A Terrible Senior - Chapter 3

2023.01.09.

Tuesday, 9 AM, and the Understanding Chinese Characters class had just ended.

As Sarang packed her bag, the male student sitting beside her struck up a conversation.

“Are you a freshman by any chance?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“I’m a freshman too. I messed up my course registration and ended up here alone. I figured it’d be nice to make a friend.”
His friendly approach made Sarang smile.

“We’re both freshmen, so can we drop the formalities?” he asked.

“Sure,” she agreed, nodding enthusiastically. Spending time with another new student seemed like a good idea for the semester.
“I’m Jung Yun-jae from Physical Education.”

“I’m Lee Sarang from Electrical Engineering.”

“Wow. Just hearing that major gives me a headache,” Yun-jae chuckled, shaking his head, prompting Sarang to respond.

“For me, it’s sports that’s the challenge. I’m terrible at it! So, what’s your main sport?”

“People usually assume we’re all athletes in PE, but I actually got in through the non-athletic track. I used to be a swimmer in middle school but had to stop due to an injury.”

“Oh, I see.”

As they left the classroom, Yun-jae continued chatting.

“Did you also have trouble with course registration?”

“No, I just like Chinese characters, so I signed up.”

“You really do seem to like things that are a bit brain-bending, huh?” he teased, scrunching up his face, making Sarang chuckle.

“Mind if I get your phone number?”

“Huh?”

She looked up at Yun-jae, who was much taller than her. Despite his sturdy build, he had a gentle expression. Sarang wasn’t shy by nature, but she was impressed by his friendliness.

“If it’s too much, no worries.”

“No, it’s fine.” Sarang held out her hand, and Yun-jae handed her his phone. She entered her number and returned it, noting how common it was to exchange numbers now that the semester had begun.

“Thanks. If you ever need anything, feel free to reach out. Though, it’ll probably be me needing help!” he said with a laugh, scratching the back of his head.

Since the engineering and PE buildings were in the same direction, they walked together until they reached a fork in the path.

“Is the food any good at the engineering building cafeteria?” he asked.

“It’s alright,” she replied.

“The food at the PE building’s cafeteria is actually better than most places. You should try it sometime. I’ll treat you; I’ve got plenty of meal tickets from the seniors.”

“Alright, sounds good.” Sarang smiled and nodded, feeling as if they’d known each other longer than they had—Yun-jae had a knack for making people feel comfortable.

“Take care, then,” he said, waving as he headed toward the PE building.

“Bye,” Sarang replied, heading off to her next class at the engineering building.

After finishing an introductory class with her friend Ji-woo, Sarang realized she was starving. With all her classes starting at 9, she’d been eating breakfast early, leaving her ravenous by lunchtime.

“Let’s grab lunch. I can’t hold out any longer,” Sarang suggested.

Though there were better restaurants outside of campus, she didn’t have the energy to go far. She just needed something to fill her up quickly.

“Yeah, I’m starving too,” Ji-woo agreed, and they climbed the stairs to the second-floor cafeteria. After ordering identical Korean meals, they collected their trays and sat down.
Just as Sarang was about to take a big bite, Do-han and his friend Tae-hoon sat down across from them.

It was the same Do-han who’d been nicknamed “Relentless” during freshman orientation.

That day, Ji-woo had been in the same group as Tae-hoon, and she’d started to like him. Because they’d become friends, Sarang had learned a bit about Do-han through Ji-woo. Apparently, Tae-hoon had gotten in after three tries and met Do-han in a general education class last year after returning from military service. Despite being in different majors, they had bonded over being the same age.

Sarang also discovered that Do-han was her neighbor, living in the building next to hers in a street full of small apartments. She took this as a sign.

“Oh! Hi there,” Ji-woo greeted them first, and Sarang followed with a polite nod.

Since Tae-hoon was in the same department, they’d crossed paths in the engineering building before.

“Hey, it’s great running into you here.”

“Do you guys usually eat at the engineering cafeteria?” Ji-woo asked.

