Free Web Novel“So, is this your answer now?”
— I’ve thought about it a lot. I don’t want to come into the light, young master.
Not the answer I was expecting.
“Then can I take that to mean you’ve chosen to side with my uncle?”
— It’s not that.
“Then what is it?”
— I’ll stay quiet. When you step into the light, I’ll remain in the shadows. If you’ll just permit that...
I let out a quiet sigh that wouldn’t reach Noh Ikseon through the phone.
“Understood. I get what you’re saying—just continue what you’ve been doing.”
— Thank you, young master.
I stared at the disconnected call in thought.
‘He’s the type who’ll fade away on his own eventually... but should I make an example of him myself? With my own strength—not my grandfather’s...’
I was still mulling it over when—
“What’re you doing? Everyone’s waiting.”
Myungsoo came out when I didn’t return and called out to me.
“Oh, sorry. I just finished a call. Let’s go in.”
When I returned, the food had already been served.
I smiled as I took my seat.
“Sorry I took so long.”
Maybe it was the smile, or the apology—either way, no one made a fuss, and everyone quietly began eating.
“So except for Minkyung, we’re all taking the bar exam, yeah? Let’s hope no inhuman bastard passes on the first try, right?”
Myungsoo cast a sly glance in my direction.
Even with a packed schedule, I never missed being top of the class—among our group, I was called a monster.
“Probably? Can’t say with Muhyuk. Sometimes I want to crack open that bastard’s head and see what’s in there. Right, Jaeha?”
Oh Hyunwoo joked, and Yoon Jaeha smirked in response.
“He is the biggest mystery at Korea National.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“But hey, Myungsoo—was Muhyuk always this good at studying? I saw that interview and wanted to punch him. Is that for real? I’ve had tutoring since I was a kid just to barely get into KNU.”
“Right? Don’t even remind me. That interview made my family hound me like crazy! Years of blood, sweat, and tears, all invalidated in one shot.”
Hyunwoo and Jaeha both vented mid-meal.
“I just thought, ‘Oh, that’s impressive,’ when I read it. I’ve never done tutoring or cram school either,” Minkyung said, chewing a piece of meat.
That shut everyone up.
Then Myungsoo casually changed the topic to lift the mood.
“You know, Muhyuk used to be a total delinquent back in Busan. People used to call him the ‘Mad Dog of Busan.’ Damn, I miss those days.”
“Shut it.”
I gave him a glare, and Myungsoo pouted.
The others, who didn’t know my past, looked surprised.
“Well, it’s just stuff from when I was a stupid kid. Anyway, speaking of which... why don’t we start a group? What do you think?”
“A group?”
I smoothly shifted the conversation. Everyone looked interested.
“Yeah. Even after we grow up, it’d be nice to keep meeting like this, have meals, talk, help each other out. We don’t know where we’ll all end up, but this is the perfect time to start something. Once we graduate and head into the real world... it gets harder.”
Oh Hyunwoo and Yoon Jaeha understood immediately and fell silent in thought.
Meanwhile, Minkyung and Myungsoo looked at me, silently asking for more explanation.
I clarified for them.
“Years from now, one of us might be a prosecutor, another a judge, someone else might go into politics—or work in business or a big firm. But by then, it’ll be hard to bring everyone together again. That’s why I’m saying, let’s start now—so we can keep meeting like this.”
After a moment of silence—
With arms crossed, Oh Hyunwoo nodded first.
“I’m in. Having a group like this could help us all out in the future.”
Yoon Jaeha followed suit.
“Same here. If I pass the bar, I’ll probably join my father’s law firm. It’d be good to help each other out when we can.”
Myungsoo, well... he wasn’t the type to argue.
After a while, Han Minkyung hesitantly spoke.
“Um... would I even belong in a group like this?”
She glanced around nervously. At this point, Minkyung still lacked confidence.
“Why wouldn’t you? You’re a classmate from the 1993 batch, just like us. Why would you think otherwise?”
Everyone smiled in agreement at my words.
And with a slight blush, Minkyung nodded.
“Then I’d like that too. It’d be nice to stay close with friends.”
As she said that, Oh Hyunwoo suddenly asked,
“So we’re doing this? Then who’s going to be president? It should be you, right, Muhyuk?”
All eyes turned toward me.
I shook my head and looked at Hyunwoo.
“No, I think you should be president. You’re the outgoing type, and I’ve got a lot on my plate—I can’t fully commit.”
Everyone looked a bit confused, but I brushed it off casually.
“Oh, and since we’re the founding members, I’m not against adding new people, but only if everyone agrees. We can stick with just the five of us, or if someone wants to bring a friend, they can recommend them and we’ll vote on it. Sound good?”
I lightly steered the group’s consensus.
“Then Hyunwoo, you figure out a rough schedule—like when we meet each month. No matter who succeeds or fails, this group should keep going, yeah?”
Everyone nodded.
“Of course. But what about the group name? Got any ideas?”
Myungsoo asked me.
A name for the group...
“I kind of don’t want to name it.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Giving it a name makes it feel like some secret society. If rumors start, it could cause problems. I don’t want our group name floating around.”
“Hmm...”
Everyone went quiet, thinking it over.
“We’re doing this to stay close, support each other, and help each other up—that’s all. Let’s not obsess over a name.”
“Yeah... I think Muhyuk’s right.”
We moved to a nearby café and kept talking well into the evening.
“I’ve got to go. I have tutoring.”
