Home.
—
11:49 PM.
The door opened slowly.
Gu Gun stepped inside in silence.
He took off his sneakers.
Closed the door.
And started going upstairs.
— Come back here, young man.
—
Mari was sitting on the couch.
Arms crossed.
Serious face.
The living room light still on.
—
Gu stopped on the first step.
Looked over his shoulder.
— What is it?
—
— Where were you?
—
Han Seok-jin appeared in the hallway, yawning.
Wrinkled pajamas.
Messy hair.
— The interrogation's still going?
—
Mari ignored her husband.
— Answer me.
—
Gu spoke neutrally:
— I got a job.
—
Silence.
—
— WHAT?!
Mari jumped to her feet.
—
Seok-jin blinked twice.
— A job? Now? Today?
—
Gu shrugged.
— Yes.
—
Seok-jin stepped closer.
Calm tone.
— Gu… you don't need to worry about money.
— We'll take care of you.
—
Gu cut him off.
— That won't be necessary.
— It'll be better to have something else to do.
—
Mari pointed a finger at his face.
— Work for what?!
— You should be thinking about studying, brat!
—
Seok-jin scratched his nose, smiling.
— Ahhh… I get it.
He looked at Mari.
— Let him, honey.
— He needs responsibility.
— And his own money too.
Then he looked at Gu.
— I know how it feels. You'll feel amazing. Like you own the world.
—
Gu answered dryly:
— No.
— That's not it.
— I just want a pastime.
—
Seok-jin froze.
— Pastime?
—
Mari narrowed her eyes.
Then widened them.
— Don't tell me you want money for dating.
—
Gu frowned.
— What?
—
Mari placed a hand on her chest.
— I knew it.
— Men are complicated.
—
Gu sighed deeply.
— Wrong, auntie.
— I just want to work because I want my own money.
— I'm not your son.
— You have no responsibility toward me.
— You've already helped me by letting me stay here.
A pause.
— Wasn't it you who said this was a fresh start?
— Then I'm trying to do that.
— And a job would be better.
—
Mari stood still.
Her expression softened.
She lowered her head for a moment.
— Yes… I said that.
She raised her eyes.
— But don't say you're not my son.
— I know you're not.
— But you're my family.
— My sister's son.
— And I want to take care of you, Gu.
— We both do.
—
Seok-jin nodded.
— That's right.
— And I was already ready to teach you how to ask for allowance.
—
Gu almost smiled. Almost.
—
Seok-jin pointed at him.
— Just promise me one thing.
— If this job gets in the way of school…
— you quit immediately.
— Can you promise that?
—
Gu exhaled.
— Okay.
— I'll do that.
—
Mari instantly smiled.
Then lunged forward.
She hugged Gu with absurd force.
— My responsible boy!
—
Gu stiffened.
— Let go of me, woman.
—
Seok-jin burst out laughing.
— HAHAHAHA!
— Now you really became family.
---
Next morning.
Thursday.
—
Gu opened his eyes early.
The room was still dark.
Silent.
He sat on the bed.
Looked at the floor.
The boxes still unopened.
Clothes.
Books.
The past stacked in cardboard.
—
— I still haven't unpacked my stuff…
—
He sighed.
Stood up.
Walked past them.
— Another day.
—
Stairs.
—
Smell of coffee.
Sound of voices.
—
In the kitchen, the usual chaos.
Lia eating too fast.
Ji-hoon reading while chewing.
Seo-yeon on her phone.
And the neighbors were there too.
Owen Park sitting on the counter stool.
Jin beside him.
His older sister, Seo-yeon, finishing her juice.
— Eat faster, Seo-yeon.
Owen pointed with his fork.
— We need to get to college early.
—
Seo-yeon rolled her eyes.
— I heard you the first time.
—
Owen lifted his head.
Saw Gu walking in.
A bright smile spread across his face.
— Yo, Gu. Morning.
—
Gu walked right past him.
—
Owen looked offended.
— Come on. I thought we were partners.
—
Gu grabbed a mug.
Poured coffee.
— We never were.
—
Owen placed a hand on his chest.
— Cruel.
—
Gu took a sip.
Then heard Owen loudly whisper on purpose:
— So… can I call you brother-in-law?
—
Gu choked violently.
Coughed coffee.
Everyone looked.
—
— Where did you get that from?!
—
Owen laughed uncontrollably.
— Relax. Just joking.
—
Lia slammed the table.
— WHAT DID I MISS?!
—
Ji-hoon didn't even look up.
— Unfortunately, everything.
—
Mari rushed in with her bag over her shoulder.
— Let's go! Everyone!
— I'm dropping you at school.
—
Owen pointed at the door.
— We three are walking to college.
—
Seo-yeon frowned.
— Why, Mom?
— Let me go by car.
—
Mari replied dryly:
— No.
— Owen and Jin are going with you.
— I don't have the patience for them in the car.
