Miracle Ramyun Couple by BurningNoona

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"That's not the way to greet your elder and teacher," Teacher Kang smirks, carrying a baby in his arms.

God, please tell me that our dear Teacher Jung did not marry this imbecile. Teacher Kang is an arrogant, indifferent, self-serving man. If there was one thing that united all the students in our class, it was our hatred of him.

"Sorry," I apologize grudgingly, give him the short bow, we perfected just for him in high school.

"Come in. In-Jae is in the kitchen cooking dinner. Immediately you called she started cooking up a storm. She hopes you'll join us for dinner."

I take off my shoes and walk into a living room scattered with baby accessories. I put my gift on the small table in the living room. I look around him for Teacher Jung, hoping that this is a mistake and she didn't marry this numbnuts.

"Park HeungSoo!" Teacher Jung comes barreling out of the kitchen, arms outstretched, and she hugs me. I hug her back and smile at the picture we make; a five feet two inches woman hugging the six feet two inches me. She's still tiny, still warm, still pretty.

"Teach," I whisper, and all my fond memories of high school come flooding back.

"You look great. Where have you've been? No one has been able to find you. Or tell me anything about you. You never attended the alumni reunions. I saw Kim MinKi, Han YoungWoo, Song Ha Gyeong, and Lee Jihoon. But not you, Lee KangJoo or Go Namsoon. What have you been up to?" same old Teacher Jung, talking a mile a minute.

"I moved to the states four years ago, right after graduation."

"For college?"

"No, to play soccer."

"That's great!" She screams. "Your dreams came through, I'm so happy for you, HeungSoo. How was life in the States?" She pulls me to their couch, and we sit down. Her husband sits in a chair opposite us with their child. Her husband! That fact leaves a bad taste in my mind. She can do better if you ask me.

"It was wonderful. Living my dream was exhilarating. Unfortunately, a few years later, I injured the same knee again and that was it. I stayed on the disability roster for a while, but I was finally let go and came back home."

"Did Namsoon go with you?"

"No, Teach." I didn't want to explain anything in front of Teacher Kang.

"Why? I thought you two had resumed your friendship and..."

"So you married him," I nod towards Teacher Kang.

"Watch it, that's my husband you're talking about," she reprimands me.

"Sorry, Teach."

"He's a wonderful husband and a better father. And he has learned to be a good teacher, too since you guys left."

Yeah if arrogance, indifference, and selfishness are now virtues, I'm sure he's a good teacher. I'll believe that when I see it. If she's right, I guess it is true that an angel can redeem a demon.

"Oh, I forgot. This is for your baby. I didn't know if it's a boy or girl, so..."

"Thank you HeungSoo. Meet Kang Hye Sung, our two-month-old daughter."

Teacher Kang gives the baby to his wife and she puts her in my arms. She's small, just a little bit bigger than the soccer ball I kick around. And cute.

We chat a little bit more and sit down for dinner. Every time she brings up Namsoon, I redirect the conversation. Teacher Jung is no fool, I bet she knows something is off but thank God she didn't press me for details.

I left with the promise to call her often and tells me that if I run into any of my old classmates to tell them she still has the same phone number.

                                        ― ☾ ―

"Soo Min, I completed the assignment you gave me."

"Joong Ki?"

"You remembered me; I'm impressed."

"Of course, I do. You're my only America sounding client," she laughs. "Besides you're the only one I gave an assignment."

"Well then, I guess I should be honored."

I can't understand my need or rather haste to talk to this person I just found. I walk around my apartment, settling down for the night as I continue my second call to the captivating Ms. Soo Min. I make myself a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and get into my bed. I sit up and start to tell Soo Minn about the day.

"I went to school first. And the scariest teacher I ever had is still on staff. Can you believe that? I thought he might have retired or something. I swear he still carries the same cane he carried four years ago. And his voice still sends fear down my spine, huh!"

Soo Min, laughs, "a grown-ass man like you? Scared of your old teacher."

"Yes. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. Everyone has a teacher like that in their life. I'm sure you had one, too."

"In the spirit of true disclosure, I did. I stayed clear of him throughout high school. If I see him on the streets, I'll turn around and go the other way."

"That bad?"

"Yep! My teacher also carried a cane. Do you think it's something they teach them in 'scariest teacher' academy or something?"

I laugh and scoot down some more in my bed, enjoying this conversation.

"Anyway, I also met my favorite teacher. She is one of the sweetest persons I know," I tell her remembering my visit to Teacher Jung's home. I frown a little remembering she's married to that nincompoop.

"All in the same day?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, she's married to another teacher we all hated."

"The scary one?"

"No, this one is an arrogant, indifferent, selfish dude."

"Wow, you don't mince words, do you?"

I smile, "no I don't."

"So how did you feel going back to school," she asks me.

"At first it was scary, then nostalgic and finally liberating."

"I understand the first two feelings but liberating? How?"

"When I visited my favorite teacher, I was tempted to ask about my best friend. We lost touch four years ago. As much as I wanted to ask if she knows where he is, I restrained myself."

"Why? If he's your best friend I would think you'll want to get back in touch with him."

"You would, right. Unfortunately, the two major life-changing incidents in my life involved him, and both times, he disappointed me."

"Some people fear the unknown. They'll rather run than face their fears."

"You sound knowledgeable about situations like this."

"Not really, I just have made mistakes like that in my life."

"What happened," I ask curious about this lady who is slowly becoming an ally, and should I dare say it, confidante.

"I ask the questions, not you."

"Come on, the whole idea of calling you is to hold conversations. Someone to talk to without any reservations or condemnations."

"Fine, I also had a best friend whom I've let down twice. First out of guilt and the second out of fear."

"So, what did you do," I ask intrigued?

"I've convinced myself that absence is best. I miss him though. We were like two peas in a pod."

"You said guilt and fear, I don't understand," I say.

"All I can tell you is that the first time I felt guilty towards him and the second time I feared my growing feelings for him. So, both times I ran away."

"Why run away? Sounds great to me, best friends falling in love. They write songs about that shit. A man and a woman, friends becoming lovers. Isn't that what you women fantasize about?"

"I guess I'm the exception."

"Did running away help you?"

A long pause, then she whispers "No".

"I'm sorry. Maybe you'll meet again, and you can make amends."

"That will be nice. You just yawned. You should go to bed."

"What? You are encouraging a customer to stop purchasing your product?"

"That just sounds odd. I have another assignment for you," she says.

"Are you training to be a teacher or something? All these assignments," I laugh.

"It's just my way of getting you back into the real world."

"I've been in the real world, Soo Min, it's highly overrated."

"Whatever. Here's the assignment. I want you to join a soccer league, for fun. Either as a player or coach, your choice."

"No, I hurt my knee and I've been advised not to play that aggressively anymore or I'll lose the use of my legs."

"Then as a coach."

"Are trying to get me to make friends. If I do, I may not call you as much you know?"

"No, just trying to get you to live a little, and I know you'll call me."

"How so?"

"To give me a report on your assignment of course."

"Of course," I laugh. The little imp.

"Good night Soo Min."

"Good night Joong Ki."

My cell pings my charges for the second day: ₩ 277436.55 for an hour. Well worth it. These calls are slowly becoming a necessity. I smile and drift off to sleep.