EAR Ch 35

“My mom is picking me up on the weekend, but if you come before her, I can leave then.”

Around 8 am should be good.

Okay, tell me the location.

Jaemin gave Seungpyo the academy’s name and address. The academy was located in a remote area, difficult to access without a car, to keep students isolated from the outside world.

He would have to call a taxi to get to the station, but he couldn’t use the phone, so it would be difficult to get a taxi. Moreover, to prevent students from leaving or going out without permission, the academy only allowed students to use prepaid cards charged by their guardians instead of cash. The cards could be used at the academy store but were just useless pieces of plastic outside the academy. It was worse than prison.

The door burst open, and the teacher who had left the classroom to take the call returned.

Closing messenger.

Jaemin left a short message, quickly logged out, and closed the social media window. The lecture continued playing through the speakers, and the teacher, as expected, didn’t seem particularly interested in what the lone student was doing. He returned to his seat without properly checking.

The rest of the time was tedious. Jaemin had already listened to the lecture he was playing and practically memorized the content. Still, he pretended to listen to the sound coming from the speakers, treating it as review, when he heard the teacher’s voice from behind.

“It’s been an hour. Do you want to use the study room longer?”

“No, I’m good.”

The dormitory room was still empty when he returned. Jaemin finally started unpacking his belongings. Although he planned to leave in a few days, he intended to enjoy the advantages of this place for the few days he was here. The scenery outside was beautiful, despite the remote location, so he decided to take a short walk outside and then come back to study. There was nothing else to do here anyway.

Before talking to Oh Seungpyo, he had felt utterly miserable, but after exchanging a few messages, his mood had brightened considerably. Since he planned to leave on the weekend, he didn’t unpack all the clothes from his suitcase. He only took out a few necessities and textbooks he had brought, placing them on the desk, and stared at them blankly.

One way or another, when he was in elementary school, life had been manageable for a child. The pressure related to grades and studying had begun in earnest in middle school. Back then, unable to shake off his desire to play, he had often cut corners without his parents’ knowledge.

But every time he was caught, he would be severely scolded. After a few such experiences, his desire to avoid getting scolded became stronger than his desire for immediate gratification, so he stopped doing things that could easily be discovered. He gradually became adept at pretending to be nonchalant and telling blatant lies.

Jaemin sometimes wondered if the adults around him had forgotten their childhoods or if they had never told a lie in their lives. When they couldn’t understand the restrictions imposed by adults, many children would lie instead of following the rules. It wasn’t just him; other students he met at school and the academy did the same. During casual conversations, they would exchange stories about how they tricked their parents or teachers, as if sharing war stories, a common occurrence.

Ryu Jaemin didn’t dislike studying. He could manage his grades and get into his target university without being stuck in a remote boarding school, even if he occasionally got distracted with Oh Seungpyo. He could show his parents that he could live the life they wanted for him.

He had never received particularly bad grades since entering high school, yet his father’s distrust wasn’t due to Jaemin’s shortcomings, but his father’s own issues. He had suspected it for a long time, but it felt complicated now that it had become a reality.

About a year and a half until high school graduation. He intended to live quietly, minimizing any trouble, and complying with his parents’ wishes as much as possible until he could leave home. They had promised to let him live independently like his sister once he went to college, so he just had to endure until graduation…

‘If my father doesn’t trust me, how can I trust him?’

Jaemin’s gaze, fixed on the desk, was cold. He thought about the word “run away” again, but his heart no longer pounded with anxiety.

Having finished organizing his belongings, Jaemin left the room to spend the day according to his plan. Having decided to escape, even the boarding school, which had felt like a prison he had been forced into, now looked different. Jaemin decided to think of this place, where he would be staying for a few days, as a resort with beautiful scenery. At least for today.

The next day, the dormitory bustled with activity. Jaemin, who had woken up early, met his roommate. He was a student who had asked his parents to send him to a boarding school because he couldn’t concentrate on his studies at home during the break.

“You tend to spend more time at home during breaks. I didn’t like my parents tiptoeing around me while I studied, and I got annoyed hearing them argue because of me, so I asked them to send me to a boarding school. I think I’ll be more comfortable here than at home.”

