There was a story Uncle Miller told me when I was on the deserted island.
"Seojin, as you go through life, you’ll encounter situations that feel like dead ends—problems that seem impossible to solve. When that happens, you only need to think about three things."
"Three things?"
"Yes. First, people. The world begins and ends with people, after all. So, when a problem arises, think first about who is at the center of it."
"Hmm. That makes sense. What's the second thing?"
"The second thing is understanding what motivates that person. That's where you'll find the key to solving the problem. If you can give food to someone who’s hungry, there’s nothing better. If you can heal someone who’s hurt, that’s even better. If you can resolve their problem, then those people will be on your side."
"As expected, Uncle, you’re wise. So, what's the last thing?"
I still remember the look on Uncle Miller's face at that moment.
"Sigh... Seojin, you know what life is, right?"
"Yes?"
"In the end, it’s all about… money. Just use money to fix everything."
"..."
He looked like a monk who had just reached enlightenment.
"Uh... Uncle, you were on a roll there, but then something suddenly went off-track. It feels like you drifted off course."
"Look, let’s be honest. You can solve hunger and healthcare with money, right? When I organize a performance, I always hear, 'It can’t be done on time, it can’t be done on time,' but when I double the payment, things get done by early morning. No recording studio? But if I offer triple the usual rate, they’ll make one appear."
"…Oh."
"So in this capitalist world, most problems can be solved with money. That's the gist. Got it?"
"Hey, Uncle."
"Yeah?"
"Why did you… bring this up while explaining the sheet music for Mozart's Requiem? It seemed a bit random."
"Well, Mozart was broke, struggling for money, and that’s partly why he fell ill and died. In the end, he just didn’t have enough money. Remember this well: whenever there’s a problem in this world, start by asking if it’s because of money. You’ll find that the answer is surprisingly simple."
"Hmm, that’s pretty deep."
"One day, you’ll remember what I told you. Just wait and see."
And indeed.
It was strangely clear—I could recall exactly what he’d said.
Yesterday, after I got off… I mean, after I got out of school, I had an idea.
At school, my desk mate had once accepted a few candies as a bribe. And that story blended with something the piano practice room assistant had once mentioned.
There was a reason I spent a whole 30,000 won. Seeing those three hefty boxes made me feel ready for anything.
These would be my precious ammunition and a solid foundation for navigating school life!
"…..."
The thought was so grandiose I almost had a moment of clarity. But I couldn’t help it. Just the thought of school sent shivers down my spine.
The bright morning.
Saebom Elementary was shining.
Groups of girls giggled together in small clusters.
Boys full of energy, too restless to wait, were already working up a sweat on the jungle gym before the day even began.
As always, they spotted me and shouted.
"Hey! It’s Saebom-dong’s immortal!"
"Hey, you finally made it! We thought we’d grow old waiting for you!"
"Hey, yesterday was no joke. That guy shook hands with every single student in our school! Total star, a real star."
"Some people were even hugging him from behind, saying they wanted to get his energy. It’s like he’s some kind of magical stone or something."
"Ah, come on! Seojin! Let me get an autograph, will you? My little sister’s a huge fan of ‘Immortal’~ She says Phoenix is the best~”
They were the type of crowd I would’ve avoided at all costs before.
Not because I was afraid of them, but because even a brief interaction with them would drain all my energy.
But today, I had something I needed to talk about with them.
I walked right up to the kid who looked like the leader of this gang. He seemed to be around 160 cm tall—who knows what he’d been eating.
"What… what? You! You got business with me?"
The kid stammered, caught off guard.
I decided to check something with him first.
"Hey. Be honest. I’m really curious about something."
"W-what is it? Just tell me."
"Do you, by any chance, have any complaints about the school milk program?"
"… Huh?"
Yesterday, the part-time job noona had told me about this.
Back in her school days, she’d always mixed cocoa powder into her milk whenever they had it.
She said milk didn’t really taste good. And whenever someone brought Jetty (the cocoa powder) to class, it’d be a huge deal. Sometimes, there wasn’t enough to go around, so they’d only get half a serving, which created what she called ‘hell-flavored’ milk.
Wouldn’t these kids feel the same way?
Elementary schoolers are pretty much all the same.
"Well… yeah, kind of. It’s boring drinking it every day, and there’s a bit of a sour smell to it. But why do you ask?"
As expected.
I cheered internally.
Today, I had a pretty significant big deal to accomplish.
