Among the universities located in Seoul, Korea University boasts the largest scale. It was established just after the liberation. At that time, land prices were low, allowing for the construction of large campuses. Being one of the largest and best universities in Korea, it attracts many tourists from both local regions and foreign countries. There are even shops selling T-shirts and souvenirs with the university logo.
Despite its size and reputation, there isn’t much to see once you actually visit.
“Why Korea University?” I asked Ellie.
In response to my question, Ellie replied, “I’ve visited many tourist spots in Korea since it’s my third time here, but I haven’t had the chance to visit Korea University. I’ve heard a lot about it from Jessica, so I’ve always wanted to visit.”
“Really?”
If it’s been ten years since Hyunjoo’s college days, a lot must have changed. They say even a mountain can change in ten years, so a university campus would surely have undergone some changes as well. New buildings have been constructed or remodeled, all thanks to the hard-earned tuition fees students have paid.
“Well then, let’s go to Korea University.”
I marked Korea University as our destination on the map in my smartphone. Since it was a weekday and past rush hour, the roads weren’t congested.
“Is Jinhoo also a student at Korea University?”
“Yes, he’s majoring in Business Administration.”
“Is Jessica studying Economics?”
“That’s right.”
As we exited Gangbyeonbuk-ro, the campus of Korea University gradually came into view.
Pointing at the vast campus sprawled beneath Mount Hoeunsan, I said, “There is Korea University.”
“It’s really huge.”
By the time we arrived at the university, I realized an important issue – the car we were in.
“This car is not just an ordinary car, it’s an Opel Gucca.
If rumors spread that someone is driving this kind of car, they might feel too embarrassed to walk around with their head held high.
Luckily, Korea University is spacious, and it’s currently during the vacation.
I hope I won’t run into anyone I know, right?
Thinking like that, I entered the campus of Korea University. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. It’s my first time back since taking a break and serving in the military.
I parked my car in a secluded corner near the Central Library parking lot. After making sure there was no one around, I quickly got out.
“Let me guide you to the library first.”
I headed towards the library building with Ellie.
The Korea University library is as large as the campus itself. In addition to study rooms, reading rooms, restaurants, and cafes, there was also an exhibition hall displaying national treasures.
“Can ordinary people come in here?”
“There are areas open to the public, and there are areas only for students.”
As she walked me through, passing students stopped in their tracks to look at us.
Regardless of gender, everyone’s gaze was fixed. Of course, they weren’t looking at me, but at Ellie beside me.
Korea University has established exchange student programs with top universities around the world. Therefore, seeing foreigners on campus was not uncommon.
What caught everyone’s attention were her looks. Tall stature, slender legs, a voluptuous figure, and sharp features.
And adding to the mix was her unique biracial charm. Just standing there, she looked like she belonged in a fashion magazine.
I knew she was beautiful, but I didn’t expect her to attract this much attention.
I was starting to feel uncomfortable. But Ellie, the one at the center of it all, seemed unfazed. Well, she must have experienced this kind of thing a few times before.
Even during the vacation, the library was bustling with studious students. Ellie, looking surprised, remarked,
“People here are really driven.”
“Finding a job is difficult these days.”
Long ago (roughly back in the days when tigers used to smoke), there was a time when just having a degree from a major university meant that big companies would eagerly recruit you. However, now it’s tough to find employment, and there are quite a few seniors who are delaying their graduation.
“But everyone really knows how to have fun when it’s time to play.”
The festivals at Korea University are quite famous in the area. Many students from nearby universities also come to join in on the fun.
After touring the library, we sat down at the café on the first floor.
“So, Jin-hoo, are you on a leave of absence now?”
“Yes.”
“Do you plan to continue attending school?”
“Probably.”
Nowadays, I wonder what significance a school graduation certificate holds, but anyway, once the corporate acquisition process is over, there won’t be much for me to do.
Mother must be hoping for me to graduate as well.
I sipped my coffee and gazed out the window.
I could see students gathering in groups of three or five. I also saw couples walking arm in arm.
If I hadn’t developed some sort of foresight, wouldn’t I have just returned to school and lived an ordinary student life? Then, I wouldn’t have met Ellie.
Since I’m at school, should I reach out to Min-young?
But then I realized I didn’t have my phone in my pocket. I remembered I had left it on the Center Posia while checking the navigation.
I told Ellie, “I’m going to grab my phone from the car after finishing my coffee.”
“Take your time,” she replied.
I walked out of the central library building towards the parking lot. Right next to my car was a large white car that wasn’t there before.
A white Bentley convertible.
Continental GT perhaps? Not a car a student would normally drive.
I opened the car door and took out my phone which was inside, just then a call came in.
Ring!
It was Senior Sangyeop. I pressed the answer button.
“What’s up, Senior?”
Through the handset, I could hear Senior Sangyeop’s voice.
[“I just wanted to check in with you for a moment. Is it a good time to talk?”]
“Yes. I don’t have any meetings today, so I’m taking it easy.”
While OTK Company was meeting directly with foreign startups for investment, Senior Sangyeop was investing in Korean startups under the name of K Company.
“Are you very busy?”
[“I have back-to-back meetings today. I’m on my way from the office to Pangyo right now.”]
“Is it worth it? Do you find it fulfilling?”
In response to my question, Senior Sangyeop replied melodramatically.
[“I’m working hard to avoid getting fired.”]
