Chapter 38: Unspoken Bonds and Unexpected Consequences

Thus, Gajunsik continued his smooth journey as a repeat student.

Love is Necessary Even for Repeat Students was a visual novel that incorporated a stat system.

It required players to balance four stats: charm, academics, eloquence, and physical fitness.

Junsik mostly focused on raising his academic stats.

“Who needs charm as a repeat student?” he thought. That could wait until university.

Though in truth, focusing on charm only after getting into university would be too late, Junsik knew he couldn’t afford distractions.

If he neglected his studies now, it wouldn’t just be late—it would be game over.

He diligently balanced studying and exercise, maintaining his daily routine.

Time passed.

Spring arrived, bringing cherry blossoms and countless new couples.

Repeat students weren’t an exception to this phenomenon.

In fact, such relationships were more intense at prep schools than elsewhere.

Though not much different from high school, these classes grouped men and women who were technically adults together.

Not forming a relationship seemed more peculiar.

“Could it be that my face isn’t appealing enough?”

But Junsik remained an exception. For some inexplicable reason, he had no luck with women.

Noticing his downcast demeanor, Han Yurim piped up.

“In my opinion, it’s not your face but your personality that’s the issue.”

“What’s wrong with my personality?”

“You seem much older than your age, don’t you think?”

“I live quite youthfully, thank you very much.”

Junsik sighed. Over the past four months, the only person he had grown close to was this little girl.

Just then—

Tap, tap.

Someone tapped on his desk.

Looking up, he locked eyes with a girl with striking red-dyed hair.

“You’re Gajunsik, right?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“Are you interested in joining a study group? There’s one spot left, and I recommended you. Didn’t you get a perfect score on the third mock test for Korean?”

“Study group, huh…”

Junsik’s eyes drifted slightly to the side.

The little girl who had been swinging her legs stopped moving altogether.

Yeah, no.

“Sorry, I prefer studying alone,” he replied.

“Ah, okay. That’s too bad,” she said, leaving without making a fuss.

Yurim’s legs began swinging again.

She really is just a kid.

Later, another girl approached.

“So, uh… w-would you like to watch a movie together this weekend?”

“Sorry, I already have plans.”

Why is it that I can’t seem to connect with women? Fascinating.

The weekend arrived.

Gajunsik headed to the aquarium—with Han Yurim in tow.

“That’s a neon tetra,” Yurim said, pointing. “You might know it as the jewel fish.”

“Never heard of it.”

“And over there is a clownfish. You must be familiar with Pixar’s animated film.”

“Nope, haven’t seen it.”

While the “jewel fish” was new to him, even Junsik knew about Finding Nemo. However, he pretended not to, just to mess with her.

Of course, it didn’t work for long.

“That’s why I can’t talk to adults. They lack basic knowledge,” Han Yurim muttered, shaking her head.

“Look at you, trying to act superior,” Junsik replied, smirking.

As they walked further into the aquarium, Yurim’s small hands pressed against the large glass tank.

“Wouldn’t it be fun to live like a fish, swimming all day without a care in the world?” she mused.

“Sounds boring to me,” Junsik retorted.

“Well, it might suit you better. No one would expect much from you.”

“I can feel the respect radiating off you.”

“It’s not respect—it’s pity,” Yurim said with a teasing grin.

Despite their bickering, the aquarium visit went smoothly.

When they arrived at the penguin exhibit, Yurim’s eyes lit up.

“Penguins are fascinating creatures, don’t you think? They’re birds, but they can’t fly. Instead, they’ve perfected swimming.”

“Yeah, great role models for life goals,” Junsik said sarcastically.

“See? That’s your problem, Gajunsik. Always looking down on others,” Yurim shot back.

Their conversation was interrupted by a staff member announcing the start of the penguin feeding session.

The crowd gathered around, watching as the penguins eagerly dived and competed for fish.

“I feel like a penguin sometimes,” Yurim commented suddenly.

“What do you mean?” Junsik asked.

“Short, always trying hard, but never really soaring like others can.”

For a moment, Junsik didn’t have a witty response. Instead, he reached out and patted her head lightly.

“You’re doing fine, kid,” he said softly.

Yurim blinked in surprise but quickly shrugged it off.

“Save the cheesy lines for your nonexistent girlfriend,” she quipped, walking ahead.

As they exited the aquarium, the sun was already setting.

“Hungry?” Junsik asked.

“Of course. I’ve been spending all my energy educating you,” Yurim replied, puffing up her chest.

“Fine, let’s eat. What do you want?”

“Fried chicken,” she answered without hesitation.

