Heukjin's POV
"Mr Yoon, there's an urgent issue that needs your attention," Sangwoo, the P.E teacher blurted in panic as he burst through the tent.
I was still irked from the fact that Sehyun had become awfully close with that person from earlier. As if taking a picture wasn't enough, he actually dared help Sehyun bandage his hand.
I couldn't tell if he was courageous or just fearless, but for either, there was always a way of dealing with them.
"What?" I snap at him not even sparing him a glance. He didn't seem to care as he continued his voice urgent, "the teacher who was to take part in the teacher x student race will not be able to make it."
"How is that my business?"
I was too pissed to care about honorifics or respect.
"You see, it was supposed to be a relay race and we need three teachers, with two, it just can't work out."
Going round and round instead of speaking outright, was that to make me feel a sense of responsibility?
I cross my leg finally looking at him. "So, you want me to be a substitute?" It wasn't a question, I knew it was what he wanted.
He nodded like a child promised candy, "if Mr Yoon would help us out just this once." he held out a finger.
I held my face up in my hand watching him with a slight smirk. Seeing him beg seemed to lift my spirits….
Beg?
I chuckle inwardly, right, I wasn't just going to let him off the hook. He made me jealous, he had to receive the necessary punishment.
It was just normal.
"Alright, but who am I running with for the final round?"
Sangwoo's eyes lit up like the sky before replying, "I think it's the student from the yellow team, uh, Shim Jaewook?"
Really? Interesting…
"Alright, I'll get prepared."
"I really appreciate even though it was brought on a short notice. I'm really sorry for causing Mr Yoon trouble,"
I waved my hand dismissively, "there's no need for formalities, I'm glad I could be of help."i said with a smile that didn't reach my eyes.
I must also thank you for giving me the opportunity to deal with that thing that dared mess with what's mine.
Special friend? We'll see about that.
"The hundred metre race is about to begin, please excuse me."
As Sangwoo leaves the tent, I reach for my phone texting Dabeum immediately.
>Shim Jaewook, send me everything you can gather about him.
I shove the phone in my pants and walk out to watch Sehyun's race. He'd prepared a dozen for it, I was curious to see how he'd look on an actual track.
Once the gun fired, he sprinted ahead with full vitality, the wind blowing his hair behind as if wanting to prevent it from obscuring his view.
Simply dashing. My lips carved upwards, Sehyun shone best doing what he wanted. He had gotten far ahead of them within a short while—almost reaching the finish line when all of a sudden, a student in second place pushed him off track.
Thud.
He fell on the ground motionless.
My smile faltered immediately, my legs plunged forward —towards him panic flooding me. Once I got to him, I gathered him in my arms lifting him off the ground. He was already unconscious.
"Hurry, get him to the medic tent!" I heard someone yell.
Don't fucking tell me what I know!
A few stitches and a shot of painkillers was all he needed. He'd hurt his ankle. "Get out." I say flatly to the culprit behind his fall.
"I'm sorry, I didn't—"
I hurl a random object at him, "I said get out!" I barked my face hardening.
You didn't mean to? You didn't think he'd get that hurt? Spare me the excuse, you think I'm a fool?
Seeing how enraged I was, he finally left the room. I stare at Sehyun's sleeping frame exhaling sharply.
If at that time, I'd refused adamantly, he'd still be fine right.
"Why does teacher keep treating Sehyun like he's something you need to keep within your reach?" I suddenly hear someone ask.
I turn. Jaewook.
He stood by the entrance, hands on his hips a frown on his face.
Was that for me?
My jaw clenched. I was in no mood to deal with you yet.
"What?"
He continued, "Sehyun has the right to make his own decisions no?"
A dry laugh escape me, "how is that your fucking business?"
He took a step towards me. "It is because I hate it." He says with a wry smile.
My lips carve into a cold smile, "Oh? What exactly pisses you so?"
"Sehyun, told me he only cares about what you think of him."
"I'm aware." I say flatly.
"Do you know what that means?" He asked in a low voice.
Was this kid trying to scare me?
I scoff holding my face up in my hand. "I certainly don't need you to clarify."
He's pissed, fuming even. He rushes towards me and grabs my shirt. His angry eyes searching mine. "Teacher, is Sehyun just a joke to you?" He demanded.
"Do I have an obligation to reply?" I ask calmly. It only infuriated him more. He raised his clenched fist as to hit me but hesitated instead, he shoved at my chest pushing me back. I adjust my glasses wordlessly.
