Return of the Genius Photographer - Chapter 93

Bukhansan Summit.

Kang San narrowed his eyes and glanced at Woojin.

‘I initially had no thoughts about this…’

The more he looked, the more he found himself liking this young man.

Why did his gaze keep drifting in that direction?

Kang San pondered deeply but couldn’t easily find an answer.

He wasn’t sure where it started.

Was it when he first saw Woojin’s top-notch photograph?

Or was it when he heard Woojin’s determination regarding photography?

If not that, then…

‘Looking back, it all appeals to me.’

Only then did Kang San vaguely understand Jung Woong’s feelings.

He had always thought of having a disciple or assistant as bothersome and uncomfortable…

But strangely, he felt a persistent desire to keep this boy close to him.

A tempting person who kept drawing his gaze.

That was Woojin.

‘At this point, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take him on as an assistant.’

He liked Woojin’s attitude of silently following along until they reached the peak of Bukhansan.

After all, they say that you can judge a person’s character by taking them hiking.

While he had joked about it to Woojin, Kang San was seriously considering it.

If he were to take Woojin to Arles, they would spend a significant amount of time together, almost like a married couple.

To go through that process together, they needed to have good chemistry, and Woojin’s little quirks also had to be to Kang San’s liking for him to bring him along.

Otherwise, it was clear that Kang San would end up regretting it.

In that regard, Woojin was undoubtedly a qualified candidate in Kang San’s eyes.

He didn’t chatter unnecessarily, which was exactly Kang San’s preference.

Having made up his mind to take Woojin with him to Arles, Kang San asked him in a serious tone.

“You said you’re in high school?”

“Yes.”

“Quit school.”

“What?”

Woojin’s eyes widened in surprise at Kang San’s sudden statement.

“I’m planning to travel abroad before heading to Arles. We might even go to remote places like deserts. You’ve already spent about eleven years in school, right?”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Then you must have learned enough of what you could in school?”

Kang San was not one to beat around the bush.

He approached everything directly and efficiently.

That was just how he operated in all matters.

“There are things you can learn outside of school too. I heard you’re preparing to study abroad, so it would be better to have a time that would be more beneficial for you.”

To Kang San, school was nothing but an unnecessary burden.

Like a small aquarium that could only hold tiny fish.

It was far too small to nurture a talented photographer.

Spending time in such a place?

It was simply inefficient.

A gifted young man like Woojin needed to grow in a much larger environment.

Not in a fish tank, but in the ocean.

“The time for learning is limited. So it’s better to pursue learning efficiently. Don’t think that your youth, inspiration, and opportunities will last forever.”

Woojin fell silent at Kang San’s explanation.

Yet he slightly nodded, seemingly having understood Kang San’s words.

He must be a smart young man; just this much explanation should suffice for him to grasp the meaning.

“If you’re struggling with this, I’ll give you until the end of this week to decide and contact me. And you know that being with me will surely serve as a solid foundation for you as a photographer.”

After briefly finishing his explanation, Kang San stood up.

“Oh, and if it’s hard to convince your parents or if there are any other issues, Jung Woong or I can help, so don’t worry about that.”

Then, Kang San began his descent from Bukhansan, which he had climbed silently.

Woojin quietly followed behind him.

***

‘Quitting school, huh…’

On my way home, I gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.

To be honest, it wasn’t like I hadn’t considered it before.

Just as Kang San had mentioned today.

In reality, school life wasn’t going to significantly help my future as a photographer.

With my activities increasing lately, managing school had become quite overwhelming…

Although I was concerned that it might interfere with my plans to study abroad,

I also knew there were alternatives, like the GED in the U.S., and I was confident in my ability to achieve excellent results that could stand in for school.

However…

How was I going to convince my parents?

That was the biggest worry on my mind.

What parent wouldn’t feel that way? They were quite strict about school matters.

I couldn’t help but wonder how they would react if I brought up the idea of quitting school…

Just a little.

That slight worry nagged at me.

After much contemplation, I finally decided to bring it up with my parents the very next day.

In my heart, I had already reached a conclusion.

There was nothing holding me back except convincing them.

I figured there was no point in dragging it out any longer.

It happened to be the weekend.

During dinner, with both my parents present, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“Mom, Dad, I want to quit school.”

My father paused, his hand frozen mid-spoonful.

My mother, who was bringing a side dish to her mouth, widened her eyes and looked at me.

“I had intended to tell you this sometime, but I’ve actually been preparing to study abroad.”

In the midst of their silence, I slowly continued.

“I didn’t want you to worry, so I waited until I was ready to tell you. But now I’ve mostly saved up for the tuition, and all the other preparations are nearly complete.”

I spoke from the heart.

“So during the time left before the application deadline, I want to learn things from the wider world that I can’t in school.”

I enunciated each word clearly.

“I would like your permission to quit school.”

I laid out everything I hadn’t said before to my parents without holding back.

From my ongoing preparations for studying abroad to having everything I needed ready.

Including that I had met Kang San and received a really great proposal from him.

My parents listened intently, at times surprised, impressed, and pleased as I spoke.

And then…

“Well done.”

“You’ve done well. So go ahead and do what you want.”

