Just an ordinary private tutor

Can you do me a favor?

My mother looked at me with a displeased expression as I counted the days until my tutoring class began after the teacher left.

"Whenever you say you don't want to take private lessons, why are you always so happy?"

When I didn't respond because it stung for a moment, my mother crossed her arms with a knowing look in her eyes.

"You listen attentively in class because that teacher is handsome."

I got caught. My mom's a ghost. What's the use of hiding it now that things have turned out this way?

"How did you know?"

"I can tell just by looking at your eyes. You look like a celebrity. Just the kind of person you'd like."

Oh. I saw right through it.

"Even Mom thinks I'm handsome, right?"

"Hey, is that important right now?! You should be studying and thinking about raising your grades!"

Mom slapped me on the back. "She's going to start nagging me again." In situations like this, it's far more beneficial to at least pretend to be humble rather than resist. I gave up on lashing out and just pouted.

"Ah. Okay......"

I grumbled and stared blankly at my brother's bedroom door. The room was empty. My brother said he was studying in the study room again today, and he left right after dinner. People are so diligent. I'm not even diligent at all.

Ding dong

I never knew that ringing would be so welcome. I walked over with excited steps and opened the front door.

"Hello, teacher!"

"Hello, Songdo."

Today I was wearing a thin checked shirt. I wasn't dressed well, but my face was all dressed up, so whatever.




"For the time being, study with this workbook."

The teacher placed a large sheet of worksheets in front of me.

"What is this?"

"It's just a collection of first-year high school math problems. I graded the problems you solved as homework, and you only got eight out of thirty right? Going straight into second-year courses like this won't keep you up. I'll start with the basics of first-year courses first, and then move on to second-year courses."

He spoke in a monotone. "By the way, I only got eight questions right? That can't be. I did my best."

"Is that really all you could guess?"

"uh."

"Do I have to start my first year from today?"

"That's right."

I shook my head in frustration. I couldn't believe my level was this low. English would be the same, and I could already see the hardships ahead.

"Why? Are you worried?"

"Of course! I feel like it's already too late."

"It's okay. It's never too late to study. Just work hard now."

I feel somehow comforted. I didn't know you could say such things.

"I was a little touched. Me."

"Class begins."

Tch, the excitement is gone. I can't even bring myself to talk anymore. I wasted my time solving problems and listening to explanations of the solution process. After class, I stretched. My body ached.

"By Saturday, solve this many pages from here. Class is over. Thanks for your hard work."

He put his reference books and pencil case in his bag and slung them over his shoulder, then stood up. For some reason, he hesitated instead of leaving my room right away. He seemed to have something to say.

"Teacher, I'm not going today."

"This might sound weird, but can I ask you a favor?"

Why are you taking the time to say something so grand? I'd do anything you asked, teacher!

“Do you often go to the convenience store in your apartment?”

"Sometimes... I go every night these days. Why?"

"Don't go at nine o'clock today."

"yes?"

"There is something like that. Let's go."

The unexpected words left me rooted to my feet, unable to move, and I stood there dumbfounded. Why was he telling me not to go today? Was there a special reason? It wasn't until a day later that I realized how fortunate I had been to hear those words.