—
Owen looked offended again.
— That was personal.
—
Doorbell.
KNOCK KNOCK.
—
Mari opened the door.
Letícia was there.
Perfect uniform.
Bag over her shoulder.
A smile far too sweet to be innocent.
— Hi, auntie.
— Can I go with you?
— My mom had to leave early for church.
—
Mari opened her arms immediately.
— Of course you can!
She hugged Letícia.
— You can go in her place.
She pointed at Seo-yeon.
—
Seo-yeon froze.
— I… what?
—
Letícia stepped inside smiling.
She discreetly looked at Gu.
He drank coffee in silence.
As if nothing existed.
—
Cut.
Car.
—
Mari driving.
Lia talking nonstop in the front seat.
— AND THEN I TOLD HER: deal with it yourself!
—
In the back seat—
Gu by the window.
Letícia beside him.
Shoulders almost touching.
Tense silence.
On the other side, Ji-hoon pretending to sleep so he wouldn't have to participate.
—
The car left the garage.
And the day began.
—
Inside the car.
Mari drove.
Lia in the front seat.
Talking to herself nonstop.
— Then I told her, if she copies my eyeliner again, I'm suing.
— The girl almost cried.
— Actually, she did cry.
— Deserved it.
—
No one replied.
—
Mari sighed.
— Lia… do you talk even in your sleep?
—
— Yes.
—
Mari decided to ignore that.
She looked at Letícia.
— You two are in the same class, right?
—
Letícia smiled politely.
— Yes, auntie.
— And we sit together.
—
Mari smiled sincerely.
— That's good.
— If it weren't for you, that boy would be all alone.
—
Gu kept looking out the window.
As if he wasn't even there.
—
Mari continued:
— And tell me…
— How is he at school?
— He hasn't started any fights, right?
— Nobody's gossiping about him, right?
—
Letícia froze for a second.
Quick memories flashed in her mind:
The kiss she gave Gu.
Girls glaring at her.
Boys irritated.
Jay throwing the chair beside Gu.
Trying to land a punch.
Gu dodging.
The two of them facing off standing up.
The whole class in shock.
—
She returned to the present.
— No, auntie.
— Everything's fine.
— He's… very quiet.
—
Gu spoke dryly:
— Why so many questions?
— I can take care of myself.
—
Mari made a face.
— I'm not so sure…
—
The car stopped in front of the school.
—
Lia got out first.
At the same moment a girl ran up to her.
Dyed hair.
Idol-style look.
Bursting with energy.
— LIAAAAA!
—
Gu got out right after.
The girl saw him.
Stopped mid-scream.
Hand on chest.
— My God…
— He looks gorgeous today.
—
Then Letícia got out of the car.
The girl's eyes widened.
She looked at Lia.
Looked at Letícia.
Looked at Gu.
— Why is that skinny twig with him?!
—
She went into shock.
In her imagination:
Gu and Letícia getting married.
Gu carrying Letícia in his arms.
The two of them in bed.
—
PAH!
—
Lia smacked her forehead.
— WAKE UP!
— My mom just gave her a ride!
—
The girl started crying.
— But I wanted him to come with me…
—
— You deserve something better, girl!
— Therapy, for example!
—
Inside the car—
Ji-hoon was about to get out.
Mari pointed a finger.
— Take care of your cousin.
—
Ji-hoon sighed.
— I know, Mom.
— I know.
—
Everyone headed into the school.
—
Students in the courtyard started whispering when they saw Gu and Letícia arriving together.
— They came in the same car?
— So it's confirmed then.
— She moves fast.
— Not even a week.
— The Brazilian won.
— Wish I were him.
— Wish I were her.
—
Gu sighed in irritation.
Letícia looked around.
— Wow…
— So much talking.
—
Gu didn't answer.
Kept walking.
She followed.
—
Classroom.
—
The two sat in their seats.
Gu rested his chin on his hand.
Cold thought:
Why didn't I tell this girl to stay away from me today?
—
He looked at Letícia.
She looked back.
And smiled.
—
THUD.
—
Gu dropped forehead-first onto the desk.
Let out a deep sigh.
—
The door opened.
—
Everyone looked.
—
The new teacher entered.
Very tall.
Very broad.
Almost two meters.
Strong arms.
Overwhelming presence.
—
Some students even straightened their posture.
—
— Damn…
— Is that guy a teacher or security?
— He looks like a fighter.
—
He picked up the chalk.
Wrote on the board:
NEL NOAH
—
Turned to the class.
— Good morning.
— My name is Nel Noah.
— I'll be your new Physical Education teacher starting today.
— First, I'll introduce myself.
— Then I want to know all of you.
—
The room fell quiet.
—
— I'm American.
— Born and raised in California.
— I graduated there.
— I came to South Korea because I married a Korean woman.
— And I moved here recently.
— I'm forty-two years old.
