Chapter 84 – Tu-ji-man-chang (1)
Inside the Ani-Sports auditorium.
On the left side were the booths for the first- and second-years…
On the right side were the third-years’ booths.
On top of each, individual comic books were neatly lined up so visitors could read each student’s work separately, with collected editions available to take at the very end.
Each booth had a different concept, but they were all roughly the same size and scale.
Yet right in the center of the auditorium, one booth stood out as somewhat out of place.
“Woooah, what’s this?!”
“Isn’t that my comic?”
The kids crowded around the desks, staring in awe.
On top were glasses wipes, file folders, acrylic stands, stickers, and more.
All sorts of merchandise.
Not just random items—everything was made using the characters from the comics drawn by students of each grade.
“Hehehehe! How’s that, you kids! Looks good, right? Making all this… was seriously no joke for the teachers!”
Ma Dong-hyun crossed his arms and laughed heartily.
“It really… wasn’t easy…”
“Why did we have to go this far…”
Choi Jung-an, a few other teachers, and the bald assistant department head—Kim Hak-jin—spoke with faces on the verge of tears.
The reason for their reaction?
- Wait? You want to make merchandise? Out of nowhere?
- But we don’t have a budget allocated for that…
- No budget? Here it is. My money!
- …You’re saying we should make it with the department head’s personal money?
All the merchandise laid out here had been funded out of Ma Dong-hyun’s own pocket—something completely unplanned.
Sure, his heart for the students was admirable and worthy of respect… but being suddenly dragged into making merchandise and running around like this, the teachers genuinely felt like they were dying.
At least there was one consolation.
“Can we really have one of these, Department Head?”
“It’s so pretty!”
“Hehehe! You brats, the guests come first! Once the event ends, I’ll give them all out. Just wait!”
“Waaaa! Jackpot!”
“Department Head is the best!”
The kids loved the blood, sweat, and tears (and Ma Dong-hyun’s wallet and the teachers’ souls) far more than anyone expected.
“And I put drinks in that icebox over there too, so anyone who wants one, just grab it!”
“Yes!!”
“Thank you!”
On top of everything, he even threw in a generous supply of beverages.
‘As expected… he’s a total comic maniac.’
Watching the scene, Min-hyuk nodded unconsciously.
While the central merchandise booth was hurriedly being set up in the middle of the auditorium—
“Hmm, collected editions are ready. Individual copies are neat too. First-year guide is Yu-ra, right?”
“Yes, that’s what we decided.”
Ma Dong-hyun walked around checking every detail of the venue.
“Over here, move the trash cans to the less visible side!”
“Ah, yes!”
“This spot blocks the flow—push it back a bit!”
“Got it!”
Whenever he spotted something that might cause a problem, he carefully inspected and adjusted it.
Just moments ago he’d been the kindest uncle in the world; now he was strict to the point of being tiger-like.
The kids froze under his suddenly changed demeanor.
Once the overall inspection of the first-year booth was finished,
He stood at the entrance with arms crossed and asked seriously,
“The first-year prep committee head was Rok-hee, right?”
“Ah, yes… Is there a problem?”
Rok-hee, who had been standing nearby, blinked and replied.
Ma Dong-hyun shook his head and said,
“There is a problem.”
“What is it…”
Point!
Dong-hyun thrust his thumb upward and boomed,
“The first-year booth is so perfectly done it’s a problem.”
“Huh?”
“Not just good—perfect! The overall concept, color coordination, thoughtful layout that doesn’t block flow… Even the drawings on the stairs and corridors have perfect unity. If the first-years pull this off so flawlessly, won’t the second- and third-year seniors feel embarrassed? So yeah, you did something wrong.”
“That… means we did well, right, Department Head?”
“Not just well—perfect!”
“Hehe…”
Rok-hee, who had looked slightly scared at first, melted into a goofy grin…
And scratched her head shyly.
“Thank youuu.”
Perfect? Perfect? Me?
‘As expected… the department head really knows his stuff.’
While Rok-hee floated around like a jellyfish in bliss from the praise,
“Then, everyone—fighting today!”
