In October 1990, the president issued a special order to quell the public outrage caused by various corruptions and to shift the political situation.
In the past, military officers who seized power through coups had also arrested political thugs like Lee Jung-jae. The Fifth Republic, which came to power through the 12.12 coup, also created an illegal military facility called Samcheong Education Camp to arrest thugs.
While the purpose was to appease the public, as light casts shadows, there were inevitably innocent victims.
Although a large-scale arrest of the five major violent crimes had already taken place last year, the War on Crime announced by the president directly to the people was different.
It was a massive operation to eliminate organized crime that even those with considerable connections could not escape.
However, despite this strong measure, not a single member of the organized crime groups related to the Cheongpung Association was arrested.
They survived and took control of Seoul, which became a significant source of power for the Cheongpung Association.
"What kind of nonsense is this?"
No adult would immediately understand such words from a 17-year-old high school student. However, thanks to the timely arrival of Chairman Cheon, he had something to say.
"Did you see the car that came to pick me up earlier?"
"Yeah, I've never seen a car like that in Busan. Wow, what did that person say?"
"That person is my maternal grandfather. He said a large-scale crime crackdown is about to happen. Since I often get into trouble, he subtly advised me to be careful. As you said, it's a matter of fate, but I couldn't just sit by and decided to tell you."
"......"
"I clearly said it. The choice is yours. He said to avoid the storm. Don't spread rumors about loyalty or anything. Just take a few trusted brothers and go into hiding. Don't trust anyone, not even your boss."
Park Dong-su, whose mouth was agape, was left behind as I left the rooftop.
Whether he would listen to my words and act on them was up to Park Dong-su.
But if he survives and feels grateful to me, maybe he will be of help to me someday.
* * *
In the car heading to Seoul.
Chairman Cheon, who had been quietly leaning back in the rear seat, suddenly asked,
"Min-hoon, what do you think of our grandson? I felt like I was talking to an old woman with a snake in her belly..."
"Yes, I felt the same way."
"I've lived for seventy years, thinking I was good at reading people. But I can't read that child's mind."
"Is that so?"
"Having seen so many people through money dealings... When I was young, I met all sorts of people while collecting debts. People who borrowed money but acted confidently, people who begged for mercy, people who hid, people who brought thugs to threaten... Through all these people, I am where I am now. I thought I was good at reading people... But in my old age, my grandson is testing me."
At this, Secretary Ha smiled slightly.
"It seems you like him."
"To like him... He boldly made me an offer. If he gets into the best university in Seoul within three years, he wants a gift. Hahaha, I like it. Since he has some of my blood, he should be like this. He should be."
"Yes."
After laughing for a while, the old man stopped and said to Secretary Ha,
"Buy a small house in Busan and give it to my grandson. Put it in Mu-hyuk's name. This might be the last thing I can give him, or he might receive something greater. It's up to him."
"Yes."
After that, no words were exchanged in the car until they arrived at Chairman Cheon's house in Pyeongchang-dong.
But the old man's lips were unknowingly curved into a gentle smile.
* * *
Chairman Cheon's actions were swift.
With my grandmother's discharge, we moved to a single-family house with three rooms, a ten-minute walk from the school.
"Mu-hyuk... "
"Grandma, don't say anything else. I boldly accepted my grandfather who came after 17 years. I asked for living expenses and a house so we can live together. Grandma, don't work anymore and stay at home."
"......I don't know if we're receiving too much favor."
"Grandma, it's fine to accept it. When I grow up, I'll get a better house and make you live comfortably. Until then, just think about your health. Got it?"
"My child, when did you grow so much? Let me feel your bottom again after so long!"
"Ah! Grandma!"
That evening, we ate pork belly at our new home with Grandma.
I had never had such a meal with Grandma before, and it was truly happy.
A few days later.
After eating the breakfast Grandma prepared, I put on my school uniform and left for school.
As we entered the full autumn season, the way to school was colorful with fallen leaves.
While feeling grateful for being able to live again, a loud voice echoed, making everyone in the neighborhood look.
The owner of the voice was none other than Dong-su.
"Hey, Mu-hyuk!"
"Wow, you have a loud voice."
"You moved, right? When are you going to have a housewarming party? I haven't had Grandma's cooking in a long time. When? What should I bring?"
"......I'm not having one."
"That won't do! If you move and don't have a housewarming party, that's not right!"
"Shut up and go."
"Mu-hyuk, let's go together!"
At that moment, another person ran towards us. It was Park Hyun-seong, whose father is a police officer.
Me, Dong-su, and Hyun-seong... These three always stuck together. They were my friends who went through the stormy years with me.
Hyun-seong had been to the police station a few times because of his father, but he never received more severe punishment.
"Hey, you bear! You're not going to the temple?"
"Why is this little guy causing trouble again?"
"These kids start fighting as soon as they see each other. Let's go."
Park Hyun-seong, the biggest in our school in terms of size.
Lee Dong-su, short but with excellent social skills.
And their leader, me, Kim Mu-hyuk.
Walking side by side while watching the bickering between Dong-su and Hyun-seong, I felt like I had truly returned to being a high school student.
The school gate was visible in the distance.
"Ah... Damn, it's the bald eagle. I'll go in a bit later. You two go in first. Mu-hyuk, if the snake comes looking for me, tell him I went to the bathroom. Got it?"
Saying this, Dong-su took a step back.
As he said, a bald teacher with a broken pool cue was standing next to the school gate.
"I don't like that teacher either. Are you just going to go in?"
"What did I do wrong? Let's go in."
"Got it."
As Hyun-seong and I passed the school gate, as expected, the bald eagle stopped us.
