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[No one noticed] - [The Marias]

Iseul, still reeling from the shock of being stuck in this situation, was hit with another wave of surprise when she turned around to find Sunghoon standing there, his confused gaze locking onto hers.

"Oh, hi, Sunghoon," she greeted, her voice tinged with forced casualness.

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of disbelief and suspicion.

"What in the world are you doing here?"

"Uh, walking," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "I always take a walk here."

A pregnant silence stretched between them, the air thick with the weight of unspoken questions.

Finally, Sunghoon spoke, his voice quiet but pointed. "Did you follow me?"

Iseul's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her panic with a dismissive laugh. "Why would I? Am I a pervert?"

"Honestly, Iseul, I don't understand any of your actions. You're confusing."

"What's there to not understand? I took a walk to get some air and ended up here." She gave him a bright, almost proud smile, as if her story made perfect sense, even though she knew it didn't.

"You're a weird person, Iseul...Just tell me why you're here."

"Why are you here?"

He didn't answer right away, but his eyes narrowed as he shot back, "That's none of your business."

She gave a small, bitter laugh. "Yeah, exactly. None of my business. So enjoy your time in there with whoever's inside. It's really none of my concern."

Sunghoon's brow furrowed, clearly not buying it. "Now you're just bluffing."

Iseul took a step closer, her tone cold, the words coming out sharp like a blade. "Where'd those company rules go, huh? We follow them, but you don't? This isn't some private kingdom of yours, Sunghoon. You can't do whatever you want and have fun with whoever is in there."

"Have fun with who exactly?"

"Oh, you know exactly who. Don't make me say it."

The sudden sound of an old man's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "What's going on here?"

Iseul froze, her heart racing as she whipped her head toward the sound. Sunghoon's expression was unreadable, his gaze locking with hers in a way that made the air between them thick and heavy.

The old man shuffled into view, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. "Ah, Sunghoon, who is this young lady?" he asked, the casual tone carrying a note of curiosity.

Sunghoon's eyes flickered to the old man before returning to Iseul, his voice almost casual now. "This is Iseul, Professor."

A slow smile spread across Professor Choi's face, his eyes twinkling with recognition. "Ah, so you're the famous Iseul," he said warmly, extending a hand. "A pleasure to finally meet you."

Iseul's heart skipped a beat. The situation had shifted too fast, and now she was standing there, uncertain.

She bowed deeply, feeling the flush spread across her cheeks. "It's an honor, sir," she stammered, her voice catching in her throat.

Sunghoon glanced at her, his smile now genuine and light, as though the awkwardness of the moment was behind them. "This is my professor, Choi Sanghyun," he said, his voice easy.

Iseul's eyes widened as the name clicked in her mind. Professor Choi? The same one who had helped Sunghoon get into university? The one everyone spoke so highly of?

She turned to him again, this time offering a brighter, more confident smile, her earlier discomfort slipping away as she tried to regain her composure. "It's great to finally meet you, sir," she said, her voice steadier.

Just as she was about to step back, feeling the weight of the moment lift, Sunghoon surprised her again. "You're not going anywhere yet," he said, his voice soft but firm.

Iseul froze. Before she could speak, Professor Choi gave them both a knowing smile. "Sweetheart, you've only just arrived. Don't run off so soon. You know, you make a mean salad, don't you?

Iseul hesitated, her gaze flickering between Professor Choi and Sunghoon, uncertainty swirling in her chest.

Then, she caught Sunghoon's gaze. His smile was small but genuine, the kind that always made her heart skip a beat. There was something in it—something that pushed away the unease, something that silently urged her to stay.

With a soft sigh, Iseul nodded, the weight of her hesitation lifting slightly. She glanced at the professor one more time, before they all stepped into the house together.

Inside the kitchen, the soft clinking of utensils and the faint hum of idle chatter filled the air. Professor Choi was speaking animatedly, his hands moving in exaggerated gestures as he spoke, a faraway look in his eyes. "You know, it's something rare, this peace. Getting away from it all... the rush of life, the noise. It's like stepping into another world."

