Chapter Text
First day of the new school year! I was excited to see some new faces here. Wait, what's that? you don't know who i am? aaaaah. ottokaji? i guess i’ll introduce myself. my name is Lee Jaehwan! I'm a kindergarten teacher at ‘Sunny Starters Elementary’ and a new school year just started! I had even went through the trouble of getting to work early and decorating my classroom for the occasion. then at 8am the kids finally arrived, all of them seemed just as excited as I was. there was one kid though…
Kim Yonsook. he seemed shy, which is fine, but something else was off about him too. I didn't understand what that might be but decided to ignore it. we spent all of today on introductions and singing, finger painting -my personal favorite- and of course, nap AND snack time! then at the end of the day the kids and I sat in the school park and played as we waited for the parents/guardians to arrive. most of them were on time but some were laaaate. tsk tsk. they must have busy lives, not that I mind staying with these kids a little longer. if I could adopt them all, i would! in a heartbeat! but I start to worry when it's an hour later and one child still has yet to be picked up. I was just about to head into the main office with little Yonsook when i see someone run over to the park, stopping by the park gate, obviously out of breath.
“sir….? are you okay?” he looks up at me, and for some reason, I'm taken aback by his eyes. they're brown eyes, but that's not what drew me in. it's the shape, it seems almost unique, it's beautiful. I can tell his hair is a mess too, it's a dark brown color- or maybe it's black?- hidden under a red beanie of all things. his face is clear too, the features seem soft- his cheeks look squishy. honestly, he has an almost pure looking face, but I could tell that he could also look super scary when mad too. “sorry I'm late, are you the teacher?” I nodded. his voice was deep, but not in a menacing way, it was soft, but not in a shy way, in a kind way. gentle maybe.
“I'm Lee Jaehwan, I assume you're here to pick up Yonsook?” he nodded, standing up straight. “I’m Kim Wonshik. sorry again for being late, I had some errands to run” I waved him off “don't worry about it, I love children. but next time you're this late, I might take him home!” we both laughed. “no but seriously, if you're not on time tomorrow, I’ll give you detention!” that made him laugh again, I smiled. he had the prettiest laugh and smile I swear I was talking to an angel. “don't worry Mr.Lee, it won't happen again” “good. I’ll see you tomorrow then Mr.Kim” he nodded and left with Yonsook. I couldn't get him out of my mind, that Wonshik guy. he seemed to be about my age. perhaps he's an older brother? either way, I couldn't wait to see him again tomorrow.
the next day I confirmed, that Wonshik was indeed listed as a ‘guardian’ on Yonsook’s blue card, and I was happy, I might have a chance. what made me happier was to see Wonshik on time today, or maybe seeing Wonshik’s face is what made me happier. “Mr.Kim! on time this time, I'm proud of you.” “hello Mr.Lee, you can just call me ‘Kim if you want, Mr.Kim reminds me of my dad” I tried not to perk up when he mentions his dad. now's my chance to have him admit to being Yonsook's brother.
“your dad? was Yonsook’s grandpa a good man?” I ask, feigning ignorance. I couldn't let him know I snooped through the student files after all. he'd think I was a creep! which, I'm not. I promise. “what- oh! Yonsook is my little brother!” he laughed and I laughed with him, relief seeming to overcome me at the affirmation. we talked for a small while before he headed home. I secretly hoped he was gay or at least bi- ah, oh no am I really falling for him? so soon? I can't so that! he's the guardian of one of the students i'm sure that's against my code of ethics to date him. I sighed to myself. dating a guardian isn't illegal it should be fine.
the rest of the week passed in a similar fashion. teach, secretly flirt with Wonshik, secretly swoon over him. go home. in the following months I quickly learned that Yonsook was a sickly child. he got sick often or often had to miss days for hospital trips, but despite this he still seemed happy. Wonshik always seemed happy as well. especially when he was talking to me. his smile lit up my heart and his laugh was more beautiful than any song. 2 months into this routine and we were already on a first name basis, talking as if we were old friends. and 3 months later we had exchanged phone numbers and talked on the phone all night long, then all day long.
I learned his age -he's 23, a year younger than me!- his favorite foods and colors, places and things. and 2 weeks after the third month, we talked about crushes. we were sitting in a park that day, watching as Yonsook played. “ottokajiiiiii?~ if I tell you, you might judge me…” I said, a teasing tone to my voice when he had asked if I was interested in anyone. he just chuckled before replying “ I won't judge, you know me better than that. tell me” and his voice was so sweet that refusing to tell him would be a sin. I felt my face heat up as I prepared to tell him of my crush. “well….I'm gay…" I declare hesitantly, testing the waters before continuing. "and I have a crush on this guy with the prettiest brown eyes and the prettiest black hair and a smile that melts my heart……” i'm my face feels like its on fire and I pray to any being of higher power that he doesn't catch on as to who my crush is.
“w-who's your crush?” I push the attention away from me cringing internally at the stutter. Wonshik hesitates a moment, is it because i told him I'm gay? does he not want to hang out with me anymore? I steal look over to him and notice he's blushing. what a pretty look on him!!!! the crimson makes those brown eyes of his seem to pop and I only find myself falling deeper in love with him. i'm so distracted by his beauty that I almost don't hear him reply. almost. “....you.” and the reply is so softly, I almost don't hear it. so so soft that I need to hear it again to make sure I didn't imagine him say that.
”what was that?” I asked, trying not to let the excitement creep into my voice. but my heart is pounding and I'm already so happy that it's nearly impossible to sit still and wait for his answer as he hesitates again. “you…...y-you're my crush, Jaehwan.” and this time he says it louder, more firmly. it's then that he looks at me and his eyes are so sincere, so soft, so vulnerable and my heart is frozen. i want this moment to last forever. just me staring into Wonshik's way too pretty eyes. honestly his eyes are impossibly pretty and I'm getting lost again. I have to reply to him. “I- you're my crush too, Wonshikie~” The way his face lights up nearly sends me to heaven.
it should honestly be illegal for someone to look so pure. we smile at each other and our hands meet on the bench, fingers intertwining and I feel him gently squeeze my hand. I return the gesture and lean into him, resting my head into his shoulder. the sun is beautiful and so are the light puffy clouds and this moment could not possibly get anymore perfect. no words needed to be said between us. all we wanted to say- all we needed to say was conveyed by that simple hand gesture. from that moment on we were lovers, and I honestly couldn't even dream of someone more perfect than the man sitting next to me.