Chapter Text
Despite his best wishes, Dokja end up doing college at the prime age of 28
“Damn it…” Dokja mumbled, “All this just for a job…” He ruffled his hair in frustration, “Man I might as well just end it! This is NOT worth it!”
Click click click click
He drops his pen to the ground, his face following close. He grunts, “Well… I already signed up, even if it was out of impulse I somehow got accepted. Might as well try.”
Dokja let out a sigh before standing up straight, “They said this was the best college for this major…” Dokja scroll through the website, researching all the classes he is planning on getting “Professor Yoo…”
He mumbled, “Damn this guy have a lot of achievements.”
Dokja looks up at the clock, he had been on this for hours. He couldn’t help but wonder how he even got here… After his contract with Mini Soft was done, he had been jobless for a while now.
He had been searching for another job for a long time but to no avail. When he was about to give up, his ex Co-worker, Yoo Sangah had randomly reached out to him inviting him for a drink. He was rather reluctant at first, but decided to go.
After discussing with Yoo Sangah, she suggested something, “Dokja-Sii… What if you try to go back to college?”
Dokja couldn’t help but laugh at the thought, he barely managed to get into a third rate college. How would he even find the funds for it?
Yoo Sangah simply smiled kindly, “Well, at least don’t brush off the thought completely.
The day after, Yoo Sangah randomly sent him a link
> Give it a try Dokja-Sii. It won’t hurt.
When he opened it, it shows an advertisement for a scholarship.
Korean University Of Communication
Free entrance fee!
100% benefits:
Free Dormitory
One Semester fully paid
Student Aid
‘Isn’t this far too good???’ Dokja couldn’t help but look at the advertisement dumbly, how can such thing even be real? Student these days are really having it well…
‘A single free semester is nothing in the long run, I wouldn’t be able to continue it afterwards either way.’ Despite thinking that way, he still decided to look up said college. Sangah truly is amazing, the college is a renowned one, known to always bring amazing students.
After heavy consideration and hours of looking through information, he thought there wouldn’t be any harm in giving it a shot. He didn’t have to pay for the scholarship and if he managed to get in he would get 6 months of free housing and education. If luck were on his side, he could make use of that time to save up as much money as he could and if he failed in continuing he could at least live a bit longer.
And so, he applied. Now, he has to worry about his upcoming courses that he’ll have to attend in less than a week.
In the first week of college, he was unfortunate enough to meet Han Sooyung, she was younger than him and is currently in her last semester. How did this happen? Dokja wanted to go to the best class there is not realizing that this class is a mandatory one that the majority of seniors take. Now, he’s stuck with Han Sooyung making fun of him and using her senior card every chance she gets.
Well, one good thing was Dokja found out she was a writer. After telling her he loved reading she asked him to be her beta reader and Dokja simply agreed.
Dokja yawned, having to deal with college and a new part time job, he had failed to realize how exhausting it could get. It was difficult for him to keep his eyes open.
"Hey you bastard." Han Sooyung’s annoying whisper enters his ear, making him groan. "Get up, do you really want that bastard to get angry-"
Dokja simply gave a grunt, his head still nodding off
Sooyung’s eyes look up to see their lecturer entering, she quickly kick Dokja's shins waking him up fully.
"What the he-" Han Sooyung shut his mouth quickly, before glancing at the front.
"Listen, I know you don't have a good track record as a student. But your dumbass really don't want to mess with this one"
"What the hell is so scary about-"
Kim Dokja look at the front, his voice stuck to his throat. Han Soouyung watches as his jaw remains agape.
“Hey, close your mouth, you’re gonna catch a fly if you keep that up.”
Sadly, her words land on deaf’s ears. Dokja’s eyes practically sparkled as he stared at the poor lecturer.
Once he gain his composure, he shook Sooyung before pulling out his phone, “WHY DOES OUR LECTURER LOOK EXACTLY LIKE A PROTAGONIST!?” He scream in a whisper.
“Excuse me.” Suddenly, he could feel a shadow looming over him. His neck hair rise as a sudden fear wash over him.
“H– Hi…?” Dokja smiled awkwardly, he trembled when Yoo Joonghyuk’s cold gaze met his.
“Name”
“Ah? Sorry?”
His eyes squints, his voice grow deeper as he repeated, “Name.”
“K– Kim Dokja— Sir–”
He left just like that, not forgetting to write something on the piece of paper on his desk before continuing.
He introduced himself as “Professor Yoo Joonghyuk” He was young for a lecturer, hell he was even younger than Dokja. But as the class went on, he realize why he was a lecturer. There were more to him than his protagonist look that’s for sure.
Dokja was silent for the rest of the class, he wasn’t particularly paying attention—he was rather distracted on something else.
