69) Chapter 12. It’s Nothing (1)
And just like that, the first week at the academy passed, and the weekend arrived.
Even though the academy uses a full dormitory system, it doesn’t strictly confine the students.
Inside the academy grounds, there are convenience stores, general shops, and various franchise cafés and restaurants you’d normally find in a busy district. Many students’ parents are heroes, and because of that, the kids tend to spend freely—so even with students and staff as the only customer base, the businesses seem to do well.
The student cafeteria isn’t as popular as you’d expect. It’s free, the food is good, and the quality is high, but the menu variety is limited. As students move up in grade, they get tired of it and start going to paid restaurants more often.
On weekdays, students can’t leave the academy without special permission, but weekends are different. You can go out without any permit.
After all, it’s not normal for high schoolers to live in dorms. Going home on weekends isn’t something the school tries to stop. Of course, the dorm staff still check rooms at night, and if someone’s missing, they send a confirmation text to the parents.
And so, on the first weekend—
Soi and Chae‑yi both insisted they didn’t want to go home.
“We finally moved out, so why go back already?”
Soi sounded like a runaway teen.
It’s not like she has a bad relationship with Auntie Yujin or Uncle Dohyun. Their family is actually much more harmonious than most.
Soi just enjoys living outside with us.
“Yeah. Let’s just hang out in the dorm.”
Chae‑yi agreed.
I don’t know how close she is with Auntie Cheong Hwirin. She said they sleep together, but that was obviously something she made up just to sleep next to me.
Still, since she’s no longer being pushed around like she was in elementary school, their relationship must have improved.
So her wanting to stay is probably just the thrill of living away from home for the first time.
“B‑but it’s the first weekend…”
My opinion was a little different.
“Auntie and Uncle will definitely be worried.”
“…Mm.”
Hearing that, Soi—being their actual daughter—couldn’t deny it. She looked conflicted.
“Yeah. It’s the first weekend, so you should at least talk to your parents.”
Hyeonji chimed in.
“Tell them how school is, whether anything happened during the first week…”
But when the three of us stared at her, she closed her mouth.
“…What?”
“No, it’s just—you’re really responsible.”
“……”
She didn’t say anything for a moment.
“So you’re going home tonight?”
“…No, not staying over. I’ll go out for a bit, say hi to my parents, and probably be back before dinner.”
“Really?”
I hesitated.
Honestly, before hearing Soi and Chae‑yi’s opinions, I had planned to go home for the first weekend.
We’re not far. A bus and a train ride, and I’d be there. Not going to see Auntie Yujin and Uncle Dohyun felt wrong.
I’m not exactly someone who talks about filial piety, but they raised me. Seeing their faces once in a while is the least I can do.
If I compromise between their idea and mine, I could go home, eat dinner, and return to the dorm.
“If you’re planning to eat dinner here, why not eat with us?”
“…Dinner?”
“Yeah. Like you said… I think it’s important to see your parents.”
I can’t see my parents from my past life anymore.
Not that I was some amazing son back then. I think I lived in a pretty average family.
I don’t know what happened to my past self, but if I died before my parents, that’s the worst kind of unfilial act.
I’m not a great daughter in this life either, but I should at least do the bare minimum for the people who raised me.
“For dinner, we’re eating with Soi’s parents, so if you want to… join us…”
Hyeonji blinked, as if she had never even imagined such an invitation.
“…Okay. I’ll think about it.”
She nodded slowly.
*
“Our girls!”
As soon as Soi and I stepped inside the house, Auntie Yujin rushed over and hugged us tightly.
My body stiffened a little, but I held my breath and endured it. A short hug is manageable.
Thankfully, she let go before I started trembling. She looked embarrassed, as if she’d forgotten herself.
I don’t blame her. That’s normal.
When you’re happy, you hug. When someone’s cute, you pat their head. That’s normal.
If anything is abnormal in this house, it’s usually because of me.
“Come in. I made lots of delicious food.”
“O‑okay…”
Soi nodded awkwardly and glanced at me.
I smiled back.
See? It was good to come home, right?
I felt the same way when I first lived in a dorm at university.
My roommates all went home, and I stayed behind. For the first time, I could play games late into the night without anyone scolding me, skip meals and order delivery whenever I wanted—pure freedom.
But the next week, I went home, and my parents welcomed me so warmly.
This is Soi’s first time living away from her parents. And for them, it’s the first time their daughter is away. Even if the academy takes good care of students, parents can’t help but worry.
“Come, sit, sit. Tell me about school. How was it? Fun? Did you make any friends?”
Auntie Yujin pulled us to the sofa and sat between us.
Uncle Dohyun smiled wryly as he set snacks on the table and took a seat.
“How were the classes?”
“Mom, one question at a time.”
Soi reached for the potato chips instinctively.
“It’s confusing when you ask everything at once.”
“Really? Then, hmm…”
Auntie Yujin thought seriously, then—
“So… did you make any friends?”
She asked carefully, watching my reaction.
I’m a problem child.
I stopped going to school. I barely finished a year of middle school before switching to homeschooling and taking the GED.
And the reason was serious social issues. So her concern makes sense.
But right now, I can answer proudly.
Feeling oddly pleased, I lifted my chin slightly.
“I made a friend.”
“Oh my!”
Auntie Yujin shot up from her seat.
“Oh my, really? You really made a friend?”
……
I mean… I get that she’s happy, but…
That reaction is a little sad.
It’s not like I’m incapable of making friends—
…She doesn’t know that, yeah.
My previous “friends” were technically Soi’s friends, not mine. So her worry is understandable.
“Yes, I did. Actually—”
“Actually, she asked if she could join us for dinner.”
Soi said flatly while munching chips.
“Dinner? Dinner is great. Want to eat with us? Should I make a reservation somewhere nice?”
“No, why would you make a reservation? It’s just dinner with a friend. That’s weird.”
Before I could panic, Soi frowned sharply and cut her off.
“Just invite her here. She’ll feel more comfortable. If her friend’s mom suddenly books some expensive restaurant, that’s stressful.”
Hmm… that’s true.
Honestly, eating with a friend’s parents is stressful in itself. In my past life, whenever I visited a friend’s house, I always made sure to leave before dinner.
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s do that. We should invite her—she’s Rua’s friend.”
“……”
Soi narrowed her eyes.
Not jealous—more like…
She was looking at a hopelessly doting parent.
…The symptoms got worse while I wasn’t going to school.
That’s my fault.
I met Uncle Dohyun’s eyes. He just gave me a wry smile.
It meant: Just go along with it.
So I nodded.
I had planned something like this anyway.
*
During the day, Soi and I relaxed.
The dorm is nice, but home is better. I visited my room and hers—both were spotless, which made my nose sting a little.
We lounged around, played on our phones, ate snacks. Then Chae‑yi arrived and joined us, and the three of us sprawled around the living room.
Ding‑dong.
The doorbell rang.
Before I could get up, Auntie Yujin rushed to the intercom.
“Oh my.”
She looked surprised.
Before I could react, she hurried to open the door.
“…Hello.”
Hyeonji bowed politely.
She was holding a very traditional guest gift—a glass‑bottled juice set.
“…Hello? Come in, dear.”
Auntie Yujin hesitated only a moment before smiling and letting her in.
…Do they know each other?
But if they did, that reaction was a bit too awkward.