Part 13 The Math Study Group

356 8 0
                                    

[This takes place after Sunjoon and Yoonhee's first two classes--Yoonhee is pretty much dejected after the first class when Professor Jang scolded her. He asked her about the reading, and when she answers, he tells her, "I told you to tell me the meaning, not to recite it." Then he asks Sunjoon, who is able to answer correctly. Yoohee is also scared about the level of difficulty of the classes. The second class is with Professor Yoo. The next scene is after Professor Yoo leaves the class after assigning them the reading.]

Yoonhee lets out a deep sigh, and says to Sunjoon as she is packing up her books, “did you understand everything? I have no idea what’s going on.”

“It’s not any different for me–I have a hard time following it as well.”

Yoonhee becomes a little peeved–it’s obvious he understands everything; she is the one having a hard time following.

“You’re terrible!” (This I had a hard time translating. The original was “얄미우십니다!”, which is kind of way of saying “I hate you!” or “You suck!” but not with the same amount of harshness or bite that it means in english. She is simply exclaiming with no intention of actually saying that she hates him or that he sucks, that he is being a little patronizing. lol. I hope that make sense.)

Sunjoon is surprised at her exclamation–her peeved tone made him feel as though he was with a woman. Yoonhee is a little startled, as well, because she thinks the same thought. She is reminded to earlier when Jaeshin said that she is like a woman in front of Sunjoon.

Even though she tries to be careful, her real self tends to come out when she’s with this person, strangely enough. It’s fortunate that Sunjoon seems as though he doesn’t sense these type of things, but if it was Yongha, she might have already been found out.

“Hey you all. Let’s go back to Dongjae.”

Yoonhee jumps at the sound of Yongha’s voice. She forgot he was in the same class. She turns around to find him smiling–what is he thinking? Yongha’s smile makes her uncomfortable; the thought of what is behind it sends chills through her body.

“Your books look heavy. Should I help you?”

Yoonhee is extra weary of her words, so she deepens her voice, and responds, “I’ll be okay. It seems like you’re having a harder time with your books. Should I help you, instead?”

“I’d be grateful. Thanks, Daemul.”

With his answer, he puts his pile of books on top of Yoonhee’s. He pretends not to see Yoonhee’s eyes widen at the weight and says to Sunjoon, “I heard your morning class was with Professor Jang (I think they made professor Jang into Professor Jung, but anyway, this professor is not the famous historical figure 정약용 Jung Yak Yong, like in the drama). And your afternoon class is with professor Yoo… You are really unlucky. Be warned. These two professors’ classes are the most difficult. Even the brightest of students give up when it comes to them.

Sunjoon just smiles as he takes Yongha’s stack of books from Yoonhee and puts them on top of his. Yoonhee suddenly thinks about how Yongha has just referred to her as_Daemul–in fact, she’s heard herself referred as “Daemul” by a lot of other people today.

“W-wait. Did you call me Daemul?”

“Yeah, it seems like it just naturally because your nickname.”

“W-what? How can it— I have a nickname I was thinking of for myself! Can’t I just–”

“It’s too late. All the students already know you as so.”

“But Daemul… it means…”

“What? You’re so perverted! It doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s your “thing” that’s big. It could just refer to your character!”

Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian ScholarsWhere stories live. Discover now