Chapter 127.1: What Do I Want to Do? (2)

Kang Chan adamantly turned down Kim Hyung-Jung’s invitation to have dinner together before he left. The offer of delicious jjamppong was definitely tempting, but Kim Hyung-Jung’s current condition didn’t bode well for them lightheartedly enjoying a meal together.

Kang Chan suddenly felt as if his appetite had increased after living with a greedy and gluttonous foodie for a week.

Thinking of the foodie in question, he pulled out his phone.

-Where are you?

“I just made a quick stop by Samseong-Dong,” Kang Chan replied.

-Wait, really? Does that mean Mr. Kim already got discharged?

“Yeah, but he’s not in the best state right now. Anyway, have you had lunch yet?”

-It’s only eleven, sheesh. Hurry on over. I’ll be waiting in the underground parking garage, so let’s take a little trip to Suwon.?

“Suwon?”

-Suwon’s traditionally cut galbi ribs are to die for.?

Kang Chan snorted and got in a taxi right away. He estimated that he would arrive at their apartment complex in a couple of minutes since it wasn’t very far.

On the way over, he opened the box that he had just received and saw the various portable handheld transmitters that Kim Hyung-Jung mentioned meticulously organized within the box’s sponge layer.

‘This should do it for now.’

There had to be a reason why Vasili was coming to see him.

The upcoming battle wouldn’t involve shooting at each other. It was a war of information so the transmitters were more fitting than a gun. Since Kang Chan had made up his mind to fight in this contest, he would prepare everything he would need for the battle.

The moment he got off the taxi, he saw Seok Kang-Ho waiting on the road in front of the apartment complex with his car.

“You should’ve just waited for me inside the parking garage!” Kang Chan admonished.

“I took it slow and steady, and this much isn’t too hard for me to drive,” replied Seok Kang-Ho.

When Kang Chan sat behind the wheel, he noticed Seok Kang-Ho had already input their destination’s address in the car’s navigation system.

Fine, if you’re that desperate to eat, let’s eat!

Since the still-recovering Seok Kang-Ho insisted on having meat, Kang Chan decided to be generous and go along with it.

Kang Chan drove away, following the course the navigation system suggested.

“Is your face bloated or what?”

“Nah, I gained weight,” Seok Kang-Ho answered nonchalantly.

Kang Chan didn’t have anything to say to that.

On the way to Suwon, Kang Chan told Seok Kang-Ho about his conversation with Kim Hyung-Jung, then ordered him to take two of the handheld transmitters.

“The receiving transmitter set will be programmed into our phones, so tell your wife and daughter to always carry their transmitters around. Let’s not get stupidly taken by surprise like last time.”

“Does that mean you’ve officially decided to join the operation?” Seok Kang-Ho asked.

“Well, there’s not exactly any other way out, is there? It doesn’t feel right to turn down taking over for our deceased team members either. I don’t know what it is that Vasili wants, but we should take small steps to prepare for whatever lies ahead.”

Kang Chan then glanced at Seok Kang-Ho. “Didn’t you say you want to continue doing this type of work too?”

“Phuhu, you’re the best, Captain. I knew you’d look after me,” Seok Kang-Ho responded and let out his trademark laughter, expressing his satisfaction.

“Carefully think it over, all right? A single mistake or moment of hesitation can end you. Information warfare is a different type of battle than what we’re used to, so make sure you always keep your guard up,” Kang Chan warned.

“Got it, Cap. Let’s have a nice, hearty meal so we’ll have the strength to fight.”

The place that Seok Kang-Ho chose was located in front of a traditional folk village’s entrance road. The restaurant was massive, yet it was still filled to the brim with customers.

All the food items that Seok Kang-Ho recommended were absolutely tasty. Kang Chan thought he should come here with Kang Dae-Hyung and Yoo Hye-Sook sometime.

“Cap, are you going to school tomorrow?”

“Yes. I have no other choice because my parents know now,” Kang Chan replied as he scratched the edge of his eyebrow with his index finger.

Kang Chan felt as if he smelled like galbi after eating the meat that was slowly cooked over a charcoal grill.

“Let’s get something to drink before we head back.”

“Sure.”

There wasn’t any reason to say no.

Kang Chan and Seok Kang-Ho enjoyed some coffee together before driving back to Seoul.

***

On Tuesday evening, Kang Chan gave Lanok his answer. Their call didn’t last that long since they made arrangements for him to stop by the embassy after school on Wednesday. They would finish their conversation there.

Damn it!

