7 Song Yoona

It's ten in the evening. I'm now lying on my bed with my hands beneath my head and should be sleeping.

But no. I'm still awake.

I'm still thinking about everything Mr. Yang said to me earlier. About his underground knowledge. His connection with Marjorie.

And about Yoona.

-----EARLIER AT THE COFFEE PRINCE-----

"Why is she studying in a public high school?"

Mr. Yang addresses his answer, "It's what the chairman wanted."

The chairman's decision, huh. Some family feud, I believe.

"You must know why then, Mr. Yang."

"Ah, yes," Mr. Yang replies while sipping his coffee. Then he finally tells the reason.

"A month ago, I was in SH Group headquarters to speak with my brother, but I had to wait in the lobby because he was busy. Then I saw the chairman. He saw me also and, much to everyone's surprise, he went to where I was at."

"You guys must be close."

"We are. Anyways, we had a little chit-chat and I noticed worry in his eyes.

I asked him, 'Are you okay?'

But all of a sudden he told me to come with him at his office. I thought what he was about to say was a big deal.

We were in his office and continued where we left off."

-----One month ago at the chairman's office-----

"It's about my daughter, Ilsuk."

"What's the matter, hyung (older brother)?"

"I want to enroll her in your school."

"Apgujeong High? Did she do something mischievous?"

"Apparently, she stole my ATM card and withdrew a million won. She spent all of the money for herself. I checked the money that was left earlier."

"That's unusual of her. Why would she do that?"

"She kept denying even though there's proof. One of our maids witnessed her theft and she even went home with my card and all the stuff she spent worth a million won according to the receipts. And I still have no idea how she found out about the PIN number!

So as punishment, she's going to a public school! She's brought shame to the family!

However, I still want her to be safe. That's why I choose your school as the high school she's going to enter next month. Not only because we know each other, but because of your abilities."

"You know I'm busy because of my position, right? But sure, you can count on me."

-----Back to The Coffee Prince-----

After hearing the reason, I hesitate to believe.

Her theft was witnessed. She went home with the chairman's ATM card and all the things she spent with a million won. She denied her father's accusations.

But Mr. Yang said it was unusual of her. So it's possible that:

It was peer pressure;

The chairman angered Yoona so she wanted to take revenge on her but failed; or

Someone posed as Yoona.

"How can she even know the PIN number," I ask again.

Mr. Yang responds, "That's the thing. The only way I know is through hacking. And I don't think Yoona has the ability to do so." Then he sips his coffee again.

Now that he mentions it, I start to think that if he told what he just said to the chairman, then the course of their conversation might've been different.

"Mr. Yang, what you just said, did you tell the chairman that?"

Mr. Yang pauses sipping and freezes for three seconds. After three seconds, he slowly puts down the cup on the table and stammers, "It… it's just… I… I..."

He stutters so much that I'm losing my patience to wait for his line to complete.

"It's just what?"

Mr. Yang answers, this time, in complete, "I did not think of that."

He did not consider that? Oh, my gosh… It was a facepalm moment.

I do a facepalm and say in despair, "Don't you think you rushed her transfer to your school?"

Mr. Yang sighs and replies, "It was just something I realized later on. I'm afraid it was a mistake on my part."

I add to his statement, "And to the chairman's part."

Maybe the chairman was still mad about "what Yoona did" and it clouded the fact that Yoona can't do it. That's why Mr. Yang didn't realize it sooner. At least that's what I think.

So right now, I don't believe Yoona stole money from her old man that time. I just know something is off.

"Forget about it, Mr. Yang, now that Yoona's in Apgujeong High. She's fine as of now."

Mr. Yang concurs, "I suppose you're right, Mr. Lee."

The idea of knowing the truth behind the chairman's accusation itches me. I suggest, "Maybe we should investigate what really happened."

Mr. Yang agrees once more, "We really should."

-----PRESENT TIME-----

This time, Mr. Yang and I are not gonna rush the investigation, but at the same time we're not gonna be slowpokes. Yoona's already in Apgujeong High, but we hope she's going to adapt without a problem.

If we solve the case sooner, chances are she'll immediately transfer to another school, most probably a private one. And that's gonna be uncomfortable for her with the sudden change of environment.

Regardless, it'll be a matter of time before we solve the case.

It's not like we want Yoona to stay longer. It's up to their decision.

Dammit, I can't sleep. I'm gonna eat some cereal.

.

.

.

It's my third day. I'm entering the classroom again.

"Annyeong, 10A!"

All return to their seats as we start our homeroom. All are present and none are coming late. Perfect attendance!

I sit on the sturdy table again. It has become my new habit recently. I do that to other classes, not gonna lie.

"We still have twenty minutes left…

Alright, let's start!"

The whole class is shocked as I say 'let's start'.

"Why are you like that, Mr. Lee?"

"Not fair! It's still homeroom time!"

One complaint after another, I bring out a flat balloon and start to fill it with air with my mouth.

The class transitions from complaining to silence. I stop blowing and ask them, "Why did you stop?"

Hanchul, "Mr. Lee, you're going to blow that balloon to silence us, so we might as well silence ourselves."

"Wow, you're more disciplined than I thought. I was hoping for you to stop once I pop this balloon."

I release the air from the balloon, creating a fart sound, and keep it.

"Okay! (clap) Open discussion!"

Yes. Open discussions. It's the time when the class and I freely talk about anything. Happens when we're early to end our homeroom time and math lesson. It's my style as a teacher. They like the idea, much to my surprise. There are more open discussions to come.

"Today's our third day, so how are you feeling right now?"

All of them answer positively. Great, easy, amazing, stuff like that.

"That's great! Things will be harder as days will pass, but let's keep things consistently."

Oh, right.

"Yoona, how are you feeling?"

As I call Yoona, the whole class sets its eyes on her.

Yoona had been the shy type since day one. Considering that she studied in a different environment, it is to be expected. However she's trying her best to adapt to her new school. I catch her talking to her classmates with a smile on her face. While at it, they always seem to be amazed at her beauty, her silky hair and, not to mention, her height, standing at 5'7''. That's already tall for a girl.

It wouldn't be possible without our class monitor. She's Yoona's seatmate, after all.

Despite her shyness, her academic performance isn't affected. She's paying attention to the lesson so far. That's beauty and brains for you.

Yoona responds to my question, "I'm fine, Mr. Lee."

I reply with satisfaction, "That's good to hear."

The class only knows that she came from a private school. Little do they know that she's a daughter of a business magnate.

Man, to think that I'll see her again after ten years like this... it's crazy.

I suggest a topic to kill time before I teach, "Alright! Let's talk about time traveling."