My Side or His Side (3)
From an adult's perspective, high schoolers are still just kids. Their bodies might look grown-up, but you can't shake that childish vibe from their actions. Enforcing the dress code strictly or demanding respect for teachers—it's all to keep the hierarchy clear so education runs smoothly. It's not like we hate kids or enjoy tormenting them. Anyone who does that doesn't deserve to be called a teacher. No way.
"The class president couldn't get her gym clothes, huh."
"...Yes."
"Did you miss the announcement? Nah, that can't be it—everyone else showed up dressed."
"... ."
"No one to borrow from?"
"Th-they all lent theirs out or didn't have extras..."
"It's fine. It was such short notice, even I get it."
Adults naturally lower their expectations for kids' behavior compared to other grown-ups. We adopt a gentler tone, especially for unavoidable slip-ups.
"Oh, Yeo Mi-so had something come up suddenly, so third period got swapped to PE on the fly. She was the only one who could cover it. Can't just leave you with self-study when PE is so rare, right?"
"Mi-so Teacher, what happened? Are you hurt?"
"Ah... well, it's... No, kids don't need to know. Stuff happens."
"What do you mean 'stuff happens'? We're humans with the same rights—don't we get to know?"
"Did a guy dump you or something?"
"Someone said Mi-so Teacher was crying her eyes out this morning."
"Aish, I said you don't need to know! Anyway, it's not serious—just know Korean Geography and PE are swapped today and tomorrow!"
"Ugh."
Case in point right now. An unexpected schedule shake-up. No way to chew out the one or two kids who forgot gym clothes or couldn't borrow any. The screw-up was on the teachers' end, not theirs.
-Murmurs-
-Murmurs murmurs-
"Whoa, class prez is totally screwed."
"Tell me about it. She was just ragging on Ban Do-young for not paying attention in class. Now she's in the same boat—sleeping through math or showing up without gym clothes, same difference."
But that's the teachers' standard. Kids saw it differently.
"If it'd been Ban Do-young, she'd have strutted up and reamed the teacher out to her face."
"No doubt. Total video moment. Kekeke."
"Back in middle school, when I asked An Seong-gyeong to lend me gym clothes, she ripped into me. Like, 'Can't you even bring your own?'"
"And now karma's biting her right in the ass."
Teens judged each other way harsher than adults viewing them as "kids." To the kids gathered there, they'd all scored gym clothes from friends, but An Seong-gyeong? Total outcast—no buddies to hook her up. Especially with her negative rep already.
"At least the announcement got through to most of you. Everyone else came prepared. You all knew PE was today?"
"No? But borrowing from friends in other classes isn't that hard, right?"
"Yeah, unless you've got zero friends."
"Kekeke."
"... ."
A guy snickered mockingly at the gym teacher's praise, like he was aiming it at someone. Giggles rippled through the group.
"Anyway, sorry for the sudden change. No worries if you couldn't change—I'll give the class vice president the storage key. Have him lead you for two laps around the field, then do whatever exercises you want."
"Teacher, the class president isn't in gym clothes."
"Oh, right. Yeah."
"Puhahaha!"
The teacher's unwitting confirmation lit the fuse. What started as snickers exploded into full-on mocking laughter.
"Then 1-1's vice president handles the laps and grabs balls from storage for everyone."
"Got it."
"Class president... sweat in your uniform sounds miserable, so take it easy. Join them when third period ends."
"...Yes."
"I'll be watching to make sure you run properly—no slacking. Girls are slower, so match their pace. Got it?"
The gym teacher handed the storage key to vice president Hyeon Myeong-su and vanished somewhere. I'd noticed it back in my high school days too—PE teachers always dipped out after a bit.
"Hey, two lines by height order. Line up straight. We'll half-ass the run and play futsal."
"Losing team buys yogurt from the lady when she comes around?"
"Call."
Vice president Hyeon Myeong-su took charge in class president An Seong-gyeong's place. First time stepping up, but he handled it like a pro—lining everyone up, forming ranks.
"Girls in front of the boys. Can't have gaps, so we'll match your pace for two laps."
Girls from shortest to tallest, then boys same way. Naturally, tallest girl Ban Do-young and shortest boy Do Ha-min ended up side by side in the middle again.
"Yo, fancy meeting you here."
"Huh? Why are you next to me..."
Do Ha-min finally glanced back, nodding like it clicked. Tallest girl and shortest boy had no choice but to meet in the middle.
"Man, why's Do Ha-min always glued to Ban Do-young even in PE?"
"So jealous! If I was 5cm shorter, I'd be there too!"
"Shut it—she's not running, so we had to pair up. Hurry and line up—we're going fast!"
Ignoring the guys' gripes, Hyeon Myeong-su tapped backs, straightening the lines. Do Ha-min and I only lined up together because An Seong-gyeong sat out, leaving an odd number of girls. Normally impossible.
"How's it feel to be envy central?"
"Wh-what's good about it? I'm the shortest guy in class."
He sounded a bit hurt. Guess he had a height complex—news to me. Standing next to a girl and being shorter would sting anyone.
"But isn't this nice? Right behind the girls—you get whiffs of shampoo and sweat."
"I-I don't smell that stuff."
"Oh, so side smells, not front? Not hair, but pits catch your interest?"
"N-no, I said I'm not into that!"
Do Ha-min flushed, yanking his gym shirt down over his waistband. School gym clothes were stretchy and breathable—perfect for intense movement. Meaning they stretched... and showed everything. I knew what that tug meant, so no more teasing. Pushing him here could spell disaster for his school life.
"...Fine, I'll let it slide this time."
"Phew..."
"But in return."
"Huh? Why's 'return' coming up now?"
Do Ha-min, mid-sigh, whipped his head toward me in surprise.
"That thing I asked earlier. Still no answer."
"Oh... that."
"I said I'm on your side. Proved it with actions."
"Yeah, thanks a ton. Without you, I'd be in the same mess as the president. No one I know in other classes."
He fiddled with his gym shirt zipper as he replied.
"Your turn. Say it. Whose side are you on?"
"... ."
He dodged my eyes, no quick answer. If it was just shyness, fine. But his gaze flicked past me... to An Seong-gyeong by the gym door.
"Where you looking?"
"N-nothing..."
"No way... not into the school's top big-tits beauty, but the gloomy freckled glasses big-tits girl?"
"Quit twisting it weird!"
"Ban Do-young, Do Ha-min! Run! Gap up front!"
The vice president's line had already started without us.
. . .
After laps, kids scattered to their faves. Most guys to futsal or basketball. Girls grabbed volleyballs for dodgeball or hid in the gym shade to chill.
"Do-youngie, Hye-rangie! Borrowed badminton rackets with my gym clothes—wanna play?"
"Ooh, Choi Sa-hyung's got style."
"But three's no good for teams."
"Wait—I'll snag Do Ha-min from the guys."
"She never listens about personal space."
Not having his clear "team me" declaration yet, I headed to drag him to our side.
"Huh? Do Ha-min? Nah, he never said futsal."
"Do Ha-min...? Didn't even ask—too short for basketball."
"Ask the short kid next time, dude. So where's this guy...?"
No sign in futsal or basketball. A bad feeling hit. I turned to Sa-hyung and Hye-rang.
"Choi Sa-hyung, Yoo Hye-rang! Is the class president by the gym door right now?"
"Huh? No... she's gone."
Do Ha-min and An Seong-gyeong had vanished from the field together.