Chapter 14
Chapter 14
“Stop.”
“Pardon?”
“You can… stop now.”
Bom was bewildered. For some reason, Jae-gyu avoided her gaze, turning his head the other way.
Reflected in the side mirror, Jae-gyu’s face was twisted into a deep scowl.
His lightly tanned skin was flushed a deep red, perhaps from an allergy. It was Bom who was flustered by his sudden reaction.
“What—what’s wrong? Did it hurt? I was rubbing quite gently…”
“Whew, driving me crazy.”
His low voice cracked roughly at the end.
“Haah…”
Jae-gyu let out a groan that sounded almost like he was in pain, repeatedly wiping his face with his large hand. After doing that several times, he hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt.
“Being this healthy is a curse. I’m sorry, but could you wait just a moment?”
Before Bom could even answer, Jae-gyu threw the car door open and stepped outside.
He was a man she truly couldn't figure out.
“What is with him…?”
Bom watched in confusion as Jae-gyu stood outside, letting out a roar like a wild animal.
Glancing at him through the rearview mirror, Bom looked down at her wrist, which still felt a tingling warmth.
The heat from where he had briefly held her earlier remained vivid.
Seriously, what is it with him? Grabbing someone’s wrist like that… He’s just pointlessly big and strong.
She had thought his hands might be soft since his facial features were so refined, but contrary to her expectations, Jae-gyu’s hands were rough and calloused.
What kind of life had he led?
Between the faint burn scar on his left forearm and everything else, she had many questions. She had a feeling that Jae-gyu’s life hadn't exactly been smooth sailing.
Buzz, buzz.
Just as she began to wonder about Jae-gyu’s childhood, her phone vibrated. It was a text from Dong-pyo, a member of her club.
[Teacher, sorry to bother you on a holiday!]
[Has it been decided that our club field trip will be to Seon Han-gyeol’s junior’s solar power plant?]
He seemed to know that Bom was out scouting today. The ever-curious Dong-pyo couldn't wait and had sent a message.
Bom, who hadn't made a final decision yet, hesitated for a moment. Seeing how meticulously Jae-gyu had looked after her and shown her around the site today, it seemed like it would be fine to bring the kids.
He might be a bit frivolous, but he seems responsible…
Having made up her mind, Bom sent a reply.
[Yes, I think this place will be good.]
A short while later, Jae-gyu returned to the car, looking as if nothing had happened.
“Sorry about that.”
Jae-gyu started the engine immediately, throwing out a joke in his characteristically playful voice.
“Ha, that was a touch-and-go crisis. You waited a long time, didn't you?”
“No.”
“You did. You were craning your neck like a little fawn.”
“I’m telling you, I wasn't.”
“A strong denial is an admission. Here we go!”
“…”
On the way back to her house in Cheongseol-eup.
Jae-gyu shared funny stories to keep Bom, who was now wide awake, entertained.
Among them, the story of the solar panel thief he had caught with his bare hands last week was the most amusing.
It was essentially a misunderstanding where the thief had mistaken Jae-gyu for a gangster.
“His eyes must have been completely crooked. Where do I look like a gangster? Honestly, tell me.”
“I’m sorry, but are you sure you’ve never been involved in that world? Not even once, for a little bit?”
“Should I start a gang then? The Yoon Bom Gang.”
“What? Why use my name of all things!”
“That way I can be your lackey. Isn't that right, Boss Bom-Bom?”
“I told you to stop that!”
“Yes, ma’am! Understood, Boss!”
“I said stop it, really!”
After dropping her off in front of her house, Bom sent Jae-gyu away despite his usual pestering for coffee and went to water her Money Tree.
Coffee, my foot, she muttered, but then she suddenly remembered Jae-gyu visiting the teachers' office back in the winter.
It weighed on her conscience now that she had told him she’d give him a yellow mix coffee, only to let him leave after just boiling the water.
Did Jae-gyu remember that time? Bom stared blankly at the Money Tree.
Its branches had grown sturdier, and its round leaves were glossy and vibrant. Bom stroked a leaf and murmured to herself.
“Hmm… Maybe I should buy some coffee to keep at home?”
⋆★⋆
“The weather is killer!”
The ritual Vice Principal Seok Gwan-su had performed a few days ago—climbing to the rooftop and sprinkling soju—seemed to have worked.
The weather today was so clear it couldn't be better for a sports festival.
“Kyah, this is much better than last year. Teacher Chu, you worked hard!”
“Hahaha. It was a headache at first, but as I prepared, I got competitive.”
“It looks exactly like the field days from our time!”
