Chapter 1
Chapter 1
The snow that had fallen relentlessly for three days finally stopped. In its wake, a cold wave swept in, freezing the snow-covered playground until it resembled the inside of a frost-caked freezer.
The staffroom on the first floor of the main building was no different. It was ice-cold because the ceiling-mounted heater had broken down.
When someone brought a portable electric stove into the chilly room, everyone huddled around it to soak up the warmth. Since the school was so small, all the teachers—regardless of grade level or department—shared a single office.
"Ugh, damn it! It’s so cold my jaw’s gonna lock up!"
"Why is that thing broken again?"
Despite the grumbling, once they gathered close, idle chatter began to pour out. Naturally, the main topic was the upcoming vacation.
Tomorrow was the closing ceremony, the start of the long winter break. The teachers who weren't assigned to supplementary classes shared their plans.
"I heard you're going to the States, Teacher Noh."
"Yes, I have a friend there, so I’m going to visit. San Francisco."
"Oh, must be nice!"
"Wow, impressive! Only possible because you're single!"
The teachers, each adding a word of envy, turned their gaze toward Bom, who was sitting alone at her desk.
"Hey, Teacher Bom. Where are you going for the break?"
Yoon Bom, who had been resting her chin on her hand and staring blankly at the dry branches outside the window, snapped out of her reverie. She turned her head slightly without getting up. Her face, reflecting the winter sunlight, was completely bare of makeup.
"Oh, I’m..."
The teachers, gathered in small groups and chatting, waited for her answer with lingering smiles. Bom remained silent for a moment. Since she hadn't been listening to the conversation, she felt a bit dazed.
"Are you going abroad? Or maybe to Jeju Island?"
"Going with a boyfriend?"
The barrage of questions was uncomfortable. Did it really matter this much what she did during the break? And a trip? When was the last time she’d traveled? It felt like a lifetime ago.
It wasn't that she didn't want to go on a trip, but travel required a sense of excitement to be meaningful. Right now, Bom didn't have the mental energy for that.
"Oh, I don't really have any plans..."
In the end, that was the only answer she could give. No sooner had she finished her dull response than a wave of disappointed looks and nagging followed.
"Good grief, a young person wasting a precious winter break like that!"
"What? Not even a domestic trip or a ski resort?"
"I haven't really thought about it..."
"What is the world coming to!"
A department head, who had been silent until then, drained the rest of his mix coffee and clicked his tongue.
"Teacher Bom, you're the youngest in this school, right? But from what I see, you live the most boring life. I’ve never even seen you out with a boyfriend."
"Oh, Department Head, really."
"Her family home is in Seoul, so she’ll probably go there to have fun. Right, Teacher Bom?"
Rude comments were exchanged right in front of her. Bom didn't get angry or show any sign of offense. To be honest, she felt nothing at all. These were people she only had to see for one more year, anyway.
"Yes. I suppose I will."
She rested her chin on her hand again and turned her gaze back to the window.
Seoul.
The Han River on a crisp, clear day, the densely packed skyscrapers, and the people living their busy lives every day.
It all felt like the distant past. The year she had spent down here in the countryside at Shinsu High School had been dreary.
Just one more year to endure. Then I'm done with this godforsaken place.
Bom was currently working here in Shinsu-eup instead of her original appointment in Seoul through a system called "Teacher Inter-Provincial Exchange." The term was set for two years, and she had just passed the halfway mark.
Though she had filled out the application with her own hands, it was an exchange she hadn't truly wanted. That was why she found it so hard to open her heart to this place.
As if they never tired of it, the teachers started their gossip again.
"Anyway, tomorrow is the closing ceremony. Time really flies."
"Tell me about it. Can they even hold classes right now? The kids' minds are already on vacation."
"That's why they should just have the kids do a big cleanup today and send them home early."
"Teacher Noh, you said it. That’s exactly what I’m saying. The curriculum is finished, so there’s nothing left to do."
Even today, on the eve of the long winter break, time was dragging.
"Teacher Bom. You keep staring out the window. Is there something interesting out there?"
She had simply been lost in thought while looking toward the window, but it seemed they thought something was happening outside.
Teacher Noh, who had followed Bom’s gaze to look out the window, suddenly let out a scream.
"Oh my god! Look, look, look! Over there!"
"What’s all the fuss about?"
The gathered teachers flocked to the window one by one. Including the Vice Principal, a total of seven people crowded by the window, blocking Bom’s view.
"Isn't that Han-gyeol's uncle?"
"Let's see. Based on that build, it’s definitely him..."
They all huddled together, arguing over whether it was Han-gyeol's uncle or not. As the figure walking up from the distant school gate drew closer to the building, their voices grew more urgent.
