Chapter Text
The first day of the school year was supposed to be smooth, but Nani was already running late and—more importantly—completely lost.
The faculty lounge was supposedly on the second floor. So why had he just passed two science labs, a janitor’s closet, and an absurdly large collection of lost-and-found umbrellas?
Nani sighed, adjusting the strap of his bag as he scanned the hallway. He’d been teaching for a few years now, but transferring to a new school always came with the same chaos: unfamiliar hallways, awkward introductions, the anxiety of trying not to embarass himself on day one, and of course, the hope of not getting lost on his way to his assigned room.
With his button-down, dark-rimmed glasses and the ever-present novel tucked under his arm, Nani quite fit the stereotype of an English teacher a little too well.
He’d heard all sorts of jokes before—overly sentimental, loves Shakespeare a little too much, probably drinks too much coffee. Okay, maybe that last one was true, but still.
"This is fine," Nani muttered under his breath, power-walking down the corridor. "Totally fine. I’m not lost. I’m just… taking a scenic tour."
He turned another corner—
BAM.
Nani collided with something—or someone—solid.
His brain registered three things in rapid succession:
- A sharp intake of breath that was definitely not his.
- The unmistakable scent of fresh coffee.
- A slow, horrifying realization that said coffee was now spilling.
“Oh my!”
Dark liquid sloshed, tilting dangerously over the edge of a cup. Nani froze.
The man standing in front of him was tall, broad-shouldered, and currently radiating an aura of pure, unfiltered irritation. He had sharp eyes—assessing and filled with the kind of exhaustion only a teacher could have on the first day of school. A Math textbook was tucked under one arm, the now half-empty coffee cup still in his other hand.
The stranger exhaled slowly, as if mentally counting to ten, and a voice, low and unimpressed, cut through the moment.
"Move."
Nani blinked up at the man now standing in front of him. Nani’s stomach dropped. Oh no. His eyes darted downward.
"Oh my God," Nani breathed, horrified. "I almost spilled your coffee."
The stranger raised his left eyebrow.
"Correction," he said flatly, lifting the now half-empty cup to take a sip. "You did."
Panic hit Nani like a truck. "I—oh no. I am so sorry—"
The man sighed again, longer this time. Suffering incarnate.
"Great," he muttered. "First day of school and I already hate someone."
Nani bristled, scandalized. "Hey! That’s not fair! I didn’t mean to—"
But the man didn’t wait for a defense. He simply stepped around Nani like he was nothing more than an inconvenient piece of furniture and strode off.
Nani stood frozen in place, mouth still open in protest.
He turned to glare at the man’s retreating figure.
"Rude," he grumbled. “First day, and I’m already making enemies. Fantastic.”
Nani was hella sure that guy was a math teacher with the thick math textbook on stranger’s hand. I hated math before and I hate rude math teachers now. They're no different.
After escaping the stranger’s insufferable presence, Nani finds himself wandering the hallways again, muttering under his breath.
Then, a voice calls out—warm, confident, and oddly reassuring.
“You look lost.”
Nani turns.
Standing before him is a very tall man. Like, unfairly tall. Maybe 6’2” or something ridiculous like that. He’s dressed in a neatly pressed shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to make him look effortlessly put together. A pair of glasses sits on his nose, and when he smiles, it’s the kind that immediately puts people at ease.
“I take it you’re the new English teacher?” the tall man said.
Nani blinks. “Uh. Yeah. That obvious?”
The man chuckles, adjusting the strap of the leather bag slung over his shoulder.
“You’ve got that ‘first-day, slightly overwhelmed but trying to play it cool’ look.” He offers his hand. “Dew Jirawat. Social Studies.”
Nani shakes his hand, still processing how ridiculously tall this man is.
“Nani Hirunkit. English.”
“Nice to meet you, Nani. And… you’re looking for the faculty lounge, aren’t you?”
Nani sheepishly smiled, finally a good person . “That obvious too?”
Dew chuckles again, nodding for Nani to follow. “Come on, I’ll show you the way. You’ll need all the help you can get if you want to survive here.”
Nani falls into step beside him, already feeling slightly better.
Maybe not everyone in this school is an insufferable jerk.
…Or at least, one person isn’t.
By the time they reach the faculty lounge, Nani has mostly shaken off his frustration. Mostly. Dew had been a welcome distraction, chatting about the school’s quirks and warning Nani about the “never-ending battle” for the best coffee in the lounge.
But as soon as Nani pushes the door open, any lingering sense of relief vanishes.
Because sitting in the corner, casually sipping what remains of his coffee, is him.
The Rude Math Teacher.
Nani stiffens. The rude guy glances up, meeting his gaze with an unreadable expression.
“Oh. You again,” he said.
Nani scowls. Just his luck.
Dew, oblivious to the growing tension, leads him further inside.
“Let me introduce you to some of the faculty.” Dew cheerfully said. “This is Mr. Foie from Social Studies, and over there—”
Mai, a science teacher, interrupts, “Oh! You must be the new English teacher! Welcome!”
Nani blinks, momentarily distracted as a woman with bright eyes, a gorgeous face, and a welcoming smile approaches.
Is this a school? Or a modeling agency? Nani thought. How come the teachers here are very good-looking?
Well, yeah. The math teacher included. It doesn’t erase the fact that he’s rude though, but Nani admits that the rude math teacher is indeed dashing .
“Hello, I’m Nani Hirunkit. Nice to meet you.”
Mai cheerfully greets, “Nice to meet you too. I’m Mai from the Science Department. Over there is—”
The rude teacher cuts in, “Sky Wongravee. Math.”
Nani's stomach drops. Sky Wongravee. So that’s his name.
“Uh-huh.” Unintentionally, Nani’s reply sounded sarcastic.
Mai raises an eyebrow, glancing between them with interest. She nudges Nani’s arm, amused.
“You two met already?”
“Unfortunately,” Sky said, flatly.
Nani gapes, utterly offended. “Excuse you?!”
Sky just takes another sip of coffee, looking completely unbothered.
Dew, clearly entertained, chuckles. “I see you’re getting along well.”
Nani mutters under his breath. Great. Just great.
Just as Nani opens his mouth to retort, the faculty lounge door swings open again.
A teacher pokes their head in, looking mildly panicked. “Oh good, you’re all here. Staff meeting in ten. And, uh—” His eyes landed on Nani. “Welcome, Mr. Nani Hirunkit. See you later in the meeting. Oh, and Sky—Mr. Leo asks you to guide him.”
Silence.
Dew chuckles. Mai barely hides her amusement.
“Try not to kill each other before then?”
Before Nani can even process that, Sky downs the last of his coffee, rises from his seat, and strides past him—close enough for Nani to catch the faintest hint of his cologne. He pauses just long enough to smirk.
“Better keep up, newbie.”
Nani watches him leave, jaw clenched. Oh, this is going to be fun.