“Yes!!…”
Ma Dong-hyun moved quickly toward the second-year booth.
“Good work. The second-years must’ve had a hard time making this. Krrr… not a single flaw.”
“You’re all busy with entrance exams, right? Han Ye-jong prep? Hmm… hmm… yeah.”
The inspection continued.
And just like he had done with Rok-hee earlier,
He gave tailored praise to the preparation committee members of each grade, matching their individual situations.
How should he put it…
‘That’s the way of an adult.’
Min-hyuk realized once again that the comic maniac Ma Dong-hyun wasn’t just living on sheer momentum and passion like he had imagined.
That kind of skill was probably why so many juniors continued to trust and follow Artist Ma Dong-hyun even after all these years.
Once the round of praise wrapped up…
Ma Dong-hyun walked to the center of the auditorium.
Clap clap!
He clapped his hands loudly and shouted again.
“Okay okay! You all worked incredibly hard until now, so let’s just push through today! Give it your absolute best for the guests who come—we’re showing them the comics we made! Got it?”
“……”
While the kids blinked in silence,
“Yes!!”
Kim Rok-hee thrust her fist into the air and shouted.
“Comic Creation Department! FIGHTING!!”
When Ma Dong-hyun roared once more,
“FIGHTING!!”
Finally, the kids’ voices filled the entire Ani-Sports auditorium.
‘…Yeah, this is fun. Feels just like preparing for a university festival.’
A smile spread across Min-hyuk’s face as he watched.
***
After all preparations in the auditorium were complete.
The first visitors began arriving a little past 11 o’clock.
“Wowww, the kids drew all of this?”
“Yeah yeah, this one’s mine!”
Naturally, most of the people visiting the venue were the students’ parents, family, or relatives.
Amid the lively atmosphere, they read through the comic books laid out at the booths…
“Our first-years chose sports comics as the overall theme. The booth decorations were also made to match that concept. Please start viewing from the left.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“You can also read the guide in this brochure for more details about the works. If you’re curious, feel free to talk to the artist who drew it.”
Han Yu-ra handed out the brochures she had made and guided the arriving guests.
Not like a comic event guide—more like a refined curator at an art gallery.
After receiving the guidance…
“Hey, who was that girl just now?”
“Why, Mom?”
“No reason—she’s just so pretty, like a celebrity.”
“Ahh, that’s Yu-ra from our class. She’s really good at drawing comics.”
“She draws comics well too? Oh my goodness…”
Most of the visiting family members asked one or two questions about Yu-ra.
Thanks to her striking appearance, she naturally drew a lot of attention.
After making a full round through the first-, second-, and third-year comics…
“Here, take this with you.”
“Ooooh… you guys made this too?”
“No no, the department head made it for us.”
“My goodness, how did they make it so well?”
Ma Dong-hyun’s ambitious project—the merchandise—was handed out one by one, signaling the end of the tour.
And then…
“One, two, three! Kimchi!”
Click! Click!
Photos were taken everywhere with the event venue as the backdrop.
One slightly amusing and unusual thing about the scene was—
“Dong-gyo, Dad’s here!”
“Oh, you came!”
Oh Dong-gyo’s father visited the booth wearing his police uniform.
And in front of him, Dong-gyo’s speech and behavior… became completely normal(?).
Oh, and also—
“Rok-hee-yaaa! Your brothers are here!”
“Kyaaa! Oppa!!”
Kim Rok-hee had three older brothers whose energy levels surpassed even hers.
If there was one common point among the families visiting…
“Wow, this character is great! As expected of Rok-hee!”
“Cute, right? Cute? You don’t even know how much I suffered making this.”
“Hmm… Dong-gyo. The comic is fun and well-drawn, but… why are all the characters in your comic female?”
“Uh… it’s about subverting existing gender norms and reinterpreting them through a comic lens, you could say…”
“It’s not just because you like female characters?”
“…That’s part of it too.”
‘They’re all really looking closely and giving support.’
The degree and reactions varied, but the fact that the families were seriously reading the kids’ comics and praising them.
