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One morning at We Are the Future Kindergarten, inside Sunshine class, their homeroom teacher named Taegang is returning the art papers he has marked back to his students.
Every student seems so happy and excited with their score result.
"Everyone drew so amazingly, I'm so proud of you all! Let's clap for ourselves~" Taegang claps his hands, all fifteen students follow the suit. Each student receives a cute sticker on their paper.
"And following this last paper, I'll announce those who get the first, second and third place for our test."
They are about to end this year's school term. Only one week remaining. The last exam has ended and all the results have been released by teachers too.
"Third place goes to Cha Zero~!"
The whole class claps for the dark haired boy.
"Second place goes to.... bam bam bam bam... Jeong Kuta~!"
Another set of claps envelope the atmosphere inside the classroom.
"And the first place goes tooooo Yu Hamin!"
As always, these three students conquering the top 3 rank in their exam. The exam included basic skills such as reading, writing, drawing, coloring, and listening.
Kuta, Zero and Hamin grin happily, satisfied enough with their results.
"But everyone did so well too! So, don't get discouraged. You still have next year~ While having your long break soon, don't forget to read books, practice writing, drawing and all. Okay?"
"Okay, teacher!"
Taegang coos at the adorable sight. Kids are so cute, he's really enjoying his job.
Right, enjoying his job....
...except when he has to deal with some parents who always have so much to complain.
Just like today.
It's only a day after the ranking result was out. Taegang has to face two parents who come to see him in the teacher room. They're pretty aggressive too, questioning their kids' result while holding their art papers.
"Teacher, are you kidding me?"
"H-Hold on-"
All the other teachers inside the room are playing deaf, trying to mind their own business. This is not the first time anyway. It's always the same parents. These two same parents. Always them.
Zero and Kuta's parent.
"Not these single parents again." One of the teachers groans quietly to another teacher next to her.
"No! Teacher, look. What do you mean Zero got third place?? He did so well in his exam! He deserves first place!" The smaller one among the two gets too loud and defensive.
"Sir Xiu, this is just-" Taegang keeps being cut mid-sentence.
The taller parent scoffs, arms folded across his broad chest. "First place? That should be my son, not yours."
"Sir Wooyeon--"
"Excuse me??!" Xiu holds his own hips, sassily.
"My precious cute little son, Kuta drew so well, colored so well! He inherited my art talent." Wooyeon replies smugly.
Xiu peeks at the paper in the other man's hold before scoffing. "Are you blind? That drawing?? B+ is too generous. That one deserves D at most."
"Hello?!! Show me your son's paper then."
"Here! Look at how my son ended Picasso's career!"
"Pfft!" Wooyeon laughs so quick, nearly chokes on the air. "Picasso could die for the second time if you showed him this."
"You-!!" Xiu lost his patience and almost grabs the other parent by his shirt collar if not for Taegang stopping them.
"Enough! Sir Xiu, Sir Wooyeon! This is a public place, please don't fight here!"
"Then, where else?" Both of them reply so fast, in unison.
"Th-That's not what I meant! Both of you shouldn't fight at all! No matter where." He sighs. "And also, this is just a preschool level of exam. It's not that serious--"
"It's that serious to me!" Once again, they're being synced in their response. Their chemistry is pretty good,.... who's gonna tell them this.
Taegang sighs again. "Maybe I shouldn't give any rank to my students." He murmurs to himself, internally crying. Taegang loves his job, but sometimes he questions his life decision when he has to deal with some competitive parents.
"Students~ Don't forget to inform your parents about our sports day on next weekend~ Tell them to come because there will be a sports category for them too~"
"Okay, teacher!"
Next week will be their last week of school before they go on a month of holiday. Zero and Kuta will be turning six next year~
"Will your dad come for the sports day, Zerori?" Kuta asks during recess period.
"Yup. Papa Xiu is always busy but he'll free his time for something like this. He's gonna win all those games." Zero replies casually, tearing open the packaging of his pineapple bun.
"I don't think so. Daddy Wooyeon will win those games. He's so good physically, and his strong stamina is insane." Kuta won't lose to Zero.
Zero shrugs with his straight face, "well. We'll see. Papa Xiu is smaller than your daddy but he bites, just so you know. Once he bites, he won't let go. Your daddy will die in his hands."