“The student union cafeteria is better, but it’s too far, so we usually end up here,” Tae-hoon replied.

Listening to their conversation, Sarang thought she should start eating here more often. She might get to see Do-han at lunch, making it her favorite place to eat on campus.

The food in her mouth tasted even sweeter until Ji-woo asked a sudden question.

“By the way, Sarang, who was that guy?”

“Who?” Sarang asked, confused.

“The tall, fit one you were walking with earlier,” Ji-woo clarified, noting how odd it seemed to see Sarang chatting with a guy she’d never seen before. She had meant to ask before class but had forgotten when the professor arrived.

“Oh, a friend from my Understanding Chinese Characters class.”
Sarang hesitated, unsure how to categorize Yun-jae. Calling him “a person” felt strange, and “a guy” seemed too direct, so she simply said “friend.”

“A friend? Wow, Sarang, are you already dating a guy?” Ji-woo’s voice rose with excitement, making Sarang frown.

“Not a boyfriend, just a friend. We happened to sit next to each other, and we were both taking the class alone, so we introduced ourselves.”

“Exchanging phone numbers, too?” Ji-woo teased.

“How did you know?” Sarang responded, surprised.

“You did say you’d start dating once you got to college. I’m impressed!”

Feeling frustrated, Sarang was about to deny it when Tae-hoon, sensing an opportunity to tease, joined in with a playful grin.
“Sarang, is that why you came to college? To find a boyfriend?”
“Well, not exactly, but…” Sarang stammered.

“Is he in PE? He’s definitely got the build for it,” Tae-hoon interrupted, not giving her a chance to defend herself.

Sighing in resignation, Sarang gave up trying to explain.

“Yeah, he’s in Physical Education, but he’s not an athlete. He used to be a swimmer in middle school but had to quit because of an injury. That’s why he got in through the non-athletic track,” Sarang explained.

“Wow, you two must be pretty close for him to tell you all that.”

“He told me, so I know. Today was the first time we met, so it’s not like we’re close.”

“And you gave your phone number to a guy you just met. Is he good-looking?”

With Tae-hoon joining in, Sarang was feeling overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Do-han quietly continued eating, showing no interest in the conversation, which stung Sarang just a bit.

Ji-woo, noticing her friend’s discomfort, answered Tae-hoon’s last question for her.

“He seemed pretty decent from a distance. What’s the PE guy’s name?”

Sarang, who had been glancing at Do-han, now answered softly.

“Jung Yun-jae.”

“Let’s all hang out sometime; he seems like he’d be fun to meet,” Tae-hoon suggested.

Sarang forced a smile, hiding the pang in her chest.

After they finished eating and headed downstairs, the group chatted about their next classes until Tae-hoon pointed someone out to Do-han.

“Isn’t that Park Hye-ri?”

She was a familiar face around the engineering building, often seen coming to meet someone.

Following Tae-hoon’s gaze, Do-han stopped when he spotted Hye-ri. When their eyes met, she hesitated for a moment before approaching.

“Oppa, are you done with class?” she asked cautiously, seeming a bit hesitant as she glanced at Tae-hoon, Ji-woo, and Sarang.
“What’s up?” Do-han replied with his usual impassive expression.
“I’m not feeling well. If you’re free, could you walk me home?” Hye-ri asked, looking apologetic. Her face was pale, and she truly seemed unwell. The others looked at her with concern, worried she might collapse.

After taking a brief look at her, Do-han turned to Tae-hoon.

“I’ll catch you later.”

“Huh? What about your class…?”

“I don’t think I’ll make it.”

“What?”

Tae-hoon’s face showed his disbelief—missing class for something like this? Surely, he could just call a taxi for her instead of escorting her himself. Still, with Hye-ri looking so sick, he couldn’t very well argue. Left with no choice, they watched Do-han and Hye-ri walk away.

“Is she Do-han oppa’s girlfriend?” Ji-woo asked.

