DPGR 174

Episode 2. Test

“I want to study.”

“…What?”

It was late June, when humidity and heat were at their peak. During an ordinary breakfast, Jiho, who had been lost in thought, suddenly spoke up.

“The application period for the qualification exam is coming soon.”

“Uh… so, you want to take the qualification exam?”

“Yes. Can’t I?”

For once Jiho watched Dojin’s reaction. Dojin quickly added before Jiho could misunderstand him.

“You can do whatever you want. I’m just worried you’re rushing. It hasn’t been long since the Final Dungeon closed.”

“I’ve rested enough.”

“Is this because of something my father said…?”

A few days ago, Dojin’s parents had come up to Seoul and they had eaten together. Dojin remembered his father asking about their future.

‘What are you two going to do from now on?’

‘What?’

‘Now that your powers are gone, it’s time to start thinking of other work.’

With abilities gone, espers and guides had returned to ordinary life and one by one went to find their own paths.

Around Dojin it was the same. Sehun said he wanted to study to become a researcher of dungeon byproducts. Kijoon had started a YouTube channel. Jihye and Geonwoo were preparing for marriage and also starting a business. Yulchan and Sena had begun preparing for university entrance exams.

The only ones still doing nothing and just resting were Dojin and Jiho.

But since it had not been long since he was discharged from the hospital, and since their funds were enough to live on for years, Dojin hadn’t felt in any rush.

‘Did Jiho take those words to heart?’

Seeing others begin studying must have swayed Jiho’s thoughts too. Dojin told him he didn’t need to.

“Think about it a little longer before deciding. About what you want to do. I just want Jiho to live happily doing what he wants.”

But Jiho’s face soon turned sulky, leaving Dojin troubled.

“Why, what don’t you like?”

“I already thought carefully before I said it.”

He hadn’t meant it that way, but Jiho must have felt his opinion was ignored. Dojin realized it was his fault for assuming and apologized sincerely.

“Sorry. I assumed. I just….”

“I know. It was sudden to say I want to study. I know you said that because you were worried. But… actually, I’ve thought about it for a long time.”

“For a long time?”

“I never went to school. I don’t know even the basics… especially English.”

Jiho blushed as he remembered Dojin speaking English fluently with foreigners during a video call.

“You looked so cool then. I want to be like that too.”

“Then maybe you should go to an English conversation school?”

“Not just English. I want to learn other things too. At first, I thought of a general academy or private tutoring, but Guide Sena told me about the qualification exam.”

He had been advised that instead of learning without any goals or deadlines, it would be better to study toward a nearby exam. Jiho explained his plan to Dojin with Sena’s advice as an example.

“This time I want to take the elementary qualification exam. Next year, the middle and high school exams.”

“And college? Do you want to go to university too?”

Jiho’s plan was quite detailed. Dojin finally took his words seriously and considered it carefully.

“If you want, I can look up university admission information too.”

“Not that far yet. For now I only thought about the high school exam. At least with that, I can get a job.”

“A job… you want to work?”

“I think I should.”

Dojin’s eyes narrowed. He imagined Jiho in semi-formal clothes, commuting to work in the morning and only coming home at night. His chest ached.

Partly because he wanted Jiho by his side all day, but more because he worried Jiho would suffer under others.

As if reading his thoughts, Jiho smiled and waved a hand.

“Hyung, I’m not a kid!”

“You weren’t?”

“……”

“Sorry. That was a joke.”

“Ha….”

Jiho sighed, exasperated. Dojin laughed and set aside his worry.

Yes, it was best to start with the exam Jiho wanted.

“Alright. When does registration open?”

“Next week, maybe?”

“How do you want to study? An academy? Or tutoring?”

“Esper Yulchan recommended online lectures. I’ll start studying alone.”

Since it was government-supported, it was free. And with online lectures, he could watch anytime without being tied to a schedule.

“Then do that. But if you have trouble, ask me anytime. If you want, I’ll even hire a tutor.”

“Yes!”

