Company

To further our investigation, we have to interrogate Yoona where she was at that time and how she got the ATM card and the stuff spent with the withdrawn money.

But the thing is that Yoona doesn't know about our investigation. We can't just ask her immediately. It will freak her out if we tell her. it's only been a few days since she first attended Apgujeong High. It's weird for her teacher to tell her such a thing. It almost seems like both Mr. Yang and I are meddling.

The latter might be the case, but both of us are itching to find out the truth. We're just hoping that she's really not behind it. Mr. Yang says it's unlikely of her. It'd suck to find out one of my students is a thief.

We'll just have to find the right timing and Mr. Yang will do the interrogation. Once we get the answers we need, we'll make our next move.

We don't think the culprit will go anywhere at any time soon so there will be no rush.

"Mr. Lee… Mr. Lee..."

I hear someone calling me and see Minyoung at the side of the teacher's table.

"Oh, Minyoung, it's you!"

Minyoung answers, "Mr. Lee, our next teacher's currently waiting outside."

Dammit, I spaced out!

I immediately stand up, pick up my stuff and greet my advisees goodbye. Then I welcome the next teacher in the classroom.

.

.

.

Today's Friday, but it doesn't mean I'll get the rest the next day.

There are Saturday classes as part of the South Korean education system. Grueling, yes, but it's less grueling nowadays. Until 2010, there every Saturday was a school day, but now we have such classes every first and third Saturday of the month only, so students and us teachers can still get some rest.

"We still have to teach tomorrow," I speak to Mr. Pyo while slouching on my seat in the faculty room at lunch break.

He responds, "Complaining, Mr. Lee?"

Though I accept Saturday classes, I'm still complaining. I deny, "Nope. I'm just slouching."

I notice my drowsiness. Well, it's afternoon. People tend to feel sleepy by yawning in the afternoons. As a student, it sucks to fall asleep in the middle of a discussion. As a teacher, it sucks to fall asleep because you might look ugly in front of your students.

I compliment him as I start to fall asleep, "Wow, you really are dedicated to your job. (yawn)"

Mr. Pyo notices my drowsiness and speaks, "You must be sleepy. Don't worry, I'm going to get you some coffee."

I fix my sitting position to a normal one, look at him and politely decline, "You don't have to tire yourself, Mr. Pyo."

But he responds back, "It's okay, Mr. Lee. Besides, I'm also going to get some coffee."

He leaves his seat to get us coffee and I murmur, "Is he feeling sleepy too?"

.

.

.

Yoonwoo and I had dinner at a seafood restaurant in Sinsa-dong. We talked about our experience in teaching this week, Saturday classes and our plans next Saturday since there will be no classes at that time. After finishing, we parted ways to our homes.

I'm currently walking at Apgujeong-ro on my way home to the apartment. Then I see two familiar faces walking out of a street. Those two familiar faces are Minyoung and Yoona.

As they take a right turn to Apgujeong-ro and with the stoplight at red, I start to cross the street and start to run to catch up to them.

One step to the other side and the thought of scaring them just popped out. I follow that thought with no hesitation.

I dash towards them like a psycho and perform the scare.

"BAAAHHH!"

I screamed with my hands up.

In response, both of them simultaneously turn around and scream, then they distance themselves away from me with Yoona holding Minyoung's hand. They are now trembling with fear.

Finding out that it was me, Minyoung changes her facial expression from fear to frown as she's not happy with what I did. She stomps her right foot and yells at me, "Ya! Mr. Lee!"

If she's displeased, I feel the opposite.

"Haha! Sorry guys. I mean no harm."

Minyoung looks at Yoona, holds both of her hands and asks, "Are you okay, Yoona?"

Yoona, whose shiver disappeared, replies, "Yes, I'm fine now."

Minyoung heavily sighs and says, "I thought it was a kidnapper." She looks at me and requests, "Please don't scare us like that again, Mr. Lee."

"Alright," I comply.

I wonder what they were doing after class so I ask them, "So what did you do after class?"

Minyoung answers, "Ah, Yoona told me she's never been in a public study room so I brought her in one of them. It's just near here."