Hye-ri didn’t look like a freshman; she had a mature vibe. Her chestnut hair cascaded to her shoulders in loose waves, and her light makeup accentuated her natural beauty. She was the kind of girl other women found attractive too.

“No, she’s just someone he knows.”

“Doesn’t seem like she’s in engineering.”

“She’s in Korean Literature, second-year.”

Ji-woo was a bit surprised; she’d guessed Hye-ri was at least a junior, maybe even a senior. Next to her, she and Sarang felt more like high schoolers.

“Are you close with her too?”

“No. I actually don’t like her.”

“Why? She’s pretty.”

“Does being pretty mean I have to like her?”

“Well, not necessarily…”

It surprised Ji-woo; most guys didn’t dislike pretty girls, but Tae-hoon seemed genuinely unimpressed.

“Anyway, she’s not his girlfriend. They’ve never dated,” he added, but he didn’t elaborate since he didn’t know the full details of their relationship.

“But if she’s not his girlfriend, why is he walking her home? Do-han oppa doesn’t seem like the type to be that nice to just anyone.”

“Exactly. I don’t know why he’s like that only with her.”

“Why is his nickname ‘Relentless’? Is it just because of his name?”

Ji-woo asked, and Sarang looked at Tae-hoon, curious to hear his answer.

“Do you know why Do-han is a second-year at twenty-six? I’m only a third-year because it took me three tries to get in, but with him, it’s different.”

They shook their heads, and Tae-hoon continued.

“He originally went to Korea University.”

“Korea University?”

Ji-woo and Sarang’s eyes widened. While their university was prestigious, Korea University was on another level, a place for only the brightest students.

“Yeah, he went there for three years, then retook the college entrance exam and transferred here. Not even as a transfer student—he quit and reapplied.”

“Why…? Korea University’s engineering program is much more renowned.”

They couldn’t understand why he would leave such a prestigious school.

“When I asked him why, do you know what he said?”

“What did he say?”

“He said he liked our campus better.”

“What?”

They both frowned, confused by his answer.

“I’ve got a friend in computer engineering at Korea University, so I looked into it. Do-han is pretty skilled. Back in high school, he’d already developed apps and was making money. I don’t know why a guy like him would transfer here and take the college entrance exam like it’s just a regular test. Meanwhile, I had to try three times just to get in here. That’s why he’s called ‘Relentless.’”

Ji-woo and Sarang nodded in agreement. Their time as students preparing for college entrance exams had been grueling, so taking the exam again voluntarily was unimaginable.
“That’s why I call him that, but apparently, he’s had that nickname since he was a kid. I guess he was intense even back then. He’s hard to approach—always serious and cool, and a bit distant. But once you get to know him, he’s a great friend. He’s good at everything and loyal, too. But as a boyfriend? Not so much. Women tend to like men who are considerate, and that’s not really his style.”

“Still, I bet he’s popular with women. He’s good-looking,” Ji-woo said.

“He is. Mostly, it’s senior girls who confess to him, but the relationships never last long.”

“Why? Is he a player?”

“Not really. But every girl who dates him says the same thing when they break up: ‘Ji Do-han is truly relentless.’ I eventually found out why. Apparently, he never tells his girlfriends he loves them.”

Tae-hoon felt a bit uneasy sharing his friend’s personal life with the younger students. Realizing he’d already said too much, he decided to stop talking.

They reached a fork in the path, and Tae-hoon waved goodbye.
“I’m heading this way. See you later.”

“Goodbye,” they both replied as they headed toward the library.
The more Sarang heard about Do-han from Tae-hoon, the harder it was to get him out of her mind. Ji-woo seemed deep in thought, processing Tae-hoon’s story.

“He took the exam again just because he thought our campus was prettier? There has to be more to it, right?”

“Something more?”

“I mean, it doesn’t make sense. He wouldn’t drop out of Korea University for just that.”

Sarang slowly nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere. What captivated her was not the mystery of why he left Korea University but rather his relationship with Hye-ri. She was so preoccupied with that thought that she had no room to wonder why he’d retaken the entrance exam.