Kapitel 9: Cheo Jung-hwa

Waking up the next day, Joon-won quickly ate a bowl of cereal, grabbed his bag from beside the couch, and headed out the door. This time, he didn't forget the large trash bag he had set aside after cleaning the place yesterday. Lugging it down the stairs and out the building, he tossed it into the enormous dumpster in the alleyway with a satisfying thud.

Task complete, he dusted off his hands and began his walk towards the university. Despite being an old soul inside, he found himself smiling at the prospect of attending university. In his previous life, he'd never had the luxury of formal education, having to work endlessly just to survive. Now, he had the chance to study something he genuinely loved—acting.

As he neared the campus, he stopped at the grand entrance, students bustling around him. The large sign above read, "Arios Drama University." Drawing on Joon-won's memories, he navigated through the campus, recalling the route to his class.

A sudden sharp pain struck his back, causing him to wince. He turned to find a young woman grinning beside him. She had long, straight dark brown hair cascading to her waist and large, lively black eyes. Her whole demeanor exuded cheerfulness, putting others at ease. Her name was Cheo Jung-hwa.

Joon-won recognized her immediately, thanks to the memories he'd reviewed. She and the original Joon-won had known each other from their hometown and high school, though they hadn't spoken until reuniting at the university.

"Joon-won, why are you dawdling like it's your first day here? We're going to be late!" Jung-hwa teased, playfully nudging him.

Smiling at her infectious energy, he replied, "Just taking in the morning, I guess. Did you have to hit so hard?"

Jung-hwa paused, eyeing him critically. "You're acting strange today. Can't quite put my finger on it."

Feeling a twinge of anxiety at her perceptiveness, he quickly said, "It's all in your head. Don't overthink it. How was your weekend?"

She brightened, easily distracted. "Oh, it was great! Stayed in the dorm, caught up on sleep. What about you?"

Joon-won sighed internally, lamenting the original's poor choices, but answered, "I watched a few movies online, went to a theater for one too. Just relaxed and practiced for the exam coming up this weekend."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Practiced? On the weekend? Wow, who are you, and what have you done with the real Joon-won? I usually have to drag you to practice even a little."

"Come on, it's our final exams. The scores matter for next year's placements, right? Gotta buckle down at some point," he shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant.

Jung-hwa nodded thoughtfully. "True. The better we do, the higher the chance we get into the 'Star Batch' next year. Just think of it, the 'Star Batch'! So much better than our current group."

"Star Batch?" Joon-won asked, feigning confusion.

She rolled her eyes. "Were you not paying attention when the teacher talked about it last month? We're getting evaluated strictly, and those who excel might replace someone in the Star Batch. Seriously, Joon-won, you need to focus more in class."

"The Star Batch, huh? Sounds like you've got your eyes set on it," he observed, noting her enthusiasm.

"Of course! It's a huge opportunity," she replied, her eyes sparkling with determination.

As they walked, Joon-won couldn't help but feel a growing admiration for Jung-hwa's unwavering dedication. Unlike the old Joon-won, who had been swayed by city life and lost his way, she had remained focused on her goal—improving her acting skills.

Approaching their classroom, the campus buzzed with energy. Joon-won marveled at the mix of students, each carrying dreams of stardom. Arios City, the entertainment heart of the nation, provided endless opportunities for those willing to seize them. For the first time, he felt a genuine sense of belonging and purpose in this new life.

They reached the classroom, and Joon-won felt a flicker of anticipation. This was his chance to redeem the wasted year and prove himself. As he stepped inside, he vowed to give his all, not just for himself but for the supportive figures in his life, both past and present.