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Translator: thursdays Editor: Yahiko
‘Yeah. There’s no rule saying I have to roll over and die!’
Misfortunes can turn into blessings.
I thought this was the first time I felt true friendship since I entered high school.
‘They say that the person who reaches out to you in tough times is your true friend.’
Yup. Looking back, I had been too arrogant.
People could make mistakes as they lived. As for me, I trusted the other kids too much! One of my friends stole the audio file of the recording, and I didn’t consider how they could fuck me over.
‘It’s fine. I still have many days left in my life.’
I was only a second-year in high school. I would live another 60 years after this. I would continue to make mistakes in the future, and each time, I would face a frustrating crisis.
‘But there is always a chance to turn things around.’
So I didn’t have to be so discouraged. I shouldn’t give up on everything too soon. I should believe in myself. I should believe in my friend! Unlike trash-like livestock, I was strong! I was a strong person!
‘Life is made of experiences.’
And I should count this instance as a [good experience].
‘I’m actually lucky that this happened before I entered society. Right, let’s think like that. It isn’t as if my business plan failed, either. I haven’t been caught by the police. I’m just being bullied a little by the other kids. This will end once the election is over.’
It really was a good life experience.
‘I’ll also slip in an apology to my girlfriend. She won’t like it if I say it upfront, so I’ll do it subtly so that only people close to us will understand.’
Mm. I could also say sorry to my customers for involving them in the problem.
‘The ones I really need to apologize to are the customers. Not Kim Yul. With Kim Yul, things will end with an apology whether or not he accepts it, but the customers could always become my clients again. I’ll apologize to them sincerely.’
On the day of the student council elections—
I finally finished my magnum opus.
+
Greetings, everyone.
I’m Hwang Eunseo from Grade 2, Class 5.
(Bow head.)
The reason I’ve come up to the podium today even though I’m not running in the election is because I have something to confess to everyone.
Students of Shinseo High School!
I’ve made a grave mistake.
I, Hwang Eunseo, participated in the bullying of a classmate.
(Pause for 2 seconds.)
When I saw my classmate being bullied, I didn’t do anything to stop it. Instead, I joined the other kids in bullying him. I hit him while saying that we were just goofing around. I belittled him while claiming I was just joking.
(Sigh.)
Shinseo High students.
Until now, I didn’t realize it was wrong. I thought we were just goofing around and joking between friends. But goofing around shouldn’t hurt people, and you shouldn’t mock people with jokes.
The fact that I didn’t recognize it was wrong.
That I hurt him and laughed at him unknowingly.
These were my gravest mistakes.
One of the candidates who is running for student council president helped me realize my mistakes. At first, I didn’t listen to him. I said I did nothing wrong, that it wasn’t wrong to joke around. But for two weeks, this candidate stayed in the classroom after school to talk with me.
‘You have to apologize.’
‘You can apologize.’
‘If you apologize sincerely, your friend will forgive you…’
I’m grateful.
(Look toward Class Pres.)
Thanks to this candidate’s efforts and encouragement, I am able to confess my mistakes to my classmates and all students in this spot today.
Of course, my apology today will not heal the wounds my friend endured.
(Scan the audience.)
And all this time, I’ve caused trouble for not just that friend but also for my other friends and many people at school. I spoke without thinking. I think there are many people who feel disappointed with me.
(Bow head to the audience.)
I did wrong.
(Say this while my head is still bowed.)
I’m sorry.
(Put aside the speech notes here.)
(To show sincerity, stop reading from the paper!)
(Memorize this line by line! This is important!!)
From now on, I will never ‘goof’ or ‘joke’ around lightly again.
I will always think and think again.
I will not base my thoughts upon just myself but upon my friends and others.
(Reinforce the story. Evoke a setting.)
The friend that I bullied comes to school early every morning to go to the farm in the back. At the farm, he takes care of the chicks and rabbits that nobody else cares for.
He’s an earnest person. A truly kind person.
I feel deeply guilty for harassing such a sincere and kindhearted person.
(Promise to do something that shows my sincerity.)
After today, instead of this friend—no, with this friend…
I will go to school every morning at 6:30 to look after the animals. I will not skip a single day from today until the day I graduate. I won’t take a break just because it’s a weekend or a holiday.
(Why? Give them a good reason.)
This isn’t just an apology to my friend but also a reminder to reflect on my mistakes every day.
(Lol.)
Apologizing once here won’t erase my sin. As it shouldn’t. Students of Shinseo High School! If I miss a single day, please rebuke me.
I haven’t changed yet. But I want to change. I want to thank Candidate 2 for helping to change me.
(It should be better to refer to his number than his name, I think??)
Students of Shinseo High School.
Candidate 2 made me come up here today. He convinced me. It took him two weeks to do it, but he spent that time persuading one student.
(Emphasize the two.)
This isn’t mere verbal communication but true communication, true understanding. Communication takes effort. Communication takes time. Communication is changing the people around you.
(Never look down at the speech, and don’t falter.)
(Make eye contact with each and every person.)
Candidate 2 is a candidate who puts in the effort.
A candidate who will lend you time.
A candidate who changes those around him.
(Wrap it up.)
I don’t know how you all will remember your school days.
But for me, I want you to remember your school days as happily as possible. I wish for you to remember them fondly. But for all of us to be happy and enjoy ourselves, we can’t make anyone else suffer.
For an even slightly better school life.
For our school days to be even a little more enjoyable.
Please vote for Candidate 2.
(Step away from the microphone.)
(With my raw voice. Loudly.)
Kim Yul!
I’m sorry for all this time!
I’m really sorry!
I wish you the best in the future!
(Bow my head to apologize and end.)
(Exit.)
+
It was perfect.
“Mm. Good. It’s fine…” the class president commented.
Fine? Was this level just fine? His eyes must have been strained. Very strained. This wasn’t fine. It was a masterpiece. Couldn’t he see how many psychological techniques I put into this?!
But I’m a generous person, so I let this slide. Whew.
“There’s quite a lot of things that you have to memorize. Can you do it?”
“Of course. I memorized it all last night. I can do it with my eyes closed.”
“How reliable, Hwang Eunseo. I’ve made one good friend.”
The class president patted my shoulder. Bastard.
“Then let’s do the rehearsal check first…”
The class president was planning to present his campaign promises and visions in a slideshow. That meant that the auditorium had to be darkened. Luckily, the auditorium could turn dark after you pressed a button and waited for a while for the curtains to fall.
During the rehearsal, my girlfriend met my eyes.
“…Hmph.”
She pretended not to know me, but I bowed my head deliberately. I was making this pose to apologize to her. Then, her eyes rose up like she was surprised.
‘Just wait.’
In my mind, I smiled.
‘I’m making a comeback today.’
It was time for the election speeches.
All students gathered in the auditorium. The room was teeming with them. My girlfriend seemed anxious. She paced around in the back of the auditorium.
The class president, on the other hand, was stoic. He sat upright in his chair like he wasn’t nervous at all. Even I was a little nervous; his nerves had to be crazy strong.
“Hey. Aren’t you nervous?”
“No,” murmured the class president.
“Nervousness is for the unprepared. For today, I’ve… I’ve prepared so much. How often did I dream of a stage and a day like this? I won’t let nerves ruin it.”
His voice was chilly.
“…….”
For a moment, the back of my neck felt cold. That was how frosty the class president’s voice was. We had hung out together after school for a few days, but this was the first time the class president used this sort of tone.
‘What’s up with him? Even though he’s also acting different from usual.’
Weirdly, I felt like I’d been rebuked, so I just stood around awkwardly. That was when someone approached us.
“Y-you there.”
It was a familiar face.
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