A contractual promise
# Chapter 9 - Most beginnings are accidental.
In the noisy classroom, the children became quiet when Mr. Hakju, not their homeroom teacher, entered. Then, Mr. Hakju's left hand grabbed a boy's ear, and the boy, gripping it, grimaced in pain and groaned.
학주 선생님
Let me just make a quick announcement. Your homeroom teacher, Mr. Yoon Gil-seong, fell off a slope while riding his bike home from work yesterday. He rolled over and is in critical condition, requiring four weeks of recovery.
The other children grumbled at the absurd and realistic thinking.
학주 선생님
Quiet, so—the teacher who received the emergency order will take responsibility for you. The physical education you were doing with Teacher Yoon Gil-seong will be done with the new teacher. And, this kid is a special class president.
It was the head teacher who let go of the ear he was holding and pulled the strap of his bag and stood it next to the desk.
학주 선생님
Just give a brief introduction and go in.
Lee Hyun and Jong-in laughed and shook their heads.
??
I'm sorry I moved here, but I'm glad to see you here, so I'll try to get along. Your name is-
찬열
Park Chanyeol.
As soon as the introductions were over, a man with a warm appearance came in with a well-timed knock.
학주 선생님
Hello. This is Mr. Kim Min-seok.
민석
Hello, I am Kim Min-seok, a physical education teacher who will be with you for a month.
The female students cheered at the sight of Minseok's handsome appearance. Even the male students were thrilled by Minseok's claim to be a good soccer player. Minseok, who met Lee Hyun's increasingly sullen expression, smiled broadly.
민석
Wow, the expression is so real. Kim Lee Hyun, long time no see?
이현
Coach, why are you here?! Do you know the manager? No, more importantly—have you changed jobs?
민석
What the hell are you talking about? I graduated from teachers' college. You don't care, do you? I have nothing to do, so I just worked next to the director while taking a break. Damn it.
Lee Hyun, with a shocked expression on his face as the nightmare from two years ago came back to him, made a face of "Ugh..." Minseok looked at Lee Hyun's face and spoke firmly.
민석
Are you sick and tired of me? You're making that face at me. You told the manager everything?
이현
...Haha. I'm glad to see you, Coach. I feel like I'm flying when I see your face!
민석
Then, run ten laps around the playground.
Lee Hyun was taken aback by Minseok's unprompted suggestion to run ten laps around the track. Knowing that expression wasn't a joke, Lee Hyun stood up, changed his shoes, and went for a run.
Since the window overlooked the entire playground, Lee Hyun couldn't even open it, so he trudged along, warmed up, and started running around the field. Since he could run ten laps in five minutes, he quickly finished and returned to his seat.
Minseok said, "Thank you for your hard work," and handed her a drink.
민석
Interview.
He said he was anxious after losing contact for so long and not hearing from anyone. He said he was even more worried because Minseok had already heard about Lee Hyeon's accident.
Minseok, secretly worried whether his injured knee had truly healed and returned to Korea, tried to check his condition by jogging ten laps around the track. Lee Hyun, visible through the window, easily completed ten laps without a single slip. Minseok felt relieved to see Lee Hyun with his own eyes.
Minseok asked Lee Hyeon about the past, and Lee Hyeon told him everything. Minseok felt a sense of relief, thinking that everything had been going well.
And after a while, while we were talking.
(Counseling Room)
이현
But... actually, I wasn't doing well.
이현
My knees were ruined and I was afraid of exercising, so I couldn't do it, and then I just wanted to die.
이현
While undergoing rehabilitation in the US, I also received psychiatric treatment. I really want to hold the pole again. I want to exercise again. I want to compete and win a prize. I want to do all that.
민석
...
이현
It won't work. In this state
민석
Is it possible?
이현
yes?
민석
Didn't you experience any unusual symptoms when you ran ten laps earlier? From what I could tell, your form was stable and undisturbed. It even seemed like your finishing time was shorter now than when you were a professional athlete.
민석
You can do it now. I'll manage it. I'll care for you and help you. Since you've been resting for so long, I'll increase the amount of practice and reduce the intensity so you don't overwork yourself and your skills improve.
이현
Is that really possible?
민석
When have you ever seen me fool you? You know I'm not the type to give you false hope by telling you something impossible.
이현
... help.
Minseok flinched slightly in surprise at Lee Hyeon's words.
이현
I want to do it again. I really want to exercise..
At Lee Hyeon's earnest words, Minseok chuckled.
민석
If you fall out later because it's hard, I won't leave you alone. Come running whenever I call. For now, go inside.
Lee Hyeon went into class after saying thank you several times for Minseok's words.
Lee Hyeon, who had entered the class, ran to Jong-in and told him the news as soon as his eyes met.
이현
Hey.. I can exercise again
종인
..?
이현
I can play again!
종인
Are you crazy? Seriously? Are you kidding me? Are you just talking nonsense?
이현
Seriously, he said I could do it and that he would help me.
It was Jong-in who loved it as if it were his own work. Jong-in was excited, but also anxious, and he pulled Hyun's wrist toward him, hugged him, and told him that he was glad and congratulated him.
Jong-in stroked Lee Hyun's hair, and Chan-yeol asked what was going on.
종인
Kim Lee-hyun, I'm starting to exercise again - I can do it.
찬열
Oh, you said you were going to stop for a bit?
이현
Uh, uh. I have to talk to Baekhyun too- Ah, let go, Kim Jongin.
Ah, excuse me - Jong-in offered a brief apology and released Lee Hyun's arm.