* * *
The grades were listed as follows:
Literature – Level 4
English Reading and Writing – Level 5
Calculus 1 – Level 5
Biology – Level 4
Chemistry – Level 4
World History – Level 2
Chinese 1 – Level 3
Art Creation – Level 2
Sports Culture – Level 1
Pyo Yoontae immediately snatched up Jeongseo’s report card.
While these weren’t the primary subjects that significantly impacted the overall GPA, having a mix of Level 1 and Level 2 grades was impressive.
Given what Jeongseo had mentioned about his ranking before, even these subjects shouldn’t have yielded such decent results.
Surprisingly, the scores in other subjects also turned out better than expected.
Pyo Yoontae, visibly more satisfied than Jeongseo, smiled and ruffled the latter’s soft brown hair playfully.
“You did well.”
Although it wasn’t a miraculous all-Level-1 or all-Level-3 result, it was certainly something to be proud of.
Jeongseo giggled as Yoontae’s hand tousled his hair, the tickling sensation prompting him to laugh along.
“Thanks!”
The brightness in Jeongseo’s voice made Yoontae think, almost unconsciously, that he wanted to record it and listen to it later at home.
After spending a brief time hanging out with Yoontae, Jeongseo returned home and proudly took a picture of his report card to send to his older brother.
The response was immediate—a phone call from So Kanghyun, who was overwhelmed with emotion.
He eagerly asked Jeongseo if there was anything he wanted, promising to send it right away.
The end of summer break for the second-year students.
The summer break ceremony for Jeongseo’s class was held simply in their classroom.
While students from other classes rushed out to head home or hang out, the students of Class 4 were different.
Today was the day they planned to use the 400,000-won local gift certificate they had won as the first prize in the sports competition.
Their homeroom teacher peeked through the window at the bustling hallway and then addressed the class.
“Let’s head out, everyone.”
“Yes, ma’am!” came the cheerful response.
The students huddled together and made their way to an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant near the riverside.
At 18,000 won per person, the total for the 29 attendees, including the teacher, exceeded the voucher amount by about 120,000 won, which the teacher graciously offered to cover.
Upon entering the restaurant, the staff, informed in advance of their visit, warmly welcomed the teacher and the students.
“You can sit anywhere from the windows to the inner section. The tables are already set up!”
Following the teacher’s instructions, the students sat in groups with their closest friends.
Jeongseo glanced around the restaurant and asked Yoontae, “Where should we sit?”
Though Jeongseo had started conversing more freely with the other students, the only person he was especially close to was Yoontae.
Just as he considered heading toward the window seats, Ha Sumin waved at him from an inner table.
“Jeongseo! Yoontae! Over here!”
“Ah, let’s sit there!”
As they walked toward Sumin, an arm suddenly wrapped around Jeongseo’s chest from behind, pulling him close.
Startled, Jeongseo turned to find Yoontae wearing a sulky expression as he veered toward an empty seat near the class president by the window.
Sumin, caught off guard, awkwardly put his hand down.
“But Sumin’s calling us!”
“I know.”
The curt response carried an unspoken *“And? What about it?” that left Jeongseo speechless.
Ultimately, Yoontae’s stubbornness prevailed, and Jeongseo joined the group seated near the class president.
Fortunately, the other students warmly welcomed the two, and the class president even called over the teacher.
“Ma’am! Join us here!”
When the teacher arrived at their table, all eyes turned to her.
“Thank you for all your efforts this semester. Have a wonderful, safe summer break, and absolutely no dangerous behavior, okay? Rest well and come back looking your best in the fall! Thank you for always listening to me, Class 4!”
The restaurant erupted in applause.
Some students even shouted their thanks.
Jeongseo clapped along, looking around with curious eyes.
Having never attended such a class event before, everything felt new and unfamiliar.
He felt a strange sense of belonging.
Turning to Yoontae, he whispered, “This is fun, isn’t it?”
Yoontae, who had been clapping leisurely, glanced at Jeongseo, smiled faintly, and nodded.
And thus, the lively first semester of their second year came to an end.
Two days into summer vacation
Jeongseo had already packed his suitcase the night before and placed it in the living room.
He stood in the yard with Seobok, his large wolfdog, waiting by the gate.
