Countryside

"Son, I don't think you remember this but let me tell you that we have actually a children's home in XXX District."

I looked away from the screen of the TV which is playing a geographic channel and look at my mom who just arrived from her work. "What about it, mom?" I asked.

"You want something to get busy, right? I know you don't want to just be stuck in here. So, you can check the place tomorrow and if you want to help them there— you know? Taking care of children, playing with them, feeding them, and teaching them? If you want," she suggested.

I blew some air inside my cheeks and thinks. I'm not really good and handling kids, tho? What if I'll make them cry or what? What if they don't like me? These thoughts made me sigh.

"Ah baby," my mom sounded so sweet and hugs me. "You don't need to worry about the kids, okay? Just check the place first for now and decide. Can you do it?" she asked.

I smiled and chuckles, "Yes, mom. I will."

The next morning, my driver and I went to the countryside where the children's home is located. It was a long ride that made me fall asleep and as I wake up; the car is still going but the view outside are all tall trees with not much large spaces in between, just the streetlights and dim atmosphere because of the little amount of light from the sun passing through. I opened the window and rested my arms and head. It's cold probably because of the trees but it's nice. The cold wind that kisses my skin, I smiled for some reason.

"Are we near?" I asked Mr. Lim, my personal driver.

"Yes sir, just two kilometers away," he replied looking at the rear mirror and I nods.

I don't know what's gonna welcome me in Together Homes for Children but I really wanna try things out. Summer is about to end as well and instead of staying inside the four corners of my room, I need to do something productive.

And aside from that, there's something I want to know more about myself.

The tress started to have some gaps and more spaces then I can see now some establishment— the small, old, and low ones. There are also some houses and other vehicles. The car made a turn and there are more even houses and I think I saw a market place. I think, we entered the main village now but the car continued running until we turn right again and I saw a huge sign.

"Together Homes for Children," I read and I felt a sudden excitement and nervousness at the same time. Someone opened the gates for us and I can see some elderly waiting for us by the main entrance.

I breathe in and out before walking out of the car after Mr. Lim parked it. Huge smiles welcomed me and hugs. "Welcome Young Kang!" the other elderly welcomed.

"Ah—"

"It's so good to see you again, Mr. Taehyun! You grew up so big!" the other one exclaimed.

"N-nice meeting—"

"I hope you'll have a good stay in here, young son!"

I just awkwardly laugh at them and I didn't even get the chance to speak when they suddenly dragged me inside the building and they started talking about the place. I just keep on nodding while absorbing all of the information at once.

"Oh right, we'll be having our village meeting today!" Ma'am Lee suddenly blurted out. "I totally forgot about it! Okay, okay. I'll just leave you here first and someone will cater you, okay? Taehyun?" she smiles.

"A-ah yes," I replied and she smiles at me then taps my shoulder before calling the others and they went out.

I stood in the center of the hallway with my backpack. This place is not that old, it's made of concrete, it's simple, and it looks like kindergarten academy. There are hallways and every door has an assigned room subject or class and on the second floor maybe are the kid's rooms. There are a lot of cute stuffs and such. Then I heard Mr. Lim behind me and he's carrying some of my other stuffs.

"Hi!" a woman, lively voice greeted me from afar. Her hair are a hazel-colored, perm, wearing round glasses, and she's wearing a jumpsuit pants.

"Hello," I greeted lowly with my voice and smile a bit.

"Wow you're so handsome," she suddenly reacted.

"Eh?"

"Huh?" she frowns and we both frown. "Oh right! I'm Kazi Kwon! I'm also a social welfare teacher. Oh your bags must be heavy, let's go upstairs!" she greeted and then walks first.

We took the stairs and she started talking about the kids; how many are there, the kitchen and the meal time, the subjects, and rooms. We arrived at the second floor and on the right wing are the children's room while on the left wing are the staff's room though the elderly's rooms are below because they hate stairs.

"So in every room for the staffs, there are two beds. There's one room that is completely empty but we made it as some kind of a stockroom now and here," we stopped at a room. "Here's the only room that is occupied by a guy teacher but he's kind of..." she stops and sucks her teeth.

"Kind of?" I repeated.

"Grumpy? Cold? Mostly isolates himself but he's good with kids. Kids love him a lot," she said and smile a bit, looks like thinking of the person he's referring to.

I stared at the door and I read the welcome signboard that says "Keep quiet" Oh, maybe he's not the loud type of person? Sighs, this is gonna be a problem then because I'm so loud.

"Oh... I think I can handle since I'm just here to observe things first," I replied at her with smiles.

"Well... Hope so?" she grimaced and tried to twist the knob but the door didn't open. "Well yep, he's outside probably in the village to help with the meeting and him always go with the room keys," she replied and sighs.

"Oh," I nods. "He doesn't know I'll be arriving today?" I asked.

"More on... he doesn't care," she pursed her lips trying not to sound offensive.

I just nod again. "It's fine. I'll just go around for now and see the whole building," I replied.

"Yes you should! You can just leave your bags on the lobby first and I need to check some of the kids now, okay? And don't worry about your soon to be roommate, he's kind for sure," she smiles.

"Yeah sure," I just agreed and stares at the door again. "Hope he is..."