Far from the opposition I had expected, my parents granted me their permission willingly.

And they did so with gentle smiles on their faces.

“Really? You’re okay with it?”

I was taken aback by their unexpected response.

“I don’t want to be a hindrance to your future, even if I can’t be of help.”

“It’s admirable that you’ve done so much on your own without us doing anything for you, and I feel sorry for that.”

Why was that?

Why had I held such a prejudice?

Looking back, my parents had always been supportive of me…

“No matter the outcome, we will always be on your side.”

My parents wished me success.

As if my dreams had become their own…

Their only remaining wish was for my success.

“Mom, Dad, thank you so much for your support.”

Feeling an inexplicable surge of emotion, I hurriedly finished my meal and stood up.

If I had stayed seated any longer, I might have ended up in tears.

There was still one person.

Someone I needed to talk to.

***

That night.

I met Young-ho.

“So now, who am I supposed to hang out with…?”

After I shared the news of my decision to quit school, Young-ho spoke with a bittersweet expression.

He absently stirred the empty straw of his soda, lost in thought.

I chewed on the fries I had spilled onto the tray, responding to him.

“When did I ever hang out with you in the first place?”

“That’s not true.”

He chuckled at my joke, but still looked rather deflated.

‘Is he really that upset about my decision to quit?’

It felt strange to see someone so lively now looking so down.

I thought he would just find it fascinating.

But then again, at our age, goodbyes weren’t something we were accustomed to yet.

Especially with Young-ho, who I had known since childhood.

He might have been taking it more seriously than I thought.

“Come on, we’re not going to be strangers forever. Why the long face?”

“I don’t know, it’s just…”

“You’re in your final year now, right?”

Young-ho nodded at my comment.

“Yeah, so you’ll have to focus on your college prep. It’ll be harder to see each other.”

“Right?”

“So you better hit the books while I’m gone.”

It felt a bit odd for someone quitting high school to tell his friend to study hard, but I was being sincere.

I was leaving to gain more knowledge; that didn’t mean school had no value.

“Ugh… if I had known this was going to happen, I would have asked you to hang out more.”

“What else could we have done?”

“I don’t know… I really enjoyed that time we went camera shopping together.”

He was such a sentimental guy.

It made sense that he had kept in touch with me from my past life.

He didn’t show it much, but Young-ho was the only one I could truly call a friend.

In both my past and this life.

“So where are you going?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m pretty sure I’ll start in France? I’ll be traveling abroad, but I don’t have any exact plans yet.”

When I answered, Young-ho’s face lit up with surprise.

“Wow… Woojin, it feels like we’re going to be living in different worlds now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re working toward your goals while I still haven’t even figured out my path.”

“It’s okay; you’re still young.”

I felt sorry for my friend. Although he looked young, I had lived twice as long as him.

“That’s only natural.”

After reassuring Young-ho, I slowly stood up from my seat.

He seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before asking me, “So when are you leaving?”

“I’ll probably be flying out sometime this month.”

“Really? Then let’s meet up one more time before you go.”

“Hmm… I’m not sure if I can make it.”

I hesitated to respond since I hadn’t even started packing for my departure. With the process of quitting school and preparing to leave, I would likely be pretty busy.

But then he said, “Let’s meet up one more time tomorrow evening.”

“Eh?”

Young-ho spoke to me with a firmness I had never heard before.

“I’ll come to you.”

***

Young-ho kept messaging me the next day.

—Where are you?

—When are you free?

—I’ll come to you.

—Just give me a moment of your time.

I felt a bit puzzled as I checked the messages that kept coming in while I was busy with other things.

He had annoyed me many times before, but I didn’t recall him ever reaching out this persistently.

What could be so important that he was seeking me out like this?

—I’m at the studio I told you about last time. Come here.

Curious, I replied to Young-ho.

Before long, he showed up near the studio, handing me a shopping bag.

Inside was a brand-new North Face puffer jacket.

“Woojin, I heard it gets really cold at night overseas.”

“What… how did you afford something like this?”

He was just an ordinary student; he didn’t have a job like I did.

“It’s fine. I sold some game items to buy it.”

He flashed a peace sign with his fingers as he replied.

“I’m sorry this is all I could do for you.”

“Hey, what’s with this gift…?”

“No, it’s nothing special.”

Young-ho brushed it off casually, but it was genuinely unexpected.

I was touched.

Thinking back, this was the first time I had received a gift like this from someone.

In this life, I had done everything on my own, so I had never imagined someone would want to help me like this.

The fact that he sold his beloved game items to prepare a gift for me was incredibly heartwarming.

Feeling a deep gratitude, I said to Young-ho, “I’ll make sure to repay you.”

“It’s okay, we’re friends.”

“No, I really will repay you.”

Young-ho waved his hands in protest, adamantly refusing.

But I was sincere.

The value of the puffer jacket he gave me meant more than anything. I would repay this kindness somehow, someday.

With his eyes welling up, Young-ho wiped his nose and said, “You must be busy, so hurry and get inside.”

Then he dashed off somewhere without looking back.

“Take care, Young-ho!”

I waved goodbye to my departing friend.

Honestly…

It was a truly heartwarming gift.