His mom was coming to pick him up.
Since his grandmother’s passing, Jeongseo spent his vacations alternating between the countryside and their home in Seoul.
During winter breaks, he stayed in Seoul almost the entire time, but in the summer, he only went for a few days due to the need to water the fields.
This time, with Seobok in tow, they decided on a short five-day visit.
“Seobok, the person coming soon is my mom, so no growling, okay?”
“Woof,” Seobok barked softly. Being a smart dog, he likely understood.
He had behaved gently when meeting Kanghyun, after all.
“Seobok, have you ever been to Seoul?”
“Woof, woof.”
Unlike his usual single bark, this time Seobok barked twice, almost as if to say “no.”
“Well then, have you ever ridden in a car? You don’t get carsick, do you?”
“Woof, woof!” Seobok barked loudly.
Although the sound conveyed assurance, it was hard to tell if he truly understood Jeongseo’s words or was just responding to the tone.
Jeongseo couldn’t help but worry slightly about the possibility of Seobok getting carsick.
As he pondered, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention.
Both Jeongseo and Seobok perked up their ears, staring at the gate.
Soon, the green gate creaked open.
Jeongseo leaped up, his face lighting up with the brightest smile.
“Mom!”
“My baby!”
As a bushy brown tail wagged enthusiastically behind him, Jeongseo rushed into his mother’s arms.
Taller than her now, it was more accurate to say he enveloped her in a hug rather than the other way around.
“Oh my, you’ve grown even more! I don’t think I can carry you anymore.”
Kim Seohyun patted her son’s back, and Jeongseo, overflowing with joy, rubbed his face against her like an affectionate puppy.
“I missed you, Mom!”
It had been months since their last meeting during winter break.
While the two basked in their reunion, Kim Seohyun’s gaze fell on the enormous dog staring at her.
She had heard about Seobok and seen pictures, but seeing him in person was something else entirely.
The wolfdog was enormous—big enough to drag Jeongseo around during walks.
Staring warily, she hesitated before asking, “Jeongseo, are you sure that dog doesn’t bite?”
“Of course! Seobok’s a genius dog! He never bites and listens really well!”
Despite her son’s confident reply, her fear was evident.
Jeongseo quickly ran to Seobok, who sat calmly on the porch.
“Mom, watch this!”
Curious but still cautious, Seohyun watched as Jeongseo spoke to Seobok.
“Seobok, stand up, spin once, and do something cute!”
Seohyun was about to object to the absurd number of commands when Seobok sprang to his feet.
He spun in place and then stood on his hind legs, flailing his front paws in an adorable manner.
“Wow…” Seohyun was left speechless, entirely unprepared for what she had just witnessed.
Jeongseo, brimming with pride, looked at his mother.
°❀•°❀°•❀°
Kim Seohyun drove over in the minivan his husband had left behind, big enough even for a large dog, so Seobok had plenty of room.
Seobok seemed unafraid of the car, climbing in without hesitation, and showed no signs of car sickness, remaining calm throughout the trip.
Setting off in the afternoon, they arrived at the Seoul house late at night without any issues.
After parking in the private driveway, Seohyun glanced behind him to find Jeongseo sound asleep alongside Seobok.
Living alone seemed to have done Jeongseo some good; his complexion appeared healthier than before.
Seohyun watched them with quiet satisfaction, reaching out to touch Jeongseo when Seobok’s eyes suddenly snapped open.
Meeting the dog’s sharp gaze, Seohyun flinched involuntarily.
Without breaking eye contact, Seobok prodded Jeongseo’s arm with his nose.
Stirred by the nudge, Jeongseo rubbed his eyes and let out a long yawn.
“We’re here?”
Momentarily distracted, Seohyun belatedly replied, “Oh, uh, yeah. We’re here.”
Jeongseo opened the door and got out, followed by Seobok, who leapt gracefully to the ground.
Watching the dog’s nimble movements, Seohyun couldn’t help but marvel.
“This dog is… really smart.”
Seobok seemed to anticipate his actions and even tried to help, showcasing remarkable intelligence and empathy.
The thought brought to mind an article Seohyun had read recently about genetically modified livestock with enhanced intelligence being smuggled into Korea.
* * *
Jealous