Glance

“Can I call you hyung at least?”

He pauses from tidying his pillows to glance at me for a second before continuing what he’s doing. “I said to do what you want, right?” he said and laid his back.

“T-thank you,” I smiles and decided to cover myself as well with blanket.

But am I getting hot or getting cold? I don’t really know but one thing for sure, I do not feel well at all.

“Beomgyu hyung…” I called him. “Why did you work in here?” I started a conversation while looking at the ceiling in this dim room. I didn’t receive any reply from him. “Do you love kids or it’s just really your work?” I continued and everything is still silent.

Right, he said I shouldn’t disturb him at all. Sighs, I guess I really need to avoid him.

I turn sideways, meaning I’m now facing his side. He’s in supine, his eyes are close, and I can see how great his nose from this angle. I smile for a bit.

“About spring…” I mentioned and his eyelashes motioned—he opened his eyes.

“What about it?”

He speaks!

“When I woke up, winter already started up until now. This upcoming spring will be my first after I woke up… Do you anticipate something from it?” I ask.

“None,” he shortly replied.

“Why?” I frown. “Spring is beautiful… It’s when the flowers blooms, the cold of post-winter and the warmth of welcoming summer… it’s making you feel comforted somehow,” I stated.

“I hate it,” he commented.

“Spring?”

“Everything…”

I purse my lips and keep silent for moment. His last reply sounds so heavy and gloomy so I decided not to speak anymore. Minutes had passed and he’s already closing his eyes, he’s probably asleep already.

“Spring… I like it…” I whispered before closing my eyes.

The next morning, the first thing I did is to check Hazel. She’s still resting and I asked for forgiveness. As a kid who had taught well manners, she smiled at me and forgives me.

“Wanna have some ice cream with me?” I asked her out.

She nods, “Yes, teacher.”

The two of us went out of the children’s house and decided to walk outside until we reached a near convenient store by the intersection. We bought ice cream of our choice and take a seat on the table outside, under a cherry blossom tree that is out of season.

It’s peaceful in here, the only noise I can hear is the distant radio, the sound of crickets, and leaves brushing at another leaves as it sways by the refreshing wind.

“How’s Teacher Beom?” I ask her.

“Teacher Beom is so cool, he’s kind, he’s handsome when he smiles too,” Hazel answers and licks her food.

I nod at her to affirm, “When you passed out, Teaher Beom got really mad at me.”

“He’s mad to all who hurts us,” she quickly replied. “Teacher Kazi experienced it as well. Teacher Beom yelled at her that she started crying,” she stories. “It was during summer when we decided to take a swim and Rika almost drown,” she continued.

“What else happened?” I sounded interested.

“Before you there’s also a new guy teacher and he lets us eat junk foods and he also didn’t know about my condition so we played a lot. Back then, it was worst… I got hospitalized,” she answered.

“Really!? Then what happened to that teacher?” I panicked and started to get more invested.

“They say Teacher Beom kicked him out of the building even if Mrs. So doesn’t want to,” she replied.

I gasp. Wow, I almost experience the same thing! He’s really not joking of throwing people away.

“If he’s like that then… why do you say he’s still kind?” I curiously ask.

“Mrs. So said, Teacher Beom is paying the price of his sin before,” she started. “Teacher Beom once lost someone he swore to protect and that’s why he’s doing everything to protect everyone that’s close to him.”

“Wait a minute,” I frown as I stand up and look at her. “How did you know all of these? And do you even understand that?”

She shakes her head, “No. I just answered you what you asked but I didn’t said I know what it means,” she pouted and shrug her shoulders then started eating again.

I chuckle out and breathe out then take a few steps away from her. From this spot, I can see the small village and the Downtown or the market place below. There’s also the port and of course the wide sea.

“Of course… how can we understand something so wide?” I whispered.

“Teacher Tyun!” Hazel calls me and I look at her from where I’m standing. “Did you and Teacher Beom make up already?”

I pouted and shook my head, “I’m not sure? How do you think he’ll forgive me?”

“I don’t know too,” she looks sad. “But I heard from Teacher Kazi that he doesn’t want to get asked by his personal life especially if it’s about spring season—”

“Huh!? Hey, why did you just tell me that now!?” I scolded her while walking closer.

“Y-yes?”

“I-I…” my jaw drop and frustratedly sighs. “I’m doomed really. Like for real, I am. Like how am I supposed to ask for forgiveness now,” I chuckles in disbelief.

It’s over. Done. End. He’ll never forgive me.

Because of what happened during P.E class, they decided to suspend the class for two days for now and because I don’t have something to do, Teacher Jang gave me a task.

“W-what do you want me to do, Teacher Jang? Y-you want me to look for Teacher Choi at Downtown?” I repeated.

“You got it right, Taehyun!” she exclaimed and held my hand then put a paper on my palm. “And buy this, okay?” she smiles.

“Alone? I-I’ll go there alone?” I asks hesitantly.