Jiho’s face brightened right away. Dojin felt warm, because Jiho really looked his age.

***

Preparing for the elementary qualification exam wasn’t difficult. Even just half-listening to the online lectures, he could solve workbook problems without trouble.

“Oh…!”

Red circles filled the workbook. Growing confident, Jiho threw himself into studying for the first time in his life.

Having finished preparation for the elementary exam (though it hardly required preparation), Jiho became more ambitious and started on the middle school exam.

The middle-level material was confusing at times, but the online lectures were enough to study from.

If Jiho didn’t understand something, he could ask Dojin. If even that didn’t work, he could contact Yulchan or Sena and get answers.

The problem started after he finished the middle school material.

“Uh, uhm….”

He carelessly thought he might as well try the high school level. He played a lecture. After just ten minutes, Jiho lost all the confidence he had built up.

“Hyung….”

“Pretty one? What’s wrong. Your face looks half gone. What happened?”

“I think I’m stupid….”

“What? Who said that. Jiho, you’re so smart.”

“No… I’m not smart at all….”

Jiho’s voice weakened and he whined. Dojin lifted him up into his arms. Jiho naturally wrapped his arms around Dojin’s neck and clung to him, while Dojin patted him gently with a frown.

“What is it. Is the studying hard?”

Just that morning Jiho had been cheerful, saying he was finishing the middle school workbook.

When Dojin worried, Jiho rubbed his forehead against Dojin’s neck and explained. Dojin finally understood why Jiho looked so down and his face softened with pity.

“Is it really hard?”

“…Not that much, just a little.”

“Yeah, a little. But right now we’re only taking the elementary exam. I’m worried you’re pushing too hard.”

“But it’s better to study everything at once.”

“If you try to do too much all of a sudden, you’ll burn out. You’ve finished preparing for the elementary exam, right?”

“Yes….”

“Then I think it’s better to rest for a while.”

“But….”

Jiho still looked reluctant. Dojin wondered how to coax him, then pulled out a card that would surely catch Jiho’s attention.

“Come to think of it, there’s a big parade at the amusement park soon.”

“…Amusement park?”

Jiho, who had kept his face buried in Dojin’s neck, finally lifted his head. His caramel-colored eyes sparkled.

Dojin walked to the sofa and sat Jiho on his lap, nodding.

“Yes. They’ll even have fireworks.”

“Fireworks….”

“How about we go, clear your head a bit?”

He remembered promising to take Jiho to the amusement park for his birthday, just before the last dungeon. As expected, Jiho took the bait right away.

“Yes! Let’s go!”

“We’ll play all day, eat good food, watch the parade and fireworks.”

“Okay! When, when do we go? Do we go now?”

Jiho wriggled like he was ready to jump out the door. Dojin chuckled at his cuteness and patted his back.

“It’s too late today. Should we go tomorrow instead?”

“Tomorrow? What time tomorrow? In the morning?”

Jiho’s face lit up, completely different from how sulky he had been before. It was the opposite of the “I’m not a kid” front he tried to put up.

‘Cute….’

Dojin’s gaze dripped with honey as he looked at him. He unconsciously bit Jiho’s nose lightly, and Jiho squeezed his eyes shut, pretending to die.

“Kyah! Hyung!”

“Oh no. Sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

Even while saying he didn’t mean it, Dojin bit Jiho’s plump cheek again before letting go. Jiho puffed his now red, teeth-marked cheek and glared at him.

“Why do you bite me?”

“You’re too cute, I couldn’t help it….”

“Ha!”

Jiho grumbled with his small lips, clearly exasperated. Even that looked so lovely that Dojin gave a foolish smile.

“We’ll go to the amusement park after breakfast tomorrow. So come here.”

“W-why? I still have to study….”

“You can take a break from studying.”

As he said that, Dojin grabbed Jiho’s waist and pulled him close into his chest. His lips landed all over Jiho’s face like stamping kisses.

Jiho wriggled and squirmed in his arms, but finally laughed at Dojin’s affection.

That day too, their home overflowed with happiness.