/Eyebrows seemingly drawn by a single, uninterrupted stroke of a famed artist's brush; a nose and a chin shaped in perfect angles that defied attempts to measure them through mere devices of men; a pair of deep eyes seemingly carved out of a beautiful jewel containing all the misfortunes found in this world./
Damn… He truly is the perfect depiction of a protagonist, how can someone like that even exist in the real world?
“Mr Kim.”
Dokja startled at the sudden call, his eyes once again locking with the person who uttered his name with a deep voice. Dokja watch as his adam’s apple bob up and down, almost like his in a trance.
“Mr Kim Dokja.” This time his voice was terrifying, Dokja smiled, realizing he may be in danger.
“Yes!” He screamed out, louder than he anticipated. He shrunk in the sudden realization of his mistakes but before he could run away, another voice stabbed him in the gut.
“Must I keep repeating myself?” Yoo Joonghyuk puts down his marker, eyes focused on him and only him.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t quite get your question…” Dokja fidget, his eyes instinctively look at Han Sooyung.
But much to his disappointment, she had decided to not associate herself with him. Her head remains lowered, hands steady as she write something on her paper. He could see her glancing at him just to avert her gaze.
‘This damn traitor!’ Dokja grit his teeth
Joonghyuk exasperately sighed before repeating himself, “Repeat what I said about Research paradigm in communications. I’m sure you are able to do this much?”
Dokja hesitated, his gaze flickered between Joonghyuk and the board. However his second disappointment is realizing the board was completely empty. There's truly nothing that can save him…
Joonghyuk picked up his marker and looked at Dokja, “Then, Mr Kim, Please stop day dreaming and focus.”
“Wait!” Joonghyuk froze and glanced at him.
Shoot, why the hell did he scream? Now he’s really gonna embarrass himself… Alright, focus. He has had real life work experience, this can’t be that difficult?
Dokja gulped, and answered as best as he could, “Research paradigm… It’s a method one would use to conduct their research.”
Joonghyuk raised his brow, Dokja couldn’t help but stutter as he saw the sudden change in expressions. His ears turn red as he try to continue, “There’s… There’s two method–”
“And?”
What was it? He’s not sure, he wasn’t someone who would normally conduct research. “Objective…?”
Joonghyuk remain quiet, his eyes nudging Dokja to continue. Yet, he couldn’t come up with anything else.
Eventually Joonghyuk’s gaze ease, “You are almost correct Mr Kim, there are indeed two paradigm. One is objective as you have mentioned.” Joonghyuk begin to write on the board, “This paradigm focuses more on facts. While the other one, Subjective focuses mainly on meanings, experience and interpretation.”
Joonghyuk turn to face him, “From here on, I would appreciate it if you focus on my words rather than my looks Mr. Kim.”
Dokja sweat at the sudden callout, he hadn’t expected him to be noticed just like that. Was he that obvious?
Dokja shrunk to his seat, wishing he could hide himself under the stupidly small table.
Once class ended, Dokja buried himself in his arms, not wanting to look up.
“Hey dumbass, if you're not leaving you're gonna be left alone with the lecturer.” Han Sooyung hit Dokja in the head with her book.
“Alright, I get it.” He mumbled, picking up his bags and slowly head towards the door.
“Mr Kim, a word?”
Damn it! Perhaps he should have just pretended to sleep until everyone left! No, would that even work?
“Yes?”
Yoo Joonghyuk narrow his eyes, “I don't respect students who does not pay attention in class.” He crosses his arms and lean on his table, “If my teachings is not to your fitting I ask you to request a change of class.”
Dokja stood still, his mouth slightly open as he stare dumbfounded at what he just heard.
Then, he smiled, a wretched mischievous smile that would make anyone want to punch his face.
“Professor, I sincerely apologize for being a distraction during our first class. However, I would like to state that I chose this class for a reason. I do not intend on leaving”
Joonghyuk's eyes focus on Dokja, he doesn't say a word, he simply observes.
“Then, I do hope you are capable of keeping up”
—
Dokja have his head planted against the table, his limbs limp on his side. Han Sooyung almost pitied him if she didn’t think this was absolutely deserved.
“It seems you’ve found your match.” She slurps her drink as she raise her leg up, “Really, honestly I think a lot of the lecturer would thank him for doing god’s work. I bet a lot of them wanted to scream at you.”
“Please shut up” Dokja mumbled, “Maybe I should switch?”
Han Sooyung raised her eyebrow, “After challenging him like that?” she smirked, “You really are a coward.”
Dokja groaned, regretting his decisions that have lead him here.
“Ha… Alright… Let’s look at this logically.” Dokja sat up straight, pulling out his note book and slamming it on the table.
Out of curiosity, Han Sooyung peeked at it, seeing Dokja writing down “pros and cons” She couldn’t help but cringe.