“You won’t get lost, the downtown is so small and Beomgyu is easy to find. Don’t worry, now go,” she even gestured me to go and went on her class.

What was that?

I sigh and put on an extra layer of jacket before going out. Since it is walking distance, I just travel by my feet until I reached Downtown. I gained attention the moment my feet step on.

Hey! Why are they looking at me like that? I’m getting nervous! It’s not like they are going to kill me or what right? Oh heavens! It wasn’t long enough sinve I woke up!

I should look for Beomgyu hyung before I die from getting public attention. I’m having anxiety just by being surrounded by people. I started walking around and I got entertained by the products they are selling so I clearly enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it far enough for me to get lost.

“Now where the hell are you Kang Taehyun?”

Wait, didn’t I already take this route earlier? Wait a minute! There are no stalls in here already! Like where am I!?

I started walking back but I keep on coming back to where am I before and it feels like I’m in an endless maze. I give up! I give up! Maybe, I’ll just die in here or what.

No, I think this is my end—

“Are you lost?”

I quickly look back and where our eyes meet, I suddenly hear a deafening sound inside my head that it made me close my eyes as it hurts so badly. There are voices again all over my head.

“Do you really want to escape from here?”

“You bastard! You can’t get away from me!”

“What if I’ll give you a chance to change everything?”

“How about my mom then? Will I die if I agree on you?”

“Hey! Are you okay?” I heard a voice near me and felt arms caught me before I passed out.

“Oh feeling better?” it’s his voice again that I heard as I open my eyes and welcomed by the smell of isoprophyl and white ceiling. A feeling of nostalgia suddenly comes in.

I take a seat on the bed and look at the man beside me, “W-who are you?” I ask in my polite tone.

“I’m Kai,” he introduces himself. “I’m the village doctor.”

Dr. Kai… Kazi told me about him. So it’s him.

“Hello,” I bow as I greet. “I’m sorry if I passed out earlier,” I ask for forgiveness.

“It’s okay,” he smile back. “Are you feeling better now?”

“Y-yes, thank you doc,” I nods.

“Good,” he reacted. “Are you the new teacher of Together Children Homes?”

“Y-yes doc,” I answered. “Do you know Choi Beomgyu?”

“Of course,” he smiles even wider. “How can’t I know him?”

“Right…” I nod. “Everyone knows him. The kids love him and even the elderly in here loves him— but why does he hate me so much?” I frown and pouted like a kid.

I heard a chuckle from Dr. Kai and he stood up from where he’s sitting. That’s when I realized how tall he is. He turns his back and I noticed his broad shoulders. He did his things on his table like organizing tools.

“Do you often pass out?” he asks instead.

“Y-yes… I have my medicine in me, doc,” I answered.

“I assume…” he pauses and turn around to see me. “You just wake up from coma?”

“Oh? How did you know?” I blink twice.

“Teacher Choi,” he answered with a smile. “It must be sad not experiencing your youth to the fullest.”

“Yes,” I sigh and look down. “I missed something so beautiful…”

“Then isn’t this the time to enjoy what you’ve lost?”

“W-what do you mean by that, doc?” I ask in confusion.

“I’m sure a lot had the impression already about you acting like a kid despite of having the age of an adult— and it’s normal. Let them think what they want to think,” he pauses to smile. “Waking up again means the Deity is giving you the chance to live the life you lost.”

“Deity…”

“Isn’t this moment a good start for a new season of youthfulness?”

I stare at him and he’s just smiling at me. What is this feeling again? Why does I’m feeling nervous? Or is this excitement?

“By the way Dr. Kai, perhaps have we met before?” I ask.

“I don’t think so?” he smiles while shaking his head.

He seems familiar…

The clinic’s door opens and I saw Beomgyu hyung holding a paperbag with Teacher Jang’s request. “You’re really a nuisance, you know that?” he welcomed and he’s glaring at me.

“Hey, if Teacher Jang didn’t ask me to look for you, I wouldn’t be in here,” I argued and rolled my eyes.

“You even caused a scene outside,” he added.

“Wow! Then should I have just died on the ground?” I taunted and glares at him back. “I’m sorry if you found me something as nuisance, I just wanted a new life,” I continued and get off from the bed.

We started glaring at each other as if we’re both communicating at each other’s eyes. “How easy of you to just say about living a new life,” he muttered.

“Now that’s also an issue!?” my voice raise at him. I move closer to him, “What really is your deal with me, huh!?” I pushed his shoulder with my index finger.

“Yourself; your voice, your presence, your eyes, your whole face, you being Kang Taehyun— it annoys me to death.”

--
A/N: My chapter outlines are finally fixed! All I can give to you right now is we'll be having up to Chapter 60 and as always let's enjoy the story! Since this belongs to the Heavy Fanfics, please expect a nice and slow pace. If I'll have now enough chapters, we can do three or more times update but for now let's have two chapters for a week. Thank you!