Chapter 101
Chapter 101
“…….”
Everyone sat still in their seats. No one opened their mouth, and no one wandered around. They were simply flipping through their Ethics and Ideology textbooks, which they had already taken out for the first period.
Bom walked to the lectern, set down the attendance book, and scanned the room. Her eyelids felt heavy and weak.
The classroom usually didn't look like this in the morning.
The class president would usually be eating a snack brought from home, and the vice president would be right next to them, taking a bite. Jae-hyun would be doing squats while facing the chalkboard, with a few kids behind him counting the reps. Se-jin was always face-down on her desk sleeping, and Han-gyeol would be watching her... but now...
It’s because of me.
It was painful to see them all sitting at their desks in total silence. Since they were all staring down at their books as if they’d planned it, she couldn't even see their expressions.
“Today’s monitor is number 13, Jung Il-hyun. I’m counting on you to look after the class today. Let’s begin the morning assembly.”
Bom started the assembly with a voice that remained dry and parched from her long bout of crying.
“The repair work for the stairs in front of the cafeteria starts today. It’s dangerous, so please use the back door. ……And about the change in the festival date, it’s been set for the Friday after next.”
The students, who usually cheered at any mention of a school event, remained silent.
They really are disappointed in me. Bom smiled bitterly to herself, the thought like a dull blade scraping against her aching heart.
“You know each class has to participate in the festival stage. I’ll give the application form to the class president, so discuss it among yourselves.”
That was the end of the announcements. Bom took out the festival application form she had tucked into the attendance book and handed it to the class president.
“That’s it for the assembly. Get ready for the first period and take a break.”
The first period was her class's lesson anyway, but she figured it would be better to step out for a moment and come back.
Since no one was absent, Bom signed the morning assembly section of the attendance book and set her pen down. Just then, someone shot their hand up.
“Question, Teacher!”
Bom slowly lifted her head and met the students' eyes. What were they curious about? Her heart hammered against her ribs, but she didn't let it show.
“Yes… what is it?”
It felt as if something invisible was squeezing her throat, and her voice came out terribly cracked.
“We’ve already planned out our festival stage.”
“Oh… really?”
She was dying to know when they had prepared it and what it was, but she couldn't bring herself to ask. She just waited for the next words.
“We decided to do a Strongman Show, and we need you to do the brick-breaking and the part where you hit the kids with wooden planks, Teacher.”
“Me… break bricks?”
How was she supposed to do that? And she had to hit the students with planks? Bom was dazed by the completely unexpected suggestion. Starting with those words, the silent classroom suddenly erupted into a commotion.
“It’s not real strength, Teacher! You just have to show off some showmanship with a knife-hand strike! It’s all about the acting.”
“They’re prop planks, so your head won't break even if you hit us hard. Just go for it, Teacher. Give it your all.”
The class president added that for their costumes, everyone just needed to wear black short-sleeved T-shirts and black pants.
“You’ll do it, right?”
“You have to, Teacher. It won't work without you.”
“I……”
Bom’s lips trembled as she read the expressions of the children waiting for her answer. Her chest felt hot, as if it were swelling up and floating away.
They knew. They knew everything.
“Teacher, I’m telling you, it really doesn't hurt!”
“We’re going to put you through hard training starting today.”
Despite knowing, they were all trying so hard to act oblivious for her sake. For someone like her, who had done nothing for them...
“……I’ll do it. I’ll break the bricks, and I’ll swing the planks.”
Bom barely managed to answer before tears burst forth. She hurriedly rubbed her face with her hands. She had promised herself from the moment she opened the classroom door that she wouldn't show any weakness.
[Oh, there goes our school’s 'Motel Goddess.']
[Crazy, she’s going to hear you.]
[So what if she does? Didn't you see her earlier? She couldn't even chirp. Look at that. She’s walking past without a peep.]
She didn't want to become easy prey for those who treated this incident as mere entertainment. But today, Bom realized that there were people in her life before whom she didn't have to hide her weakness.
She realized belatedly that the teachers in the office earlier, who were passionately discussing other things, felt the same way as the students. She had never expected to be protected by others like this.
“Uh, Teacher! Don’t cry!”
“Hey, Vice President! It’s because you said you were going to put her through hard training!”
“I’m not crying because of that…… I’m sorry. Just a moment……”
Tears squeezed through the fingers covering her wet eyes.
“Teacher.”
Someone rushed over and gave her a firm hug. That small frame shook just like hers as a hand patted her back.
