OPPORTUNITY: Opportunity
#23
The sweltering summer vacation flew by, and a new semester arrived. Taehyung and Yeoju were getting along better than expected. They seemed destined to break up after a week, but they'd been stuck together like a couple for months.
"Hey... did you hear the news about Yunsu?"
"Uh. What should I do, really..."
As soon as I entered the classroom, the name "Yoon-soo" caught my ear. Just as I was about to ask the kids what was going on, Kim Tae-hyung walked in.
김태형
Wow! Jeon Jungkook! Why did you grow so tall?
전정국
You are still the same.
김태형
......
김태형
My future height is 190. Your future height is 170.
전정국
I'm over 170 now.
김태형
......
전정국
Oh, have you heard anything about Yunsu?
전정국
As soon as I came in, the kids started talking about Yunsu.
전정국
I don't even see the kid who always came first and studied.
김태형
......
Taehyung's expression hardened abruptly. I wondered if something truly serious was going on. I urged him on, expressing my frustration.
김태형
Yunsu is missing.
전정국
what...?
김태형
I heard it from my mom too. It's causing chaos at school.
김태형
They say they're trying to cover it up because they're afraid the rumors will get bad.
김태형
It seems like the teachers are all keeping quiet. Parents are also reluctant to talk about it.
전정국
......No... Yeah, why? When?
김태형
He said he was going to school but didn't come back.
김태형
I don't know any more details than this.
전정국
Did you report it to the police?
김태형
Yunsu's father must have done it.
김태형
Oh my... I'm scared that something really might have happened.
김태형
Wait. Jeon Jungkook, you haven't changed anything, have you?
전정국
...No. I couldn't even say a word of encouragement to Yoon-soo because I was afraid this would happen.
김태형
I hope you come back healthy.
Until a month ago, a classmate who had been sitting in the front row went missing, but the atmosphere at school was the same as usual.
Even the homeroom teacher didn't mention Yunsoo. As an adult, I'm twenty-seven, so I understand to some extent, but I wondered if the investigation was proceeding properly. Yunsoo's father must be a total lunatic.
I couldn't concentrate in class all day. I even felt guilty, wondering if my small actions had somehow affected Yunsu's fate.
Ding dong dang dong- Ding dong dang dong-
김태형
Hey, do you want to go to the PC room?
전정국
No. I have something to do.
김태형
? What is it?
전정국
I'm trying to find Yunsu.
김태형
......what...?
김태형
The police are looking for him, they say.
전정국
Yoonsoo's dad is even crazier than I thought.
전정국
How can I believe what a father like that reported?
김태형
...I decided not to change the past.
김태형
You never know what might happen if you change it.
전정국
Maybe it has already changed.
전정국
A friend who lived and ate in the same space until a few months ago.
전정국
I know the tragic future, the terrible part about Yoon-soo's father.
전정국
How can I pretend not to know?
전정국
At the very least, I need to find out where Yunsu is and what he's doing.
전정국
I'll do it alone, so don't stop me.
김태형
Yeah, hey.
김태형
You're only fourteen now. Where can you be and what can you do?
김태형
Be realistic.
전정국
If you only think realistically like that
전정국
I won't let Yunsu die.