Iseul  managed a small, polite smile, but her gaze was distant. The tranquility of the moment felt almost too strange, like something she wasn't sure she could fully embrace.

Professor Choi continued, seemingly unaware of her internal tension, and nodded toward Sunghoon with a knowing smile. "That man," he said, his voice tinged with fondness, "he comes here every month, fills my fridge, and then leaves. Even though I tell him not to. Stubborn boy."

Iseul, let out a soft laugh, her voice light but lacking the usual sparkle. "That's Sunghoon for you. He's... compassionate."

"Compassionate?" Professor Choi raised an eyebrow, the humor in his voice cutting through the softness. "Compassionate, yes. But also sensitive." He paused, his tone shifting to something quieter, more personal. "When you two broke up, he was wrecked. Tormented. He wouldn't even leave the couch. It took days before I could get him to even sit up, let alone eat. He wasn't himself."

Iseul's stomach twisted, and she lowered her gaze, biting her lip. It was as if hearing it from someone else made it real again—the guilt, the regret. But what could she say? She had left. She had walked away, and now it was too late to explain why.

Unbeknownst to her, Sunghoon stood near the balcony, his figure almost invisible in the soft light. He wasn't saying anything, but his expression was unreadable as he listened to the conversation unfold.

Professor Choi's voice broke through her thoughts, his words more thoughtful now. "But you know, it was good for him. The breakup. It helped him grow, forced him to face things he couldn't avoid. If it weren't for you, I don't think he would be the man he is today."

Sunghoon let out a dry chuckle, though there was no real mirth in it. It sounded like something forced, the kind of sound you make when the weight of the past presses too heavily on your chest.

Professor Choi, sensing the shift in the air, nodded sagely. "They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Iseul's mind raced, her thoughts colliding. She didn't know what to say. There was a part of her that wished the past could stay buried, untouched. But then, there was this gnawing feeling—an urge to speak, to finally let it out.

Sighing, Iseul broke the silence, her voice barely a whisper. "It was hard for me too. But I couldn't tell anyone. Not even him."

The words hung in the air, heavy and raw. Professor Choi's gaze softened, his eyes filled with understanding. "Sweetheart, sometimes it's the hardest thing to admit, but you have to communicate. If you carry everything alone, everyone will think you're fine. They'll assume you're strong enough to handle it. And maybe you are... but you don't have to be."

Iseul blinked, surprised by the weight of his words. Her heart stuttered in her chest, something unfamiliar stirring inside her. She had spent so long hiding, pretending everything was fine. Had it really made her seem unbreakable? Was she the one who'd built this wall between them?

She let out a soft, almost amused laugh, trying to hide the emotions rising within her. "Sir, are you sure you're a physics professor? You're way too good at psychology."

Professor Choi chuckled warmly, and even Sunghoon let out a quiet laugh, the sound a little more genuine now.

Iseul finished tossing the salad, the fresh ingredients glistening under the kitchen lights. She glanced over at the counter, her mind momentarily distracted by the calm interaction with Professor Choi.

Sunghoon entered just as she was about to mix the dressing, his eyes lighting up when he saw her and the professor chatting. There was something softer in his smile as he watched them.

Professor Choi, ever perceptive, noticed the silent exchange and glanced between the two of them. He smirked, almost as if savoring a quiet joke only he knew, before picking up a plate and leaving the kitchen without a word.

Sunghoon's gaze lingered on Iseul, his smile still present, but his tone grew more thoughtful. "Do you need help with anything?"

Iseul hesitated for a split second before answering, her voice quieter than usual. "You... stayed here after the divorce?"

"Don't believe him. He likes to exaggerate things."

Iseul chuckled softly, but there was a tension in her chest, a mix of curiosity and guilt.

Sunghoon, sensing her discomfort, added, "Is there anything that needs to be carried?"

Her focus shifted back to the task at hand. "Yeah, the salad," she replied, her tone light as she gestured toward the large bowl.

Then their hands brushed the edge of the bowl at the same time, a jolt of electricity seemed to crackle in the air between them. They both froze, staring at each other for a moment, an unspoken tension hanging in the space.