“Sniff, don’t cry, Teacher.”
The tearful voice was familiar. It was Se-jin. Bom tried to stop, but the gesture only made her more emotional. Then, the other students approached one by one and surrounded her in a circle.
“Teacher, please don't cry.”
“Teacher! Don’t pay any attention to the internet!”
“We’ll be your comment army, Teacher. Those bastards don't know anything!”
Among the children huddled tightly together, a few were even crying along with her.
Through her blurred vision, Bom took in the faces of her beloved Class 2 students one by one. These were her children, whom she would never forget even after many years had passed.
⋆★⋆
“Um, I’m sorry. I’ll be heading out now.”
“Go on, it’s fine.”
“Midterms just ended, so it won't even show if one or two people are missing for a day or two! Get some good rest.”
“Thank you so much.”
Bom bowed several times in gratitude and left the faculty office, leaving behind the teachers who stood there with worried faces.
“Teacher Bom.”
Vice Principal Seok Gwan-su, who had been looking out the window in the hallway, gave her a nod as she walked out with her bag. His eyebrows were slanted in concern, and he let out a sniffle.
“You’re leaving now, I see.”
“Yes. Thank you for your consideration.”
When she had returned after the first period, the faculty office had been in a stir. The teachers had been discussing giving Bom medical leave, concerned she might be suffering from psychological shock.
Even if it was right after exams, changing the schedule was a hassle, so she couldn't help but feel apologetic. Bom had initially declined, but she eventually accepted the kindness of the teachers who insisted.
They told her not to come in for the rest of the week, but Bom didn't intend to rest that long. After a brief discussion, it was finalized that she would take today and tomorrow off.
During that time, Vice Principal Seok Gwan-su would take over as the temporary homeroom teacher, and other teachers would cover her classes.
“Our teachers will keep a close eye on the Class 2 students, so don't worry about a thing. Just focus on recovering your energy over the next two days, ahem.”
“Vice Principal. I feel like coming here was a turning point in my life. I’ll return in good health. Thank you.”
Seok Gwan-su, looking slightly surprised by her spirited response, gave a determined nod. After saying her goodbyes, Bom got into her car and checked the mirror.
She was a mess.
The area around her eyes was severely red from rubbing, and her eyelids were swollen and discolored. However, sadness was no longer visible on her face.
“…….”
Bom, who was planning to go home, changed her mind. She had time now. How should she use this unexpectedly given time?
Jae-gyu and her mother.
Those were the two people who came to mind most. Jae-gyu wouldn't be back from China until tonight. At least she could prepare herself mentally until then.
What do I even say?
That most of the rumors floating around the internet are lies, and the photos are photoshopped, so please believe me. It was a simple enough thing to say, but it wasn't easy. There were so many different rumors that had surfaced because of the incident. And Jae-gyu must have seen them all by now...
Reviews of blind dates posted by some of the men she’d met, graduation photos, and various stories posted by her elementary, middle, high school, and even college classmates.
Bom blushed as she read a post claiming she acted haughty and looked down on others as if she were the daughter of a congressman.
Among these absurd stories, there were grains of truth mixed in.
It was true that she hadn't been able to participate in MTs, department events, or drinking sessions because of her parents' strict supervision. To others, it might have looked that way. Reading the various posts from her classmates, she could see how they had perceived her.
An arrogant, stuck-up girl who didn't care about anyone else.
She felt ashamed that her flaws had been exposed to Jae-gyu. She had wanted to show him only her good sides. Especially to him...
[Jae-gyu, let’s talk when you get back to Korea. I have something to say.]
She sent her first message to Jae-gyu, who had left several missed calls.
Now, only her mother remained.
The fact that the fallout from her situation had reached her mother weighed heavily on her mind. She resented her mother for confining her within an invisible fence and raising her like a doll, but regardless of that, she had always supported her mother’s career.
“……She’ll at least meet me.”
Don't run away; just go. Bom entered the destination into the navigation.
To the Seoul House in Gwangjang-dong.
Since it was quite a distance, the estimated arrival time was far off. Still, since it was an awkward time on a weekday, there shouldn't be much traffic, and if she switched highways, she should be able to arrive before lunch.
“Shall I go?”
She was glad she had left Bom-sik with Grandma Sun-i this morning. After tidying her face while looking in the mirror, Bom turned on a playlist Jae-gyu had made for her and started the car.
<Playlist: Self-Esteem Protector Song Collection for a Full Confidence Recharge>