Watching it, the corners of Min-hyuk’s mouth lifted.
A life where family resonated with and cheered for one’s dreams.
That was exactly what Min-hyuk had longed for in his previous life.
Of course…
‘Now… I’m living far beyond what I deserve.’
Later, during lunchtime…
“Okay okay, let’s go in shifts—half at a time.”
“Yes…”
The kids took turns heading out to eat.
Since they couldn’t all leave at once, they split the group in half and took turns eating.
By around 1 p.m.
“Ah, Min-hyuk.”
“Oh, you’re here, Mom.”
Min-hyuk’s biggest supporter, Hong Mi-seon, appeared.
Along with a few extra guests.
“It’s been a while.”
“Oh my, our Author Kang!”
Min-hyuk’s eyes widened.
Because standing beside Hong Mi-seon were two very familiar faces.
“Uh… Uncle? Artist Shin Pil-ho? What brings you here?”
“What else? Our Author Kang is holding an event—had to come see it.”
“Ahem… I just tagged along because Pil-ho was coming. Also, Seung-heon’s been doing comics lately, so I wanted to take a look. Is it… okay if I’m here?”
“Of course. Absolutely.”
‘Right… Seung-heon’s dad and Artist Shin Pil-ho are friends.’
Only now did Min-hyuk recall their connection.
While greetings were being exchanged—
“Hm? Isn’t that Pil-ho?”
“Ah, Senior Ma Dong-hyun. Long time no see.”
Ma Dong-hyun, who had been walking around the venue, recognized Shin Pil-ho and called out.
Min-hyuk asked,
“You two… know each other?”
“How could we not? In this industry, if you don’t know Artist Ma Dong-hyun, you’re basically a spy.”
“You little punk, always with the flattery. Nice to see you again too, Min-hyuk’s mom. First time since the entrance ceremony.”
“Ah, yes!”
With his signature social skills on full display, Ma Dong-hyun energetically exchanged greetings.
After that, the three of them followed the same procedure as the other guests: received a brochure from Han Yu-ra, began touring…
“Indeed, Author Kang. This work is great too.”
“Krrr, Min-hyuk. I slapped my knee reading it. This is it—this is the one.”
“Good work, Min-hyuk.”
Once the tour ended, everyone came over to greet Min-hyuk.
“Yes, take care.”
“Then, good luck!”
After all the guests had left.
Min-hyuk let out a sigh.
‘Well… doesn’t feel bad at all.’
Even though it was his creation, showing something he made with his own hands to people close to him felt slightly embarrassing yet deeply touching.
After that brief wave of visitors passed.
More time went by.
“Haaaahm, it’s finally calming down, Min-hyuk-kun.”
“Yeah, it really is.”
The peak time had passed, and visitors were starting to thin out.
Now there wasn’t much to do.
“I’ll step out for a bit—please watch the venue, Teacher Choi Jung-an.”
“Yes… haaaahm.”
Ma Dong-hyun also left the venue management to Choi Jung-an and stepped out.
The atmosphere grew noticeably quieter.
The kids wandered around the venue, looking at other grades’ works or sitting down to rest.
In the middle of that.
Min-hyuk quietly glanced at Han Yu-ra.
Unlike the others, she stood motionless at the entrance, not blinking once.
A faint bitter expression crossed Min-hyuk’s face.
‘In the end… no one came.’
Her family really is harsh…
Even so, it’s an event that only happens once a year—wouldn’t showing up for a little while be possible?
Understanding a bit of why Han Yu-ra was standing there like that made Min-hyuk let out a small sigh.
At that moment.
“Excuse me, is Artist Han Yu-ra around?”
Two men in suits appeared in front of Han Yu-ra…
And looked around as they spoke.
Han Yu-ra tilted her head and answered,
“I’m… Han Yu-ra?”
Then…
“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Oh Han-cheol, department head from Jump Comics.”
“Hehe, I’m Kim Min-yong, assistant manager!”
The two smiled brightly and held out business cards to Han Yu-ra.
“Huh?”
Han Yu-ra’s eyes widened in shock.