🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 10
Compared to the house in Seoul, it wasn’t even half the size, but with only the bare minimum of furniture and essential belongings brought in, it seemed like a decent enough place to stay for the time being.
“Why is there so much rice cake?”
Yushin asked, staring at the stacks piled high on the table.
“Handing out rice cakes on moving day is basic etiquette.”
“Weren’t we supposed to keep a low profile and stay out of sight?”
Yushin asked as he helped pack the still-warm steamed rice cakes into small boxes.
Jaehyuk looked back and forth between the two brothers, then let out a quiet sigh.
“That plan’s already gone out the window. We’re switching tactics—now we win over the locals.”
“So handing out moving-day rice cakes is step one?”
“Yeah. Rural areas are cliquish. They don’t accept outsiders easily. First priority is getting the head of the public health clinic on our side. He’s been working on this island for four years now, he’s competent and kind, and the residents really like him. If we get close to him, it’ll help us earn the villagers’ trust.”
“Ah.”
Jaehyuk had conducted a thorough background check before coming to the island.
He gathered every bit of information available—so much so that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there was almost nothing about the island or its residents that he didn’t know.
Being able to collect that much information in just a month owed a lot to Yushin’s computer skills.
“Shall we go, then?”
Jaehyuk nodded as he placed the boxes of rice cake into Yushin’s arms.
The school buzzed all afternoon with talk of the transfer student and the returning student.
After classes ended and the students had gone home, the third-grade teachers’ office was still abuzz with chatter about the newcomers.
“My goodness, how can someone be that handsome? He’s so tall, broad-shouldered too. The moment he walked into the classroom, I couldn’t see anyone else.”
“Exactly. I thought he was a model or an actor. But his vibe wasn’t like that at all. He felt dangerous—cold. Like if you made one wrong move, you’d be left with nothing. It gave me chills.”
“You felt it too? Same here. I couldn’t even look at him properly. Just seeing him made my spine go cold.”
“So am I the only one who didn’t get to see the handsome returning student today?”
Na-eun, who taught second-year English, chimed in regretfully among the third-grade teachers.
As usual, with her heavy makeup and flashy clothes, she stood out sharply among the muted tones of the other teachers.
“If I’d known, I would’ve taken third grade.”
Hearing that, Iseol let out a quiet sigh.
If only she wouldn’t say things like that.
With the college entrance exam looming, it was customary for experienced teachers to be assigned to third grade.
And homeroom teachers were usually chosen from core subjects like Korean, English, or math.
By that logic, Na-eun—who had more experience and had been on the island for three years—should have been assigned the role instead of Iseol, a first-year teacher.
“I’m really sorry, but my health hasn’t been great. I’ve been going to the hospital a lot lately, and the dizziness got so bad I even ended up in the ER a few days ago. I’ve never been a third-grade homeroom teacher either, so whether it’s you or me, we’d both be new to guiding students through entrance exams.”
She’d dragged her feet with excuses back then, and now she was saying she wished she’d taken third grade.
For someone who claimed to be unwell, Na-eun looked healthier than ever.
“Do you want to take third grade now? If we talk to the principal, he might agree to switch.”
At Iseol’s words, Na-eun waved her hands dismissively.
“I was just talking. Why take it so seriously?”
Avoiding Iseol’s gaze, Na-eun continued.
“But I heard the transfer student in Class 1 is the returning student’s younger brother? I caught a glimpse earlier—he was no joke either. Guess they really look alike.”
“They do. Their vibes are different, but their jawlines and cheekbones are identical.”
“I heard the transfer student is incredibly smart.”
At the science teacher’s question, the math teacher—who was both the Class 1 homeroom teacher and the third-grade head—nodded.
“He was always ranked first or second in his entire school in Seoul. At a specialized high school, no less.”
“Oh my. A prodigy like that transferring here—what happened? At this rate, Class 1 might send two students to Korea University this year. The class president and the transfer student.”
“But isn’t it strange? Why is the returning student in Class 3 and the transfer student in Class 1? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
When the science teacher tilted her head, everyone’s gaze shifted to Iseol.
“True. Having a student older than you must be uncomfortable. Are you okay with it, Iseol?”
“I’m fine.”
The Korean teacher, the most experienced among the third-grade staff, spoke up.
“Honestly, it might even be for the best. I had last period with Class 3, and they were quiet as mice. Maybe because of the returning student—even Kim Hee-rok kept his mouth shut today.”
“Ah, that explains it. That troublemaker was quiet for once.”
“He’s probably just testing the waters. Give it a few days and his true colors will show.”
“Maybe. But it’s true he can’t act recklessly when there’s another adult around. Either way, he seems reserved and serious. He pays attention in class too. I don’t think we need to worry too much.”
“Right. He’s older and has a younger brother. It’s unlikely he’ll cause trouble.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Just then, Junpil came into the third-grade teachers’ office.
Smiling, the teachers teased him.
“Did you come because you’re curious about the new student in Iseol’s class too?”
“Oh, well…”
“You think that’s the only reason? Must be nice, must be nice.”
Ignoring their teasing, Junpil walked straight over to Iseol.
She was seated, reviewing Taesin’s school records.
They were from ten years ago, so the format was outdated and needed corrections.
“Let’s talk.”
Junpil led her to the teachers’ lounge across the hall.
“What’s going on? Why did that guy come back to our school? Did you know? Have you been in touch with him all this time?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“Then how did he come back? Anyone can see this is suspicious. He could’ve taken the GED, but instead he reenrolled—and of all places, he ended up in your class.”
“I was shocked too. He must’ve had a reason to come back. It’s not like he came because of me.”
“…”
Junpil sighed quietly, then lowered his voice.
“Anyway, that guy is dangerous. He was chased by gangsters and even got stabbed. If you get involved with someone like that, you’ll be in danger too.”
He wasn’t wrong, though Junpil was being somewhat extreme.
“If he really wants to attend school, talk to him and have him transfer somewhere else. It doesn’t have to be here.”
“The transfer process is already finished. It’s too late to send him somewhere else.”
“If you can’t do it, I’ll talk to him. I’ll bring it up with the school too.”
Junpil turned as if he was about to march straight to Taesin, and Iseol grabbed his arm.
“You said it yourself—he’s dangerous. So don’t stick your nose into other people’s business. Just leave it alone.”
“Are you… worried about me?”
For a moment, Junpil’s voice softened.
She was worried about Junpil, but she also didn’t want Taesin to leave.
She didn’t know the reason, but he must have had one to come back.
And it wasn’t like he’d obediently leave just because someone told him to.
Iseol avoided answering and changed the subject.
“There won’t be any personal involvement. He’s a student, and I’m a teacher.”
“Right. You’re teacher and student now. Anything beyond that would be inappropriate.”
But Iseol’s promise not to get personally involved was never going to be easy to keep.
Who could have imagined that he would move in right next door?
When she returned to the public health clinic after work, unexpected visitors were waiting.
“Iseol, come say hello. These are the people who just moved in next door. You already know one of them, right?”
Director Jang said, gesturing toward Taesin and the two other men beside him.
