Chapter 3: Law and Politics, Politics and Law

Chapter 3: Law and Politics, Politics and Law

“Ah! Playing basketball after such a long time was really fun.”

I stretched towards the sky after changing into my gym clothes.

Playing basketball during high school... It felt like a dream.

It seems kids these days still enjoy running around.

Ah, Isn’t this an old man’s way of thinking?

“Right. Everyone seemed to enjoy it a lot. And you played really well.”

“Really? It’s a bit embarrassing when you compliment me like that.”

Hearing Eun-ha, who was sitting next to me, say that made me unexpectedly embarrassed.

I did want to hear compliments like ‘I was cool’, but saying that sort of thing was still a bit awkward between us.

“No, really! You played great! Are you in the basketball club, Han-gyeol?”

“No? I think it’s the literary club.”

“You think?”

Ah, that’s not good.

“I’m in the literary club. The literary club. Haha.”

“Oh... That’s unexpected. I heard there aren’t many people in the literary club.”

That’s Exactly what I thought.

Why did it have to be the literary club?

It was the same club I was in back in my original world.

“I’m planning to join another club this year.”

“Which one? The basketball club?”

“Well... It’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, so maybe not the basketball club. How about the library club?”

“Huh? The library club might be a bit boring for Han-gyeol, don’t you think?”

“There’s also a kind of stability that comes from that sort of boredom...”

“Haha! What’s that? You just sound like my other brother!”

Wouldn’t ‘being like family’ is a rather good approach?

“Haha! How old is your other brother?”

“Huh? He’s five years older than me. He was discharged from the military not too long ago.”

“I envy him.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Uh...?! No, I mean, I have to join the military someday, so I’m just envious of him having finished. Haha!”

Damn it. I had such a tough time in the military.

I even served an extra military shift for giving a deer some food!

Well, to be honest, I was a quartermaster, so it was relatively more comfortable than others.

But still, spending 1 year and 9 months locked up in the military was frustrating.

“Do you have any siblings, Han-gyeol? Maybe a sister?”

“No, I’m an only child.”

“I see... I heard that only children tend to be pampered and lack consideration. But I guess that’s just a stereotype.”

“Really? Sometimes there might be some truth to it, right?”

“Huh? When I look at you, Han-gyeol, I don’t get that impression at all.”

“Is that a compliment? Makes me feel good.”

“Yes. It’s a compliment.”

Seeing Eun-ha’s smiling face, my heart swelled with joy.

To think I’d get to witness Eun-ha’s vivid smile with my own eyes.

This was the most wonderful moment of my life.

Can life be this exhilarating?

“You seem mature, Han-gyeol.”

“Really? Shouldn’t you be saying I look like a high school student instead? Aren’t you saying I look old?”

“No, no! I wasn’t referring to your looks. I meant your behavior is mature.”

“Haha, I know. I was just kidding.”

“I take back what I just said.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I was kidding too.”

The lighthearted jokes and teases were truly enjoyable.

Having school meals after such a long time, experiencing physical education again, and the lively atmosphere of a classroom full of students... felt refreshing.

Wearing the attire called a school uniform and relishing this freedom made me exhilarated, as it had been so long.

The high school life I originally experienced was pretty tough.

“Speaking of maturity, isn’t Eun-ha even more mature?”

“Huh? What gives you that idea?”

“Um... because you’re kind?”

“Hehe, what’s that? Being kind makes you mature?”

“Yes. Being considerate of others is really tough.”N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapter's release on N0v3l--B1n.

“Thanks for the compliment. Shh- the teacher is coming in. Be quiet now.”

“So, calculus and statistics are now separate subjects?”

“Yes... But why?”

This was unbelievable.

In my time, both calculus and statistics were fundamental...

I was sweating bullets.

“Are you taking calculus too, Han-gyeol?”

“Huh? Probably?”

“In the past, you had to study calculus and statistics together!”

“Pa...past?”

“Yes. About 10 years ago maybe?”

“Hahaha - sounds rough.”

I’m from that generation...

“Well, it is what it is, right? We’re all students preparing for entrance exams, hehe.”

It was awkward.

Feeling a bit disheartened, I walked down the corridor.

“Hey! Eun-ha-!”

A girl called out Eun-ha’s name in a confident voice. Next to her stood a fairly handsome boy: The protagonists of this novel, Kang Seo-ha, and Yang Jung-yeon.

I ended up facing the last people I wanted to meet right in the middle of the hallway.

“Hello, Jung-yeon? Hi Seo-ha.”

However, Eun-ha waved with a bright smile.

Her consideration was always directed towards others, often sidelining her own emotions.

Even though she was smiling, I was certain her inner feelings were complicated.

“Hi, Eun-ha. It’s the first day of the new semester, but we only see you in the last period?”

This clueless protagonist greeted Eun-ha cheerfully, oblivious to her feelings.

If you’re going to reject, do it right... Idiot, there’s no way you can reject someone and then remain friends.

A pleasant rejection? There was no such thing.

A rejection was, after all, an act of pushing someone away.

But there was nothing I could do in such a situation.

“Who’s this?”

The dolphin, Eun-ha’s past rival, stared at me intently.

What are you looking at? You’re the one who took Kang Seo-ha away from Eun-ha.

She sure has a thick face. I should keep my distance.

What’s she trying to pull?

“Ah- This is Lee Han-gyeol, he’s in my class. We became quick friends on the first day. Haha...”

Eun-ha’s voice trailed off as she sneakily glanced at Kang Seo-ha.

The subtext was clear: ‘What would Seo-ha think, seeing me with another guy, especially after he just rejected me a few months ago?’

She was probably fretting over such unnecessary thoughts.

“Ah- Is that so? If you’re Eun-ha’s friend, we should get along. Hi? I’m Yang Jung-yeon.”

“Hello. I’m Lee Han-gyeol.”

“And this is my boyfriend, Kang Seo-ha.”

“Ah- Hello. I’m Eun-ha’s childhood friend, Kang Seo-ha. Let’s get along.”

“Yeah. I think I’ve seen you around the hallway a few times. Ah- but we need to head back to our classroom now.”

I hurriedly came to the point, not wanting to leave Eun-ha in such a place.

“Ah- sorry. It was nice to meet you both. See you later then?”

“Yes.”

“Take care, Jung-yeon, and Seo-ha.”

With Eun-ha’s farewell, Kang Seo-ha and Yang Jung-yeon walked in the opposite direction. However, as Eun-ha momentarily watched their retreating figures, her expression looked genuinely pained.

“Eun-ha, want some candy?”

“Huh? Didn’t we just have some?”

“I have a lot in my pocket. Here- have one.”

“Haha. I swear my teeth are going to rot.”

“If you brush well, it’ll be fine. Shall we go?”

As I took the first step, Eun-ha suddenly grabbed the hem of my clothes.

“Huh? What’s up?”

Eun-ha stared intently into my eyes for a moment before she spoke.

“Do you... know something? Is that why you’re being so considerate?”

This is bad.

--- End OF The Chapter ---

[TL: Kwandong Byulgok: It’s a famous Korean poem written by Jeong Cheol.

Three Kingdoms: It refers to the historical period during which the Korean Peninsula was divided among three rival kingdoms: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.

Heosaengjeon: It’s a satirical novel written in Chinese by Yeonam Park Ji-won in the late Joseon Dynasty to satirize the reality of Joseon at the time.

Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 3 chapters ahead of the release: /taylor007 ]