I started wondering around the building and there are ongoing classes. I went out and there's a mini playground for the kids; there's swings, seasow, and small field for them to play around.

"Mr. Taehyun!" I looked back and saw Kazi gesturing me to come with her inside the building.

"Why is it?" I asked her as we walk on the corridors.

"One of the teacher asked me to come with them in the village but there's no one to look out for the kids. Uhm, can you do that?" she asked.

"Yeah sure, why not? That's what I'm here for," I replied.

"Yes! Well, I just gave them some activity and if they finished just let them play first, okay? And don't let them get out of the room first," she instructed.

I nod at her, "Okay got it."

"Thank you! I'll be right back!"

She left me after giving me more instructions and when we reached the door of the room. I opened it and all of their eyes are on me. I suddenly feel the pressure.

"Hi everyone!" I greeted lively. Some smiles, some are still doing their drawing and some seems curious about what I'm going to say next. "Hi! I'm Kang Taehyun. Teacher Kazi went out for a bit and I can say that I'll be one of the teachers for now. You're going to see me around now more often too. Nice to meet you everyone!" I smiled.

A girl raised her cute hands at me. "There will be two male teachers now?"

"T-two male..." I whispered. "Y-yeah yes! And you can do what you all are doing now. I'll just be here, okay?" I said.

I started walking around the creative classroom. Even their shelves are full of stickers and posters from the kids work. There's this boxes below the bulletin board and I noticed some of the kids drawings and folded letters. I picked one and there's this opening greeting.

To teacher Beom!

"Beom..." I whispered and open the paper but before I could read it I felt someone grabbing the hem of my shirt. I turn around and look at him. "Hi, what is it?" I asked him.

"Teacher, look at this," he said and show me his work.

"Oh, who are they?" I asked him while looking at his cute drawing of people.

"This is Teacher So, teacher Kazi, this is me, and this is teacher Beom," he said while pointing at each person.

I nods, "Oh..." I reacted. "Your work looks so nice! You did well, okay?" I compliment him and pat his head then he smiles. "What's your name?" I asked him.

"Calen," he replied with full smiles.

"Hi, Calen! I'm teacher Taehyun," I introduced. "Ah, about teacher Beom, how is he?" I asked.

"Teacher Beom sings a lot, he play guitar too, he dance, he also teach us how to count and exercise," he said and he sounded so boastful about it.

I chuckles, "He does sounds good," I replied.

"He is! But Teacher Kazi and he don't get along that much. Teacher Kazi said he's grumpy but Teacher Beom loves us!" he defended.

I nods, "Ah," I chuckles after. "Are you finished?"

"Yeah!"

For the whole hour I just played and entertain the kids and get to know the one by one. Some are shy, some are cool, and there's really this hyper one. They are really kids, indeed.

After those other staffs went back already and they prepared for dinner. Mrs. So, instructed me to let the kids play outside for now while they are all preparing. It wasn't boring, I love seeing the kids play and for us to bond more.

Then when play time is over, I assisted the kids to the washing area to clean their hands and then served the kids for their meals. "How were the kids?" Kazi asked.

"They're so adorable," I commented and laughs.

"They really are but expecting from kids, they are not that easy to handle," she replied but smiling.

"Right," I agreed. "About my roommate, I haven't seen him yet," I said.

"Ah right! That bear," she reacted. "He's still busy down the village. Like he really is a busy person. He's loved by these kids and the elderly in the village so expect that if he's not in here, he's in the village helping the ahjumma's and halmonie's things," she replied.

I nodded. "But my things though?" I asked.

"He'll be here soon. I already told him about you," she replied and I nods.

After that, we went upstairs and I helped Kazi taking care of the kids like I bathe the boys and then tucked them on bed. Kazi and I talked for a while outside before she went to her room while I'm outside of the room waiting for that Teacher Beom.

The lights are already close in this corridor. I was staring at the windows when I noticed that the moon is shining well on its full moon form. I smile and went closer to the window and pushed its lock then open it. It's cold but I love how it makes me feel.

"Are you the new teacher?"

It was a deep voice, unexpectedly familiar as if I already heard it before; it was also soothing and calm. I turn around but I couldn't see him well because it's a bit of dark. I saw him started walking towards me.

"A-ah yeah I am," I replied.

He suddenly stops after he heard me answer and he stops exactly to where the moonshine hits his face. Suddenly, it feels like everything stops. My heard started beating so fast. My throat dries and my hands started to shake.

What is this feeling?

Who is he? Why am I feeling like this? Why is he so familiar? Have I seen him before already? Why is he staring at me like that? Staring at me so deep it reaches my soul.

"Who are you?" he asks me.

"I'm..." I gulp. "I'm Kang Taehyun."

He scoffs. "Ah," he smirks. "The Deity won't really stop playing with me, huh?" he reacted and even smirks but I can see his eyes being hurt.

I walk towards him, "I-I'm—" I stopped and when he walk backwards as if avoiding me.

"I'll ask you again, who are you?" his voice becomes deep and cold.

"Kang Taehyun..."

"Kang..." he muttered and exhales then look away. "Get out in here."

"H-huh? Why?"

He glared at me, "Get lost. I'm not betting everything, anyone, again for some stupid wishes like this."