Another student nodded in agreement with his roommate’s words.

“I went to winter school during winter break too. I get too distracted at home. Here, the teachers manage us, and since it’s an academy, it’s more comfortable than being at home because there’s less to worry about.”

The students gathered for the orientation quickly became acquainted, sharing their stories before even exchanging names. They came from different regions, attended different schools, and had various reasons for being here, but quite a few of them said they came because they thought they would be more comfortable here than at home.

Jaemin silently felt relieved that he wasn’t the only one who found the unfamiliar academy dormitory more comfortable than the home he had shared with his family. When he had been alone in the empty room, he had felt like a terrible son and lonely, as if he had nowhere to go. But as he mingled with other students sharing similar stories, his guilt and loneliness dissipated, as if comforted by the thought that these were normal emotions anyone could feel.

“Hey, Ryu Jaemin. Long time no see.”

There was a student who recognized Jaemin at the remote academy. One of the indirect reasons for Jaemin being here. The son of his father’s friend, the former judge. He sat in the seat in front of Jaemin, turned around, and smirked.

“My dad always compares me to you, saying you study hard even on your own, but you’re here too?”

“I’m here because of your dad. Because he bragged to my dad about sending you here.”

“That damn alumni gathering needs to be stopped.”

The other student sighed, as if he understood, and pointed at Jaemin’s cheek.

“What happened to your left cheek? It’s a bit swollen.”

“It’s just morning swelling.”

Jaemin answered indifferently. It was barely noticeable now unless you looked closely, so it would probably be completely gone by the weekend when he met Seungpyo.

The students gathered at the boarding school, each with their own circumstances, received an orientation on the rules to follow during their stay, the daily schedule from 7 am to 11:30 pm, the layout of each special room and the entire academy, and the etiquette to be observed during meal and break times.

After the morning orientation, it was lunchtime, and after lunch, they immediately started mandatory self-study. As expected of a prestigious academy that only selected high-achieving students, the atmosphere in the study room was tense from the first day. Although he had been forced to come here, Jaemin didn’t dislike the tense atmosphere once he accepted the situation.

📚

Returning home late at night, Seungpyo’s older brother, Oh Seungyeon, found the living room lights still on. It wasn’t surprising, as his younger brother, Seungpyo, had been spending a lot of time lounging in front of the TV until late at night since the start of summer break.

“You’re back?”

Seungpyo, who had been sitting on the sofa, jumped up to greet his brother. Seungyeon threw his bag into his room and asked,

“Not sleeping yet? Even though it’s summer break, you still have to go to school. You’re going to doze off tomorrow.”

“Hey, how can I sleep before you’re home?”

Since when were they so close? The way Seungpyo approached him and spoke sweetly was oddly unnerving. Oh Seungyeon, heading towards the bathroom, looked at his younger brother, who had grown as big as a door, with suspicion. As expected, Seungpyo grinned and brought up the main topic.

“Can I ask you a favor?”

“I knew it. What is it?”

“I’m going to meet a friend this weekend and I want to stay overnight.”

“Go ahead. No problem.”

“But my friend isn’t in Seoul right now, so I have to go a bit far. Can you lend me some money? I don’t think I have enough.”

“How much?”

Seungpyo, his smile widening, replied,

“500,000 won.”

“Are you crazy? Hey, what high school student needs 500,000 won just to meet a friend?”

“You don’t know how it is these days, hyung. That’s how much everyone spends. And I need money for transportation too.”

“I graduated high school not too long ago, you know? Don’t try that with me… Just buy some cheap tteokbokki with your friend.”

“Who said I’m just asking for it? I’ll pay you back as soon as I get my allowance next month.”

Instead of answering, Seungyeon looked at Seungpyo with an even more suspicious gaze.

“Do you have a girlfriend? You need money for a date, right? Hey, if you want to date, wait until after early admissions next year. You were single all this time, and now you suddenly want to date?”

“It’s not a girlfriend. It’s a guy. I can prove it later. I need the money because I’m staying overnight.”

Seungpyo spoke confidently, his words devoid of lies. But Seungyeon shook his head.

“500,000 won is too much. 100,000 won.”