He would have to wear his school uniform since he was going to school, so unless he wanted to lug a whole suit to class, he would have to stop by his house to change before heading to the embassy.

Kang Chan arrived at school at about ten in the morning. The school gates were closed, but the small door next to the security guard’s office was open. First-year students were playing with a ball out on the field.

The moment Kang Chan stepped in, the students who recognized him bowed in his direction even though he didn’t ask them to. Their faces were a mix of envy, respect, and a little trace of horror. Pretending not to see them, he made his way to the clubroom.

The door clunked open, and he was greeted by the distinct smell of sweat.

It was a relief that the students had at least cleaned up after themselves, or else Kang Chan would have thrown out all the sports equipment right that instant.

After briefly scanning the room, he headed to the teacher’s office.

The office was already quiet, but when Kang Chan entered, an even heavier silence descended on the room briefly before the room exploded with noise.

Teachers approached him to shake his hand and even take pictures with him.

Fine! You can take a few pictures as long as you don’t make announcements over the intercom.?

While Kang Chan was politely greeting his fans, the teacher who had been in charge of the school year’s opening ceremony quickly hurried over.

“Well, if it isn’t Kang Chan.”

“Hello, sir,” Kang Chan replied.

“The principal is waiting for you. Let’s get going.”

Kang Chan obediently followed him to the principal’s office.

As Kang Chan and the principal drank tea together, the latter encouraged him for a whole ten minutes to continue doing good things for the advancement of the school. Kang Chan managed to persuade him not to make an announcement on the intercom, but he had to take about five celebratory pictures with him.

Twenty minutes later, Kang Chan received his certificate of special admission from the principal’s office. Fortunately, it ended a lot faster than he had expected.

Now, he had some time to kill.

Should he wait until break and then stop by his classroom?

Kang Chan shook his head. He didn’t want to disrupt his classmates from their studies.

Ha.

He laughed at himself.

If he was being honest, the only reason he wanted to go to the classroom was because he wanted to see Kim Mi-Young.

‘That’s enough acting like an idiot, Kang Chan. Don’t be a coward and just go.’

Kang Chan got up from his seat in their clubroom. Unless there were extenuating circumstances, there wouldn’t be a reason for him to return to the school until graduation day once he left.

A lot had taken place in such a short amount of time.

Just then, the door clicked open, and Lee Ho-Jun entered wearing his tracksuit. He paused when he saw Kang Chan.

“You’re here?” Kang Chan greeted. He forced a relaxed expression. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in class?”

“I spoke to the school about wanting to be a sports major, so they allowed me to spend my class time exercising in the athletic club. That’s also what Heo Eun-Sil is doing.”

There was no reason not to believe Lee Ho-Jun. Kang Chan didn’t have to supervise them or pick at their words to confirm whether they were telling the truth.

He just wanted to go home quickly.

Just as he was about to stand up, the door opened again. This time, Heo Eun-Sil came in. Her face was bare of any makeup.

“When did you get to school?” Heo Eun-Sil asked.

“Just now,” Kang Chan answered.

“Great. I’ve actually been meaning to contact you.”

That had to be a sign that another problem was in the works. Nothing had happened after the clothes incident, and there was still the tab to be paid. Perhaps that was it this time.

“What are you thinking of doing for the school festival?” Heo Eun-Sil asked.

Kang Chan let out a heavy sigh as he watched Heo Eun-Sil hang a towel around her neck.

The victim was painfully lying in a hospital bed because all her bones were crushed, but the assailant’s greatest concern was what to do for a school festival.

“Heo Eun-Sil.”

Heo Eun-Sil quickly looked at him when his voice dropped multiple tones.

“You and Lee Ho-Jun know Shim Su-Jin, don’t you?” Kang Chan asked in a low voice.

They glanced at each other before turning back to Kang Chan.

“She recently attempted to commit suicide by jumping off a building. She barely survived. I heard you two harassed her horribly. Even though she transferred to another school, she couldn’t adjust and had to receive therapy. Even then, she still jumped.”

The two seemed to remember who Shim Su-Jin was.

“You two stay out of the school festival. As I said before, don’t seek forgiveness from me or the school. We’re not in the place to be handing that out. It’s the bullied students who have the right to forgive you.”

“How long do we have to do this for?”

“Until everyone forgives you,” Kang Chan replied.

“We can’t even find all of them.”

“Just continue living your life, and then when you come across news of your victims like now, go and apologize. Got it?”

Heo Eun-Sil looked down at the ground.