The teachers gathered in front of the podium marveled at the school grounds.
Last year, the event had been held online under the name "Metaverse Sports Festival."
Teacher Chu, the PE teacher and a master of events, had chosen a "retro" concept for this year's festival. It was a brilliant idea.
International flags fluttered in the sky. The classes were divided into the Blue Team and the White Team. Students stood in neat rows, wearing white or blue t-shirts over their gym pants.
The tents for parents and local residents were packed. People had gathered in small groups, reminiscing about the old days.
“Wow, so many neighborhood elders came!”
“Teacher Chu, did you seat the residents without dividing them into White and Blue teams?”
“Yes, it would have been too complicated otherwise.”
Bom’s class was assigned to the White Team. Because of that, Bom had also pulled out a white tee and jeans to wear for the first time in a while.
With her long hair tied back in a simple ponytail, revealing her neckline, people couldn't help but steal glances at her.
“Teacher Bom looks like a movie star even in just a plain t-shirt. Seriously.”
“Pardon? Oh, no, I’m not.”
“The white tee and jeans make you stand out even more!”
Bom waved her hands in dismissal, her face flushing. She started to break into a cold sweat as everyone chimed in with a comment. This kind of attention was poison to her.
This is so uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Seo Hye-sook, the observant homeroom teacher of Class 1, changed the subject while looking at the field.
“Whoa. Look at Seon Han-gyeol. He’s the only one I see!”
At those words, all the teachers turned their gaze toward Han-gyeol, who was standing on the field.
“Seeing them all gathered on the field like that, Han-gyeol really does stand out. He could be an idol.”
“What’s the use of being handsome? He’s got no spark.”
“No spark? You have no idea how many girls follow him around! They say his manners are top-notch!”
Bom nodded inwardly in agreement. Han-gyeol took after his uncle; he had a great physique and outstanding looks.
It wasn't just his appearance; his character was so upright that he was someone to be proud of anywhere.
Was this feeling somewhat similar to a parent’s heart? She had no way of knowing, but the important thing was that Bom felt good whenever Han-gyeol was praised.
As the teachers' conversation deepened, the Principal stepped up to the podium.
“He looks like he’s in a good mood.”
“That means he’ll take up at least five minutes.”
Everyone’s expression darkened as the Principal took the microphone. Like many principals across the country, Kim Gwon-gi of Shinsu High was known for his long speeches.
“Yes, proud students of Shinsu High. And respected teachers of Shinsu High, and above all, our residents who protect and love this Shinsu-eup…”
Taking a piece of paper with his greeting from his pocket, the Principal pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and began a long-winded speech.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the alumni association president, parents, and residents who have attended the Shinsu High School Sports Festival in this warm weather. Above all, I urge the athletes participating in the competition to do their best in every match with a spirit of sportsmanship.”
Thinking it was over, a few people clapped. But the Principal didn't even flinch and continued rambling.
“…And finally, I hope that the sports festival of Shinsu High, the pride of Shinsu-eup, will long serve as a forum for dialogue and a place for close-knit meetings that solidify communication and friendship with local residents. Ahem. Well then, we shall begin the 64th Shinsu High School Sports Festival.”
As soon as the long speech ended, people everywhere began to stretch. Bom also woke up from a brief doze.
Bang!
The sports festival began with Teacher Chu firing the starting gun.
Latest dance hits blared across the field. Students swarmed under the tents marked with their respective class signs.
Since Bom’s 2nd-year Class 2 was on the White Team, the kids were also dressed in matching white t-shirts like Bom. Everyone sat on the temporary chairs set up under the tent.
“Hey, guys.”
Perhaps caught up in the excitement, cheers erupted from all over as Bom approached. Her face turned red automatically from the embarrassment.
“Teacher! You look the prettiest today!”
“Ooooh, it’s our White Team Goddess!”
Thanks to being the homeroom teacher for the highly reactive Class 2, she was hearing all sorts of praise. With her face burning, Bom checked the athlete roster.
“Listen, the 2nd-year race starts right after the 1st-year gymnastics, so athletes, get ready.”
“Yes, ma’am! Seon Han-gyeol, Kim Jae-hyun, get out there!”
Ah, Han-gyeol is running first. It’s about to start… Bom lifted her head.
Is he not coming today?
Bom carefully scanned the parents' and guests' seating. She had been sure he would come. A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes.
“Teacher.”
Han-gyeol, who had stood up after retying his shoelaces, called out to Bom from behind.
“Yes, Han-gyeol?”
“My uncle will be here soon, too.”