Seoul Dragon

Surprisingly, Sihyun and I had almost the same classes. At most, if you removed two major courses from my schedule and added two liberal arts courses, it would be exactly Sihyun’s schedule. By the way, there’s something unusual about her. Did she try to take all the major courses?

“But why are you taking third-year classes?” “Ah, well… It’s not like the Korean Literature department has courses that need to be taken in sequence, right? So I just want to get the major courses done quickly and have an easier time in my senior years.” “As a freshman, you must have required liberal arts courses too…? Did you fill your schedule with just required liberal arts and major courses?” “Yes. I thought if I’m going to struggle, it’s better to struggle now.”

“Wow, that’s not easy for a lower classman. Being called here and there.” “That’s true, but there are previous exam papers and…” “Even with previous exams, there are many subjective essay questions, so you might end up in trouble if you rely on them too much. Especially in our department, many professors are wary of previous exams and set many traps.” “R-really?” “Yes.” “I’ll have to study hard.” “By the way, did you take all the introductory courses in your freshman year? Even though arts majors are less demanding than science majors, it will be hard to follow the classes without knowing those. You need to review regularly…” “I’ll keep that in mind, senior.” “Ah, we’re almost at the classroom.” “You said you’d reveal being a mutant at the opening assembly, right?” “Yes. But… I’m also thinking of just saying it when the professor calls attendance.” “Oh, really?” “Yes. Let’s sit there?” “Senior. Can I call my classmate? She has the same schedule as me…” “Sure. Nam Suyeon, right? I think I saw her during orientation.” “That’s right! I’ll call her right away!” “Okay. I’m going to check in with my classmates for a moment.”

I glanced at the chat room. Sure enough, there were consecutive messages from my classmates looking for me.

[Han Taehoon: Hey. Where are you, Yoon Seohyun?] [Yoon Seohyun: I just finished Understanding Modern Literature and now I’m heading to the next lecture.] [Han Taehoon: Which lecture?] [Yoon Seohyun: Classical Poetry and Culture.] [Han Taehoon: That’s a lecture I took before. Oh right. You’re retaking…] [Yoon Seohyun: I might not have any overlapping lectures with others, but with you, Taehoon? You had the exact same schedule as me in the first semester.] [Han Taehoon: Oh, that’s right;;]

[Yoo Hangyeol: Oh? I’m taking that course. Can I finally see the elusive mutant Yoon Seohyun?] [Yoon Seohyun: lol You probably won’t recognize me right away?] [Yoo Hangyeol: Hey, no matter how much you’ve changed, how could that fierce face of yours go anywhere?] [Yoon Seohyun: Don’t be shocked when you see me lol] [Yoo Hangyeol: How on earth did you change? Wait, is it okay for you to reveal you’re a mutant? The public perception won’t be a joke.] [Yoon Seohyun: I’m going to reveal it anyway. It’s not something I can hide forever. I was originally planning to reveal it at the opening assembly… but it’s better to face the consequences sooner.] [Yoo Hangyeol: Oh.] [Heo Jihwan: I’m in a joyride semester.] [Yoo Hangyeol: Jihwan, are you taking a leave of absence?] [Heo Jihwan: No, I worked really hard in the first semester, so I have a bit of leeway and can take just four classes this semester lol] [Jo Minhyuk: He was as busy as Seohyun last semester] [Han Taehoon: Then Hangyeol, share your thoughts after seeing Yoon Seohyun’s appearance] [Yoo Hangyeol: This guy’s strangely confident, did you become a super handsome guy after mutation?] [Yoon Seohyun: That’s not it, so don’t worry] [Yoo Hangyeol: OK]

“Sihyun~ Did you call me? Ah, hello! I’m Nam Suyeon, class of 2018 from the Korean Literature department!” “Hello. I’m Yoon Seohyun, class of 2014 from the Korean Literature department.” “What? Senior Yoon Seohyun from Korean Literature? As far as I know, there’s only one Senior Yoon Seohyun in the Korean Literature department…”

Suyeon also seemed puzzled, probably having heard stories about me.

“Haven’t you told her yet?”

It seemed Sihyun hadn’t revealed the details about me. She’s tight-lipped, this Miss Sihyun. She’s more solid than I expected. Normally, people would spill such things to their close friends… anyway.

“No. Is it okay to tell her?” “I was planning to reveal it anyway.” “What are you talking about?”

Suyeon’s expression became confused.

“I am that Yoon Seohyun. I mutated at the beginning of last semester.” “Mutated?” “I’m sorry for deceiving you, Suyeon. I didn’t expect Senior Seohyun to reveal it so quickly.” “Sihyun. I’m having a really hard time following what’s going on here. Can you give me a summary?” “So, what happened was…”

Sihyun explained to Suyeon what had happened with me. From what I could gather, Sihyun had modified the part about me being a mutant. And so…

“I’m really sorry!”

