Sam Walton was serious enough about the Cold War with the Soviet Union to build his own private bunker and ones for Walmart employees, and being a survival enthusiast, the summer camp curriculum far exceeded Jaesung’s expectations.
It’s completely a kids’ version of army boot camp? Aren’t they pushing too hard?
Starting with disciplinary training for control and basic physical fitness, they taught genuinely useful skills for emergency situations.
All instructors were top-tier with military experience or impressive careers, and true experts conducted education that pierced the core in a way even kids could understand.
“Too hard.”
“But if we get completion badges, we get gifts by points. Hang in there.”
It was slightly hard-to-follow level education, but with abundant funds—especially materials—from Walmart, definite rewards motivated kids to participate actively.
No matter what, doing PT exercises at summer camp. And Green Beret style at that.
With thorough instructors and ample materials and support, they made the little ones somehow follow the grueling process.
“James, how are you so good at this?”
“You said it’s your first summer camp?”
“Better than Richard who’s come five times.”
No matter how difficult and tough the survival training course, for military-service-completed middle schooler Jaesung, it was a piece of cake.
Do you guys know the pain of chemical warfare training? You should’ve tried winter camping or full-gear marching.
Always taking squad leader in individual combat, Jaesung naturally passed all training with top scores and records, and special badges and emblems for first place increased one by one on his uniform.
“James, well done. Everyone, tie knots referencing James. Rope is the most useful item in the wild, so remember.”
Now they called Jaesung forward to demonstrate and started using him as an assistant instructor.
Peer kid’s movements were easier to follow than an adult’s demonstration, and with the vibe of a discharged veteran sergeant emanating from Jaesung, leadership dignity naturally flowed.
“Oppa always gets first at school, and here too all firsts?”
“I didn’t get first in running, far throwing, or push-ups.”
“Kids keep asking what Oppa likes, annoying me to death. Don’t stand out too much, do moderately.”
“I’m already doing moderately. If my seal breaks, instructors will have to handle me directly.”
Since records were public, Jaesung’s already famous name was frequently heard at camp.
Jealous kids appeared, but Jaesung avoided maximum friction by moderately teaching record-shortening tips.
Mature demeanor led to girls directly showing affection, but feeling somehow illegal, he cleanly rejected.
“I like that James definitely keeps the line.”
“Dorothy, you’re outside my line too.”
“We’ll see again in winter break, so it’s okay.”
As Jaesung showed cold side to girls, Dorothy, met at Sam Walton’s house last year-end, nodded approvingly and patted his shoulder.
Thus, like at school, loved by instructors, overwhelming scores made him object of envy among kids, keeping moderate distance for desired camp life.
But while Jaesung built his own castle, Austin Timberlake with innate extrovert power built his organization, and once factions formed somewhat, he acted.
“Hey! You like computers, right?”
“Yeah. You interested too?”
Jaesung answered most questions without much excitement, but at computer talk, switch automatically turned on, showing interest and asking.
“No. I don’t have time with singing and dance practice. Computers are for nerds.”
Still era-wise, macho or trendy guys were popular, and computer technicians’ masculine charm ranked quite low.
Confirming Jaesung was a nerd, Austin persistently attacked that part.
“You probably wear thick glasses, tuck check shirts into pants?”
“For eye health, after one hour work, I always close eyes for recovery time. Clothes just what Mom buys.”
“Haha. You still wear clothes Mom buys?”
Most kids including Austin still wore Mom-bought clothes, but he teased Jaesung anyway.
Austin’s attack, instinctively catching public air, effectively worked, and kids liking hero’s fall narrative whispered about Jaesung being computer-loving nerd.
“He tucks check shirts into pants at home.”
“He does computer all day?”
With Austin’s already-formed gang machinations, bad rumors about Jaesung spread instantly.
“Sorry. I don’t really like guys who like computers.”
“Seeing you not practicing dance since that day, you’re not interested in dance or singing.”
Christina and Britney also said hard to get close hearing Jaesung good at studying and computer-loving nerd.
“Then nothing I can do. Do as you like.”
Jaesung cared somewhat about relationship with two future stars, but not to cling to those who disliked.
No matter how famous Britney Shakespeare and Christina Aguilera become, for Jaesung, growing money investing in IT companies and dot-com bubble far more important.
“I’m okay even if you’re a nerd. Actually, I was bullied at school and had no friends.”
