Minjin's learnings and Minjun's studies

Throughout the night, Minjin read the rest of the books she had brought, which focused on Korean scientific terms and their applications in a specific branch of science. The next morning, she rushed down the bus steps and apologized to the passersby on the side of the road. A few meters away from the school gate, some students were sprinting towards it. However, as they approached, the school guard was already closing the gate, with a teacher standing outside.

"Wait! Ajusshi!" Minjin shouted as she tried to run faster, but when she reached the school gate, it was already closed. She bent down on her knees, struggling to catch her breath.

The autumn breeze felt cold, yet she was sweating heavily under her uniform.

The teacher approached the group of students and shouted, "Gather around!" He instructed them.

The students lined up row by row as the teacher walked in front of them to examine their faces. He called out each student one by one and instructed them to line up separately. After all the students had been distributed among their groups, it was Minjin's turn. She was asked to join a different line.

The students who had received the harshest punishments were ordered to walk in a squat position with their hands crossed and their ears held, and they had to repeat this five times. When Minjin heard this, her mouth dropped open in shock.

As the teacher turned to face their group, which was considered the first offenders, he instructed them to run around the field seven times. Minjin's eyes widened at the punishment, and she nearly blurted out the F word.

They headed straight to the field where the students would serve their punishment. Minjin began to run at a slow pace, her mind racing with thoughts about how the Korean educational system differed from the American approach. She reflected on Minjun, who appeared to have adapted well to this method of education, as he consistently maintained top marks. She sighed, realizing that his father likely expected him to perform at that level.

Minjin maintained her jogging pace while some of the students struggled to complete the required seven lapses. It took her almost an hour to finish her punishment, just in time for the start of the first morning class. Some students could not help but lie on the ground, breathing heavily, while others bent on their knees.

Minjin quickly ran to the bleachers to get her bag and rushed into the school building.

When Minjin arrived at the backdoor of their classroom, Mrs. Soo was already there, having come in through the front door. Minjin went straight to her desk while Minjun organized his notes at his. After settling at her desk, Minjin began to prepare her materials.

Minjun smirked, his eyes focused on his notes. "You're late now. Are you really planning to keep this up until the end of the semester?" He asked her.

"If you can manage to wake up early even after staying up late to study, not everyone can do that. Being late doesn't always mean someone is being lazy. Students have the right to feel tired," Minjin responded as she opened her book.

Minjun's eyes widened at her statement, and he smirked slightly. "This isn't America, Minjin-ah."

"You can smile at everyone and be a dedicated student, but aren't you getting tired, Minjun-ah?" Minjin asked, still focused on her book.

Minjun paused mid-air as he wrote in his notebook, suddenly blanking out. Although he felt tired, he realized he had never given it much thought. After a moment of silence, Minjun smirked. "Why do you care about how I feel?" He said, continuing to write.

"Because I bet that despite being a popular guy and student, no one has ever asked you how you feel or if you're tired. Have Bang Eun-kyung and Mun Sara ever asked you if you were alright? It's understandable if they didn't, though, because you always seem fine," Minjin replied.

Minjun paused his writing once more and turned to look at her. "So, are you getting tired? Is that why you're late?" 

Minjin faced him and replied, "Tell me, Minjun-ah, since you are always studying, are you actually learning?" 

Minjun's eyes widened at her unexpected question. He hesitated for a moment before responding. "I am." 

"Then tell me, what have you learned in geometry besides solving equations?" Minjin asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Do you even understand the deeper purpose behind those calculations?" 

Minjun sighed. "Ani."

"It should encourage the exploration of spatial awareness and geometric reasoning to foster a deeper conceptual understanding and enhance logical thinking skills, including deductive and analytical reasoning. These skills are essential for solving real-world problems. Since you have been studying these concepts through mathematical problem-solving, have you gained a deeper understanding of them? Have you ever noticed that your brain unconsciously performs geometric calculations? For instance, when you step out of bed in the morning or when parallel parking?" Minjin asked.