"Sehyun joined that race just because of you, he's injured because of you." He yells at me.
You ignorant fool.
"Wrong. Sehyun joined the race because he wanted to." I reply calmly looking at him. It wasn't a nice stare, it was one that promised danger.
He inhales sharply and says finally. "I used to be fine with watching Sehyun from afar untill you showed up. Unlike you teacher, I'm ready to give my all to Sehyun. Seeing him get hurt, I won't allow it."
My phone buzz in my pocket. I reach for it and check the message what I saw places a wicked grin on my face.
"Gyeong-ri." I look up at him just in time to catch the confused look on his face. "What?"
"Isn't that where your grandma lives?" I ask smiling gently at him. He stiffened at once giving me an incredulous glare. "How did—"
I chuckle darkly, a smirk on my face. "It's a shame really…I didn't want you to get to know me this way,"
I stood up walking towards him with practiced steps. "You see, Sehyun and I, there's nothing to do about it. Even if you wanted to."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He demanded almost yelling. "Jaewook, I don't think you get it yet…Grandma, still needs someone to look after her right? Mother's too busy with her new husband. It must've been hard to take care of both her and yourself."
He grabbed my shirt again trembling with rage. "Don't talk about my family!" he seethes. I swiftly wrap my hand around his grip. "Oh? Does it upset you?" I ask mockingly.
"You're a smart kid Jaewook, I don't think I have to spell it out for you." I say maintaining my smile. "Is teacher threatening me?"
Threaten? Oh that's below me.
I peel his grip on my clothes clasping his hand giving it a gentle squeeze. "No, it's a warning."
"I don't want to see you hover around Sehyun after today of course." I beam at him. "Run. Far away from my sight. I don't care where you go to." I added releasing his hand.
"W-why should I?" He asks.
I sense the fear in his voice and it thrills me further. "Because, it won't be just grandma, I'll destroy everything important to you." it wasn't a bluff of words, I meant every word and I was sure he knew it too as he takes a shaky step back.
"Teacher…d-does Sehyun know?" his eyes flickered over my shoulder before returning to meet mine.
"What do you think?" I ask back smoothing out my shirt. Tears slid down his cheeks. From pain, the realization of how inefficient he was, or both. I didn't really care.
Promises, and empty words spoken in the spur of the moment wasn't anywhere close to cutting it. To get what you wanted, you had to go completely out. Without caring what you had to lose.
He turned and ran out of the tent.
That was all he could do. Cry and drown in the reality of his incapability to fight for what he wanted.
**
The Harmony festival ended on a dry note. The third student who was to take part in the final round suddenly expressed his unwillingness to participate in the race and left.
The reason unknown to all.
The student behind Sehyun's fall was punished severally—made to to volunteer work for a month.
It wasn't enough though. It didn't come close as punishment. I sent his details to Yeonwoo to have him properly taken care of.
As for Sehyun, he seemed a bit spiritless at the sudden disappearance of his new friend. He hadn't even realized I brought him to my house instead of his. He held the flowers and boxes of chocolate he'd received earlier from his teammates his gaze distant.
I stepped out from the car moving to help him out. I collected the freebies on his thigh shoving them in the backseat seamlessly and carried him out of the car bridal style.
The action seemed to bring him back to earth as he squirmed in my hold. "Sensei? Where are we?" He asked his curious eyes darting around.
I close the door with my feet. "Oh? I've decided Sensei will live with me until you're completely healed."
"WHAT!!"
I walked to the front door. "What? You don't want to?" I asked pushing the door open. "No, I…"
That was all the confirmation I needed.
I dropped him gently on the couch watching as he checked out my place with curious yet amused eyes. "Sensei, I didn't think beautiful houses like this remained in Gangwon." he said with a soft laugh.
"You like it? We could stay here together." I suggest with a teasing smile. His cheeks flushed bright crimson. "Sensei, I don't think we should do that yet." he averted his gaze once he realized what he'd said, a shy smile tugging on his lips.
Such naivety made my blood hot.
My gaze changed from playful to something darker. I run a finger up his shoulder moving to caress his cheek. I leaned in, my voice a hush meant for only him. "Lee Sehyun, should we do something even more special?"
He swallowed his eyes darting towards mine. "The reward? I-I didn't even win the race." he mummurs silently.
He didn't forget about it after all.
I half laugh, my teeth sinking into the exposed skin on his shoulder just enough to evoke a gasp from him. "I didn't say anything about winning the race." I whisper seductively against his ear.