Minkyung stood and picked up her bag.
“Where?”
“Pyeongchang-dong.”
At that, Myungsoo looked at me and said casually, fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
“Hey, you take her.”
“Sure. Let’s head out. Let’s talk more next time. I’ll be going too.”
“Ooh! Thanks~”
Minkyung gave me a bright smile as she stood.
After we left the café, I opened the passenger door for her. She slapped my forearm and got in.
“Ooh~ Kim Muhyuk~ so smooth?”
I gave a dry laugh and got in the driver’s seat.
“Seatbelt.”
“Yup.”
As we drove to Pyeongchang-dong, I asked,
“How many tutoring gigs do you have?”
“Me? Four... no, five now. I just picked up another.”
“Do you have time to study?”
“If I invest two hours in ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) the evening, it’s doable... but yeah, it’s tough.”
I glanced at her face while driving.
She was smiling, but I could tell—this was exhausting for her.
She’d made it into Korea National, but while her classmates were preparing for the bar, she was juggling five tutoring jobs.
“What? Something on my face?”
“Just thinking... You’re kind of amazing.”
“What’s amazing?”
“I mean, keeping up with classes while working, and still preparing for the bar exam, even just a little.”
“Pfft—what’s the big deal? I’ve been doing this since middle school. Still never missed being top of my class. I’m kinda smart, you know?”
She pouted like a brat. It was kind of adorable.
“I’m the one who’s top of the class.”
“Wow, Kim Muhyuk, seriously... you’re so annoying.”
“Hahaha.”
While chatting, we arrived at Pyeongchang-dong.
“Where is it?”
“Oh! Just a little farther.”
After turning down a side street, we spotted a house with a blue gate.
“Here! Thanks! That was a huge help. If I’d taken the subway, it would’ve taken forever.”
As she unbuckled her seatbelt, I spoke up.
“Can we talk for a sec?”
“Hmm, since I’m early, I’ve got about 20 minutes. Why? Something to say? Wait... are you confessing?”
She looked at me like I was ridiculous and burst into laughter.
“No. And don’t take this the wrong way...”
“What? Why the serious tone? Just say it.”
As I hesitated, she tilted her head, confused.
“Would you consider quitting the tutoring jobs to focus on studying?”
“Hey, I can’t do that! You think I don’t want to? My dad left, my mom’s sick, my siblings are waiting on me—I have to earn money.”
“What if I helped you?”
Her smile disappeared.
It was the first time I’d ever seen Minkyung look like that—so serious, so shut down.
“What?”
Her voice rose.
“Hey, do you pity me? Is that what this is?”
“Why would you say that? I’ve never thought that. Don’t misunderstand.”
“Then why say you’ll help? I may not have money, but I’m not a beggar. I can earn what I need just fine on my own.”
I nodded.
Yeah... I knew better than anyone that she’d succeed.
“I know. I don’t pity you, and it’s not like I have cash to throw around. I just... want us all to study for the bar together. No other reason. Think of it as a loan—no interest. Pay me back later.”
Minkyung couldn’t hold back anymore—her eyes welled up.
“Don’t look down on me, Kim Muhyuk. I can do it alone. I have done it alone.”
“Minkyung...”
I told her a bit about my own past.
About losing my parents, living with my grandma, the years I spent drifting.
How I was only able to go to school in comfort because I got lucky with my grandfather. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to do what she’s doing.
Her expression shifted bit by bit as I spoke.
“I don’t want anything from you. Like I said—I just want us all to study and take the exam together. It’s your decision. I’m not going to force you.”
“...I’ll think about it. Still... thanks.”
Her anger had calmed, and the tears in her eyes dried up.
I smiled and handed her a tissue.
“Haha. First time I’ve seen you cry. You’re always smiling—turns out Han Minkyung does cry.”
“Are you seriously making jokes right now?”
She glared at me.
“Go on. Think it over after tutoring. I have no bad intentions, I promise.”
She didn’t reply, just opened the door and stepped out.
“See you tomorrow at school.” freёwebnovel.com
After making sure she was safely inside the house with the blue gate, I drove home.
‘Well... I wonder if that got through to her.’
I wasn’t trying to make her owe me financially—just hoping she’d feel moved.
But whether or not she’d accept... I couldn’t be sure.
When I got home, Grandpa was waiting for me.
Manager Ha wasn’t in sight.
“You’re late.”
“I was out eating with friends and chatting.”
He nodded and gestured to the couch.
“Sit.”
When I took a seat across from him, Grandpa cleared his throat and began.
“How’s school life treating you?”
“It’s fun. I’ve made a lot of friends too.”
“Good. Even while helping me, live the life someone your age should.”
As we were talking, Manager Ha came in with another man.
He had a solid build and a firm expression. Unlike Manager Ha, he didn’t wear glasses, and his hair was even shorter. But his blank expression was just as unreadable.
Grandpa looked at them and smiled.
“Muhyuk, you said you wanted someone to serve as your right hand like Manager Ha, right?”
“Yes. Is this the man?”
I looked over at the stranger, then turned back to Grandpa.
“Turning him into your man is up to you. I can make the introduction, but I can’t win over his loyalty for you.”
“I understand.”
I looked back at the man.
He met my gaze without flinching, his eyes like steel.
“Hello. My name is Ma Seokdae.”
His low voice came out through lips that had been pressed in a straight line.
< Let’s Start a Group. > End.
