EP.10 Meeting in Reality
"Ah, I don't understand. Why did she suddenly schedule a parent-teacher conference? Did she notice something?"
I couldn't shake off my anxiety on my way to work. Since there was no physical evidence, the chances of her retaliating were low.
However, I was still uneasy. That crazy woman was unpredictable, and even if it was just a dream, she might still take revenge in reality.
I arrived at the kindergarten parking lot and quickly entered the building. I knocked on the director's office door.
—Knock knock knock!
"Director, it's me, Joo Hyuk."
—Ah, yes. Teacher Kang, please come in.
As I entered, the director's face, heavily made up with Botox and cosmetics, greeted me. She gave a brief nod and got straight to the point.
"Ms. Han will arrive around nine. As I mentioned earlier, she wants to discuss Lea's tutoring. Please take good care of her. All of today's schedule has been changed to external meetings."
"Is that right? External meetings? Does that mean we're not meeting inside the kindergarten?"
"Yes, that's right. You'll probably go to a nearby restaurant or café. Don't think about skipping out on the pretext of classes. You know Ms. Han's personality, so behave."
"... Ah, okay. I understand."
"Anyway, prepare the tutoring materials. We're counting on you, Teacher Kang. Please work hard."
"... Got it. I'll prepare them."
I bowed my head and left the director's office, feeling like a calf being led to the slaughter. My legs seemed rooted to the spot.
I decided to organize the materials as instructed. My hands were already trembling from anxiety.
Time flew by, and it was soon nine o'clock. Han-yeoul arrived punctually at the kindergarten.
A high-end German sedan pulled up, and she stepped out elegantly. Her assistant stood by her side.
She wore a more provocative outfit than usual, a black tube-top dress that exposed her shoulders and had a very short hem, revealing her thighs.
The director rushed to greet her with a flattering bow. Han-yeoul acknowledged the greeting and turned her gaze towards me.
She walked towards me in high heels, her eyes locked on mine. My body stiffened like I was facing a lioness. The aura around her seemed even more intense than in my dream.
As she approached, she looked at me intently and met my gaze. I quickly bowed my head.
"Ah, hello. Ms. Han. How have you been?"
Her eyes sparkled as she observed my reaction. She began to speak.
"You look a bit pale today, Teacher Kang."
"Ah, haha. That's not true. I'm in great condition today."
"Why are you sweating so much?"
"I, uh, maybe it's just hot outside? Ah, it does feel warm."
As I stuttered, her eyes narrowed further. However, she didn't press the issue.
"Hmm, let's forget about that. Did you hear about the meeting I scheduled today?"
"Yes, of course. The director told me to take special care of you."
"Hmph. That director's flattery is annoying. Anyway, I'll go to the director's office for a bit. You wait here, Teacher Kang."
She walked towards the director's office without listening to my response, followed by the director and her assistant.
I let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the sky, which was filled with dark clouds. It seemed like it might rain heavily today.
In the teachers' lounge, Joo-sun, a colleague who teaches French with me, approached me. She teased me by poking my side.
"Ha! Teacher Kang, are you going on a date with Ms. Han today?"
I wasn't in the mood, but she continued joking.
"Ha ha. You'll have a tough time, won't you? You should have done better. Why else would they call you specifically?"
"... Just focus on your own work, Joo-sun. You're the one who messed up last time, and I had to cover for you."
"Aww, don't mention that! Why bring up a lady's private parts?"
She tried to deflect with a cute gesture, but I warned her.
"Don't think you can just brush it off. I still remember you promised to buy me beef."
"Wow, you have a good memory!"
"If you buy me beef and drinks, you'll be completely forgiven?"
"Hey, that's like being a thief! Teacher Kang, do you want to date me? If so, just say it honestly."
"Ha! Joo-sun isn't my type. I prefer body over face."
"What's wrong with my body? Have you seen it? Have you seen it?"
She poked my side again, trying to lighten the mood. I played along, knowing she was known for being playful.
Just then, the lounge door burst open, and a familiar face appeared.
Han-yeoul stood with her arms crossed, looking at Joo-sun with a cold gaze. Her voice was icy.
"Teacher Kang, are you ready?"
"Yes! I'm ready! Let's go, Ms. Han!"
As I quickly gathered my things and stood up, she glared at me. But her gaze also turned towards Joo-sun, filled with an unexpected intensity.
I wondered why she was looking at Joo-sun like that. She didn't usually dislike Joo-sun.
"What's wrong? Did Joo-sun do something wrong?"
But before I could find the answer, Han-yeoul walked away. I gave Joo-sun a reassuring glance and followed Han-yeoul.
Something felt off.
We sat in a luxurious German sedan, like a limousine. Han-yeoul crossed her legs, seemingly unconcerned about exposing her thighs.
I tried to fix my gaze on the air, but she noticed and smiled.
"Teacher Kang, are you in a workplace romance?"
"... What? A workplace romance?"
"Yes. I saw how close you were with that teacher earlier."
I quickly denied it, waving my hand.
"Ha ha, no. It's just a misunderstanding. We're just friends."
"... Do you have a girlfriend, then?"
"No, I don't. I'm focusing on work right now."
"... Hmm. I expected you to have one. A young man should have a girlfriend, right?"
Despite her words, her expression showed a hint of relief. This sparked a question in my mind.
"Could it be... jealousy? Did she think I was dating Joo-sun?"
No, that couldn't be. It was impossible for Han-yeoul to feel jealousy.
Even though we shared intense passion in the dream, that was just a dream. It was hard to believe she'd develop feelings for me based on that alone.
"... "
But the more I thought about it, no other reason came to mind. Why would she ask such a question out of the blue?
"... Maybe it's just my imagination. Han-yeoul isn't some high school girl."
As I pondered this, I glanced at Han-yeoul, and her cheeks flushed. She turned away, her lips pouting.
The reaction was unmistakable.
"... Is she really... interested in me? Does she see me as a man?"
I couldn't believe it, so I secretly checked the app. Her affection level had been only 1% until yesterday. Even after our dream encounter, there was no change.
But now, the numbers had changed significantly. Her affection level was 8%.
It wasn't about the magnitude of the number; it was the fact that it had increased.
"Could it be... Han-yeoul, that icy woman, really has feelings for me?"
A flower had bloomed in her frozen heart, a vibrant wildflower named affection.
It was almost miraculous. A burning desire ignited within me.
"Yes, it's possible in reality too. Han-yeoul is human, feeling loneliness just like anyone else."
If it was possible in a dream, why not in reality? Her emotions were shared across both worlds.
I swallowed hard, looking at her captivating body.
Could I really make her mine? Could I tame her?
—Nod
An unknown confidence surged within me. She would definitely become my woman.
I vowed to myself, burning with passion. She was beyond my wildest dreams.
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