Life, Once Again!

ly back then.
She wanted to join them, but it looked like she’d have to give up on that dream.
“I’ll come to watch when you guys are on stage again.
Really.” “Thanks.
That’d be great.” She thought about leaving then, but something rose in her chest.
She had been told the same thing twice in a row, that some things couldn’t be accomplished with only hard work.
Was that really the case? Then what of the people who actually did try hard? She wanted to speak up, but she lacked the courage to do so.
She stayed silent, not knowing what to do for a few seconds.
“In reality, the phrase ‘hard work’ is a trap.” Maru spoke as she grabbed another bottle of Yakult from the clubroom.
He offered her a third, but she shook her head.
“What do you mean, a trap?” “You can’t be an actor without hard work, it’d be impossible.
‘You can do it with a bit more hard work’.
You know, stuff like that.
Why do you think people say these things?” Jiyoon pondered for a bit before answering.
“To cheer up those who work hard.” “That’s the trap.” “What?” Work hard, try harder, and harder, and harder.
How were these words a trap? “The phrase ‘hard work’ only exists for those who watch the people that try hard.” “Those who watch?” What was he talking about? “Let’s say there’s an important test happening.
You end up passing that test with hard work.
Then you’d hear people around you say ‘See? Hard work pays off.’” Jiyoon nodded, she’d heard that phrase countless times in her life, ‘hard work pays off’.
She had to wonder how many people hadn’t heard it before.
“Then, on the other hand, won’t the people say ‘you just didn’t try hard enough’ if you fail?” The idea that hard work pays off and someone failed because they didn’t try hard enough sounded logical to Jiyoon.
“Do you know how easy it is to say these words? The phrase ‘hard work’ contains both success and failure.
That’s why you can easily tell people who already work hard to work even harder.
Because the phrase works for just about any situation.
If things go well for you, it’s thanks to hard work.
If things go poorly for you, it’s thanks to the lack of hard work.” She suddenly felt betrayed by the phrase, to think that was the reality of it… “There’s no good analysis required when you use it.
It just crushes everything and instantly justifies what you said.
How great is that? It’s incredibly difficult to give people a good answer to their current situation.
After all, you would need to analyze everything about what they’re going through.
But the phrase ‘hard work’ just lets you skip all of that.
You failed your test? You didn’t try hard enough.
Your English sucks? Try harder.
You keep failing your interviews? Maybe you didn’t try hard enough compared to the others?” Strangely, Maru’s expression changed as though he had sinned against someone.
“The phrase is like an escape route.
It lets you judge someone without knowing anything about them.
You don’t have to think hard about their issues at all.” Maru scratched his head with an apologetic look.
“I’m the same, actually.
I want to give you a good answer, but I’m still very lacking.
In the end, I can only tell you to try hard.
But I hate having to say that, because if it turns out that your hard work was for naught, then no one would be there to pay you for the time you’ve wasted.
That’s why I don’t talk optimistically.
I’d rather tell someone that hard work might not pay off.
It’s the least I can do.” Jiyoon stared at Maru, who shrugged back.
In the end, he was saying the same thing— that he didn’t know what would happen—but the way he conveyed it was completely different from Geunseok.
His words reassured her more than anyone else’s.
“So my hard work might not pay off.” “That’s right.” “But it also might pay off?” “Eh… so what I’m saying is…” Before he could finish his sentence, Jiyoon handed him her registration form.
“I’ll try.
I-I can’t talk very well and I’m very shy, but I’ll try my best.” “Did you understand what I told you?” “Yes!” “…Are you sure?” “Yes!” She didn’t care if she couldn’t stand on stage.
It felt like she’d have a great time if she could work with a senior like this one, and hey—she might actually be able to get on stage again! “And senior?” “Y-yeah?” Maru looked at her awkwardly.
“Were you there on the stage at Anyang during the competition in December?” “I was.
Since my leg was fine back then.” “What role did you take back then?” “Me?” Maru took two steps back before jumping up from his spot, he ambled playfully for a bit before raising his hand into the air.
He motioned as though he was grabbing something from the air, then bowed deeply.
Jiyoon instantly recognized who he was.
“I did something like this.
I wonder if you can remember me.” “The one that spoke with the audience…” “Oh, right.
You barely remember, do you? I didn’t have a name.
Just a teenager.” She couldn’t suppress her smile.
The person from back then wasn’t Geunseok, it was Maru.
Her heart seemed to be melting, her dream was coming back to her.
If this person helped her, she’d be able to flourish for sure.
At the same time, she found herself becoming flustered and didn’t think she could even look at Maru.
“I-I’ll be leaving now.” “You’re leaving? Why don’t you have some more Yakult…” “No, no.
I-I’ll be going now.” Jiyoon turned around with a bow, her smile didn’t disappear even as she descended the stairs.
She was unable to keep her heart from pounding in excitement, she couldn’t wait to experience what the club had to offer.
‘I can do it.
I can do it!!’ Jiyoon bounded down the stairs in delight.

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