Chapter 146. < Friend. (2) >

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Translator: thursdays Editor: Yahiko

Yeah. Theres no rule saying I have to roll over and die!

Misfortunes can turn into blessings.

I thought this was the first time I felt true friends.h.i.+p since I entered high school.

They say that the person who reaches out to you in tough times is your true friend.

Yup. Looking back, I had been too arrogant.

People could make mistakes as they lived. As for me, I trusted the other kids too much! One of my friends stole the audio file of the recording, and I didnt consider how they could f.u.c.k me over.

Its fine. I still have many days left in my life.

I was only a second-year in high school. I would live another 60 years after this. I would continue to make mistakes in the future, and each time, I would face a frustrating crisis.

But there is always a chance to turn things around.

So I didnt have to be so discouraged. I shouldnt give up on everything too soon. I should believe in myself. I should believe in my friend! Unlike trash-like livestock, I was strong! I was a strong person!

Life is made of experiences.

And I should count this instance as a [good experience].

Im actually lucky that this happened before I entered society. Right, lets think like that. It isnt as if my business plan failed, either. I havent been caught by the police. Im just being bullied a little by the other kids. This will end once the election is over.

It really was a good life experience.

Ill also slip in an apology to my girlfriend. She wont like it if I say it upfront, so Ill do it subtly so that only people close to us will understand.

Mm. I could also say sorry to my customers for involving them in the problem.

The ones I really need to apologize to are the customers. Not Kim Yul. With Kim Yul, things will end with an apology whether or not he accepts it, but the customers could always become my clients again. Ill apologize to them sincerely.

On the day of the student council elections

I finally finished my magnum opus.

+

Greetings, everyone.

Im Hw.a.n.g Eunseo from Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5.

(Bow head.)

The reason Ive come up to the podium today even though Im not running in the election is because I have something to confess to everyone.

Students of s.h.i.+nseo High School!

Ive made a grave mistake.

I, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo, partic.i.p.ated in the bullying of a cla.s.smate.

(Pause for 2 seconds.)

When I saw my cla.s.smate being bullied, I didnt do anything to stop it. Instead, I joined the other kids in bullying him. I hit him while saying that we were just goofing around. I belittled him while claiming I was just joking.

(Sigh.)

s.h.i.+nseo High students.

Until now, I didnt realize it was wrong. I thought we were just goofing around and joking between friends. But goofing around shouldnt hurt people, and you shouldnt mock people with jokes.

The fact that I didnt recognize it was wrong.

That I hurt him and laughed at him unknowingly.

These were my gravest mistakes.

One of the candidates who is running for student council president helped me realize my mistakes. At first, I didnt listen to him. I said I did nothing wrong, that it wasnt wrong to joke around. But for two weeks, this candidate stayed in the cla.s.sroom after school to talk with me.

You have to apologize.

You can apologize.

If you apologize sincerely, your friend will forgive you

Im grateful.

(Look toward Cla.s.s Pres.)

Thanks to this candidates efforts and encouragement, I am able to confess my mistakes to my cla.s.smates and all students in this spot today.

Of course, my apology today will not heal the wounds my friend endured.

(Scan the audience.)

And all this time, Ive caused trouble for not just that friend but also for my other friends and many people at school. I spoke without thinking. I think there are many people who feel disappointed with me.

(Bow head to the audience.)

I did wrong.

(Say this while my head is still bowed.)

Im sorry.

(Put aside the speech notes here.)

(To show sincerity, stop reading from the paper!)

(Memorize this line by line! This is important!!)

From now on, I will never goof or joke around lightly again.

I will always think and think again.

I will not base my thoughts upon just myself but upon my friends and others.

(Reinforce the story. Evoke a setting.)

The friend that I bullied comes to school early every morning to go to the farm in the back. At the farm, he takes care of the chicks and rabbits that n.o.body else cares for.

Hes an earnest person. A truly kind person.

I feel deeply guilty for hara.s.sing such a sincere and kindhearted person.

(Promise to do something that shows my sincerity.)

After today, instead of this friendno, with this friend

I will go to school every morning at 6:30 to look after the animals. I will not skip a single day from today until the day I graduate. I wont take a break just because its a weekend or a holiday.

(Why? Give them a good reason.)

This isnt just an apology to my friend but also a reminder to reflect on my mistakes every day.

(Lol.)

Apologizing once here wont erase my sin. As it shouldnt. Students of s.h.i.+nseo High School! If I miss a single day, please rebuke me.

I havent changed yet. But I want to change. I want to thank Candidate 2 for helping to change me.

(It should be better to refer to his number than his name, I think??)

Students of s.h.i.+nseo High School.

Candidate 2 made me come up here today. He convinced me. It took him two weeks to do it, but he spent that time persuading one student.

(Emphasize the two.)

This isnt mere verbal communication but true communication, true understanding. Communication takes effort. Communication takes time. Communication is changing the people around you.

(Never look down at the speech, and dont falter.)

