Chapter 353
January 1, New Year’s Day, was more than just the beginning of a new year. It served as a moment for many to reflect on the past year and face the upcoming one with renewed determination, whether by starting a healthy diet, quitting smoking or drinking, or passing exams. It was a day dedicated to resolutions, when individuals set their goals and committed to working diligently towards them.
“Father, are you up?” Yoon-Hee asked as the sun was just beginning to rise.
It was 5:20 AM. She was up much earlier than usual, the first to wake in the new year. Her hair was still slightly damp, indicating she had just finished washing up.
“Happy New Year, Father.”
“Happy New Year, Yoon-Hee.”
After exchanging their first greetings of the year, Do-Jun came out after a quick freshen-up and found her in the kitchen preparing tteokguk[1]. Still, considering that last year she didn’t even get up until nearly 7 AM to start cooking, it didn’t seem like she had woken up early just to make tteokguk.
“You’re up really early today,” Do-Jun said.
“Yes. I’m a third-year student now, so I need to start getting used to waking up by six.”
Being a third-year high schooler meant being in exam-prep mode. Like ordinary high school students studying hard to get into top universities, students at the Hunter Academy often cut back on sleep to attend early-morning training sessions to get into a top guild.
Time is said to be equal for everyone, but to Do-Jun, it felt like it passed far too quickly. It felt like just yesterday he had attended Yoon-Hee’s entrance ceremony, and now she was already in her final year at the Academy.
Time truly, truly flies. If two years went by this quickly, what would the last one feel like? That thought lingered in his mind.
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