CHAPTER 4

A Tough Encounter

Yn’s POV

The school day had ended, but for me, something heavier still lingered in the air—anxiety.

I stood in the hallway outside the staff corridor, heart pounding, palms sweating slightly as I stared at the door with the gold nameplate: “Prof. Jeon Jungkook – Mathematics.” His name looked sharp even in print, and for some reason, that made me even more nervous.

After mentally rehearsing what I might say at least ten times, I finally lifted my hand and knocked gently.

A cold, commanding voice responded from inside.“Come in.”

I pushed the door open and stepped inside the room. It was minimalist and tidy—books neatly stacked, files arranged in alphabetical order, and not a single paper out of place. Just like him.

He sat behind the desk, looking effortlessly composed. His expression was unreadable as he glanced up from the file he was reading.

“Hi, Mr. Jeon. I—”

“Sit,” he interrupted without looking at me, but this time… his voice was softer. It threw me off.

Confused, I sat down on the chair in front of his desk, my thoughts racing. Why did he call me here? Was it really about the class? Or… something else?

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize he had spoken again until I heard the sharp shift in his tone.

“Miss Yn, I said something.”

His voice had turned cold again—cutting through the silence like a blade.

“Y-Yes, Mr. Jeon. What did you—”

“I told you to sit,” he snapped.

I blinked in confusion. But I already am sitting…Still, I quickly straightened my posture and clasped my hands together to stop them from trembling.

He finally put the file down and looked directly at me.

“I’ve reviewed your previous term reports. You’re performing well in most subjects. However… Math is your weakest.”His tone softened for just a second, but his expression remained distant.

I swallowed hard. “Mr. Jeon, I know I’m struggling a bit… but I’m really trying my best.”

He leaned forward slightly.“What do you mean by ‘trying,’ Kim Yn? This is your third year. Do I need to remind you what that means?”

His voice wasn’t yelling—but the firmness, the disappointment—it stung worse than shouting.

I tried to keep calm. “Mr. Jeon, I’m trying and it's not even my fault, the—”

“Oh, so it’s mine now?” he snapped suddenly, cutting me off again. “Interesting. Because from where I stood, the one chatting in my class today wasn’t me.”

His words hit me like a slap. Guilt churned in my stomach, but I still tried to explain.

“I wasn’t trying to disrespect you… I was just—”

“Excuses,” he muttered coldly. “I don’t want to hear them. If you really want to succeed, then show me through results. Not careless behavior.”

Tears brimmed in my eyes before I could stop them. I blinked rapidly, but they fell anyway—silently sliding down my cheeks.

“I… I will try harder,” I whispered, my voice shaky.

His eyes briefly flickered with something I couldn’t decipher. He looked at me for a moment longer, then sighed softly, the tension in his shoulders easing.

“Are you taking any extra tuition?” he asked, and this time—his voice was gentle.

I shook my head, wiping away a tear quickly. “No.”

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.

“Then from tomorrow onward, stay after school. I’ll be giving you extra classes myself.”

I looked up, startled. “You… will?”

He nodded slowly. “You need guidance. And I’m not letting one of my students fall behind because of fear or laziness.”

Something about the way he said it wasn’t just harsh—it was… protective?

I lowered my gaze. “Okay, Mr. Jeon,” I said quietly.

He leaned back into his seat, the coldness slipping from his voice completely now.“You may go.”

I stood up, still unsure of what just happened. My legs felt a little shaky, but I bowed politely and walked out of his office.

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As I stepped into the corridor, the air felt lighter—but my heart still beat like a drum in my chest.

That… had been intense. He was cold, unpredictable, and intimidating. But he had also offered help when I didn’t even ask for it. Was he just being a strict teacher? Or was there something more beneath that guarded exterior?

Whatever it was—I knew one thing:

These extra classes were going to be the beginning of something…Something I wasn’t ready for.

But maybe, just maybe, it was something I needed.

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Author’s Note:

In the next chapter, Yn’s first extra class with Mr. Jeon begins—and the tension between them only grows. Will she be able to focus? Or will she see a new side of him?