Minjun's eyes widened at her unexpected insight. Seeing his reaction, Minjin smiled. "Newton discovered gravity not in the classroom but under an apple tree. Einstein imagined himself chasing a beam of light, which led him to question the constancy of the speed of light and the nature of space and time. Studying should be an experience of learning in itself, Minjun-ah," she said as she gazed through the window.

Minjun slightly grinned before he turned his attention back to his notes. "Why are you even still in high school?" He asked.

"I wouldn't be here then," Minjin replied with her chin rested on her palm, while her eyes remained still outside the window.

Minjun smirked slightly, keeping his eyes forward. "Our conversation started with my question about your tardiness, but it ended up helping me understand learning better. I feel like I'm the one at fault instead of you."

"That's because you are," Minjin said, still looking out the window.

Minjun turned to face her again. "How about I make a suggestion?"

"About what?" Minjin asked, not meeting his gaze.

"Does Hyung even know that you've been arriving at school almost late?" Minjun inquired.

Minjin slowly turned to him, a slight frown forming on her face, but she didn't respond.

Minjun chuckled softly, a smirk playing on his lips as he kept his gaze fixed on her. "How about I pick you up every morning for school?" 

Minjin's eyes widened at his suggestion. "Are you crazy?!" She blurted out loudly. 

Mrs. Soo paused her discussion as their classmates turned to look at them. 

"What's the problem, Minjin-ah?" Mrs. Soo asked.

Minjun turned his head forward, stifling a laugh, but Minjin continued to glare at him before looking back at Mrs. Soo. "Nothing, saem," she replied.

Mrs. Soo chuckled softly. "Are you two fighting again?" 

Minjin awkwardly smiled but remained silent. 

This made their classmates chuckle in their seats, while some simply shook their heads and returned their focus to the front. Mrs. Soo also shook her head before resuming her discussion on the board.

Minjin turned to glare at Minjun again. "Don't you dare do that," she said through gritted teeth.

Minjun tried to suppress his laughter as he replied, "I can't believe you just called me crazy."

Minjin snorted in response. "Because you are," she said, then shifted her gaze back to the window.

"Ya, if you're late again next week, I will definitely do it," Minjun threatened her.

Minjin sighed. "You didn't understand the point I was trying to make just two minutes ago."

"Ani," Minjun replied. "I've learned these past few days that you have the potential to show off your abilities, Minjin-ah. You just need a little push."

Minjin turned to him with a frown. "A little push? You think putting me here is a little push?," she said, trying to keep her voice low.

Minjun grinned at her. "Minjin-ah, you're doing great here. You make it look effortless while everyone else is struggling. You even share your thoughts on simplifying complex ideas because you've observed that we aren't taught that way. We may be studying, but we are learning from what you share."

Minjin let out a soft snort. "Aren't you worried that I might surpass you as the top student among all the Grade 11 students?"

Minjun smiled softly. "Ani, I've known since we were younger that you are much better than I am."

Minjin's eyes widened at his honesty, but she quickly scoffed. "I'm not aiming for the top spot. You deserve it more than I do since you study hard and are very dedicated," she replied before turning back to stare out the window.

Minjun chuckled softly as he turned to face the front. "Did you just compliment me?"

"Stop talking to me," Minjin said bluntly.

"Anyway, based on your reason for being late, have you stayed up all night reading again?" Minjun asked, keeping his eyes on the board.

"You know I always read," Minjin replied, her tone laced with annoyance.

Minjun smirked slightly. "At least this time you're reading books to better understand the Korean translation of scientific terms."

"I told you not to talk to me," Minjin replied, trying to lower her voice.

Minjun smirked again. "If you're going to be stubborn, then I will be stubborn too."

Minjin snorted as she kept her eyes fixed on the window. "Yeah, that's why we always clash."

Minjun said, "Then you should listen to me."

"Ani, you should listen to me," Minjin retorted.

Minjun chuckled softly, shaking his head with a smirk.