“But you know... what if, out of nowhere, that milk turned into chocolate milk? And every day, too.”
“…?”
“It could even become strawberry milk. It all depends on what we do. From now on, we’re one team.”
“Wait... what the heck are you talking about?”
I calmly explained the details to him.
The negotiation went on until the bell rang for recess.
And the big deal was—
“Okay, so we’re agreed for one week?”
“Sounds good. Let’s work well together.”
“Yeah, my friend.”
It was settled quite dramatically.
The elementary kids walking away with our contract each held five packets of Jetty chocolate powder.
* * *
In front of a classroom bustling with a crowd.
“Oh, teachers! You can’t just stand around here. I already explained that only one person can visit per break period!”
“Hey! Who do you think you are? And who’s calling me a teacher? I’m from 6th grade class 1! Aren’t you a 6th grader too?”
“Ah, see, I’m even respectfully addressing you as ‘teacher,’ aren't I? Hey! Don’t cut in like that! I told you Han Seojin is busy today! Stop it!”
“Oh, have they never met a celebrity before? You can’t just come barging into Class 3 like this! Let’s show some basic manners here, alright?”
“Get in line! Line up! And for those scheduled for a second-period interview, the spots are full! Just take a ticket and come back later!”
Blocking the classroom door stood a group of kids like a sturdy jungle gym.
I enjoyed my sweet chocolate milk while watching them.
Ahh. So this is what success tastes like.
I’d splurged 30,000 won out of the 450,000 won I earned at Hongdae, but if this was the result, it was totally worth it.
For the record, the chocolate milk wasn’t even that expensive.
A pack of 80 costs about 10,000 won.
So, 240 packs for 30,000 won.
I still had plenty of "ammunition" left.
Peace had suddenly come to Class 3 of the 6th grade.
My deskmate, sitting beside me, looked at the scene in disbelief and asked me,
“No way... Isn’t he like the boss of the sixth grade? How is he helping you? What did you do?”
“There are ways to make things work. By the way, we have a ‘boss’ at our school?”
“Yeah. He defeated Cheolsu from Class 7 in a piggyback fight at the playground. After that, Cheolsu instantly became his second-in-command. Didn’t you know? Cheolsu’s the one blocking the path right now, acting as the boss’s right-hand man.”
“...Right-hand man? Does that mean he has a left-hand man, too?”
“Shh! That’s a secret. It’s an unspoken rule! There’s a dark story behind it.”
“...”
Life as an elementary schooler sure is dynamic.
Turns out I was the only one unaware of all this.
Curious, I discreetly asked my deskmate about the sixth-grade boss’s left-hand man, and I got to hear quite the interesting story.
Bit by bit, I was gathering tales I could share with Suyeon later—stories I knew she’d enjoy.
I handed out a Jetty drink to each of my classmates for free.
After all, if they get a taste, they’ll want more, right?
My plan is to eventually turn Jetty into the virtual currency of Saebom Elementary School, so I’m diligently laying the groundwork.
The classroom was quiet during lessons.
Our homeroom teacher conducted the class as sincerely as ever.
Model students shot their hands up to answer the teacher’s questions.
The troublemakers? They were busy crossing out "Math Practice" on their workbooks and rewriting it as "Pure Evil."
And me?
I, having complete control over the class, sat comfortably composing music notes even during lessons.
The life of a 6th grader—a grade I once worried about.
Maybe it’s not so bad after all?
* * *
Saebom Elementary School, Teachers' Office.
"Sigh..."
“Oh dear, why the sigh?”
Two female teachers were talking.
Lee Jeong-ah, the homeroom teacher of Class 3 in 6th grade, sighed again.
“Huff... Well, lately, I think something strange is going on with my class.”
“Something strange all of a sudden?”
“Yes. At first, I thought it was just the usual disorganization after the break ended. But now, I feel like there’s something more to it. Whenever I’m writing the lesson on the board, I hear faint whispering behind me. But when I spin around, they're all looking at me with these big, bright eyes. It’s... eerie, really.”
“Oh, come on! You’re probably just being a little sensitive, Jeong-ah. Besides, if that’s all they’re up to these days, they’re practically angels. Class 3’s the good bunch, you know.”
"Well, that’s true...”
“So, how’s Seojin doing? Has anything changed since the AC 2505 accident?”
“Well… about that…”
Lee Jeong-ah thought for a moment before answering.
