RAP STAR

Chapter 40 [verse 5. One Tuesday

As expected of Ulsan High School, known for assigning a lot of homework, the vacation was very short. After a pure 12-day vacation, students were forced to attend school under the guise of "vacation self-study" starting on Tuesday, August 1st. The schedule was unbelievably tight, with students required to arrive at 9 a.m. and leave at 5 p.m. for their vacation.

The exceptions were friends like Junhyung, who had already pursued the path of the arts with the support of their parents. However, Sanghyun, who declared his absence from vacation self-study, had to have a meeting with his homeroom teacher for the reason.

"Did you enjoy your vacation?"

"Yeah, I did. Why weren't you at school yesterday?"

"To be honest, I forgot."

Sanghyun's answer made the homeroom teacher frown.

Since Sanghyun spent almost every day with Junhyung, he naturally assumed that he was also assigned to the arts class like Junhyung. Ironically, the homeroom teacher didn't even know that Sanghyun was into music. As a result, Sanghyun skipped vacation self-study without any notice.

"Have you seen your final exam grades?"

"Um... yes."

In reality, he hadn't. He wasn't interested at all.

"Sometimes, I understand that it can be hurtful for you when teachers talk about your future. But as a homeroom teacher, I can't help but speak up."

"It's okay. Please go on."

"You mentioned yesterday that you want to pursue music, right? Although I don't know much about music... I do know that the path isn't easy."

"Yes."

Sanghyun could fully understand the homeroom teacher's sentiments. He admitted that studying was the best way to live a decent life in Korea. He had experienced that kind of life himself.

But his determination was firm.

"Based on your current grades, except for math, you're in the top 30 of the whole school."

"Really? Is that true?"

"Then is it fake?"

Sanghyun checked the report card handed to him by his homeroom teacher. He had a grade 2 in language and grades 1 in math and foreign language. Especially in foreign language, he ranked an impressive 3rd in the whole school.

"Yeah, this seems about right. I really didn't do well at first," he thought, feeling slightly better.

However, the rest of his subjects were stuck in grades 7 to 8. It was no wonder, as he hadn't studied for memorization subjects at all and simply guessed and slept.

"Isn't it a waste to give up on such grades?" the teacher asked.

"Teacher, if I have to study, I'm confident I'll do well."

The teacher felt unable to break Sanghyun's stubbornness after seeing his determined gaze.

"But even if I study well, I don't think I'll be as happy as when I'm making music. I may sound immature saying this, but life is short, and I don't want to do something that doesn't make me happy."

The teacher had more to say, but couldn't. He felt that Sanghyun valued his current happiness due to the influence of his parents' futile efforts. In that case, wouldn't any words hurt him?

"Then let's make a promise. What you want should bring you happiness. It shouldn't just be pleasure."

"Come on, Teacher. Trying to act cool."