Work Text:
I. Bang Chan
“Please welcome Mr. Bang Chan. He will be the PE teacher to replace Mrs. Kim while she is on maternity leave.”
This school was known for having mostly male teachers in an all boy highschool in the province. It wasn’t a problem but the students have been pining for a female teacher and with Mrs Kim on maternity leave, female teachers were down to two.
“Hi! I’m Bang Chan. It’s nice to meet everyone. Please take care of me.” I bowed and everyone greeted me.
“You heading out?” The voices of the male teachers echoed in the room as the rest were cramming their lesson plans for the day.
The noise was coming to a close as teachers one by one stepped out to their respective homerooms. I, on the other hand, won’t have class until the afternoon so I took the chance to roam around.
Birds were chirping and the trees were swaying. The light breeze blew my hair as i walked around the campus.
The school had three floors with the classrooms located on the 2nd and 3rd floor. The faculty, cafeteria and other offices were at the first floor. I glanced up at the rooftop of the school. I have a thing for high places. Maybe I should go up before my class.
As I was about to find the stairs towards the roof, something—or rather someone caught my eye.
His raven hair was getting swept by the breeze but I couldn’t see his eyes or his face. Despite being curious, I decided to just let it go.
In a matter of time, the school bell rang catching me off guard. I immediately headed to the swimming pool for my first class of the day.
It was him.
To my surprise, the long haired raven was sitting by the bench while everyone else had their swimsuits on. My eyes shifted to the bored and irritated faces in front of me.
“Another male teacher? We were hoping they’d bring a pretty woman.”
“I can be pretty myself.” I retorted which immediately fell on deaf ears. Sensing movement, I turned my head to see the mysterious student stealing a glance. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks and focused my attention towards the students. Clearing my throat, I continued with the instructions and the agenda for the day.
There was a separate instructor invited to assist in the swimming itself. My duty was just to teach the breathing and different kinds of swimming strokes.
My eyes found itself looking at the student by the window earlier. He was wearing a hoodie, his hair covering his face.
“Ssaem, Hyunjin doesn’t usually participate in PE classes if you were wondering. Ah, but he’s not sick or anything! He just prefers not to.” I glanced attendance to find the mysterious boy’s name.
Hyunjin. Hwang Hyunjin.
I approached the raven. “If you can’t swim it’s okay but hope you can participate on next week’s sport.” The student doesn’t say anything. The raven then pulled the hood over his face as he stood up to exit the area with an invisible “do not disturb me” sign plastered above him.
“Hey Jinnie!” I darted at the direction of the voice. It all happened too fast. The boy who called out to the student lept out of the pool and grabbed the raven’s wrist—a sneaky smile showed up at his face. “You should try swimming.” He teased and dragged Hyunjin, pulling him into the water.
He couldn’t swim.
Without much thought, I jumped into the water to save him.
Once I got the student in my arms, I brought him up safely. It was then I saw his face for the first time. Well damn, he was beautiful.
I was utterly and devastatingly mesmerized.
Before I could do anything, I heard coughing. Oh thank God, he’s awake.
“Aww no kiss?” I heard mock laughter coming from the same student who pushed Hyunjin earlier. The others laughed at the snide remark.
“Mr. Lee, detention after school.” I said sternly.
A light hand shoved me away as Hyunjin stood up to walk towards the locker room with heavy sighs. I see. This isn’t the first time his classmates would tease him like this.
I followed closely behind him. A loud bang from the locker door startled me as I watched the figure put on a fresh set of clothes. Well, I had none so I could only sigh as I wiped my damp clothes hoping it would dry up soon.
“Good thing you brought extra clothes.” I pointed out trying to strike a conversation. Engaging with him wasn’t working. Hyunjin exited the locker room without a word as I watched his shadow retreat.
Class ended just like that and since I still had to wait for my next class, I went out for some fresh air.
In the same place I walked around earlier, I peered up to take a look at the classrooms. The students were inside but Hyunjin was not at his usual spot by the window.
Did he not go back to class?
Curious, I went back in the building and walked around in hopes to find the raven. A few strides, glances at each room and hands in my pocket, i found nothing. Last room to check was the art room. Art this semester had been cancelled since they couldn’t find a replacement teacher.
By the time I reached the end of the corridor, kind of like magic, a strong wind blew against the slightly opened door of the art room revealing Hyunjin. He had his hair tied up in a ponytail. A brush was snuggled on his hand and he was surrounded by different art materials ranging from paint to charcoal and chalk.
When Hyunjin realized I was there, he looked like a deer caught by headlights. His eyes widened but his whole face barely moved. I chuckled at his reaction. For someone who does not speak, his eyes were expressive and very much readable.
I went closer to the boy who looked deep in thought. “Shouldn’t you be in class, Mr. Hwang?”
The student shrugged and continued painting. He was painting a beautiful scenery of an ocean. The sun was setting in the image and the birds appeared as if they were on their way home.
“I love the beach.” I started. “The ocean especially.” I continued as I grabbed a seat and inched a little closer to the boy. “I would like to propose to someone I love in front of the waves in the future.”
Hyunjin stopped for a second. Did I just see a blush? After studying his painting, I changed direction to look at his face. Starting from his eyes, I glanced at his nose then his hair then his lips and back at his eyes. I watched how he licks his lips after a few strokes. It was like this for a while. Neither of us spoke.
Finally, Hyunjin noticed I was staring at him and gave me a pointed glare. I chuckled again. “You don’t speak so much but your eyes tell a thousand stories.” He shook his head and continued painting.
“Let me tell you a story.” I started. I didn’t bother to tell him to go back to class because deep inside I wanted to be alone with him. I didn’t care if he didn’t reply or react to my stories—i just wanted him to listen. And he did.
