Chapter 52

57 years old.

This man, whose impending retirement is now drawing near.

Park Geon-su is someone who holds rather classical educational values.

Should he be called a believer in perseverance?

Of course, it’s not just about math and science.

English and various foreign languages.

Programming languages and various kinds of practical skills taught here at Yongsan IT High School.

With perseverance and effort, consistency through diligence and time investment, and the mastery gained through repetition—Park Geon-su believed that if one continued this way, they could naturally bloom and establish themselves in the industry.

In that sense…

“Confident, aren’t you? Can you explain this a bit more in detail, perhaps?”

Hayoon’s approach resonated with Park Geon-su.

Actually, isn’t that true? These days, do students even see teachers as teachers anymore?

If you ask them to do something, they immediately show an unpleasant face, reluctant to move a finger. And if you don’t ask them to do anything, they truly do nothing.

Students like that are everywhere.

“Can I elaborate?”

“Yes, in detail. First of all, I’d like to understand what level your planned game is at.”

In that sense, Hayoon’s method really appealed to him.

Without being told to do so, there was a project underway that didn’t heavily conflict with the department’s educational curriculum.

“I mostly keep my materials on my tablet. Would it be okay if I fetch it?”

With that, there was also her politeness—something utterly absent in many of today’s rebellious and sullen students.

This modesty impressed Park Geon-su, making Hayoon an ideal student in his eyes.

“No. I’ll come.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, let’s go to the classroom. It’s too noisy here in the faculty room, and we wouldn’t be able to hear properly anyway. You’d also be self-conscious with others around.”

Thus, Park Geon-su decided to be accommodating toward Hayoon. He pointed to the corner of the faculty room with a deliberate gesture.

There were too many eyes here, and he judged that it might discourage the ambitious first-year who was trying to spread her wings.

“Okay, I understand.”

With that, Hayoon, accompanied by Park Geon-su, headed toward the classroom.

On this day, no cleaning duties had been assigned, so no one was left in the classroom. Hayoon retrieved her tablet from her bag, which was left dangling on the desk, and showed him the work she had been doing so far.

“Animation-style illustrations, right?”

“Yes, I prefer this kind.”

“Is that a personal preference?”

“Well, isn’t it better to do something you genuinely love? A similar art style would make you more comfortable. Wouldn’t it be depressing for someone who dislikes ultra-realistic art to have to survive doing it for a lifetime?”

While Hayoon spoke with calmness, an air of boldness could have been detected in her tone, yet Park Geon-su quietly focused on the illustrations she presented.

‘The art style is indisputably Japanese animation. Preferred in that kind of animation…’

Hayoon’s technical skills presented in her illustrations were incredibly vibrant and practical.

Her handling of basic light effects, composition, and human anatomy was impeccable.

Even the techniques for creating depth between background art and character textures to draw the viewer’s attention were flawlessly natural.

“High school level art theory might be unnecessary for her…”

Park Geon-su was confident. Whether Hayoon applied these techniques consciously or instinctively, high school art theory was redundant here. In fact, it might even risk disrupting her already perfected methods—like how a coach forcing personal plays into a structured team strategy could ruin an already talented player’s skills.

“Ho ho…”

By this point, Park Geon-su couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’ve got the stuff, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

“No, I’m not belittling you. This isn’t really about gameplay, is it? This is a project focused on art, right?”

“Yes, it’s a visual novel. A genre that mainly depends on art and sound rather than fancy tech. The story needs only the basics.”

“Exactly. That’s smart.”

Even if you concede a hundred times, finding someone Hayoon’s age who can draw this well? Sure, there will be younger ones if you look around. Because, for geniuses, age doesn’t matter.

But there’s likely no one out there who can draw illustrations like Hayoon’s AND possess the same level of project planning. He was sure of it.

“You know your strengths well. Pushing art, which rivals professionals, as your strong point while choosing a genre that minimizes gameplay weaknesses to cover the gap of finding a high school programmer.”

In fact, if Hayoon had decided to hire an adult programmer, there would have been ways to do so. But managing an adult programmer wouldn’t be easy for her.

That’s why she found a programmer from Arin’s school, though even that could be seen as quite a positive choice.

“And hiring professional voice actors as well would further strengthen your project.”

“I’m planning on hiring professional voice actors.”

“Yes. That’s why your planning is outstanding. As a high school student, you’re setting up the kind of environment that an experienced adult game team can create—a level where you can make a game comparable to professionals.”

Park Geon-su spoke passionately, almost drooling in his excitement. That’s how much Hayoon’s plan appealed to him.

“Why did you plan to form a club? Be honest.”

“I didn’t want to waste time and secretly wanted some money for team dinners.”

“Right! That’s the mindset of a capable leader. Taking care of your people and pushing the project forward while eliminating external variables.”

What others might have seen as reckless boldness in Hayoon, Park Geon-su found endearing. Thus, he offered to help.

“I’ll assist you.”

“You will?”

“I’ll be the adviser for your club. I don’t know how much funding we might get, but if I advocate strongly, we can expect around 200,000 won per semester.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Use that money to bond with your team and push the project. In return…”

“In return?”

“You must complete the game by the end of this year. If you can’t release the game this year, I’ll step down as your adviser next year.”

Park Geon-su made a bold deal. He’d observe quietly this year.

But if there was no tangible success, he’d step down as the adviser next year. It was an exciting proposal.

After pausing to think, Hayoon fiddled with her phone and pulled up a funding page.

“The game will release on schedule. We’ve already earned this much.”

A funding page showed a stack of donations close to 36 million won.

Despite Park Geon-su’s wide eyes at the sight, he responded:

“Opening a funding campaign and receiving donations doesn’t guarantee the completion of a game. Teams without perseverance always collapse.”

“Ah, I agree with that.”

“I get that you’re trying to show me how serious you are, but that’s not enough to guarantee my continued help next year.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Park Geon-su wasn’t easily backing down, and Hayoon solemnly bowed, thanking him for willingly taking up the advisory role.

Then…

“This is the club application form signed by three of our members. Would it be considered approved if I give it to you?”

“I’ll take care of it if it helps. Why would someone want to borrow talent from an uninspired regular club when they have driven students like yourselves who want to work together?”

Saying this, Park Geon-su left, telling her to head home before it got too late. Watching his back, Hayoon thought,

“Such a good guy.”

Thinking about how she might have landed an unexpectedly good homeroom teacher, she also felt pity for Seok-min who was being scolded by Park Geon-su.

“Our class adviser is secured… I actually don’t know why he offered to help…”

With this briefing in a group chat, Hayoon picked up her bag to leave the classroom, intending to focus on her art work at home after dealing with her remaining tasks.

#

A few days later.

Hayoon, who fell asleep just past midnight, woke early and boarded the school bus.

She was exhausted, not understanding why she had to endure such torment. She just stared out the bus window and arrived at school.

“Eat this.”

“Mmm…”

She snapped out of her daze after chewing on something Arin brought her to the classroom.

“Gu Kwang Seok-min!”

As the homeroom meeting progressed with Gu Kwang Seok-min getting yelled at again…

“Min Hyae-yoon.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. The club room has been chosen, so come quickly.”

“Huh?”

“What’s with the ‘huh’? Follow me, will you?”

Park Geon-su called out to Min Hayoon and cut straight to the chase, instructing her to follow him.

“Huh…”

She was somewhat taken aback; had the club setup been completed so quickly?

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