"Done." She locks her suitcase. "If I leave now, I am sure that I can catch the last train home."
It's best to leave this place.
She's not doing it because of Sin Jeong-Hyuk. After everything that happened today, she has realized that architecture is not her thing. She doesn't want to waste her time, efforts, and youth on something that she doesn't love.
Well, she can't seem to endure the lectures. It's too boring.
The other thing is that she can't afford to live here anymore. It's unlikely that she would receive a scholarship next year after screwing up today. Lim Dabin will continue to make trouble for her.
It's illogical to stay here when she doesn't even want to go to university anymore.
"Am I having a mental breakdown?" Chang Seol stares at the dusky sky through the window. "Not yet."
She's still holding on. So, she's a shapeshifter. What's the big deal? If nothing works out, she can wander in the wilds and stay in her bird-form until the moment she dies.
"At least, I won't have to worry about assignments and group projects," She mutters as she drags the suitcase toward the door, "Or money, scholarship, and life."
Living as a cockatrice is certainly a career. Maybe she can fly for real.
"I just want to smell the sea again." She sighs. Her suitcase is heavy. She should get rid of the things that she won't need.
So Chang Seol opens the suitcase again and picks up things that she doesn't 'need' anymore. Most of her clothes go to the garbage bin. What's the point? All colours look wrong to her.
Then, she places the unused notebooks on the table for Mun Soyoon. Maybe Sunbae can use them.
By the time she's done, there's barely anything left in the suitcase. Chang Seol shrugs and closes the suitcase. She doesn't need it either.
After putting the bankbook and some cash in her handbag, she leaves the room.
When she climbs down the stairs, she finds everyone in the living room. Even Oh Ji Ye, who pretended to act like she didn't see her earlier, is sitting beside Sin Jeong-Hyuk.
Why is everyone sitting here like that? She looks at her ex-boss who waves his hand when their gazes meet. Yoon In Jae is sitting between Mun Soyoon and Sin Jeong-Hyuk.
The bigger question is why they are watching her like that.
Namgung Yeon Sik, sitting on a chair, beckons her to take a seat on the empty chair lying in front of the couch. "Seol-ah, sit down."
She glances at the clock. There's still some time. Since it's Professor Namgung asking, she can't deny anyway. Chang Seol takes the interrogation seat without any clue about what's coming for her.
"Seol-ah, why did you submit the withdrawal application?" Namgung Yeon-Sik begins. "If you have any problems, you know that you can talk to me."
She opens her mouth to speak when Sin Jeong-Hyuk slams the table. He roars at her, "What's wrong with you, Chicken?"
Rather, what's wrong with him? She scowls at him. "My name is Chang Seol, Mr Sin."
It's not even 'Oppa' anymore. Sin Jeong-Hyuk grits his teeth. "Why are you so reckless? Last time, you tried to jump out of the window. Today, you submitted the withdrawal application without telling anyone."
"Seol, Darling," Mun Soyoon says to her with a kind voice. "If it's about earlier, don't take it to your heart. You know him. He's a moron."
"That's right." Sin Jeong-Hyuk gives a dark look to Mun Soyoon. "I am a moron. But she's even worse. How could she let someone like me destroy her life? Shouldn't she think a little before making a decision?"
"Seol." Boo Bong-Su looks at her anxiously. "You shouldn't do things like that. Everyone is worried about you. It's difficult to get admission in a college with a full scholarship. You are so smart. You should become a full-fledged architect after five years."
"Are you worried about employment after graduation?" Yoon In Jae smiles at her. "You can work in my father's company. He's eccentric, actually. I am sure that he will like you if you are good."
Oh Ji Ye keeps observing Sin Jeong-Hyuk. She doesn't utter a single word.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Sin Jeong-Hyuk glares at Chang Seol. "No, wait! You shouldn't say anything. You should go to university tomorrow and take back your application. You are lucky that Yeon-Sik will help you."
Taking a deep breath, Chang Seol stands up. She gives a deep bow to them. "Thank you for taking care of me this month."
Namgung Yeon-Sik releases his breath.
"However, I won't change my decision." She straightens her back and looks straight at Namgung Yeon-Sik. "Professor, please process the application. I don't want to study architecture anymore."
Sin Jeong-Hyuk knits his brows. "Chicken!"
"I don't enjoy it," She continues with a heavy voice, not looking at Sin Jeong-Hyuk. "Professor, I ran away from home because I didn't want to live a life that my parents decided for me. I paid the price for it. When I had a fall out with Professor Nam today, I realized that she was right about a few things. I can't pay attention in the class because I clearly dislike the subjects. Even during your lectures, I can barely understand what is going on. I don't have any interest in designing either. Why should I waste the university's resources on me when there are more deserving people?"
"You are making a rushed decision," Namgung tells her solemnly. He doesn't know what happened with Professor Nam. "There's a difference between what you studied in high school and what you are studying at the university. This jump is often difficult for some students. You only need time. I will help you with studies at home."
"I won't change my mind." Chang Seol looks away. "I don't want to waste five years doing something that I don't like. I can't imagine myself as an architect either. If I can't even imagine being what I am studying for, is it even right for me?"
What she's saying isn't wrong. But he can't help but feel that there's more. Namgung Yeon-Sik suggests, "Why don't you spend a semester and then, decide what you want to do?"
"Professor, one month nearly killed my brain." Chang Seol gives him a dead look. "What would five months do?"
Yoon In Jae bursts out laughing. This girl hates studying for sure.
"That's why I said that you are more of an artist than an architect." Mun Soyoon gives a side-long glance to Yeon-Sik. "Some people don't try to understand other people's hearts at all."
Feeling that the comment was made about him, Namgung Yeon-Sik frowns at Mun Soyoon who shrugs and looks away sullenly.
"Actually, Sunbae…" Chang Seol tilts her head. "I don't think that I can paint even if my life depended on it. I don't have that much patience."
"What about hair styling?" Boo Bong-Su looks at her brightly. "If you want, I can teach you how to do it."
"No, thanks. I only like touching my --" Chang Seol purses her lips and looks at Sin Jeong-Hyuk. He's watching her quietly. She swallows and looks up at the ceiling. "Only my hair."
Boo Bong-Su pouts when he hears that. She's so choosy.
"What do you like then?" Oh Ji Ye asks her with a chilling gaze. "Earlier, I said that you can be a comedian. Looking at you now... I am not so sure. You are too sadistic for that."
Chang Seol regards her words silently, wondering whether she should give her a piece of her mind or not.