A Scholarship To Change

2

As the train rumbled along the tracks, I found myself buried in my book, totally uninterested in the beautiful scenery passing by outside my window. The truth was, I couldn't care less about the view or the bustling world around me. Being social wasn't my thing, I preferred the company of pages over people.

Just then, a little girl appeared beside me, her tiny voice breaking through my concentration.

"Oppa, can I sit here?" she asked, pointing to the window seat.

I looked at her, not bothering to hide my annoyance. "And why should I let you?" I replied coldly.

"I wanted to see the view," she said softly, her big, hopeful eyes looking up at me.

I sighed, shutting my book with a snap. "No, just go back to your seat and don't bother me," I muttered, waving her away dismissively.

Her face fell, her excitement vanishing as she turned to leave. She trudged back to her seat, looking disappointed, but I didn't feel the slightest bit guilty. I wasn't here to play nice with strangers, I was only sweet to my hyung. Anyone else was just... annoying.

I opened my book again, trying to dive back into my story. This was who I was, someone who preferred solitude, keeping people at a distance. And I liked it that way.

After several long hours, the train finally reached Seoul Station. I breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed my suitcase  stepping onto the bustling platform. The city was alive with noise and movement, a mix of voices, footsteps, and announcements. I had finally made it to Seoul but I knew the real challenge was just beginning.

As I walked out of the station, I checked my wallet and felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. I had only ₩ 500,000, barely enough to get through the month. Taking the bus was out of the question. I needed to save every bit of money I had. So I decided to walk, dragging my suitcase behind me as I navigated the unfamiliar streets.

After nearly a kilometer of walking, I came across a boarding house. It was simple but looked clean and well-kept. I approached the front and saw a man standing outside who seemed like he was in charge.

“Excuse me, who is the owner of this boarding house?” I asked.

The man, who appeared to be in his late forties and had a kind but serious face, turned to me. “I am the owner. How can I help you, sir?”

“I’m looking for a room to stay in,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Of course, we have rooms available. Please come with me so we can take care of the paperwork,” he said, leading me inside.

I followed him through a narrow hallway with creaky wooden floors. After filling out the necessary forms, I decided to ask what I was most worried about.

“So, what’s the rent?” I asked, my palms starting to sweat.

“ ₩ 300,000 per month,” he said.

I felt a lump in my throat. “Isn’t that a bit too expensive?” I asked, trying not to sound too desperate.

The man gave me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, but that’s the standard rate. If it’s too much you might have to look somewhere else.”

My heart sank. If I paid for the room, I’d only have ₩ 200,000 left for the rest of the month. Surviving on that in Seoul would be tough, but I had no other choice. I nodded slowly.

“I’ll take it,” I said.

The man smiled a little and handed me the keys. “Welcome to Seoul,” he said.

I looked at the keys in my hand, realizing that this was the start of my new life. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I had made it this far, and I was determined to make it work.

I stepped into my new room and took a moment to appreciate it. It was small but cozy, and I could already tell it would be a good place to live. Without wasting any time, I dropped onto the soft mattress.

The comfort felt amazing after such a long journey, but I reminded myself that resting could wait. I needed to find a job to support myself in Korea.

My hyung was already paying my semester fees, which I was incredibly grateful for. I had received a scholarship but only for my admission. I still needed to earn money to lessen hyung's work. I know he would never say no if I asked him for money, but we are already facing so many financial issues, and I don’t want to pressurize him.

I glanced at my phone and saw it was already 5:00 PM. I knew I had to start looking for a job as soon as possible. My body felt heavy and tired, but I pushed those feelings aside. If I didn’t go out now, it would be even harder to manage later. I took a deep breath, convinced myself it was necessary, and set out into the bustling streets of Seoul.

Walking through the lively city, I felt both excited and nervous. The streets were filled with people, shops, and cafes, all buzzing with life. I kept my eyes open for any "Help Wanted" signs or places that might be hiring. I thought about what kind of job I could do—something flexible that would allow me to balance work and school.After wandering for a while, I spotted a small café with a “Hiring” sign in the window.

My heart raced a little at the thought of applying. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The warm smell of coffee and baked goods enveloped me, making me feel a bit more at ease.

The barista behind the counter looked up and smiled. “Welcome! How can I help you?”

I took a deep breath, ready to ask about the job. “Hi, I saw the sign outside. Are you still hiring?”

“Yes, we are!” she replied. “We need part-time staff. Do you have any experience?”

I shook my head. “Not really, but can do delivery work.”

She considered my answer for a moment. “That’s good to hear! It would be nice if we started home delivery, I think you’d fit in well here. Can you fill out an application?”

I nodded, feeling hopeful. As I filled out the form, I couldn’t shake off the nervousness. I knew this job would be important for my new life in Seoul. Once I handed in my application, I crossed my fingers, hoping for a positive response.

"You're hired," she smiled, "You can come from tomorrow."

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Hi everyone

This is the second part. I hope you enjoy reading it. I don’t have much experience in writing fan fiction so I’m struggling to come up with a better plot.

Please show your support so I can improve. Let me know if I made any mistakes.

Love you!