"Park Hyun-seong! Kim Mu-hyuk! Stand still."
Hyun-seong and I stopped with grim faces.
The bald eagle approached, tapping the pool cue on his palm.
"Are you not wearing your uniform properly? Park Hyun-seong, where did you sell your school badge?"
"I forgot to put it on. I'm sorry."
"Tsk. Make sure to wear it from now on. Go in."
Just as we were about to leave, the bald eagle grabbed me.
"Park Hyun-seong, go in. Mu-hyuk, wait."
"......"
"Are you not going in?"
"Yes."
Hyun-seong looked back at me a few times and slowly walked into the school building.
"Kim Mu-hyuk! Are you not wearing your uniform properly?"
"What's the problem?"
I checked my body, and my uniform, name tag, and school badge were all properly worn. The uniform, ironed by Grandma, was even crisper than a 100-day leave uniform.
"Huh, what's the problem? You're the problem, you are. Kim Mu-hyuk, don't cause trouble. What are you fighting for, you penniless brat? Do you have the guts?"
"......"
"Are you not answering?"
"I understand."
"I'm watching you. If you cause trouble again, even your father won't be able to help you. Got it?"
"Yes."
Nickname: Bald Eagle. In the 80s and 90s, it was common for teachers to receive bribes, but this teacher was particularly greedy.
'After the rumor spread that my maternal family had money, he started to be friendly with me.'
I tried to manage my expression.
The Bald Eagle, who had been scanning me with narrowed eyes, waved his hand as if chasing away a bug.
"Go in."
"Yes."
I bowed and left the school gate.
I arrived at the classroom, threw my bag down, and sat in my seat. The pleasant morning had quickly turned sour due to the Bald Eagle.
I became even more annoyed because the students started to watch me.
"Don't watch me. Am I going to eat you? Just do what you were doing."
"......"
"Man, I'm going crazy. Have I ever bothered you? Even when I fought, I never bothered you. Don't watch me. Please."
After saying this, I didn't speak to the students anymore. I roughly organized my desk and looked out the window.
After about ten minutes, the back door opened, and Dong-su came in.
"Mu-hyuk! The snake hasn't come yet, right?"
Behind Dong-su, the snake came in, scratching Dong-su's head.
"Here I am, snake. What's up? Not going in?"
"Aah!"
"You're exaggerating. Go in quickly."
Seeing Dong-su get hit on the head, I felt a bit better.
"Come on, do you know the test results are coming out today? Be hopeful."
"Yes......"
"Those who fail. Those whose scores drop. They will die."
Dongsung Public High School was not a prestigious high school, but it had a high college entrance rate for a vocational high school. Therefore, they managed grades strictly.
There were quite a few good students, and I came to the vocational high school to get a job. Dong-su and Hyun-seong had good grades but came to this school to follow me.
'Test results......'
I had a bad feeling.
And at lunchtime.
- Ah, ah. 1st grade, class 8, Kim Mu-hyuk, please come to the office. I repeat, Kim Mu-hyuk, please come to the office immediately.
"What? Did you cause trouble without me knowing?"
"No."
"What's the office calling you for?"
"I don't know, I'll go and see."
"Ah, I need to go to the snack bar! I'll wait. Come back quickly."
I got up from my seat and opened the classroom door, just as Hyun-seong came in.
"I'm going to the office."
"Oh, come back quickly."
"Don't fight and wait."
"Got it."
Although it was a bit concerning to leave them alone, I hurriedly headed to the office.
I opened the door and loudly said,
"I'm Kim Mu-hyuk. I came as you called."
The noisy office suddenly became quiet.
"You came, huh."
The Bald Eagle called me, looking surprised.
"Do you know why I called you?"
"I don't know."
"I'll ask again. Do you know why I called you?"
"I don't know."
"This kid is hopeless."
"......"
The snake, my homeroom teacher, intervened.
"It's not certain yet, right?"
"Hey, Mr. Park. Can this kid really be the top of the school? He must have cheated or done something."
Ah...... As expected. This was the same situation as when I studied hard and got good grades for the first time in my sophomore year of high school.
"Kim Mu-hyuk, tell the truth. Can you really be the top of the school? Or, you only got five questions wrong in all subjects? Would you believe it if you were in my shoes?"
"......"
"Mr. Park, did you see this kid can't answer?"
"Mu-hyuk, speak. Did you really cheat?"
"No."
"Wow, this kid is hopeless. You brought your grandmother, and you got away with causing trouble, but now you're messing with the school exams? Is that how your grandmother taught you?"
This teacher is over the line.
Anger rose within me. I can be insulted, but not my grandmother.
I lifted my head and glared at the Bald Eagle.
"Look at this kid's eyes. Are you not going to pluck them out? Do you want to die?"
"Teacher, I'll speak for myself."
"Mr. Park, can't you see this kid's eyes? He's looking at me like he wants to kill me. Kim Mu-hyuk, are you going to hit me?"
A chilling sound of my teeth grinding came from my mouth.
"Teacher...... Apologize to my grandmother."
"What? What did you say?"
"I don't know for sure if I cheated or if I studied hard to get these grades. Why are you insulting my good grandmother? My grandmother is not someone you can talk about however you want."
All eyes in the office turned to me and the Bald Eagle.
"Hahaha, you're crazy. You still haven't come to your senses. What, skills? Abilities?"
"Would you like to bet with me? Bring the test papers right now. I'll solve them in front of you. If I get the same score, you apologize to my grandmother. If not, I'll leave the school."
My bombshell declaration left all the teachers in the office speechless.
< Teacher, you're over the line, aren't you? > End