—
A girl whispered:
— Married… what a shame.
—
Another replied:
— You have issues.
—
Nel smiled.
— Now you.
— Name.
— What you like.
— And your parents' professions, if you want to share.
—
The introductions began.
Some background students passed quickly.
Common names.
Common answers.
Nothing memorable.
—
Then a boy stood up.
Long straight hair.
Above-average physique.
Firm posture.
— My name is Kang-Lee.
— I am the son of a South Korean army major.
— I like working out.
—
Nel nodded.
— Discipline. Good.
—
Another boy stood.
Smiling.
Earrings in his ears.
Stylish hair.
— Tae-Kwon.
— My father and mother are lawyers.
— I like motorcycles.
—
— Are you old enough to drive?
—
— No.
—
The class laughed.
—
A girl with perfect posture stood up.
Beautiful.
Cold.
— Seo-Yun.
— I'm on scholarship.
— I like studying.
—
She sat down again.
—
Nel noticed.
But only nodded.
— Honesty. I like that.
—
A tan-skinned boy stood up.
Curly hair.
Athletic body.
— Hyu-Sun.
— My father is a track athlete.
— My mother is a kendo champion.
— I like fighting her.
—
— Does your mother win?
—
— Always.
—
Laughter.
—
A blonde girl stood up.
Perfect makeup.
Arrogant gaze.
— Su-Hee.
— My father is executive CEO of Sukuzi.
— My mother was a model.
— I like shopping.
—
Someone whispered:
— That's not even a hobby.
—
Another girl stood up trembling.
Short.
Cute.
Curly hair covering part of her face.
Tiny voice.
— M-my name is Moon Ara…
— My father owns SKT Broadcasting…
— My mother… was a chess champion…
—
Silence.
Then—
— Chess?!
— Does she hit people with the horse piece?
— Watch out for checkmate!
—
Moon Ara sat down nearly hiding her face.
—
Nel hit the desk.
— Intelligence wins wars too.
—
The class went silent.
—
Another boy stood up.
Crooked smile.
Narrow eyes.
Something about him felt wrong.
— Choi Hyung Joo.
— My father owns Cavalery OS.
— My mother…
He laughed.
— Nah. Next question.
— I like observing interesting things.
—
He smiled like a snake.
Letícia got chills.
—
Jay stood next.
— Jay-Lee.
— My father is a police officer.
— My mother too.
— I like fried chicken.
—
The class burst out laughing.
—
— I respect honesty, said Nel.
—
At the back of the room someone was sleeping.
A classmate kicked his chair.
— Wake up, idiot.
—
The boy stood up half-dead.
Messy hair.
— Tae Yong.
— My father is an MMA world champion.
— My mother is a professor at Yonsei University.
— I like taking it easy.
—
He sat down.
Fell asleep again.
—
It was Letícia's turn.
She stood elegantly.
— Letícia Park.
— My father is director of CAT Church.
— My mother works with him.
— I like…
She looked at Gu.
Looked away quickly.
— …spending time with my friends.
Very much.
—
Some girls laughed.
—
Then Gu stood up.
A natural silence fell over the room.
—
— Gu Gun.
— I'm Brazilian.
— I like coffee.
—
Nel asked calmly:
— And your parents?
—
Gu turned his face toward the window.
— I don't want to talk about that.
—
Letícia noticed the weight in his voice.
—
Nel simply nodded.
— Alright.
— Next subject.
—
After finishing, he clapped his hands.
— Great.
— Now, group work.
—
The whole class groaned.
—
— There are thirty-seven students here.
— We'll make groups of seven.
— I want you to get to know each other.
— Tell each other strengths and weaknesses.
— You've been together for three years.
— Start learning how to deal with different people.
—
Jay grumbled:
— This is going to be hell.
—
— Exactly, replied Nel.
—
The class laughed.
—
He started forming the groups.
Mixing friends with strangers.
Complaints immediately rose.
—
— Teacher, switch this guy!
— I don't want to be with her!
— He stinks!
— So do you!
—
At last only the final group remained.
Nel looked at the sheet.
Smiled.
— Interesting…
—
He read aloud:
— Letícia Park.
— Choi Hyung Joo.
— Tae Yong.
— Jay-Lee.
— Tae Leon.
— Su-Hee.
— Gu Gun.
—
The classroom exploded.
— WHAT?!
— That group is cursed!
— The teacher lost his mind!
— Poor Letícia!
— Poor teacher!
—
Jay slammed the desk.
— I refuse.
—
Su-Hee crossed her arms.
— I don't like this either.
—
Hyung Joo only smiled.
As if he loved it.
—
Tae Yong was sleeping.
—
Gu stayed seated.
No reaction.
—
Letícia slowly looked to the side.
Gu remained indifferent.
—
Professor Nel placed both hands on the desk.
— Excellent.
— There's already conflict.
— That means I chose correctly.
—
End.