ETP Ch 30

What should I do?

Sungyeon sat dazed in the empty lecture hall after the last exam. If his premonition was right, he’d be lucky to avoid a D, let alone get a scholarship.

What good was memorizing past exams if he couldn’t apply the knowledge?

He ran a hand over his tired face, blaming his fried brain, when suddenly…

“Bokseung!”

“We thought you left with us, but you were still here?”

The ever-energetic Beagle Trio burst into the lecture hall.

On a day like this, he felt like going home to rest before his part-time job, but that excuse wouldn’t work on them. They’d been waiting for the exams to end.

The three of them, carefully including Bokseung, headed to a samgyeopsal (pork belly) restaurant near the main gate.

Several tables were already occupied by customers enjoying day drinking. The flushed, youthful faces and boisterous atmosphere suggested they were all students who had finished their exams.

Among them, one group stood out. Each member was large and loud, drawing glances from everyone.

Naturally, the Beagle Trio and Sungyeon couldn’t help but look, and Sungyeon was particularly surprised to see a familiar face among them.

“Huh?”

Sungyeon let out a sound of surprise, recognizing Sunjung’s face, which stood out even within the already noticeable group.

His large build, cheerful laughter, and bold gestures, along with an unmistakable leader-like aura, made him easily recognizable.

What’s someone on hiatus doing all the way out here by the school? Is this place a famous restaurant?

The option that he might be there to see his classmates never even occurred to Sungyeon.

After excusing himself from his friends, Sungyeon approached Sunjung’s table.

“Hello, Sunbae-nim.”

He had to greet him, especially since they had made eye contact. Greetings were basic etiquette for anyone living in Korean society.

“Whoa?!”

Sunjung turned his head at the quiet greeting from his left. He saw a small, round face. Or rather, Bokseung’s usually round face, now looking half its size.

Sunjung’s eyes widened, and he abruptly stood up.

“Bokseung! What happened to your face?! Why is it so gaunt?!”

Not only did a large body suddenly block his view, but a massive hand grabbed his cheek. Sungyeon couldn’t help but frown at the unexpectedly strong reaction.

It was followed by a shout loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.

Sungyeon slightly regretted not waiting until he was leaving to say hello.

“I’ve been pushing myself a bit because of exams. Is it that bad?”

“Huh?! Even if it’s exam period! Where did all the food I fed you go? Huh? I’m so upset!”

Sunjung pouted as he patted not only Bokseung’s cheeks but also his shoulders and arms.

Feeling like he was being pawed by a bear, Sungyeon also pouted. It hurt like hell.

And their interaction was being watched in real-time by everyone in the restaurant. A bear-like man fussing over a small guy like that was bound to pique curiosity.

“It’s not that bad.”

Sungyeon forced a smile and turned his head.

At the end of his gaze were the Beagle Trio, staring at him with sparkling eyes.

I’m in trouble.

Hoping Sunjung would let him go, Sungyeon pulled his arm free from his grip.

“Are you here with your friends today?”

“Yes, today was the last day of exams.”

“Really? Are those guys your friends?”

Sunjung jerked his chin toward the Beagle Trio. They widened their eyes upon meeting Sunjung’s gaze.

Then they bowed their heads repeatedly in greeting. He clearly didn’t seem like someone they could greet casually.

Sunjung casually acknowledged their greetings with a wave of his hand and then proceeded to ruffle Bokseung’s hair roughly.

With the force of nearly bending him over, a small groan escaped Bokseung’s lips.

“Ow! Sunbae-nim!”

Chuckling at the whiny complaint, Sunjung smoothed down Bokseung’s ruffled hair.

“Bokseung, eat your fill with your friends! I’ll pay for the meat!”

“Huh?!”

This wasn’t why he said hello. Sungyeon waved his hands in a flustered manner. He hadn’t even paid him back for the dinner last time; he couldn’t accept another free meal.

“It’s okay. And I’ll get all of this back from Hwang Yoohyun, so don’t worry.”

Huh?

Why are you buying me food but getting the money from Hwang Yoohyun Sunbae-nim?

