Hong Gwan-jang gestured toward the sofa with a flick of his hand. Ryu Ji-ho and Go Woo-chan stepped forward and sat down opposite him.
"It's been a long time, Gwanjang-nim," Ryu Ji-ho said politely, his voice respectful.
"And who might you be again?" Hong Gwan-jang responded, pushing a pile of papers aside without looking up.
"I used to be on the taekwondo team at Yongyeon Elementary School."
"Oh, is that so? Then, what's your name?" Hong Gwan-jang asked, his face expressionless as ever.
"I was an athlete for two years... But you don't remember my name?" Ryu Ji-ho tried to keep the disappointment from creeping into his voice.
"How many students do you think I've trained over the years? You think I can remember all of them?" Hong Gwan-jang chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"My name is Ryu Ji-ho. I was part of the first team," he said, a small spark of hope flickering in his words.