“Liking computers doesn’t make everyone a nerd.”
Unexpectedly, dorm-mate Brian Gosling took Jaesung’s side, saying slight interest in computers too.
Though popularizing, computers still inconvenient for general use, not particularly needed.
Windows 95 coming out and personal computer performance rising would make homes use computers properly, but still a bit early.
Still, explained 486 and Pentium difference to loyal Brian, slightly previewed upcoming online ecosystem.
“Uh. That… yeah. Really amazing.”
“You should invest in internet companies early too. Now right before explosive growth, late and opportunity flies.”
At camp without keyboard, withdrawal symptoms—leaked some high-level info to interested Brian.
Naturally not understanding, but not important to Jaesung whose mouth finally opened after long.
Building inner intimacy with Brian Gosling, eating together when Jaeeun came.
“Oppa! Weird rumors going around, what’s up?”
“I’m too outstanding, so jealousy—nothing big.”
“They called Oppa nerd, but even if nerd in actions, not in looks! I can’t stay like this!”
Seeing daily computer-tapping Jaesung, Jaeeun said Oppa nerd but not nerd.
Hard to tell praise or insult, but Jaesung’s soul not pure enough to hurt from kids’ slander.
In some ways, kids’ scheming looked cute.
Fewer annoying kids even good point.
“I’ll clear the misunderstanding! Mom and Dad praise Oppa so much! Grandpa Sam said Oppa amazing too!”
“I’m fine, do as you want.”
Seeing not caring much, Jaeeun huffed and left.
Naturally not expecting sister to solve, rather enjoyed leisure with vanished admiring gazes.
But half day after whatever sister did, kids’ eyes completely changed.
“James, is the rumor true?”
“Which rumor? Even instructor’s gaze changed.”
Usually kids whispered looking at Jaesung, but from admiring to nerd-viewing eyes, now sending shocked gazes.
“You sold a program to Microsoft and earned 2 million dollars.”
“Ugh~ Sister spread rumor, huh. Something like that happened.”
“Oh. You showed calm yet outstanding, was going to recommend enlistment, but already had field you’re good at. Earning 2 million dollars, no need to join military.”
Special forces instructors highly valued Jaesung’s excellent situational awareness and calm yet flashing problem-solving, planned to recommend military academy after high school.
But 2 million dollars big even for them, out of special forces earning money as camp instructors.
Big money for adults, to kids 1 million dollars imaginary unit.
Having two of those 1 million, all looked at Jaesung with shocked expressions.
“James! You really earned 2 million dollars?”
“Yeah, but why?”
So curious, even Austin who spread bad rumors came directly asking.
“Wow! With that much money, bought lots good stuff, ate? What did you buy?”
“Bought few companies, eating same as usual. Treated parents to steak once, but Mom’s home cooking tastiest.”
Regressed Jaesung realized Mom’s home cooking true finest feast.
Parents economically comfortable, never lacked food, no separate gluttony.
“Just thought nerd, but amazing nerd. Microsoft—met William Gates too?”
“Met during contract. Took photo together, but photos not allowed in.”
“Wow! Show photo next time.”
Kids knew Microsoft and William Gates, Jaesung’s reputation rose from nerd to instantly rich, capable young master.
Kids getting pocket money 1 to 20 dollars usually, 2 million Jaesung earned hard to grasp, but knew money to buy anything wanted.
At capitalism pinnacle America, same nerd but capable changed evaluation.
“They called Oppa nerd. So I spread not ordinary nerd but Nerd King! Did well, right?”
“Yeah. Well, good job.”
Thus from computer-loving nerd to Nerd King whom William Gates visited for photo, Jaesung again received all kids’ attention.
“Mom said men are about ability. If James, wouldn’t starve me, wouldn’t cheat.”
“If you my girlfriend, yeah. I’m busy working, no time for girlfriend.”
“I’m busy preparing singer too. Meet only vacations.”
Christina, lived long in Japan no Asian prejudice, approached actively, but Jaesung maintained iron wall, Austin changed attitude trying to get close.
“James, don’t remember what you said last time, can tell again?”
“You’ll forget anyway, tell by phone after camp.”
Brian, realizing Jaesung’s casually heard words high-level info, asked with teary face.
Thus recovering honor, sending extrovert summer camp, went to most special curriculum education.
“Wow! Insane. Even for America, teaching this to kids?”