"Eeek! No wayyyy!" Kuta seems pale at the claim. His daddy will be fine, right? But Zero's papa does look scary though.
/ / / / /
Finally, it's the day. The most awaiting day for most parents. This is the time to prove their physical ability and sports skills.
"Heyy!! I got here first!" Wooyeon shouts from his car, his head peeks out from the window. He honks repeatedly in frustration.
Xiu lifts up an index finger in insulting manner instead of a middle finger, considering there are kids everywhere around here.
"But I parked my car first!"
"Dude, what?! You literally stole my parking!"
"Do I look like I care?!! Instead of talking bullshit, you better start looking for another parking!" Xiu and his sassiness every single time.
Wooyeon groans in annoyance. "Shortie!! Hah! I thought you were one of these kids. So small I almost couldn't spot you." He says for the last time before driving off the spot.
"You- he called me what?! Hey, you baldy!!!!! You didn't shave off your brain along with your hair when you shaved that head, right?! I'm still not done with you!! Come back here! This shortie is gonna teach you some life lessons!!"
Everyone else are side eyeing the two, clearly seem disturbed by the sound pollution. "It's those same parents again."
Wooyeon and Xiu are famous among all the teachers and parents for being so loud and competitive in everything. They're the real definition of enemies.
Even during those sports games, both of them are so loud cheering for their babies.
"Kuta my dear!! You can do it! That's right! Just how we practiced it!"
"Keep going, my son Zero!!!! Yes, yes, keep making me proud!!"
Taegang smiles helplessly at both parents from distance. They aren't even sitting at the same audience side, in fact, they're opposite each other (Xiu in section A and Wooyeon in section B). But their loudness can be heard by one another.
"Wooyeon nim, can you lower down your volume!! You're interrupting my kid's focus!!"
"Xiu nim, you're the one being too loud here!! If my son loses, then it's your fault!!"
"Shut up, you baldy!!!"
"You, shut up, shortie who stole someone else's parking!!"
Xiu scoffs and rolls his eyes.
Later, they participate in parents category game. It's a musical chair.
"Don't worry, my baby Zero. I'll win the game for you!"
"Good luck, papa!"
"Hm! Just believe in me!!"
"Yes papa!!"
"My life Kuta, I'll make you proud."
"Okay, daddy! Don't get bitten!"
"Bitten?"
"Uh... by Zero's papa. He bites."
Wooyeon scoffs in annoyance at the mere mention of that person.
"Don't worry, baby. I can swallow him whole."
"Okay, dad!"
Then, the game starts soon. Music is playing in the background while a big circle of parents walk in slow tempo around those chairs. Whoever doesn't get to sit once the song stops, he'll lose the round.
Fire almost visible coming from Wooyeon and Xiu's eyes. They're not gonna lose this game. Not when their sons are watching.
First round and they got their chairs.
Second round, they still got theirs.
They still survived the next four rounds and now become the last two standing.
Kuta and Zero gulp in nervousness. Only their dads left now, facing each other in this last round.
"Watch my papa bites your daddy." Zero speaks first.
"Nope. My daddy will swallow your papa whole."
"In your dream."
"You better be ready to cry."
The competitiveness is running in the blood.
"Ohh! Wooyeon nim and Xiu nim are going head-to-head for this last round of our musical chair match! Let's see who's gonna win this last round!"
Everyone is so excited for this. The two enemies are having a real battle now.
New music starts playing and both parents begin to move in slow tempo. One chair in the middle will decide the winner and the loser. For them, this isn't just a mere game, but a war of pride.
Forty seconds,.... fifty seconds.... one minute.... one minute five seconds....
and the song finally stops.
None of the two wastes their time by any second. They go for the chair real quick, as fast as lighting.
All the audiences at the venue gasp audibly, jaws literally drop at the scene.
Kuta and Zero's eyes are widening, mouths gaped. Oh no.
Technically, Wooyeon wins this as he got the chair first. Xiu also managed to sit down, not on the chair but on Wooyeon, literally.
"Wooyeon nim won this musical chair match!! Congrats!" The emcee announces into the mic.
Xiu frowns in the most grumpiest way. "What?!! No! I got this chair first!!"
"Whose ass literally on this chair?" Wooyeon scoffs. "Mine!"