I shared about how much I loved music that if I weren’t a PE teacher, I’d love to try my hand at producing music. I shared that I love protein shakes and working out. I shared all kinds of things from the silliest of stories to life lessons I figured out growing up.
Finally, the school bell rang indicating the last period has finished. “That was nice Hyunjin. We should do this again but don’t skip class again, yeah?”
I was about to head out when I felt a hand tugging at the hems of my dried up shirt.
His eyes were dull but there was something about it that was mesmerizing. It was then I knew what this boy meant to me. Despite just meeting him, his impact on me will mark my heart forever.
We stayed like this for awhile. He wanted to tell me something but he could only bite his lip.
“I tell you what Hyunjin. Let’s meet here at the art room after school everyday and I will tell you one story at a time… if i finally get you to speak before you graduate, you’ll have to give me a painting.” I challenged him not expecting that he will agree with it. But when he nodded, I was ecstatic. I pulled up the chair again and continued my story.
And it went on like this for days.
II. Hyunjin
This time he talks about Dandelions.
The sparkle in his eyes grew as he mentions how he blows into the puff ball seed of a dandelion to make a wish.
I was starting to get used to my teacher’s presence to the point that I would look forward to the end of class just to see him.
“What would you wish for?” He asked although he knew the likelihood of me answering was minimal.
When he was about to speak, I muttered under my breath “To be peaceful and happy”.
The teacher froze and I realized it was my first time to speak. My eyes widened and my cheeks grew pink. Clearing my throat, I continued with my art piece.
All of a sudden, I felt a hand on my head. Turning to the source and being greeted by a huge smile caught me offguard. I thought my heart was about to leap off my chest from the pounding.
He was so close.
“You now owe me a painting.” I chuckled at the remark and nodded.
A week ago, I was only curious when I first saw him outside the window. He had beautiful sparkling eyes, ones I wish I could have.
The thing is, I am very bad at expressing which is quite obvious when you first meet me. This is why I prefer to draw and paint because all my feelings fill up the blank canvas.
The art room was my safe haven. A place I could go to when I feel like it because no one would even notice or care. In fact, I am pretty much invisible despite my classmates teasing me every once in awhile.
But when he started talking to me, I realized I was not so invisible. He noticed me and even shared me a piece of his soul. I wish I could do the same as gratitude.
Today he tells a story of his dog. As he shares his story, I was busy preparing his painting enjoying his voice as my background music.
Slowly, slowly I started to reply and comment on his stories. I owed him a painting anyway so I guess I could freely speak my mind. Every time I spoke, he would stroke my head, not missing the long strands of my hair as his fingers pass through it. He always looks straight in my eyes when he does that. I couldn’t help but blush every time.
He swiped the strands of my hair placing it behind my ears. “I can’t see your face and your eyes properly.” He said plainly but it was sending butterflies in my stomach.
During the weekend, I got myself a haircut.
I didn’t even notice it grew out so long because I was too busy not caring about the world and just living one day at a time. The reflection on the mirror made me smile.
Come school day, I was excited to show him my work. My foot was tapping the floor uncontrollably as I impatiently waited for the dismissal bell to ring. PE classes were already finished for the sem and it has been just tests so I get to see him only after class.
When the bell rang, I jolted out and ran straight to the art room. No one was there yet.
I sat on the chair and continued finishing touches to my painting.
15 mins… 30 mins… 1 hour.
He hasn’t arrived yet.
When I finished the painting and got back to my senses, I frowned at the sight of the art room. He never came. Did he not come to school today?
It went on for a few days but I did not stop going to the art room even if I was done with the painting in hopes he’d show up.
“There was a family emergency. His sister was in an accident so he went to take care of her but he should be back soon.” My visit to the faculty answered my question and I retreated in disappointment but also with worry. I hope he’s alright.
The next day, I was greeted by a devastating scene. My painting to Mr. Bang was tipped over by someone. It was not completely ruined and it can be easily touched up but I was angry. I looked up at the source— Lee Know was at it again. He started speaking but I didn’t have the energy to deal with him right now.
With Lee Know finding my hiding place, the art room isn’t safe anymore. I took the painting and headed out.
I was heading to nowhere and somehow found myself at the beach. This was much better. Mr. Bang loved the ocean so much and I get it. How could a place be so peaceful and relaxing?
Days passed by and I didn’t attend school for awhile. Exams were done anyway and it’s just clearance completion and class parties. School will be empty without Mr. Bang anyway. I preferred to just stay at home and wait for graduation in hopes he would come so I could give him his gift.
The day before graduation I came back. I had to complete clearance but it can be done all in one day so I wasn’t worried.
I finished my tasks and with my painting on hand, I went to look for Mr. Bang. His things were on the desk so I am sure he’s back.
The art room was empty. He wasn’t on the rooftop either. Last place was the gym so I headed there.
Next thing I knew, I was dragged inside the gym with strong big arms. It was him. He’s here.
He hugged me tightly and I leaned on his chest. I wanted to cry.
I missed him so much.
He released the hug with tears in his eyes which shifted to the painting in my hand. I presented it to him.
Tears flowed down his cheeks as he viewed the art. It was a painting of him blowing on a dandelion seed, making a wish. “You asked me what i’d wish for and I answered I wanted to be peaceful and happy.”
Mr. Bang Chan nodded.
“You make me feel that way, ssaem” i started and realized I was choking up tears. I rubbed the tears away and continued. “When I first saw you, I had this strange feeling that I didn’t understand. When I met you and heard your stories, it was then I knew that you will be my everything.”
This time I smiled, the widest I ever did.
“You are my everything, ssaem.”
And for the first time, my teacher couldn’t speak. Instead he motioned closer to me and placed a light kiss on my cheek.