(Make eye contact with each and every person.)

Candidate 2 is a candidate who puts in the effort.

A candidate who will lend you time.

A candidate who changes those around him.

(Wrap it up.)

I dont know how you all will remember your school days.

But for me, I want you to remember your school days as happily as possible. I wish for you to remember them fondly. But for all of us to be happy and enjoy ourselves, we cant make anyone else suffer.

For an even slightly better school life.

For our school days to be even a little more enjoyable.

Please vote for Candidate 2.

(Step away from the microphone.)

(With my raw voice. Loudly.)

Kim Yul!

Im sorry for all this time!

Im really sorry!

I wish you the best in the future!

(Bow my head to apologize and end.)

(Exit.)

+

It was perfect.

Mm. Good. Its fine the cla.s.s president commented.

Fine? Was this level just fine? His eyes must have been strained. Very strained. This wasnt fine. It was a masterpiece. Couldnt he see how many psychological techniques I put into this?!

But Im a generous person, so I let this slide. Whew.

Theres quite a lot of things that you have to memorize. Can you do it?

Of course. I memorized it all last night. I can do it with my eyes closed.

How reliable, Hw.a.n.g Eunseo. Ive made one good friend.

The cla.s.s president patted my shoulder. b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Then lets do the rehearsal check first

The cla.s.s president was planning to present his campaign promises and visions in a slideshow. That meant that the auditorium had to be darkened. Luckily, the auditorium could turn dark after you pressed a b.u.t.ton and waited for a while for the curtains to fall.

During the rehearsal, my girlfriend met my eyes.

Hmph.

She pretended not to know me, but I bowed my head deliberately. I was making this pose to apologize to her. Then, her eyes rose up like she was surprised.

Just wait.

In my mind, I smiled.

Im making a comeback today.

It was time for the election speeches.

All students gathered in the auditorium. The room was teeming with them. My girlfriend seemed anxious. She paced around in the back of the auditorium.

The cla.s.s president, on the other hand, was stoic. He sat upright in his chair like he wasnt nervous at all. Even I was a little nervous; his nerves had to be crazy strong.

Hey. Arent you nervous?

No, murmured the cla.s.s president.

Nervousness is for the unprepared. For today, Ive Ive prepared so much. How often did I dream of a stage and a day like this? I wont let nerves ruin it.

His voice was chilly.

.

For a moment, the back of my neck felt cold. That was how frosty the cla.s.s presidents voice was. We had hung out together after school for a few days, but this was the first time the cla.s.s president used this sort of tone.

Whats up with him? Even though hes also acting different from usual.

Weirdly, I felt like Id been rebuked, so I just stood around awkwardly. That was when someone approached us.

Y-you there.

It was a familiar face.

Its about time to start Hand over the USB

The broadcasting club president who had tried to threaten me not long ago looked jumpy. He cowered back when he met our eyes. Ha. Maybe he felt guilty for treating me so poorly.

Yeah. Here you go.

The cla.s.s president handed a USB to the broadcasting club president.

He received it with trembling hands.

I-I just have to open the file in this, right?

Yes. Just do it like we did in [rehearsal].

Like we did in rehearsal Then

Then, your part will be over.

The cla.s.s president looked straight up at the broadcasting club president.

What? Is there anything else I need to take care of?

No! T-there isnt! I was just asking. Sorry! Good luck!

The broadcasting club president scrambled down the stage platform. Below the platform, there was a mess of broadcasting equipment such as laptops and projectors.

Huh?

The broadcasting club presidents behavior was totally suspicious. He had always been a weirdo, but he hadnt stuttered like that.

Now, a word from the princ.i.p.al.

But there wasnt time to investigate his weird behavior. The princ.i.p.al and the chair of the election committee (the president of last years student council came out as the representative) spoke one after the other. The auditorium, which had been noisy because of all the students, soon became quiet.

Then, Candidate 1, please come forward.

My girlfriend gave her speech first.

As the cla.s.s president predicted, she went all out on the promises. Her whole speech was about costly pledges. But my girlfriend was rich enough to keep her word, and most of the students knew it well.

Its simple but powerful.

She exited the stage to thunderous applause.

Its fine. Well win as long as I can act well. No, actually, the cla.s.s president doesnt need to win. Its fine so long as I do well. The important thing is to apologize to Kim Yul in front of the student body. Then, the kids will say [thats enough] and

I took a deep breath.

Candidate 2, please come forward.

.

I looked back.

The cla.s.s president was watching.

He nodded at me.

Good.

Lets go.

Ill act my heart out.

I stepped up to the podium. With each step I took, I felt the weight of the gazes on my body increase. Thump. Thump. I desperately quenched my racing heart.

Whirrr

Thick curtains moved to block out the sunlight. The auditorium was shrouded in darkness. As the broadcasting club president adjusted the projector, a bright light illuminated the stage. Dust particles glistened in the air where the rays of light pa.s.sed.

Hundreds of eyes.

Hundreds of breathing sounds.

