The Best Friends (2)

In those days, around the late 80s to early 90s, the competition to get into university was fierce. The rivalry was so intense that the odds were nearly 5:1, and the saying "Retaking exams is a must, retaking twice is a choice" became a mantra among those preparing for the entrance exams, including Ryu Ji-ho.

Some universities would be forced to close their doors in the future due to a lack of new students. But back then, out of roughly 800,000 exam takers, only 200,000 secured a spot in higher education.

"Can you teach me math?" Ryu Ji-ho asked.

"No," Kim Seok-min replied flatly, not even bothering to lift his head from the reference book he was engrossed in.

"Figured as much! Study hard, then," Ryu Ji-ho sighed, readying himself to leave the broadcast room. But just as he turned to go, Kim Seok-min's voice called him back.

"You must've studied diligently in middle school, right?"

"Maybe..." Ryu Ji-ho answered, his tone uncertain.

Certain clubs, like the broadcasting club, had an unspoken yet strict standard regarding academic performance. The fact that Ryu Ji-ho had been accepted into Shinpo High's broadcasting club was proof enough that his grades weren't all that bad.

"Studying in middle school wasn't about how difficult the material was; it was about perseverance. I think the same goes for high school," Kim Seok-min said seriously before returning to his book.

"Yeah, studying does require effort. Do it with all your heart!" Ryu Ji-ho said, feeling a newfound determination.

Those who prepared early and spent countless hours studying would be the ones smiling at the end. With that in mind, Ryu Ji-ho finally decided it was time to buckle down and study earnestly, getting himself ready for the upcoming midterm exams. Tonight, his battle would begin.

As Ryu Ji-ho stepped out of the main building...

"Whoa!"

A loud noise suddenly erupted behind him.

"Dammit!" Ryu Ji-ho cursed, startled.

Ryu Ji-ho staggered back unconsciously, taking a few shaky steps before finally collapsing onto the ground.

"Good grief! My heart nearly jumped out of my chest!" he exclaimed, catching his breath.

A mocking voice came from behind him, dripping with sarcasm. "Idiot! I heard you got hit even more because you tried to fight back against the principal, huh?"

Ryu Ji-ho looked up to see a boy standing casually, one leg bent forward in a relaxed stance. It was Go Woo-chan, one of the infamous quartets at their school. With his typical lazy expression, he gazed down at Ji-ho as if he were something mildly interesting yet trivial. Though only seventeen, Woo-chan's hardened features and tall, imposing frame—standing at 186 cm—made him seem older than his years.

They had been classmates since their second year of middle school, and from that time on, they had remained inseparable, even now in their high school days at Sinpo High. Ryu Ji-ho and Go Woo-chan were close friends, almost like brothers.

"Ugh…" Ji-ho groaned softly but accepted Woo-chan's offered hand, pulling himself up with his friend's help. In his mind, echoes of a past life stirred. He remembered how Woo-chan's life had been as bleak as his own. Woo-chan's rough exterior matched his skill in fighting, yet he always lagged behind in academics. His quick temper often landed him in trouble. After high school, he'd been dragged into the dark underworld, mingling with thugs, getting entangled in a murder case, and ultimately being framed, leading to a life sentence. By the time Ryu Ji-ho had died, his best friend was still rotting in prison.

"Now that I've come back to the past, I have to save this kid's life," Ji-ho thought resolutely.

"Who needs saving, exactly?" Woo-chan frowned, confused by Ji-ho's mumbling.

"Ah, there are some things you might not understand just yet. But that's okay, you don't need to know right now," Ji-ho replied with a faint, meaningful smile.

In his heart, Ji-ho was determined not to let his friend end up behind bars again. To do that, he knew he had to change himself first, to make it easier to steer Woo-chan onto a better path. Go Woo-chan was the only friend who had always stood by him, no matter what.

'When I died, the only ones who showed up at my funeral were them, the four of them,' Ji-ho thought bitterly. Now, given a second chance, he vowed to do everything right this time.

"This time, I won't make the same stupid mistakes! Even if it kills me!" Ji-ho made this silent promise to himself, his resolve hardening.

"Good luck with that, Ji-ho. But if you screw up again, I'll be the one to knock some sense into you," Woo-chan said, throwing a mock punch in the air, a small grin creeping onto his usually stern face.

Ji-ho returned the smile. "Just make sure you don't do anything stupid either. Do everything right, Woo-chan. I don't want to lose you again."

*****

At the school gate, Hwang Jae-jung and Kim Jun-woo crossed paths. Amid the hustle and bustle of students who had just finished their classes, their encounter felt like a long-awaited moment, one that had been anticipated for quite some time.

Ryu Ji-ho, with a bright smile lighting up his face, immediately greeted Kim Jun-woo. His expression radiated an uncontainable joy as he extended his hand warmly.

"It's been so long, hasn't it? How long has it been since we last met?" he asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"Yes, it really has," Kim Jun-woo responded, a bit taken aback, while accepting the offered hand. Their hands clasped, and Ji-ho shook Jun-woo's hand with a sincere, heartfelt energy.

Kim Jun-woo, dressed head to toe in designer clothes, exuded an air of authority. With his background as the only son of a wealthy family that ran several large businesses in Incheon, Jun-woo was not only known as a member of the photography club but also as the proud owner of three expensive cameras. His three older sisters doted on him endlessly, making him a figure of respect at school.