"It is! It’s him! It’s Han-gyeol's uncle!"
Who was Han-gyeol's uncle again? The name sounded familiar, but she didn't know why everyone was making such a scene.
"Teacher Hong! Teacher Hong, hide! Quickly!"
"Block the door! Lock it and turn off the lights!"
"This is bad. Last time we did that, he almost broke the door down!"
Cries bordering on horror erupted from the frantic crowd.
Amidst the chaos, Bom was in a world of her own.
She looked away from the window and peeled off the class photo directory for Grade 12, Class 1 that was taped to her desk.
She intended to clear away all the materials for the graduating students.
Meanwhile, the surroundings became even more frantic and disorganized.
"Vice Principal, what should we do? He’ll be up here in a minute."
"Sigh. I’ve been thinking about it, and Han-gyeol's uncle started coming around right after I stopped going to church."
Everyone was looking only at him, desperately hoping for a solution. Yet, Vice Principal Seok Gwan-su just rambled on as if he had given up.
"So, I’m thinking of starting church again this break. It would be nice if we all went together. Department Head Min, what’s your religion..."
As the sound of thumping footsteps drew near, someone shouted urgently.
"He’s coming! Everyone, get to your seats! Hurry!"
At that moment, the door slammed open with a thunderous bang.
Everyone scrambled back to their seats, frantically acting as if they were deep in work.
Teacher Hong Jeong-pyo, who sat next to Bom, nimbly dove under his desk. Bom, who was still tidying her desk, looked at him with confusion.
"What are you doing?"
"Shh!"
"..."
Teacher Hong looked desperate, pressing a finger to his lips so hard they were crushed. Bom held her tongue as he wished and looked up.
A stranger prowling through the staffroom like a predator searching for prey entered Bom’s field of vision.
So that’s the famous...
Seon Han-gyeol's uncle. Upon seeing the visitor, Bom blinked her large eyes in disbelief.
...Isn't he cold?
Today was twelve degrees below zero. She had heard on the morning weather report that it was a cold wave harsher than Moscow's. Yet, the visitor wore no coat. The only thing covering his massive frame was...
A performance tee.
The black short-sleeved shirt was made of a material that clung tightly to his body.
The fabric, which looked like a blend of 84% polyester and 16% elastane, left nothing of the man’s solid physique to the imagination.
Bom fixed her gaze on the man’s body.
Is he an athlete? But an athlete wouldn't have Irezumi tattoos all over his forearms, so he’s probably...
"Well now, hello everyone!"
The visitor’s voice overflowed with vigor. Even though he was across the room, his voice rang in her ears as if he were speaking right next to her.
"Sorry to barge in while you're busy."
His face, which had been flushed red from running, was gradually returning to its natural color.
Whether intentional or not, having successfully intimidated the room, he leisurely scanned the staffroom.
"I’m here to see a Teacher Hong, first name Jeong-pyo."
Since everyone was pretending to work at their desks, the man stated his business first. Even though he wasn't shouting like before, his voice felt heavy.
Bom closely observed the man, who seemed to be suppressing a temper.
A mobster, or something like that?
His body, as large as a Siberian tiger, looked agile, likely because it was devoid of excess fat.
He was a striking figure, but the most surprising thing was his face.
Short, neatly trimmed hair and skin that looked soft.
At a glance, his features were bold and masculine, but upon closer inspection, his face was actually quite delicate.
He was a rare beauty, but he exuded an aura that made him difficult to approach due to his coarse manner.
"You... you’re Han-gyeol's uncle, right?"
Department Head Kang, unable to withstand the pressure in the air, gathered his courage and stepped forward.
He was trembling so much that even from where Bom sat, she could see his thin legs shaking.
Bom didn't understand why everyone was so afraid. She simply stayed in her seat, silently observing the situation.
"But, what should we do? Teacher Hong Jeong-pyo is in the middle of a class right now..."
"...Is that so?"
The man replied slowly, a smirk spreading across his face.
"Then I’ll wait. I’ve got plenty of time."
"Uh, well, wouldn't it be better to come back another time? You’ll have to wait quite a while."
"I’m an expert at waiting, so it’s fine."
Department Head Kang tried to persuade him, but the man didn't budge.
He’s just like the rumors. Bom sifted through the fragments of information she had about him.
Han-gyeol's uncle.
Han-gyeol wasn't in the grade Bom taught, but he was famous enough that she knew his name and face.
In any case, Seon Han-gyeol was currently a freshman, a student in the class where Teacher Hong—who was currently hiding under his desk—served as the homeroom teacher.
She had heard in passing that this man had come by a few times and caused a scene, but...
What was the reason again?