Ji-hoon arrived at the pond first. The water was calm, reflecting the sky above, much like the thoughts swirling in his mind. He stood still for a moment, taking in the sight, the faint ripples moving across the surface as a soft breeze passed by. It was a place of peace, a place of countless memories—where he and his friends had spent their childhood, talking about their dreams, their fears, their futures.

Now, the future was here, staring at him, forcing him to acknowledge how much had changed. He sighed and sat down on the grassy edge, his elbows resting on his knees as he gazed at his reflection in the water.

Behind him, the familiar sound of footsteps made him turn. Min-jae and Soo-bin were approaching. They weren’t running or laughing like they used to. Their movements were slower, more deliberate, as if the weight of this moment was pressing down on them, just as it was on Ji-hoon.

Min-jae was the first to sit down beside him. His usual confident grin was there, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “So, the great Ji-hoon,” he teased, nudging him lightly. “How does it feel to be a town legend?”

Ji-hoon let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “More exhausting than I imagined.”

Min-jae chuckled. “Yeah, I figured. The entire town is celebrating like you just won the Olympics.”

Ji-hoon shrugged. “It doesn’t feel real yet. Like, one moment we were worrying about exams, and now… everything is changing.”

Min-jae sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Tell me about it.” He hesitated for a second before speaking again. “I got into Hanseong National University. Not the best, but good enough. I ranked in the 65th percentile.” His voice held a mix of relief and disappointment.

Ji-hoon turned to him, frowning. “That’s a great university, Min-jae. You worked hard. You deserve it.”

Min-jae gave a small nod, but his expression suggested he had expected more from himself. Before Ji-hoon could say anything else, Soo-bin, who had remained standing, let out a dramatic sigh. “Well, you don’t have to worry about me taking up a university seat.”

Ji-hoon and Min-jae both turned toward him. “What do you mean?” Ji-hoon asked.

Soo-bin leaned back, resting on his elbows, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “I ranked in the 20th percentile. Not enough for any decent university. So, I’m done with studies. I’ll be working in the fields with my father from now on.”

Ji-hoon’s breath caught. “What?”

Min-jae looked equally shocked. “Soo-bin, no. You can still try for a private university or—”

Soo-bin cut him off with a laugh. “I always knew I wasn’t made for studying. You two know that better than anyone.” His voice was calm, accepting. “I only studied because I thought maybe… just maybe… I could secure a better financial future. But the truth is, this was never my dream. My real dream was to be with my parents, to work alongside my father, and to support my family. If I had gotten into a university, my father would have done everything—sold land, taken loans—just to pay my tuition. I couldn’t let that happen.”

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Ji-hoon felt a lump in his throat. Soo-bin had always been the carefree one among them, but he was also the most selfless. He put his family before himself, before his own dreams.

“I’m happy, really,” Soo-bin continued, looking at Ji-hoon and Min-jae. “You two have places to go, things to achieve. I want to see you both succeed—not just for yourselves but also for me. So study hard, work hard, and make me proud.”

Ji-hoon and Min-jae exchanged glances, their initial sadness fading. They knew Soo-bin well. He was never one to dwell on regret. He had made peace with his choice.

Ji-hoon extended his fist. “We’ll always be together, no matter what.”

Min-jae did the same. “No matter where we go, what we become.”

Soo-bin grinned and bumped their fists. “Brothers for life.”

They sat in comfortable silence, staring at the water, each lost in thoughts of their uncertain futures. The moment was bittersweet, but the promise of friendship made it easier to bear.

As night fell, Ji-hoon returned home, where the town had gathered once more—this time for an official assembly in his honor.

The entire square was decorated with banners, lanterns lighting up the night. People from all corners of the town had gathered, their faces filled with pride and admiration. Ji-hoon could hardly believe it. He was just a student, just a boy from a small town. Yet, here he was, standing in the center of it all, the symbol of hope for an entire community.

The school principal stepped forward, clearing his throat before addressing the crowd. “Tonight, we celebrate not just one student’s success, but what it represents for all of us. Kim Ji-hoon’s achievement is proof that hard work and determination can break barriers. He has set an example for future generations.”

The crowd erupted into applause, cheers ringing through the air. Ji-hoon’s parents were invited onto the stage, their expressions filled with pride. His younger siblings, Ji-sung and Ji-yeon, stood at the front, their faces shining with admiration.

Joon-seok, his father, was given the microphone. His hands trembled slightly as he spoke. “As a father, there is no greater pride than seeing your child succeed. Ji-hoon… you have done more than make us proud. You have given this town hope. You have shown that dreams are within reach.”

Ji-hoon’s throat tightened. He had spent years believing that his father only cared about practicality, that he only wanted Ji-hoon to follow a safe, predictable path. But now, in front of everyone, Joon-seok’s voice was thick with emotion, his eyes glistening under the bright lights.

Ji-hoon lowered his head for a moment, overwhelmed.

Then, his mother, Mi-sook, spoke, her voice steady yet filled with warmth. “Every night, I watched my son study under a dim light, never complaining, never giving up. I saw him work, not just for himself, but for all of us. And today, I stand here not just as his mother, but as a proud citizen of this town.”

The applause grew louder, and Ji-hoon felt himself being gently pushed forward. The microphone was placed in his hands, and suddenly, every eye was on him.

He took a deep breath.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” he admitted, earning a few chuckles from the audience. “I never expected any of this. I only did what I thought was right—studied hard, worked hard, and tried my best. But now, standing here, I realize that my success is not just mine. It belongs to all of you.”

He looked at the faces in the crowd—his teachers, his neighbors, his friends. He had never been alone in this journey.

“I promise to keep working hard,” he continued. “Not just for myself, but for this town, for my family, for everyone who believed in me.”

A loud cheer broke out, and Ji-hoon felt his heart swell. It wasn’t just about him anymore. He was carrying the hopes of an entire community.

As he stepped down from the stage, Min-jae and Soo-bin met him with wide grins.

“Speech of the century,” Min-jae teased.

Soo-bin clapped him on the back. “You better make us proud, genius.”

Ji-hoon laughed, shaking his head. “I will. I promise.”

The night stretched on with celebrations, laughter, and the warmth of companionship. But deep down, Ji-hoon knew—this was just the beginning.