T.B.H. | HoonSuk (-)

01

“If you can't do it right, just stop. I didn't teach you to do things half assed like this. Just look at your PPT. Did you even try? And spacing out during a presentation. Are you serious? Are you going to lead a meeting like this when you start your career later? Your actual career? People like you are those who didn't even manage to land a job because they didn't have the will to do their job correctly,” Professor Choon said, sending a stinging feeling in his chest. The whole class is silent. Jihoon can feel all eyes on him. It was supposed to be his turn for an individual presentation. It's just over a month since the very first semester of his university  life started. And it's a mess.

Park Jihoon. 20 years old. Barely even had time to take a deep breath today. Many things happened. Too much. When he woke up, his pet hedgehog that he adopted in less than a year, died. He accidentally spilled water on his laptop while being panicked and his laptop won't turn on. He didn't back up the PowerPoint file of the presentation that he was probably supposed to present today as the professor said that he will call out the name on the day of the presentation. While hoping that his name won't be called, he just prepares a simple PowerPoint just in case. But just before the class started, he got a message that his grandmother who he’s very close with, is in a critical condition and currently in hospital in Busan.

Jihoon couldn't even think straight but then, his name was called as the first student to give the presentation. He messed up and spaced out a little. But his bad luck strike didn't stop. Their professor is in a bad mood and scolds him in front of more or less 30 students in the lecture hall. Jihoon stood there, lowering his face. He barely even knew the students in that class as he just started university . But he can definitely feel the judging stares on him by them. Jihoon bit his inner cheek, trying to overcome the embarrassment. Professor Choon keeps on scolding him saying that he is the best example of future failure.

Jihoon really had enough. He got it. He messed up the presentation. But he didn't think that he deserved to receive hateful words from the professor that will be teaching him for another few years just because of a mistake he made once. But what can he do? Jihoon couldn't gather any courage to do anything. He just stood there and let his ears get slammed by the hurtful words and let people in that hall judge him. He did hear about the professor’s reputation from the kids around him when he was applying for the class. But it didn't bother him as he really wanted to apply for the class. And now, he's experiencing it first hand.

“I don't accept this. You are going to get an extra assignment and get out of my class. You didn't even look willing to learn,” Mr Choon said. Jihoon silently bowed toward his professor, apologizing for his lackingness before he grabbed his stuff and walked out. The professor called another name for the presentation as he's walking out. Yup. Everyone goes on with his lives even though he's having a very unlucky strike today.

Jihoon walked past the hallway. There are no students there as most of the classes are currently on schedule. He walked toward the emergency stair which is just a few steps away. He didn't think that he could reach the toilet for now. He closed the door and sat on the staircase. His tears fell down as he exhaled heavily. He couldn't handle his problem professionally? Yup. He probably did. It's all his fault. It's his fault for not taking good care of his pet hedgehog. It was his fault for being too panicked this morning and spilled the water on his laptop. His fault for not having a backup on his documents. His fault for coming to the class even though he already knew that he might mess up. His fault for signing up for the class even though he already knew about the professor's reputation.

And about his grandmother? Is it his fault? Is it his fault for being close to his grandmother? Is it his fault for that? Jihoon couldn't think about anything anymore. It's probably a small matter for other people. Some people probably will even laugh at him if they heard about his day today that makes him break down like this. Jihoon was still crying when he heard someone open the door. He bit his lower lips. Trying to hold his sobs.