She was now bowing her head to Suyeon.

“No, no. I understand, so can you please lift your head? People are watching.”

And Suyeon didn’t seem to mind Sihyun’s lie. She fully understood it was a white lie.

“But I’m surprised because you don’t look like a mutant at all.” “You think so?” “Yes. Usually, there are characteristics, right? Like having horns…” “I do have horns. I’m just covering them with a hat right now. And my eyes are originally golden.”

“Ah… So you’re wearing contacts?” “That’s right.” “I don’t know if I should say this, but it feels strange.”

“I can understand that.” “Do… the other seniors know?” “No. Even my classmates don’t know. I wanted to surprise them a bit.” “You’re unexpectedly playful.”

“Isn’t Junior Suyeon also a bit like that?” “Yes! But you’re so different from the image I’ve heard about?” “The stories circulating in the department are usually negative. I also looked quite fierce. If you want to know about a person, you have to experience them directly. Even if others dislike someone, they might still be compatible with you.” “That’s true.” “Anyway, looking forward to working with you both. This semester won’t be boring. My classmates are mostly taking different classes than me.” “Oh, really?” “The one friend who’s taking this class with me is someone called Yoo Hangyeol. Do you know him?” “Of course! Brother Hangyeol. I’ve gotten quite a few meals from him.” “Anyway, I’ll probably be hanging out with him for the time being. The timing is perfect, as it’s lunchtime right after this lecture.” “If it’s not an imposition, could we join you from now on?” “That’s fine. But it would be more fun to hang out with your classmates… Ah, there he is. Hangyeol.” “Oh, you’re right?”

Suyeon said that and approached Hangyeol with quick steps.

“Brother Hangyeol, hello!” “Oh, Suyeon, hello. How have you been? I see you’re taking this class?” “Yes! Sihyun is here too!”

“So many familiar faces. That’s a relief. I thought I’d be a bit bored since there was no one taking the class with me. And if I doze off occasionally and miss project announcements, I’ll have someone to ask. Hmm… but that’s strange?” “What is?” “I don’t see my classmate. Given his personality, he should have arrived about 10 minutes before class.” “By classmate, do you mean Senior Seohyun?” “Yeah. He’s unnecessarily diligent. He should be here setting the mood with his uniquely fierce face… that’s strange?”

As Hangyeol said that, Suyeon glanced at me with a smile on her lips. She’s definitely more mischievous than Sihyun.

“As you know, Brother Hangyeol, I have no connection with Senior Seohyun.” “I know, I know. I just said it’s strange. I’ll have to message him later. Making me worry. Let’s sit down. The professor will be here soon.” “Okay.” “I’ll have to talk to Sihyun after class.” “Then would you like to have lunch with us?” “Sure.”

Right at that timing, the professor entered. Professor Hong Jeongtae. He’s known for conducting classes leisurely so the classes themselves aren’t that difficult… but he’s infamous for assigning many projects. Above all, though it would be extremely impolite to say this, his classes are so boring that many students doze off.

“Oh my. There are many students this semester too. Nice to meet you all. I’m Hong Jeongtae, in charge of the Classical Poetry and Culture lecture.”

Applause rings out at the professor’s quick self-introduction. After that, the professor talked about various things and then called attendance.

“Yoon Seohyun.” “Yes.”

Upon hearing the professor call my name, I was convinced. Professor Hong Jeongtae had not been separately informed by Professor Kim Yeonhwa.

“Hmm? A face I haven’t seen before… but the name is familiar. Could you take off your hat?” “Ah, yes.”

I didn’t expect to come out like this. I took off the hat I was wearing and hung it on the side. And sharp exclamations burst out from the surroundings.

“Whoa!?”

It was none other than Yoo Hangyeol. And other students likewise whispered while looking at me. Yes, I had anticipated this kind of reaction.

“Um… Are you that Yoon Seohyun?” “Yes. I’m Yoon Seohyun, class of 2014, Professor. I’m sorry for disappearing without a word last semester. I became a mutant.” “Ah, no. It’s okay, it’s okay. These things happen.”

People around continued to look at me with anxious expressions. It was a natural reaction given that a mutant had suddenly appeared in the classroom. Their reactions weren’t incomprehensible. There had been many incidents caused by mutants. So I had no choice but to gradually change perceptions. The murmuring subsided after the professor swallowed his bewilderment.

“Quiet, quiet. There was a bit of commotion. Haha… It’s a bit bewildering. So, Seohyun-gun, no, should I call you Seohyun-yang now? Can you tell us what kind of mutant you are?” “I’m a dragon-type mutant.” “Dragon? Like from myths and legends?” “Uh, yes. To be precise, it’s closer to a Western dragon. The kind usually referred to as a dragon in media…”

At that moment, I saw it. The professor’s eyes burning with curiosity. Oh dear, Department Head. How could you miss informing the one person you should have informed first…