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Chapter : 15
“For Business Administration, it’s best to take both Probability & Statistics and Calculus. Oh, and a lot of students give up on early admission and choose regular admission instead, but that’s actually a bad strategy. Regular admission overwhelmingly favors repeat test-takers, so current students have a much higher chance of getting accepted if they aim for early admission.”
Every time she lifted her gaze, her eyes met Taeshin’s.
Throughout her explanation, he had been watching her closely, listening intently.
It felt as though a butterfly had flown into her chest and was fluttering around.
Does he always look at people like that?
“O-of course, early admission is tough. There are reports, performance assessments—so much to do—and you have to stay on top of your grades. Still, I really hope you don’t give up that option.”
“Alright.”
Taeshin answered readily.
“Please submit the application by tomorrow morning. The other students have already started classes. You may go now.”
“What time do you get off work?”
“There’s no after-school class today, so I should be able to leave before the time we’re supposed to go out for dinner.”
He held out his hand.
Realizing what it meant, Iseol handed him her phone.
Every classmate’s contact information—except Taeshin’s—was already saved.
After entering his number, he handed the phone back and said,
“I’ll wait. Call me when you get off work.”
“I can go on my own, so you don’t have to wait. You should go ahead.”
“From now on, Yoon Iseol, you’ll come to work with me—and leave with me.”
“…?”
He leaned toward her.
They were so close she could see her own reflection in his eyes.
“I can only protect you if you’re right in front of me.”
“Ah…”
Just then, voices sounded outside the teachers’ office.
Startled, Iseol pushed Taeshin’s face away with her palm, turning his head aside.
“S-sorry…!”
At that moment, the office door opened and Junpil and Naeun walked in.
At the sight of Taeshin, strawberry milk spilled from Naeun’s mouth.
Only after the milk soaked into her yellow blouse did she come to her senses. She grabbed tissues from a nearby desk and wiped herself off, all while keeping her eyes fixed on Taeshin.
“What’s going on?”
Sensing the strange tension between Iseol and Taeshin, Junpil narrowed his eyes and stepped closer.
“We were in the middle of a counseling session.”
“I see.”
Taeshin rose leisurely and walked past Junpil and Naeun, leaving the office.
Naeun didn’t close her gaping mouth until he had completely disappeared from view.
Junpil handed Iseol bread and milk, his displeasure plain on his face.
“I thought you’d be hungry.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d heard he was handsome, but I didn’t expect that. He’s insanely good-looking.”
“Right? Now I understand what people mean when they say you feel full just looking at someone.”
Other teachers who came in afterward chimed in agreement.
“I never thought I’d meet someone at this age who could still make my heart flutter just by looking at them.”
Everyone laughed at the elderly Korean teacher’s remark, but Iseol couldn’t bring herself to laugh freely. Junpil kept glancing at her and the spot where Taeshin had stood far too close just moments ago.
Naeun approached and whispered,
“Give me his number.”
“Why?”
“You never know. I might need to contact him someday.”
“Senior, he’s a student. A personal connection would be inappropriate.”
“Who said anything about contacting him? I just want to have it.”
“I really can’t just give out a student’s number. If you need it, ask him yourself.”
“Oh, come on. Are you really going to be like this with me?”
It was absurd how she only acted close at times like this, but Iseol forced an awkward smile.
“Fine. Like I couldn’t find out without you.”
Naeun shot Iseol a glare and left the office.
“Let’s leave together later.”
Junpil followed after her.
“Ah, um…”
She was about to say it might be better if they didn’t, but Junpil was already gone.
When Iseol opened the door to Class 3-3, the students scattered around the room returned to their seats and opened their books.
Taeshin sat by the window like a painting, looking straight at her.
Trying not to be conscious of him, Iseol placed the attendance book and teaching materials on the podium.
“Kim Heerok, the teacher’s here. Stop messing around and go sit down.”
At the class president Sangwook’s words, Kim Heerok slowly slid off the desk he’d been sitting on.
He usually slept with his head down during afternoon classes, but today his eyes were wide open—which somehow made her uneasy.
He was the type who could go off in any direction, so it was almost better when he slept.
“Teacher, you’re here? You look even more beautiful today.”
He bowed at a perfect ninety degrees, greeting her with a languid grin.
Despite the polite wording, there wasn’t an ounce of respect or courtesy in his attitude.
At least they’d chosen a capable class president.
Sangwook had excellent grades and a solid build, making even the troublemakers hesitant to provoke him.
As Heerok passed Jo Haewon on his way back to his seat, he clicked his tongue and flicked Haewon’s head.
“What a mess. Why’d you get into a fight first thing in the morning? You’re not a kid.”
“Kim Heerok, sit down. We’re starting class.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Today, we’ll continue with the printed materials from last time.”
The students yawned as they pulled out their handouts.
Afternoon classes were always exhausting and sleepy when the weather got warmer—especially fifth period.
“Before we continue, let’s review vocabulary. On the very last page of the handout, you’ll see a 4×4 grid.”
The sound of rustling paper filled the room.
“Is it bingo?”
The students’ faces brightened.
A simple word game she’d used occasionally with first-years last year had gotten such a good response that she’d tried it with the seniors too—and surprisingly, they loved it.
She gave candy or chocolate as prizes, and even though they complained about how childish candy was, they always participated enthusiastically.
The sour candies, sharp enough to make your tongue sting, were especially popular.
Seeing how much better this worked than simply memorizing words, it really drove home the fact that kids were still kids.
Iseol displayed the vocabulary list from the handout on the screen.
“Choose sixteen words from this list and fill in the blanks. Starting from the front row, students will call out one word at a time. We’ll cross them out as they’re called. The first person to cross out five lines wins.”
After reading through the words twice and making sure everyone understood, she started the game.
With each word crossed out, students’ emotions rose and fell.
Two students raised their hands at the same time, ending the game.
As the winners collected their candy, others clamored for another round.
“Alright, round two. This time, we’ll use words you’ll be learning next.”
Suddenly, Heerok shot his hand up.
“Teacher, I have a question.”
She’d bet everything she owned that it had nothing to do with the lesson, but Iseol asked patiently,
“What is it?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
Ha.
“I’ll only take questions related to the lesson.”
“I heard there’s a rumor you’re involved with the P.E. teacher. Is that true?”
Junpil was the school’s only physical education teacher.
At the blatantly intrusive question, Iseol’s expression hardened.
Except for a few students, everyone frowned.
“I told you I’d only take lesson-related questions. Stop now if you don’t want demerits.”
She stared him down sternly.
At times like this, it was crucial not to lose the battle of wills.
“Guess it’s true. You can’t answer.”
“Kim Heerok, cut it out.”
“Hey, stop it. Are you crazy?”
The class president and other students stepped in, but it didn’t help.
“What? Am I the only one curious? Everyone wants to know, right?”
Snickering as he looked around, Heerok asked, excitement written all over his face,
“Did you sleep with him?”
“What?”
The blood drained from Iseol’s face, her heart pounding wildly.
She’d known he was immature and rude—but she hadn’t realized he was this vile.
This was something she absolutely could not let slide.
“Kim Heerok!”
As gasps echoed through the room, a slipper flew from somewhere, striking the back of Kim Heerok’s head with perfect accuracy before clattering to the floor.