That's to be expected. She probably has one of those exotic study rooms, like a cube or something. I pretend to ask, "Oh, really?"

We continue to converse as we begin to walk east.

Yoona responds, "Yes, Mr. Lee. I've never been in a public study room, so I want to try it out."

I ask her opinion, "How was it? I'm curious what's it like to study in a public study room?"

Minyoung reacts, "Ah, that's right. You grew up and studied in America so you never went to Korean study rooms before, Mr. Lee."

"Yeah. They might come in handy to me at some point in time. Right, back to my question."

Yoona replies, "Yes, Mr. Lee. It was a great experience. I got to concentrate on my study. It's good that the room is still bright even though there are lights on the table. It can prevent astigmatism. Minyoung said that there are some study rooms that don't have room lights."

Suddenly, Minyoung shouts, "Ahhh, darn it!"

I ask, "Darn it? Why?"

"My house's actually the other way!" Minyoung runs in the opposite direction and waves goodbye to me and Yoona.

I yell at Minyoung, "Don't be late tomorrow!"

She yells back, "Yes, Mr. Lee! See you tomorrow!"

Yoona and I wave at her as she leaves and proceed to walk again. I can't believe she forgot where to go home.

"Where does she live anyway," I ask Yoona.

"Near Dongho Bridge, Mr. Lee."

"Ah, I see.

Then you would've reminded her."

"Sorry, Mr. Lee. I got carried away also."

"Where do you live, by the way?"

"I'm currently living at my aunt's house in Samseong-dong."

So that's where she lives now. That's far from school.

"A bus on your way home then?"

"Yes. It's far from school. I'm going to wait on the nearest bus stop."

"Okay. Then from there, I'll walk home."

Yoona asks, "Where do you live, Mr. Lee?"

I give her the answer, "Just here in the neighborhood."

"Oh, okay."

"Well, in the meantime, let me accompany you to the bus stop."

"Thank you, Mr. Lee. (bow)"

"Don't mention it."

I should ask her something while accompanying her to the bus stop.

"You live with your aunt, so where are your parents?"

"M-my parents? They're always busy. That's why they sent me to my aunt so someone can look after me while they're busy."

She stuttered on her first word. She must be surprised.

"Busy? What do they do?"

"They work at SH Group."

"I see. That's one big business, isn't?"

I turn my sight on Yoona only to see her sad, looking at the ground. It seems that talking about her family makes her feel uneasy.

"You must be feeling awkward. I'll stop throwing questions at you."

Yoona suddenly looks up at me and denies, "Um, no, it's not like that."

"Alright, alright.

But let me throw one last question: so far, how's Apgujeong High?"

The question removes the uneasiness on her as she starts to smile and she cheerfully answers, "So far, it's been great. I was nervous at first because it was a new environment, but my classmates have been a huge help to get used to it. Even though I came from a private school, they still accept me as one of their own."

I give her my thoughts.

"I never thought they're that kind of class, not gonna lie. To them, where you studied last doesn't give them crap. No discrimination whatsoever. There are also some of your classmates who came from private schools. That's what I've noticed.

I'm sure you'll be fine with them around. Especially with Minyoung."

"Yes, Minyoung. She's the first one who helped me overcome my timidity. Others acknowledged what she did and started helping me."

"You know what, I think you're already confident in the first place. You just happened to feel in-between since going to a public school is new to you. So bring back your confidence."

"Actually, you're right on that, Mr. Lee. I've always been confident.

(bow) Thank you again, Mr. Lee, for your words this time."

"Again, don't mention it."

We ended our conversation at the bus stop. I waited for her to get on the bus then I continued my journey on my way home.

.

.

.

It's Saturday. And once again, I meet my advisees.

I address my speech in front of them.

"Today's Saturday, 10A. You must be tired. But let's keep the energy level we usually have.

After everything's over this day, you can do whatever you want. You're still freshmen so have fun as much as you want and as much as possible."

The whole class cheers as I end my speech.

I officially begin the discussion today with a punch to my left palm.

"Let's start!"

LEEctionary:

-dong - small-scale administrative division in South Korea; Korean term for 'precinct,' 'town,' or 'neighborhood'

-ro - Korean term for 'road'