With that, the two headed toward a nearby restaurant, their playful banter continuing.

It was an odd friendship, but it worked for them.

“Auntie! Five more boiled eggs, please!”

“Do you think I’m an easy woman who can be appeased with just boiled eggs?”

“Add some fried snacks too!”

“Now that’s a different story,” Yurim said with a satisfied nod.

The additional food arrived quickly—a hallmark of snack shops.

Yurim popped a warm boiled egg into her mouth and chewed happily.

Junsik leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. Somehow, he had managed to smooth things over.

[Visiting the world’s largest aquarium!]

The TV in the shop played a travel variety show. It wasn’t particularly interesting to Junsik.

Nowadays, everyone watches MeTube. Who even watches TV anymore?

But Yurim seemed to think differently.

Egg in hand, she stared at the screen, completely absorbed.

Junsik picked up his chopsticks and asked, “You like aquariums?”

“Do you think I’m a child? I’m not into such things,” Yurim replied dismissively.

“What do aquariums have to do with being a kid? If you want to go, just go. Besides, you clearly like it.”

Junsik casually replied, eating a piece of fried tempura.

Yurim spoke flatly, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Anyone who claims to like something they’ve never been to is a fraud.”

“You’ve never been to one?”

“This lady’s life is busy enough with just academics. There’s no time for such indulgences.”

“Want to go this time?”

At Junsik’s suggestion, Yurim clamped her mouth shut.

She fiddled with her chopsticks, poking at the tempura absentmindedly.

“Just studying all the time will fry your brain. You need to take a break sometimes,” Junsik pressed.

“…Still.”

“Consider it a treat. I’ll pay. It’s not even that expensive.”

“That’s not the issue. Anyway, I don’t want to go.”

“Why not? Do you already have plans this weekend?”

After a long pause, Yurim finally wore a resolute expression.

“No. I have plenty of time.”

“Then why are you acting so weird?”

“I’m contemplating how to punish you for teasing me.”

“Ha!”

Yurim immediately moved away from Junsik, crossing her arms protectively. Clearly, she felt threatened by his teasing.

Junsik ruffled her hair with a grin before standing up. The penguin show had ended, and it was time to grab a proper meal.

They entered a nearby family restaurant that Junsik had looked up beforehand. Yurim glanced around, wide-eyed.

It seemed to be her first time in such a place.

Feeling playful, Junsik decided to have a bit of fun. He pointed at the menu to order something decent and added a prank dish on the side.

Since he had gestured while ordering, Yurim had no idea what she’d be eating.

Soon, the waitress approached with the food.

It was a Salisbury steak and a children’s lunch set A.

The fried rice with a flag sticking out of it was especially fitting.

“Junsik.”

Yurim was a smart kid. She probably realized it was a prank as soon as she saw the food. Knowing how she would react, Junsik decided to stop the prank here.

“Sorry. Here, I’ll eat that, and you can have this Salisbury steak.”

“Thanks.”

Yurim carefully ate the fried rice, avoiding the flag with each scoop. She looked quite pleased as she did so.

“……”

Junsik ate the Salisbury steak. It tasted good.

It was good.

“Today was really fun.”

Along with her words, Yurim pulled out a children’s wallet from her pocket.

50,000 won. Exactly the amount for their outing today.

“It’s fine.”

“Take it. You can’t always let your friends pay, right?”

He refused the money from the kid.

There was an 8-year age gap. If he accepted it, he wouldn’t be human; he’d be a beast.

“Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

“Do you think I’m someone who can’t even find their own way home?”

“Just shut up and listen.”

Ignoring Yurim’s resistance, Junsik took her home.

With everything done for the day, Junsik returned to his dorm.

He was exhausted.

The moment he lay down on the bed, tiredness overwhelmed him.

His eyes closed, and he fell into darkness.

Brrring.

Late evening. It was closer to early morning now.

Junsik awoke to the sound of his phone ringing.

Still half-asleep, he answered the call, and a deep male voice came through the speaker.

[Did you do something strange with my kid?]

“Sorry, but what’s going on?”

[Did you lure my busy kid into wasting time with you? Can’t you hear me?!]

The other person was yelling. Normally, this would confuse someone. There was no context, no explanation.

But not Junsik.

As if he had expected this, he calmly replied.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve mentioned it earlier. We just went out for a bit, and I didn’t think about it.”

[You better get your act together. If this happens again, it’s the police. Got it?]

“I’m sorry.”

Brrring.

The call ended.

Junsik calmly put down his smartphone.

As expected.

Yurim’s home environment wasn’t exactly normal.