Yuri woke to the soft glow of morning sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. She stretched lazily, her arms arching above her head like a cat. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders as she swung her legs off the bed and stood upright, ready to tackle the day. The familiar routine of morning rituals followed—a splash of cold water on her face to chase away sleep, a quick shower, and time spent carefully picking out her outfit.

An hour later, Yuri stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the high neckline of her yellow frock. A small green emerald adorned the neck, glinting softly in the light. She smoothed the fabric down and slung a tan bag across her shoulders, the strap crossing her torso. Her hair, long and straight, fell perfectly into place after a few gentle brushes. With one last glance at her reflection, she grabbed her house keys from the dressing table and stepped out of her apartment.

The door clicked shut behind her, and she locked it with a quiet turn of the key. The crisp morning air greeted her as she descended the steps of her building. The short walk to the subway was peaceful, the distant hum of the city providing a gentle soundtrack to her thoughts.

Reaching the subway station, she boarded the train, gripping the handrail as it whisked her toward the school. By the time she arrived at the school gates, her mood had shifted slightly. She sighed as the sight of the building loomed ahead.

“My mood was great until I came here,” Yuri muttered under her breath.

A warm chuckle startled her. She turned to see Daehwan standing beside her, his tall frame and perfectly tailored navy suit making him stand out. His neatly styled dark hair framed a face that seemed effortlessly handsome—his sharp jawline and expressive eyes softened only by the playful smile curling his lips.

“Then where else would you go?” he teased, his deep voice laced with amusement. “You’re a teacher, Yuri Saeng.”

Yuri’s cheeks flushed faintly, and she quickly turned her gaze away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I heard you have many papers to check,” she said, attempting to redirect the conversation.

Daehwan nodded as he balanced a file and bag in one hand, using the other to open a slim spectacles case. He slid the glasses onto his face, adjusting them with practiced ease. The addition only seemed to amplify his appeal. As the elevator door opened, he turned to her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Because the exams just got over. But I do have time for a date, Yuri Saeng—ah, I mean, Miss Yuri,” he said, winking at her before striding confidently toward the staffroom.

Yuri exhaled heavily, her heartbeat quickening. He is so flirty, honestly, she thought, though a smile tugged at her lips. Gathering herself, she jogged after him toward the staffroom. As she followed his confident stride, a warmth filled her chest. But this man… this is the person I’ll spend the rest of my life with, and I can’t wait for that.

Inside the staffroom, Yuri set her sling bag on the desk and began preparing her notes for the day. The bell soon rang, signaling the start of class. With her materials in hand, she entered the classroom, greeting her students with a smile.

The lesson on history began smoothly, her voice filling the room as she explained intricate details about the past. But midway through her lecture, her sharp eyes caught sight of a student in the last row. He wasn’t paying attention, his head tilted slightly as if lost in his own world.

“Hmm,” Yuri sighed, resting her hands on the wooden podium at the front of the class. Her gaze sharpened, but there was a playful glint in her eyes. “Well then. What did I just say, Mister Kim?”

The boy in the last row froze, his face turning a shade of pink as the rest of the class erupted into laughter. He stood slowly, scratching the back of his head. His tousled hair and slightly disheveled uniform gave him a carefree, rebellious charm. His bright eyes darted nervously around the room, and he flashed a sheepish grin.

“I agree with everything you said,” he stammered, his voice barely audible.

The class exploded into laughter once again, the infectious humor spreading even to Yuri. She chuckled softly, trying to maintain her composure as she looked at him.

“Uh-huh,” she said, arching an eyebrow. “And what exactly do you agree with, Mister Kim?”

The boy’s blush deepened as he laughed at himself as well, and he quickly looked down at his desk, unable to meet her gaze. The laughter around him grew louder, and Yuri let it linger for a moment before gesturing for him to sit down.

“It’s alright, take a seat,” she said, her voice warm and patient.

As the class settled, Yuri resumed her lesson, seamlessly blending knowledge with her natural charisma. The students remained engaged, their earlier laughter brightening the atmosphere of the room.

Though she carried on with her teaching, a small smile lingered on her face. Moments like these reminded her of why she loved her job.