Iseul quickly pulled her hand back, her breath catching slightly as she averted her gaze. Sunghoon did the same, his expression unreadable, though his eyes held a flicker of something, something neither of them was willing to name just yet.

Sunghoon cleared his throat and finally broke the silence, his voice gruff as he reached for the bowl once more. "I'll get it," he muttered, his movements a little too quick, as if he were trying to shake off the tension.

Iseul nodded, trying to steady herself, but her heart was beating faster than before.

The night had settled in, a soft cool breeze rustling through the leaves of the garden. The three of them sat in a relaxed circle, laughter filling the air.

Iseul's laugh rang out the loudest, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked at Sunghoon, who was squirming uncomfortably in his seat.

Professor Choi, clearly enjoying the moment, leaned forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Wait, wait, let me tell you about this," he said, his voice bubbling with amusement.

"No, please, professor," Sunghoon groaned, his hands rising in mock surrender.

"Don't interfere, Sunghoon!" Iseul retorted, her smile widening.

The professor continued, completely ignoring Sunghoon's protests. "He came running at me full speed, then hugged me and shouted, 'Professor, I'm getting married!' And just like that, he ruined my mysterious aura as a physics professor." He chuckled heartily, a genuine warmth in his voice.

Iseul burst out laughing, her hands covering her mouth as she tried to stifle the sound, but it was no use. Her eyes were crinkled with amusement. "I can't even imagine you, Sunghoon," she teased, still laughing.

Sunghoon, on the other hand, had his face buried in his hands, trying not to laugh himself. He could still vividly remember that day—embarrassing, but undeniably happy. His fingers twitched, betraying a small smile despite his best efforts to hide it.

"I was so excited... I couldn't hold it in," he admitted reluctantly, though his voice was tinted with affection for that moment, despite the embarrassment. "It was the happiest day of my life at that point."

Professor Choi nodded sagely, clearly enjoying the playful banter between them. "Ah, youth. Nothing like it."

Sunghoon shook his head, a light smirk tugging at his lips. "Thank you very much, sir, for exposing me," he muttered dryly, but the warmth in his eyes betrayed the lightheartedness of his words.

Professor Choi chuckled, completely unfazed. "Sunghoon, Iseul, is no stranger," he said, winking at her. "You know what they say: parting is also part of love."

At that, both Iseul and Sunghoon fell silent for a brief moment, as if the weight of the professor's words lingered in the air between them.

Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, everything else seemed to blur. Neither of them spoke, but the understanding passed quietly between them—an unspoken acknowledgment, a shared connection.

Their smiles remained, soft and genuine, as if the world had momentarily paused for them. The quiet lingered longer than usual, and neither felt the need to break it.

Sunghoon's teacher offered a polite smile as he stood, stretching slightly. "I'll leave you two to... whatever this is. It's late, and I need my rest. Feel free to lock up when you leave, Sunghoon."

Iseul barely acknowledged the man's departure, her focus entirely on Sunghoon, who hadn't stopped staring at her since she barged into the house.

Their eyes remained locked, a silent storm brewing between them, but it was Sunghoon who broke the trance first. He straightened up, his voice measured yet firm. "Iseul..."

She immediately turned her head away, her hands gripping the hem of her dress. "Leaving. I'm leaving," she interrupted sharply, standing up so abruptly that her chair scraped against the floor.

But Sunghoon was quicker. He rose to his feet in one swift motion, blocking her path with a commanding presence that left no room for argument. His voice dropped, low and unyielding. "No. That's not allowed. Sit down. We're going to talk."

She froze, her lips parted to retort, but no words came. Instead, she hesitated, her gaze flickering to the doorway as if gauging an escape.

"Iseul," he repeated, softer this time but no less resolute. "Sit."

Defeated by the weight of his tone, she exhaled sharply and dropped back into her chair, crossing her arms like a petulant child. "Fine. Talk."

Sunghoon brought his chair closer, the scraping sound unnervingly loud in the quiet. They were close now—too close. Iseul could feel the heat of his gaze as he leaned forward, staring directly into her face. His voice was firm, demanding honesty.