“After I finish up here, I’ll stop by the office.”
As I was about to end the call, Senior Sangyeop said,
[Jinhoo.]
“Yes?”
[Thank you.]
Although just one word, it felt truly sincere.
I chuckled and said,
“You are just getting started, why are you thanking me already? Save the gratitude for later.”
[Haha, got it. See you later.]
The brief call ended.
Senior Sangyeop’s voice was full of vitality. Despite being busy and tough, he seemed enthusiastic and energetic.
I put my phone in my pocket and got out of the car, and about ten students were walking in my direction.
Among them, I saw some familiar faces. It was none other than Minyoung and Kyeongil.
Kyeongil spoke to the students behind him.
“Do you know that the cafeteria in the Central Library at Hanguk University has the best food? I’ll treat you all today, so eat to your heart’s content.”
“Wow!”
“Senior, you’re the best!”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll enjoy the meal.”
Are they going to have a meal with their juniors?
Normally, I would have pretended not to notice, but it would be awkward to face them in this situation.
I quickly bowed my head, but at that moment, our eyes met. I pretended not to notice and motioned for him to pass by.
Kyeongil shouted out cheerfully for everyone to hear.
“Hey, Kang Jinhoo! What’s going on at school?”
“…”
This guy?
Minyoung, along with the juniors following behind, all stared at me at once.
I awkwardly raised my hand.
“Oh, long time no see.”
Kyeongil looked at the car and exclaimed.
“Wow! Whose car is this? Is this yours?”
Minyoung was also surprised.
“I didn’t know you had this hobby?”
The juniors also seemed puzzled. It seemed like they were all seeing a car enthusiast like me for the first time.
Minyoung first introduced me to the younger students.
“This is our fellow classmate Kang Jinhoo. Everyone, say hello.”
“Hello, senior.”
“Ni-nice to meet you.”
Now is not the time for greetings. Making a mistake could brand me as an otaku senior.
“That’s not it…”
I was trying to explain that it wasn’t my car, just borrowed for a moment, but a sharp voice cut in.
“Why do you have these things on your car?”
Brown hair, heavy makeup, big hoop earrings. A female student carried a Louis Vuitton bag in flashy and eye-catching attire.
On this cold day, she wore a short skirt with revealing thin clothes, nearly straight high heels, almost perpendicular to the foot.
Shouldn’t she have gone to the dance department instead of business management? Looks like a ballerina.
“You’re here too?”
She was my department junior, Lee Hye-mi.
Due to her pretty and flashy appearance, she was quite popular within the department, but our relationship wasn’t good.
It was because of a group project at the beginning of the semester. It overlapped with our major subjects, and our professor, who was also the department head, made it a substitute for the final exam. Everyone was enthusiastic about it. However, Hye-mi frequently skipped citing prior commitments. Even when she did attend, she didn’t prepare the materials properly.
As the group leader at the time, when I pointed this out, she just laughed it off with cuteness. While other classmates seemed satisfied, I couldn’t. I warned her that if she skipped one more time, I would remove her name entirely. She just laughed it off again and skipped again the next day, claiming she had something urgent.
In the end, I presented without her name on the day of the presentation. It was a pretty good presentation for a first-year, and thanks to it, most of the group received A grades. However, Hye-mi got an F.
After the lecture, Hye-mi made a scene, crying and causing a commotion. After that, even if they ran into each other in the classroom, they didn’t even greet each other.
Hye-mi openly sneered at me.
“Aren’t you ashamed of driving around like that?”
Actually, I am ashamed.
I sighed inwardly and replied.
“Why does it bother anyone how I decorate my car?”
“You should also consider what others think. It’s unpleasant for them.”
Fine, I get it’s embarrassing, but why do I have to care if it makes others feel bad too?
“What’s it to you if it makes others feel bad?”
Then, as if she had been waiting, Hye-mi continued.
“You don’t feel bad driving around with stickers that objectify women as sexual objects, as a woman yourself?”
What nonsense is this? How is this related to objectifying women?
When I didn’t respond, Hye-mi kept arguing.
“This is exactly what misogyny is. Aren’t you sorry for your female juniors?”
Why bring up misogyny here?
Come to think of it, back then didn’t she talk about misogyny when she removed names from our group assignment?
Baffled, Min-young murmured softly.
“Don’t pay attention to her. She’ll get over it in a day or two.”
Yeah, but it’s hard to adjust to this after a long time.
“Hasn’t anyone said anything around you?”
“Still, the guys accept it because you’re pretty.”
I nodded. Anyway, those guys who accept it just because she’s pretty are also a problem.
At that moment, the lights on the Bentley parked next to us turned on.
Beep beep!
Hye-mi waved her hand as if things were going well.
“Jun-hyung senior! Seon-ah!”
Seon-ah?
I turned my gaze. A man and a woman with their arms crossed were walking toward us.
With a small face, big eyes, a button nose, fair skin, and long hair, Seon-ah did not dress or wear makeup extravagantly, but had a beauty that captured attention at a glance.
Seon-ah’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw me.
I was surprised too.
There was a man next to her. The two of them stopped in front of the Bentley.
I had no desire to appear as if I wanted to show off driving a foreign car after succeeding, but I also didn’t want to run into them in this situation.
Looking back and forth between the white Bentley convertible and the red compact car with a game character sticker, I thought to myself,
Ah, I should have bought a car sooner······.
Ellie where are u T T