"I got here first but you pushed me!!"
"I did not???"
"I could feel the pressure against my side! You pushed me!!"
"That was probably just the air, shortie. Lucky you didn't get blown away."
"Arghhh!! You're so annoying!"
"How longer you gonna sit on my lap? As much as you enjoy this, I need you to get up now."
Xiu scoffs loudly, "enjoying what?!! Oh hell!" He emphasizes the last three words while standing up on his feet again, angrily blushed a little from the mere accusation.
Kuta and Zero can only facepalm at that childish fight. That's very unnecessary.
The next match will be for parents to team up with their kids. It's a marathon relay race. The child will start the race with a baton and passes it to the parent who will end it at the finishing line.
Apparently, competitiveness is running in the blood. Zero is leading the kids while Kuta is following close behind.
"Great!! Come on, Zero, come on!" Xiu claps his hands in excitement and eagerness.
Soon enough, Zero arrives at Xiu's spot and passes the baton. They're the first one, leading the rest. Wooyeon frowns a little but trying to remain calm. His Kuta is doing better than the rest kids right now, though he's among the smallest.
Xiu has started running for the last lap. He smirks in confidence but soon gasps when a familiar tall figure runs passing him.
"What the-"
Wooyeon smirks as he overtakes the smaller runner rather so easily. That's a piece of cake, thanks to his long legs. He's getting closer to the finishing line. He almost wins this match.
Xiu won't let it happen. He won't let Wooyeon wins again after the guy won the previous game (musical chair). Then, he speeds up.
They're both are heading towards the finishing line, leaving the other parents very far behind.
Wooyeon is still a few feet ahead of Xiu when the shorter male trips over his own foot, loses his balance and falls down.
"Oh! Xiu nim fell down! What a bad timing there! The other runners are getting closer!" The emcees speaks.
Xiu curses and immediately gets up but to no avail, he drops onto the track again, hissing painfully. He can't even stand up! Looking over his shoulder, two runners are coming fast towards his direction. They're about to overtake him.
Meanwhile, Wooyeon who's only a few centimeters away from the finishing point grunts in frustration. He tried to ignore that small opponent and thought "hah! Serve you right!" but it's making him feel bad. Xiu is just as competitive as him, so he can understand how frustrating this situation.
At last, he pauses his pace, rolls his eyes with a sigh and turns around, running back to where Xiu is sitting at.
"Oh!! Wooyeon nim is making a turn? Are we seeing a sportsmanship??" The emcees says again.
He pulls Xiu up by his wrist.
"H-Hey what are you doing?!"
"I'm trying to help you! Now get up!"
"I can't, it hurts! Leave me alone."
Only then Wooyeon notices the smaller ankle is twisted and both knees are bleeding. He turns around, showing his back and still kneeling down. "Get on." He offers a piggyback in which the prideful Xiu immediately rejects it.
"No fcking way!"
One parent just overtook them, now heading towards the finishing line. Wooyeon curses under his breath. He can't waste any more second here.
Then, he scoops Xiu up into his arms, carrying him in bridal way. The smaller is as light as he looks.
"What the fck you doing?! Put me down!" Xiu almost gets teary from the frustration and embarrassment. He feels humiliated right now. Is his opponent looking down on him? Is Wooyeon secretly laughing at his misery?
"We don't have time for your tantrum."
"Just leave me alone!"
"I can't."
They end up finishing the race together and both claim the second place.
Xiu quickly wipes his tears with his sleeve. "You're so annoying."
"You're welcome." Wooyeon replies sarcastically.
After the race, he brings Xiu to the school infirmary to get some immediate treatment for his scratches and wounds.
"Papa!!" Zero and Kuta come to the infirmary together. The taller kid seems so worried.
"He's getting checked by the doctor. We have to wait." Wooyeon says.
"Is it serious injury?"
"No, he'll be fine. Don't worry." The elder gives Zero light pats on his head.
Zero seems hesitant at first, tiny fingers fiddling awkwardly before he speaks again so lowly. "Thank you for looking after papa."
"I'm not that cruel, ya know. How could I leave someone in pain and be so selfish winning the race by myself?" Wooyeon huffs, actually still feel a little sad for not winning the first place.