"Why'd you follow me? And don't lie."

Iseul's lips parted, but no sound came for a moment. She fidgeted with the strap of her bag before blurting out, "I thought of something, but it was wrong. My intuition failed me."

"What'd you think about?"

She avoided his eyes, crossing her arms defensively. "Something. And now it's over, okay? Don't push it."

Sunghoon sighed, the sound heavy and resigned. His shoulders relaxed slightly, though his eyes never left her. As the silence stretched, Iseul shivered, the chill of the evening seeping into her bones.

"Are you cold?" he asked, his voice dipping into something that sounded suspiciously like concern.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a jacket, fumbling slightly.

It wasn't just any jacket—it was the jacket, the one she'd taken from the hospital room days ago. The memory of that night, of sitting beside his bed holding his hand, flashed in her mind like a painful ache.

Sunghoon's heart sank as his eyes caught the familiar jacket in her hands. His voice was low, barely audible. "That... jacket. It was in the hospital..."

Iseul froze, her fingers tightening around the fabric. Her wide eyes darted to his face before she quickly looked away, staring at the floor like it might swallow her whole.

Sunghoon stepped closer, his tone more urgent. "Iseul, were you there?"

She didn't answer, her silence louder than any admission.

His jaw tightened, his voice trembling with restrained emotion. "Iseul, please. Tell me. Did you come to the hospital?"

Still, she said nothing. Her hands trembled slightly, gripping the jacket as though it could protect her from the confrontation.

"Iseul." This time, his voice broke, and the sound of it sent a chill down her spine.

Her lips parted, and finally, a strained whisper escaped. "Yes."

Sunghoon's shoulders stiffened, his expression unreadable as he searched her face for something—an explanation, a reason, anything to make sense of what she'd just admitted

"Iseul, you're driving me crazy," Sunghoon said, his voice tinged with frustration and something else—something deeper. He raked a hand through his hair, his eyes locked on hers. "Why would you hide something like this? I... I said so many things to you."

Iseul nodded nonchalantly, her lips curling into a defiant smirk, as if daring him to lose his temper further. She was needling him on purpose, and it worked.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you were holding hands! You looked at her... lovingly. Like she was your entire world, and I..."

Her voice cracked, and she looked away, biting her lip to keep her composure.

"And you?" Sunghoon interrupted, his tone sharper now, stepping closer as his eyes bore into hers. "You?"

Iseul exhaled sharply, her chest heaving as she stood abruptly, desperate to escape the suffocating tension in the room. She didn't even look at him—she couldn't—but as she turned to leave, Sunghoon's hand shot out, catching her wrist with firm resolve.

Her breath caught in her throat as he pulled her back. The space between them vanished in an instant, and she was suddenly aware of how close they were—his intense gaze boring into her, his grip steady yet gentle, holding her in place.

"You don't run away this time, Iseul," he said, his voice low but unwavering. There was a weight to his words, a determination that made her pulse quicken. "We'll talk."

Her eyes darted away, her lips pressing into a thin line. "About what?" she whispered, her voice unsteady, betraying the whirlwind of emotions raging inside her.

"About why you're doing this," Sunghoon demanded, his tone a mix of anguish and frustration. His brows furrowed, his dark eyes searching hers for answers. "All this—for what?"

Iseul flinched at the rawness in his voice, the vulnerability laced within it. She could see the hurt etched across his face, the faint tremor in his lips as he spoke.

"Why are you doing this to me?" he pressed, his voice softening but losing none of its intensity. "To the man you don't love, to the man you hate."

Her heart clenched at his words, her breath hitching in her chest. She tried to pull away, but his grip didn't falter. Her mind raced, every part of her screaming to run, to deny, to deflect—but his eyes were locked on hers, unrelenting, and she couldn't look away.

"Iseul," he said again, quieter this time, almost a plea. "Why?"

Her throat tightened, but she said nothing. How could she? The truth was too heavy, too tangled in the mess of emotions she had buried deep within her.

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can we abolish teachers from this world like forever?