#project matter

Ahh, this book is the first in the series that I read. As always, it is a masterpiece. Our brave, headstrong hero U-ju tackles the second round of the National Science Experiment Competition, slaying everyone in his path with his genius! AHAHAHAH, U-ju is so funny, but his moments of genius are good. I love everyone in this series, but U-ju is such a loveable character, and I can't wait to watch him grow and learn (again, because I've read the series so many times).

U-ju and Eric

(because I can't not talk about Eric.)

In book 12, Eric still sees U-ju as an idiot. He's resentful that Mr Kim would want to teach U-ju instead of him. U-ju and Eric share the stage in book 12, stories running in opposite directions. Eric is the old student. He's very smart and very capable, with a quiet air of confidence, and he's forced to make decisions as his world falls apart. U-ju's life is coming together. Mr Kim is now his teacher, his team has gotten into the competition, and he's committed his time to learning everything, including Mr Kim's secret strategy. In fact, U-ju is inspired by Eric's performance during the competition, and he strives to create his "own space", as Eric has.

Then in book 13, U-ju reveals his genius. Eric is shocked. Now he's even more determined to... Wait, to what?

One day... I will surely repay you!

We see Jeon Jae-won's respect for U-ju, for teaching his previous team a lesson in ways that Jae-won failed to succeed in. But when Eric says this line, it feels... different? Beom U-ju, I should be where you are right now, thinks Eric. We see him looking down on the sight of U-ju pulling a triumphant Mr Kim and team to see Won-soo. Is Eric simply fixated on the fact that U-ju is clearly Mr Kim's new favourite? Or is he referring to U-ju's killer moves during the competition? We know Eric has a flair for showmanship as well. But none of these reasons justify "repay"ment, which seems to imply revenge here.

So, what is Eric's plan?

In the character cards we see that Eric wants to take revenge on Mr Kim. But at the end of the book we see Eric telling Ran-lee to make sure the Sae-byeog team gets into the finals. He actually wants them to win the competition, and he wants to disappear somewhere far away, until it will be too late to regret. Is it just me, or does none of that sound very revenge-y? Eric tells Ran-lee that's he's starting to feel nervous, too, as if he's making preparations to do something big and risky. He looks determined, and he smiles in a resigned way at Ran-lee as he tells her that it turns out he is worthless. Eric's tone and resigned sort of contentment makes Ran-lee get this look that mirrors my own of fear and bewilderment. Ohnooo, why do I get a really bad feeling about Eric's plan? I've no doubt that Eric can pull off whatever he wants to, so here hoping he doesn't manage to actually disappear. Or at least, I hope the upcoming obstacles will force him to modify his plan.