“How can I stay overnight with that? It’s peak season now, so places like pensions are really expensive.”

“Then go after you get your allowance. It doesn’t have to be this weekend.”

“Come on, just lend it to me.”

“I don’t have money either.”

“You can just take it from the household expenses. I’ll pay you back as soon as I get my allowance next week.”

“No.”

“Dad gave us that money to share! Why do you get to decide everything?”

Seungpyo’s father sent them each their allowance once a month and transferred the household expenses to the older brother’s account. As a result, Seungyeon, not Seungpyo, who was still in high school, controlled the household finances.

Their father, unable to spend much time with his sons, tried to alleviate his guilt by giving them generous allowances. Consequently, Seungpyo had more financial leeway than his peers and was a big spender. Lately, he had been spending his allowance even faster than usual, buying snacks with Jaemin and going out with him whenever they went to the academy.

He had enough money to meet and bring Jaemin back, but Gapyeong was one of the places they had talked about visiting together if they had the chance. Since they were meeting anyway, he thought it would be better to stay overnight and have fun together rather than just coming back right away.

That meant they would have to eat delicious food, go to aesthetically pleasing cafes, enjoy water activities, and pay for lodging. If their escape from the academy was successful, it would be their first overnight trip together, and he didn’t want to spend the night in a shabby guesthouse. Even if a hotel was out of reach, they should at least stay at a cute pension.

Seungyeon covered his ears, indicating he didn’t want to hear anymore, and headed for the bathroom. He hadn’t intended to go this far, considering their brotherly bond… Seungpyo sighed briefly and raised his voice at his brother’s back.

“I know you’re secretly saving money to buy a motorcycle without Dad knowing.”

“…….”

“If you don’t give me the money, I’ll tell Dad.”

Seungyeon, who had just been about to open the bathroom door, slowly turned around. His expression was murderous, as if he were facing his parents’ enemy.

“You sneaky bastard.”

Seungpyo didn’t flinch and scoffed.

“I’ll keep it a secret if you give me the money.”

“Where did you learn to be so manipulative? You were so cute when you were little. My brother’s future is so bleak.”

“If you keep stalling, I’ll raise the amount to 800,000 won. Deal?”

“Argh, I can’t even hit you!”

“Send it to my allowance account now.”

Seungpyo stuck out his tongue and went into his room, grumbling to himself. As if I didn’t know you were using the household money Dad gave us to share for your own selfish desires. This is so annoying. Maybe I should just not pay him back.

Whether it was because of his manipulation… no, negotiation skills, he received a text message notifying him of a 500,000 won deposit. Pleased with his success, Seungpyo grinned from ear to ear and began typing a message summarizing his day in the messenger window with Jaemin.

Jaemin wouldn’t be able to check it right away, but whether it was tomorrow or the day after, he, who was outside the prison… no, the boarding school, was always ready to answer Ryu Jaemin’s call.

Let’s hang out in Gapyeong when we meet this weekend.

I’m looking into good restaurants, cafes, date spots, and accommodations in Gapyeong.

All you have to do is have fun with me.

Let’s make this runaway adventure epic.

I miss you so much.

Sleep tight.

See you on the weekend.

After rambling on in messages that wouldn’t be delivered immediately, Seungpyo, still feeling unsatisfied, stared at the screen for a while longer before rolling onto his bed.

When Seungpyo was younger, whenever the adults made him do something he didn’t want to do, he would often run away and hide at a friend’s or neighbor’s house, stubbornly insisting that he would never talk to his dad again. Then, his father, aunt, or uncle would come to pick him up, embarrassed, with a small gift, and as he reluctantly followed them, they would pat him on the back and tell him to do as he pleased, in a tone that was more exasperated than angry.

Being suddenly dragged off to a boarding school during summer break would be enough to make him jump with anger. Ryu Jaemin’s father seemed to have a crazy streak. So Jaemin must be protesting. Lying on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, Seungpyo smiled again.

To think that Jaemin, at eighteen, would want to hide at a friend’s house and act spoiled. He really was a cute little rich kid. Seungpyo chuckled, hugging the pillow that Jaemin had used when lying on his bed. His heart fluttered with anticipation for the upcoming weekend.