RAP STAR

Chapter 2 [Intro, Once in a lifetime]

"Once-in-a-Lifetime Life"

Despite the passing time, the headaches and dizziness didn't ease up easily. Fortunately, the dizziness was gradually disappearing, but the headaches seemed to be getting worse.

"Ugh!"

For the past few days, Sanghyun couldn't sleep properly because of dreams where the walls of the house were rushing towards him. He woke up screaming at least three times every night.

The only silver lining was that Sangmi was on a school trip. He had time to adjust during the four-day holiday period consisting of the school's founding anniversary, alternating Saturdays where they didn't attend school, Sundays, and Memorial Day.

On the bus ride back home from visiting his parents' graves on Sunday, Sanghyun pondered several things:

1. Sangmi must not sense anything strange about my behavior. Given the emotional instability due to our parents' passing, I must be extra careful.
2. I'll protect Sangmi and succeed as soon as possible.
3. I won't just passively endure whatever comes my way.

Not being able to see their parents was still heartbreaking, but one fortunate thing amidst the misery was that Sangmi and he hadn't completely drifted apart yet. This gave him a chance to make amends to his sister, who had been forced to make sacrifices.

*Ding*

His phone vibrated, indicating a new message. The feeling of the flip phone was really unfamiliar compared to a smartphone.

"Sis, looks like I'll be arriving after 5."
"I'll pick you up from school."
"Okay. Have dinner ready."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Anything. I'll be boarding a plane soon."
"Okay. Text me again when you get to Gwangju."

Compared to other siblings who were practically enemies, Sanghyun and Sangmi were relatively close. This was because their father, who had been an orphan himself, prioritized family affection over everything else in his educational philosophy.

However, while they cared for each other and didn't have big fights, it wasn't natural for them to express affection or use sweet words to each other as a family would normally do.

Due to the burden and sadness of becoming the father figure for Sangmi after their parents passed away, Sanghyun couldn't care for her or comfort her. Instead, he felt angry whenever he saw Sangmi depending on him like a father, realizing that their parents were no longer in the world.

"Stupid child."

Furthermore, in his pursuit of quick success, he had imposed many sacrifices on Sangmi. As a result, Sangmi had wandered for quite some time. By the time Sanghyun became wealthy after his wandering, their relationship had already grown distant.

"There are only the two of us left in the world."

He wasn't a teenage boy anymore. He was a worn-out businessman who knew the bitterness of the world. His top priority was to protect Sangmi, and his plan was to become wealthy by leveraging his experience and knowledge of the future.

"Sis, I've arrived in Gwangju."
"Did you stop by school before coming home?"
"No, I'm going straight home."
"I'll order some chicken, take a taxi and come home."
"We need to save money. Why take a taxi?"
"You have money for the taxi fare, so come home quickly."

"There are only the two of us left in the world."

And so, Sanghyun, a successful businessman at 38 in 2025, became an ordinary high school student at 18 in 2005.

Gwangju Wunsan High School.

Passing through the school gate that felt both familiar and unfamiliar after 20 years, Sanghyun entered the building. Many students, like cattle being dragged to the slaughterhouse, looked exhausted (actually because of Memorial Day falling on Tuesday). Sanghyun's expression wasn't pleasant due to his sleepless night from headaches and nightmares, but returning to his alma mater after nearly 20 years brought him some joy.

"But which grade am I in?"

No matter how hard he tried to recall, he couldn't remember which grade he was in during his second year of high school. With some difficulty, he remembered his homeroom teacher's name and headed to the staff room.

He was worried that he wouldn't be recognized, but once he entered the staff room, he quickly realized that he didn't recognize anyone either. He hesitated for a moment before approaching one of the teachers.

"Ah, Sanghyun."
"Hello."
"So, what's up? Did you have a good weekend?"
The overly friendly tone of the homeroom teacher amused Sanghyun a little. According to his memory, the current homeroom teacher, who was in charge of physical education, was what people nowadays called a "real man."

"I didn't realize back then that he was so considerate."

At that time, he seemed to have a sense of being isolated from the world. Anyway, coming to the staff room wasn't about reflecting on the past for Sanghyun. He quickly scanned the teacher's desk.

2-3 Attendance Register.

"Why? Do you have something to say to me, Sanghyun?"
"Teacher."
"Yeah?"
"Please talk to me like you usually do. Your tone is weird."
"Oh, well... I know it's weird, but..."
Sanghyun chuckled. His laughter seemed to improve the teacher's expression a bit.

"Your voice sounds good, but your face doesn't look good. You seem tired?"
"I haven't been sleeping well."
"You haven't been sleeping? How long?"
"It's okay. I'll get better. Anyway, I came to ask you for a favor."
"Go ahead."

"As you know, now it's just me and my sister left in this world."

The homeroom teacher's expression stiffened at Sanghyun's calm words. But Sanghyun wasn't really affected. No, it would be even weirder if he looked sad. He still loved and missed his parents, but he had already overcome the pain of their passing. He had lived for the past 20 years accepting and understanding it.

"There are scars, but there are no open wounds to tear open."

"I'm fine, but my younger sister, who is still in middle school, seems to be alone at home for too long. Can she go home right after regular classes?"

"Hmm..."

In 2005, regular high school classes ended at 4 p.m., just like middle school. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. were supplementary classes, and after dinner until 10 p.m. was self-study time. In other words, the designated class hours for high school graduation by the country ended at 4 p.m.

"Well, since you have your reasons, it shouldn't be too difficult to propose it during the faculty meeting, but the duration might be an issue."

"The duration?"

"Yeah, until when do you want her to leave?"

"Until my sister starts attending high school and begins night classes."

"Your sister is in her third year of middle school now, right?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, I see. Go to your class and tell the students to prepare for morning attendance."

"Okay, understood."

"Sanghyun."

"Yes?"

The homeroom teacher lightly tapped Sanghyun's buttocks with the attendance register.

"It's good to see you enduring and caring for your sister even after facing such a big problem. Your insomnia will gradually improve."

"Thank you. Then, please go to the faculty meeting and arrange for my tuition fees and meal expenses to be waived."

"What?"

Sanghyun chuckled at the homeroom teacher's bewildered expression, then bowed slightly and left the staff room.

"Son, you're really something."

Anyway, the exemption of tuition fees and meal expenses would likely be arranged. The homeroom teacher dismissed any concerns about Sanghyun's pride. His student was much stronger than he had thought.

Feeling nervous, Sanghyun headed to class 2-3. Although he remembered a few friends he had stayed in touch with after entering society, he was worried about making mistakes because he barely remembered the rest. Unsang High School was known for its academic excellence and strong discipline. Once, due to strict enforcement of the dress code, most of the students in the grade wore their uniforms in rebellion.