Greetings, everyone.

I.

Slowly opened my mouth.

Im Hw.a.n.g Eunseo from Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5.

Then.

The reason Ive come up to the podium today even though Im not running in the election is because I have something to confess to everyone.

I followed up with a masterful speech.

Oh.

Once I set the mood, my nerves washed away. No. The tension was still there. But my excitement for acting overcame my nervousness, allowing my tongue to move freely.

This will work.

My voice became louder and quieter as I willed it.

This will work!

My expression wasnt stiff, either.

I could feel my facial muscles moving naturally.

f.u.c.k! Its working!

Come to think of it, I produced countless videos. I acted as the director and producer of the Kim Yul game. That was also indubitably art and a stage. I had become the greatest actor at s.h.i.+nseo Middle and High School.

s.h.i.+nseo High students! Until now, I didnt know it was wrong!

Bullying was a sensational topic. Combined with my acting skills, even the third-year students who were uninterested in the speeches were looking at me.

I did wrong.

All of the students were looking at me.

Im sorry.

I could grasp the sounds of their breathing in my hands like they became a stream.

I havent changed yet. But I want to change!

Look. Look at me. Hw.a.n.g Eunseo is not dead yet. I wont die.

The sound recording was strangely leaked, but that was a mistake. I could easily cover up a mistake like this. I was a magnificent person. If I look back, wouldnt my girlfriend also look at me in wonder?

Please, please vote for Candidate 2.

I took three steps back from the microphone and shouted.

Kim Yul!

I was confident in my victory.

Im sorry for all this time! Im really sorry!

I bowed my head to where the students of Grade 2, Cla.s.s 5 were sitting.

I wish you the best in the future!

There was silence.

Then, a small sound that broke the silence in the auditorium.

Clap.

Applause came from the direction I bowed my head to.

Clap clap, clap, clap.

Kim Yul was standing up, clapping his hands. Yup. It was Kim Yul. The person to whom I was supposed to apologize and by whom I was supposed to be forgiven was giving me a standing ovation. Though Kim Yuls expression was blank and his applause was unenthusiastic, his standing ovation could mean only one thing.

Forgiveness!

Thanks to Kim Yul taking the lead, the other students also started to applaud. Clapping was contagious. The students clapped their hands like they had seen a good performance, like it was all right to stop what they had been doing. Even the teachers were clapping.

Kugh!

Tears streamed down my face.

Thank you!

It wasnt that I was grateful for Kim Yuls forgiveness. Who cared if Recycling forgave me or not? It was me. I fell from grace, but I was proud to have crawled back up with my own power.

Thank you, me! Thank you for not giving up! Well done!

Clap clap clap clap

Thank you all, too!

Clap clap clap, clap, clap clap

Thank you for getting swept away in the atmosphere! Thank you! Please continue to be sheeple! Even after you graduate and enter society as an adult, please stay as livestock forever!

I was grateful to everything in this world.

-Uh.

A sound flowed out of the auditorium speakers.

-Sunbae-nim.

The applause did not let up. The sound coming from the speakers was initially buried by the noise. However, the broadcasting club president adjusted the volume, and the sound became louder.

Is it okay to take pictures of this?

I wiped away my tears. I wasnt sure, but it seemed like the broadcasting club president was playing a video. I turned around, and I saw a certain video being projected on the dark walls of the auditorium.

-Dont worry about it.

A familiar face appeared in the video.

-Im just gonna show a few people and delete it.

It was me.

.

Huh?

-h.e.l.lo, dear guests. Today is the return of the long-awaited Kim Yul TV. Ah, but Ive received many notes saying that Kim Yul TV is tacky. I agree!

I couldnt believe my eyes.

In the video, I was holding my camcorder and recording my face. I was filming Kim Yul. It was from before the [game] had begun in earnest. The kids were having fun, messing around with Kim Yul.

-But I dont have a good sense for naming things. Haha. Everyone! I would be grateful if you could submit a name for the series directly with a note!

What?

-Now, lets keep the introduction short. How will we play with Kim Yul today? Many people made suggestions. Among those who put in an entry today, the one who won the honor is Tada!

All of the students gathered in the auditorium were buzzing.

-Queen!

The teachers stared at the video.

-Congratulations! Ah, lets announce Queens request. Quickly moving. Quickly. A-ha. Prepare two banana milk drinks. Put a centipede in one of them, and in the other

I was turning white.

Hw.a.n.g Eunseo, you crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d! someone shouted.

It was my girlfriends voice.

My girlfriend, who had gone back to her seat after her speech, stood up and screamed.

You crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Nutjob! You b.i.t.c.h

I couldnt hear my girlfriends voice very well.

My head was simply blank.

Instinctively, I turned my head to look at the broadcasting club president.

.

He had his head bowed low and was holding a mouse connected to a laptop.

I turned away again.

This time, I looked at the cla.s.s president.

.

The cla.s.s president was smiling.

.

It was a very kind smile.