Ignoring Sungyeon’s silent question, Sunjung gently pushed Bokseung back towards his friends, telling him to go.

Propelled by Sunjung’s firm hand, Sungyeon called out desperately.

“Sunbae-nim, you really don’t have to buy for us! You know that, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll take care of it. Go on!”

Sunjung’s reply was unconvincing. Sungyeon returned to his friends with a lingering unease and sat down.

Naturally, the Beagle Trio’s curiosity focused on Bokseung. The three of them watched him carefully and then spoke simultaneously.

“Who was that?”

“Who was that?”

“Who was that?”

Sungyeon found their synchronized, identical question endearing. They looked like baby birds waiting for their mother to bring back food.

“A Sunbae I know.”

“A Sunbae? From our school?”

“Yeah. He’s not in our department, he said he’s in engineering.”

The Beagle Trio nodded at Bokseung’s meek reply.

Indeed, if a Sunbae with that kind of presence were in the same department, they wouldn’t have missed him until now.

“Surprisingly, Bokseung knows a lot of Sunbaes?”

“Yeah, what happened during summer vacation?”

The three tilted their heads.

Sungyeon had no easy answer to their question. If he said he got to know him through Hwang Yoohyun, he’d be bombarded with “Why?” questions.

Just as Sungyeon was forcing a smile and taking a sip of water…

“Here’s your food.”

A staff member arrived with a tray laden with meat and various side dishes.

Sungyeon’s eyes widened as he asked his friends.

“You already ordered?”

“No way.”

“We wouldn’t order without you!”

After exchanging bewildered looks, Jihoon pointed at the staff member’s tray.

“We haven’t ordered yet, I think you brought the wrong order!”

However, the staff member continued to unload the meat onto their table, replying,

“The gentleman at the table next to you placed the order for you. Five servings of samgyeopsal, three servings of pork neck. And the kimchi stew with pork ribs will be out in a bit. He said to take your drink orders separately, up to 50,000 won. What would you like?”

The four of them gaped at the staff member’s explanation. What was with this systematic and thorough order?!

Sungyeon stood up to confront Sunjung about the unauthorized order. Just as he was about to leave the table, he caught sight of Sunjung’s large back as he made his escape.

“Sigh.”

With Bokseung’s short legs, there was no way he could catch up to Sunjung. Sungyeon sighed briefly and sat back down.

The Beagle Trio busily shifted their gaze between Bokseung and the sizzling meat.

Sungyeon, not wanting to ruin the mood, picked up the tongs.

“I’ll thank Sunbae-nim separately later. Let’s eat first!”

At Sungyeon’s suggestion, the Beagle Trio immediately grabbed their chopsticks. Their brains were starved after the exertion of exams.

Meanwhile, Sunjung, after quickly paying the bill while Bokseung and his friends were still bewildered, called Yoohyun as soon as he left the restaurant.

The phone rang exactly 21 times before Yoohyun answered.

“Hey!!”

Sunjung yelled without preamble, not forgetting to grumble about how long it took him to answer despite having nothing to do.

—…….

“Damn, you must have cobwebs in your mouth.”

After hurling a string of curses at the silent Yoohyun, Sunjung let out a sly chuckle.

“Heh, you know what I just did?”

As expected, there was no reply.

“I just bought Bokseung and his friends dinner at a restaurant near the school!”

—The hell, why did you buy him dinner?

Bingo!

It was the reaction he expected. Sunjung chuckled and briefly explained the situation. Still, Yoohyun clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“I’m going to your place now.”

—Okay.

Normally, he would have cursed at him and told him to stay away, but the fact that he agreed to come over after hearing about Bokseung was hilarious.

Ding!

A notification arrived as soon as he ended the call.

[Deposit: Bank Transfer Hwang Yoohyun 200,000 won]

“This crazy bastard.”

Just as he’d told Bokseung, he’d gotten Hwang Yoohyun to pay for the meal.

Sunjung laughed heartily for a while, looking at the bank notification. His steps were light, feeling like he’d just won a small victory. His classmates in the restaurant were already forgotten.