“At first, I thought he was struggling to adapt, but before I knew it, he was getting along well with his friends. The other kids really like him too. It’s just that his participation in class has noticeably dropped.”
“He used to be a diligent student, right?”
“Yes. He used to participate in presentations a lot, even volunteered as a team leader or for other roles. But now... Lately, he just sits there with his head down, lost in thought.”
“Oh dear, do you think it could be trauma from the accident?”
“Not sure. We tried counseling, but he seemed perfectly fine. In fact, he even seems a bit more mature…”
The music teacher, who was chatting with Lee Jeong-ah, decided to approach it from a slightly different angle.
“You know Seojin is preparing for the arts middle school entrance exams, right?”
“Yes. That’s why I even had a parent-teacher meeting with his parents in the first semester. He was preparing well, so his parents didn’t seem worried at all.”
“Here’s the thing. Among those preparing for arts middle school, there are always a few arrogant ones, right? Some of them start thinking they’re real artists and start slacking off in class or outright ignoring the teachers.”
“Oh my, really?”
“I’ve been teaching for years now, so I know this well. And if he has that mindset, he needs a serious wake-up call! The elementary school curriculum is crucial for life! That kind of attitude just won’t do.”
“Hmm. I think so too. But teacher, do you happen to have any good ideas on how to handle this?”
The music teacher gestured for Lee Jeong-ah to come closer, indicating she wanted to share something discreetly. She then continued in a low whisper, as if sharing a secret.
After listening intently, Lee Jeong-ah exclaimed in amazement.
“Wow. That’s actually a really great idea!”
"If we do it this way, even the kids aiming for arts middle schools will have no choice but to participate more in class. Just wait and see."
* * *
The next day.
6th grade, class 3, of Saebom Elementary School—a peaceful scene.
Fifteen minutes before the end of the fifth period.
Lee Jeong-ah finished the lesson a bit early, then smiled brightly as she spoke.
"Everyone~ did you enjoy today's lesson~?"
"Yes~"
"Yes…"
"Huh?"
A variety of responses from the students.
But Lee Jeong-ah had her eyes on just one student.
The one still sitting there with their head down, staring blankly.
Was the student lacking energy, or perhaps unable to find meaning in the lesson?
As she looked at Seojin, Jeong-ah made up her mind.
"So today, I thought we could try something fun. Okay, could the person at the front of each row come up for a moment? Yes. Take this and pass it back."
The students, caught off guard, looked a little confused. But they followed her instructions anyway.
After a brief moment, each student ended up with a blank sheet of paper.
Jeong-ah looked around the room and continued speaking.
"Today, we finished the lesson a bit early, right? And the material was easier than usual. So, if you've been paying close attention, this should be a breeze. I made the questions based only on what we covered today. Now, clear off your desks and look up here."
Jeong-ah clicked the mouse a few times, and a question appeared on the projector screen.
The kids who immediately realized what it was let out groans.
“Ah~ teacher~”
“Come on, it’s barely been any time since school started, and you’re giving us a pop quiz?”
“I’m doomed... I was just dozing off…”
What Lee Jeong-ah had prepared was indeed a surprise pop quiz.
“You can see the questions numbered from 1 to 10 on the board, right? Please write down the answers on your paper in short answer form. By the way, this quiz will count toward your grades, so it’s especially important for those of you aiming to enter specialized middle schools. So, you all really need to pay attention to your classes on a regular basis. Got it?”
There was an oddly deliberate emphasis in her words.
Looking at Seo-jin, Jeong-ah thought to herself:
‘This should get Seojin to focus a bit more, right? I hope he’ll bounce back with the same enthusiasm as before. He used to be such a diligent kid, so I’m sure he’ll get back on track. It’ll be better for him that way, too.’
So, she had intentionally picked the subject that sixth graders found the hardest to create this pop quiz—just to give Seo-jin a bit of a wake-up call.
With no warning, in a sneak attack.
And, no less, with English questions!
Jeong-ah snuck another glance at Han Seojin. As expected, his face had stiffened.
His eyes even shook as if he was utterly lost. He pressed his temples and sighed.
‘Of course it’s hard—he hasn’t been paying attention in class. Obviously!’
A drastic measure, advised by the music teacher.
And it seemed to be working well.
It was worth adding in some tricky parts from the sixth-grade English readings.
Jeong-ah smirked.
‘Alright! Let’s see if he can get any of them right!’
