Go Un personally designated someone as vice representative, and the two of them carried out their officer roles quite soundly. He seemed to be quietly but firmly diligent in his duties.
After that, Seo Juhan dumped all sorts of trivial tasks onto Go Un.
Things like locking the classroom door during P.E. class when everyone had to rush out to the athletic field as soon as break time started, collecting various applications or questionnaires that would be fortunate if they didn’t go straight into the trash, or conducting homeroom meetings in his place when there were only simple announcements.
It seemed a bit excessive for Go Un to handle alone, but it couldn’t be helped.
Because Go Un was the only one who came on time when called and fulfilled his duties.
“Ah, and do the kids talk a lot during Speech and Writing class?”
“Hmm…”
Go Un tilted his head loosely to the side as if thinking carefully.
“The Speech and Writing teacher mentioned in passing that it’s a bit difficult. But from what I’ve seen, our class seems rather quiet during class time compared to other classes. I wondered why it’s particularly like that only during that period.”
“…I’m not really sure.”
Go Un paused before answering quietly.
“Really?”
Seo Juhan recalled the Speech and Writing teacher who used the same staff room.
With his small build, he was scrawny as if only skin had been placed over bones, and his eyes behind thick horn-rimmed glasses were sharp. He did look a bit sensitive.
“Ah, then never mind.”
Seo Juhan brushed it off as nothing important and waved his hands.
“Now hurry and go. Break time is almost over already.”
“Yes. Goodbye, sir.”
Go Un bowed his head as he greeted. Even though his jacket was gone somewhere, his uniform was neat and his speech was polite. However, he strangely didn’t give the feeling of a sincere model student. It might be because of his relaxed expression and the intimidating difference in physique.
“Yeah. Alright, go.”
“Yes.”
Go Un bowed his head slightly and slowly took a step.
Fine wrinkles appeared and disappeared on his stiff navy blue pants. His white shirt, tightly wrapping around his right-angled shoulders, brushed past as if grazing his side.
That was the moment. A faint scent lingered at the tip of his nose. It mixed a smoky scent like something burnt with a sour-sweet smell like rotten grapes.
“Uh, hey.”
Seo Juhan stopped Go Un.
“Yes?”
Go Un, who had already advanced a few more steps, turned back diagonally.
Seo Juhan approached with big strides. Without giving any hint, he brought his nose right up close to him. The location was near the collar of the shirt where the neck and shoulder met.
Go Un flinched in surprise at the light brown crown of the head that had suddenly gotten close. He reflexively pulled his head back while raising his hand. His confusion was evident, but he didn’t back away while retreating.
Seo Juhan didn’t care and only concentrated on sniffing.
Go Un’s large hand floating in the air clenched into a fist tight enough for veins to bulge on the back of his hand. He remained unable to get his bearings like that, then slowly lowered it.
Seo Juhan’s eyes, which had been discerning like a perfumer, crumpled sharply.
This distinctive stale smell. When he was first assigned to Yangseong School, he didn’t know the source, but now he could distinguish it.
“Do you smoke too?”
Seo Juhan only raised his eyes and asked as if pathetic.
Go Un looked down silently. His face, somehow flushed, had reddened cheeks.
You too.
Even at the expression that knew shame, Seo Juhan’s mouth felt bitter. It was useless no matter how many times he said that smoking could cause various diseases such as lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, heart disease, and stroke. He felt somehow disappointed.
“What on earth do you smoke that for. It’s not even good for your health.”
Seo Juhan shook his head and stepped back. Then he stuck out his tongue with a disgusted expression.
Go Un, who had been watching silently, lowered his chin and sniffed his own smell. He seemed to be checking if it was really that bad. But originally, the person themselves is the least aware of the smell coming from their own body.
Go Un rolled his eyeballs and tilted his head.
“I think it rubbed off from the kids.”
“Ah… Really?”
Seo Juhan made a bewildered voice.
“Yes.”
It was a firm answer.
“Well… that could be.”
Seo Juhan nodded slowly. Thinking about it, it made sense since he was stuck with heavy smokers all day long.
For some reason, his sharp mood mellowed out. Was it relief that there was at least one trustworthy person in the class after all?
“But teacher, you too…”
Go Un subtly broached the subject.
“Your perfume smell is really strong.”
“Hey, it’s way better than cigarette smell.”
Seo Juhan snapped, feeling guilty for no reason. It was true that he sprayed it almost like being hit by a fountain every morning.
“But it seems like… you spray a lot.”
“I do it because I hate the cigarette smell. They smoke so much.”
Go Un swept the inside of his cheek with his tongue as if lost in thought.
Seo Juhan quietly agonized internally.
Well, the teacher next to him did occasionally clear his throat and glance at him meaningfully. Should he spray less?
But he couldn’t walk around with nose plugs like earplugs, and he had to spray this much to maintain a protective barrier until quitting time.
“Ah!”
Then Juhan thought “oops.” It was class time and he seemed to have kept him too long.
“Then go now.”
Seo Juhan waved his hand toward Go Un. At times like this, he should have said first that he had to go because of class—it was so straightforward of him to wait unconditionally just because the teacher called him.
“Yes.”
Go Un answered that way, but somehow his sticky gaze continued.
“…”
“…”
It was around the time Seo Juhan thought something might be on his face. Just before asking why he was staring like that, Go Un finally took a step.
What’s that about?
Seo Juhan stood still and watched the retreating figure.
The back view with thick, bold lines was quite eye-catching. The long legs wrapped in navy blue pants swayed slowly. He was as relaxed as someone who had never experienced an urgent matter in their life.
Perhaps because of his broad shoulders, the white long-sleeved shirt looked like formal wear rather than a uniform.
His black hair swayed gently in the spring breeze mixed with the scent of grass. The brilliant spring sunlight faintly scattered at its tips.
The gloomy main building faded. In its place, a fresh, clear coolness lingered instead. It was like a scene from a youth drama.
Is this why teachers nagged so much? Students look best when they dress like students.
Seo Juhan unconsciously stood rooted to the spot and continued to gaze. Only after the neat white shirt entered the main building and disappeared did he dismiss his thoughts.
He glanced up at the annex, which had been his original destination.
It was more dismal up close. The low, unmanaged building suited the name of a closed school better. It seemed like it could be used as a horror movie filming location without shame.
His desire to go inside completely disappeared. It seemed the influence of fooling around with Lee Donghyuk and having his mood somewhat lifted was also there.
Seo Juhan returned to the main building slowly with drooping steps.
Thinking about the class he would have next period already drained his energy.
