Academy Heroine’s Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 381

"Hey! Over here, over here."

It was lunchtime already, and when I went to the restaurant near the company where I was supposed to meet Seonghyeon, I found him already sitting and waiting.

I approached him, smiling slightly as I greeted him. His expression clearly showed how happy he was to see me.

"Hey, it's been a while."

"Yeah, it's really been a while. How have you been?"

"I've been good. It’s been what, six months since the reunion?"

"Six months? Has it been that long? Wow, I really wish I could join you guys more often when you all meet up, but it's tough finding the time. Sorry about that."

"Come on, no one expects that from a married man. Just show your face when you can, like today. By the way, kimchi stew sounds good, right?"

"Yeah. It’s prepaid here, right? Excuse me, boss! Two orders of kimchi stew, please. And put it on this card."

Seonghyeon naturally ordered our food and asked the owner to charge his card. I pulled out a 5,000-won bill from my wallet and handed it to him.

Seeing the bill, Seonghyeon looked at me with an exasperated expression.

"Wow… You’re still the same. It's just 5,000 won for some kimchi stew. Can’t you just let me treat you for once? You never let anything slide. And by the way, I don’t even carry cash anymore."

"Want me to transfer the money?"

When I said that, Seonghyeon shook his head in disbelief, then took the bill and shoved it into his back pocket.

A moment later, we both burst out laughing at the same time.

Seonghyeon comes from a pretty well-off family. I kind of figured that out back in elementary school when he used to bring chicken for the class during events like field trips. Later, I found out that his parents are well-known in the area.

Because of that, whenever we went somewhere to hang out, Seonghyeon would naturally pay, like today. But I would always gather up some money to pay him back for what he’d treated me to.

At first, he didn’t say much about it, maybe because of pride or because we were just guys, but after a while, he got frustrated and asked me why I couldn’t just accept a free meal when I wasn’t exactly rich.

It could’ve turned into a fight, touching on such a sensitive issue, but I knew why he was mad. He had always taken me along when we went out with friends, knowing about my family's financial situation, so he could treat me to meals.

So I explained everything to him, about my situation and how I felt uneasy if I didn’t pay back what I owed.

When he heard that, he lowered his head, trying not to cry, but eventually, a few tears slipped out. It was the first and last time I ever saw him cry, even though he was always the leader of our group.

After that, he stopped insisting on paying for me. Even when he did, he quietly accepted the money I gave back.

But from then on, he started bringing more and more stuff like game consoles and comic books to school, saying it was for everyone to enjoy.

He always claimed it was for the group, but I knew he would only take them home after I had my turn.

Because of him, I got to enjoy games and comics even though I couldn’t afford them back then.

He was, and still is, a good friend to me.

"Oh, looks like the stew is ready. Let’s eat. You must be hungry after work."

While reminiscing, I saw that the kimchi stew had arrived. As I spooned some into my bowl, I spoke to Seonghyeon.

"Hey, by the way, is your wife taking really good care of you? Every time I see you, you look better and better."

"Hehe, you’ve got a good eye. I really hit the jackpot with marriage. I swear, there’s no one like my wife. She’s sweet and kind, a real angel. ...But hey, who gave you permission to call her 'your sister-in-law'? Call her 'sister-in-law,' got it?"

"Sister-in-law? Please, if you wanted that, you should’ve been born before me."

"Hah, if only my parents had been a little quicker."

Seonghyeon’s wife really was as angelic as he claimed. It wasn’t just her looks—she had this warmth, like a cozy blanket dried in the spring sun. Just being around her made everything feel more relaxed.

They had been engaged since they were young, or so I heard, but I only saw her for the first time at their wedding. My friends and I all gave him a hard time, calling him a lucky bastard with wealth, looks, and now, a perfect wife.

As I was chuckling to myself, recalling that memory, I noticed Seonghyeon had suddenly gone quiet.

He was awkwardly glancing at me, and I realized it was because of his earlier mention of his parents.

Even though it wasn’t about my parents, and I was fine with it now, it was still a sensitive subject for the people around me. Seonghyeon had been a huge help when my mom passed, so I didn’t want him to feel bad about it.

Quickly, I changed the subject.

"Anyway, you're really lucky. I need to find a great girl like you did and get married soon."

"...Yeah, I hope you find someone sweet and gentle like my wife. But... it might be impossible for you, you poor guy."

What the hell? After all that consideration, he hits me with this?

As someone who’s never even dated, that comment stung. I looked at Seonghyeon with a hurt expression.

"...Hey, Seonghyeon. Just because you're doing well doesn’t mean you should talk like that. It’s not fair to assume I can’t meet someone good. I could get married to someone great too, right?"

"...What? No, wait. That’s not what I meant—"

"Sure, from your perspective, maybe I seem like a guy who’s lacking—a regular office worker without parents. But saying stuff like that can hurt, even if we’re friends."

"I said that’s not what I meant!!"

Bang!

Seonghyeon slammed the table, his voice echoing throughout the restaurant. Everyone turned to look at us, making him bow apologetically. Then he sighed deeply and spoke again.

"...Listen, I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t think you’re inferior to me. In fact, it’s the opposite."

He said this with a serious expression, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what he was getting at. But his eyes seemed sincere, so I stayed quiet and listened.

"What made you think I’m better than you? Is it because my family has money? Or because I look decent? Sure, those things might seem like advantages. But those are just lucky breaks, things I was born with. That doesn’t make me a better person."

"......"

"I’ve seen a lot of people who were born with all the right advantages but ended up being awful. They think their money or looks make them special, but it doesn’t. Most of the time, it just makes them worse, because people only want to be around them for what they have, not who they are."

"......"

"Honestly, if it wasn’t for one particular person, I probably would’ve turned out like one of those people too."

Seonghyeon laughed bitterly, as if confessing.

"...You always used to tell me I had a good personality, right? But I wasn’t always like this. I used to be just a brat, throwing money around because I liked the power trip. But then I met this one person who was totally different. Poor but not pitiful, mild-mannered but strong-willed. Nothing like the people who usually hung around me just for scraps."

For some reason, I had a feeling I knew who he was talking about.