"I'm so proud of you, dad." Kuta hugs the taller's leg. Wooyeon melts instantly at the adorable sight. Maybe it wasn't too bad, winning only the second place, because at least he won his son's heart.
Later, they get into the infirmary room again and Zero dashes towards his papa on the bed. The doctor leaves the room to give them some privacy after they thank her.
"How is it?" Wooyeon asks.
Xiu seems flustered, he can't even bring himself to look at the taller. His pride has totally crushed today.
"Laugh as much as you want. I don't care."
"What?"
"I know you wanna laugh in my face so badly."
"No, I don't?" Wooyeon frowns at the accusation. Not even a thank you? Really?
"Papa, Kuta's daddy is actually so kind. He really looked so worried when he helped you just now."
Wooyeon is surprised by the tmi. Zero didn't have to say that out loud.
"Get well soon, Zero's papa. Pain pain go away~" Kuta says genuinely, lightly blows the wounds on those knees. It's so cute, Xiu almost audibly coos at that. His son Zero is cute too, but he's the very boyish type of cute. He won't say something like pain pain go away or blow on his wound.
"Thank you, Kuta...." At last, Xiu puts aside his ego. "...and Kuta's daddy too."
"Took you long enough I thought I wasn't gonna hear it." Wooyeon being sarcastic as usual. He clears his throat when Kuta gives him a warning glance. "W-Well, you're welcome. Does it hurt so much?"
Xiu replies but very quietly that Zero has to lean closer to catch that. His papa keeps his head hanging low. He feels so embarrassed to be seen in this state by his enemy.
"Papa said, it hurts only a little." Zero helps transferring the message instead.
"Can you drive home on your own?" Wooyeon asks again.
Zero leans his ear closer to Xiu again and nods twice, "papa said, I don't think so."
"I'll drive you both home." The taller male offers and he doesn't take a rejection to that.
/ / / / /
Ever since that day, a lot of things happen between both parents and they're surprisingly getting so much closer now.
All teachers and parents are sharing a similar shocked expression when they see Wooyeon and Xiu coming together on the first day of the new school term. It's a new year and also a new relationship status to some.
"Why with the couple look?"
"Omg what happened to them?"
"Aren't they the Wooyeon nim and Xiu nim?"
"Someone, pinch or slap me please. Am I dreaming o-or... are they holding hands right now?"
"They are holding hands, you are not dreaming!"
"This is scarier than when they used to fight."
Zero and Kuta are wearing the same brand of new shoes and bag too, only different in color.
"Study well~" Wooyeon and Xiu give both kids a hug and a peck on head.
Taegang's jaw drops as he hears Kuta calls Xiu as papa and Zero calls Wooyeon as daddy. He can't hear it wrong. Something has really happened between them.
Later during recess period, Taegang tries to get a little info from Zero who just came back from toilet.
"Zero, come here for a second."
"Yes, teacher?"
"Your papa... and Kuta's papa..."
"You mean daddy?"
"Y-yes. Oh, you call him daddy now?"
"Yes, since we started becoming family."
"Family??"
"Papa and daddy just got married."
Taegang gasps comically loud. "W-w-wh-what?!"
Zero grins with a missing tooth. "Once I grow older and become huge like daddy, I want to marry teacher!"
"Which teacher?" Taegang asks dumbly.
"You. Taegang teacher."
"M-me?! W-w-why?"
"Because teacher is kind and patient and has pretty handwriting and draws well and smart and knows how to read and do math and..."
"Okay, okay, I got it. Now, go back to your class." Taegang mentally facepalms. He can't imagine himself get into that loud family and become the in-law to Wooyeon and Xiu. He doesn't even want to imagine it.
Eleven months later during the sports day, Wooyeon and Xiu being as loud and competetive as ever, cheering for their two kids so energetically. But this time, they don't have to fight against each other anymore.
They even form a good team and show a great chemistry during the family category game. Everyone goes awww when Wooyeon gives a quick light peck on Xiu's cheek as they won first place.
The loudness and chaos are unbearable sometimes, but everyone will definitely miss these two parents soon. Zero and Kuta will get into a new school next year, an elementary school. And they've planned to move to a new house which is a bit far from here.
From total strangers to being the loud enemies, they're now one happy family. An accidental family because who would have thought?