, ‘Yeah, that’s true though.’

At that moment, Yeo Ryung, who was standing against the wall beside us, collapsed on the floor. Being startled at her sudden action, we held her arms to get her up.

“Oh my god, are you okay, Yeo Ryung?”

“Hey, Ban Yeo Ryung, what’s wrong?”

Yeo Ryung replied while being on the verge of tears, “No… I’m just… too…” With tears in her eyes, she shoved her face back onto her knees and said, “… I’m too sorry for him…”

‘Oh, Lord!’ I thought. Squatting on the floor beside Yeo Ryung, I pulled her shoulder in my arms. Eun Jiho disheveled his hair; Jooin heaved a sigh with a smile.

It was, unexpectedly, Yoo Chun Young, who calmed down Yeo Ryung crying so hard. He tapped me on my shoulders while I still had Yeo Ryung in my arms, so I turned back in wonder. A magazine came into view.

I asked, “What’s up?”

“It’s a travel magazine. I found it next to the counter.”

“Oh…”

That was when I took the magazine from him and began to speak to Yeo Ryung calm and orderly.

A moment after, when Eun Hyung called us to come back in, we were snickering enigmatically. Glancing at us, Eun Hyung tilted his head.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Stretching out the magazine toward Eun Hyung, I uttered confidently, “Eun Hyung, we planned out the trip.”

“Huh?” asked Eun Hyung. There was a slight crack on his smile. Ignoring his expression, we put the magazine on the bed and started to explain each thing to Eunmi while pointing at the page here and there. Eunmi listened to our story and showed a bright smile on her face that had a trace of tears left on her cheeks.

After the long holiday weekends, the overall atmosphere of our cram school seemed disoriented and distracted. Those who were just stuck in their relatives’ house were busy complaining, whereas those who went on a trip boasted their long break.

Amid the situation, the big news during the holiday had been the talk of the town. Maybe because this cram school was located in the heart of Gangnam.

“So what will happen to Balhae Group then?”

“My parents were annoyed about their stock prices declining.”

“My phone is from Balhae’s affiliate… Gosh, does that mean I can’t receive any free customer service?”

When one of the kids spoke that way, a few students blurted out, ‘Ugh, don’t say such awful things!’ Listening to those conversations, I raised the volume of my MP3 player.

As soon as I finished solving the last question of the mock exam, the recess bell rang. Lee Mina and Yoon Jung In quickly came over to my seat. Casting a sidelong glance upon those who were still babbling, the two lowered their voices.

“How’s Yoo Chun Young doing? Is he okay?” asked Lee Mina.

Following her, Yoon Jung In also flung a question.

“What about Kwon Eun Hyung?”

I replied with a shrug, “He became quite relaxed these days. If you text him, he’ll reply to you back.”

“Oh, really?” smiled Yoon Jung In.

Staring at him, I responded again, “Hmm, you don’t have to behave so carefully since Eun Hyung seems to like you quite a lot.”

‘Maybe more than you think,’ as I added those words, Yoon Jung In’s ears reddened. Watching his reaction, Lee Mina poked his flank with her elbow.

“Hey, who are you fluttering at when your girlfriend is right beside you, huh?”