Chapter 6

0006 / 0419 ———————————————-

1-3. Bully?

In the afternoon, when classes had resumed, Kang Chan was sitting inside the counseling room with Mr. Seok Gang-ho.

"Damn."

Seok Gang-ho subtly checked Kang Chan's sigh.

"Do you have a cigarette?"

"We can't smoke in the counseling room…."

"Damn!"

"Yes."

"Don't speak so informally."

Seok Gang-ho raised his square jaw, but when he saw Kang Chan's fierce gaze, he swallowed and averted his eyes.

This is driving me crazy.

Should I say that Daeryeol is Seok Gang-ho, or that Seok Gang-ho is Daeryeol's reincarnation?

Anyway, that guy is this guy.

The timing is also similar.

While Kang Chan was in the hospital, Daeryeol was in his wife's arms, except for that. Thanks to that, he probably strolled through Hong Kong with his wife every night, which made Kang Chan feel a bit jealous.

"Feeling good?"

"What…?"

"Being in your wife's arms."

"Old age doesn't make much difference, but Eastern women have a unique charm. He said he has no regrets even if his wife dies."

"Damn, you bastard."

"Someone might hear us."

"Shut up."

Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Seok Gang-ho seemed eager to change the topic.

"Anyway, are you really going to drop out of school?"

"I said I'm going to France!"

"Are you going back to that hell?"

Kang Chan pursed his lips and tapped the table with his index finger.

"It's strange. There's definitely someone who's in cahoots, but unless we figure out why, the wrongfully dead will haunt me, and I can't just sit still."

"Let's go during the break."

Seok Gang-ho was rolling his eyes as he used to.

"In a month and a half, it will be the break. Let's go then. I'll be of help during the break."

"Are we going on a field trip?"

"What can I do? They might not accept me because of my age."

"You just stay here. You have a wife and a stable job, what's the problem?"

"Hmm."

Seok Gang-ho rubbed his head with his large hand, looking frustrated.

His age was a factor, but more importantly, he had grown attached to this place.

With his wife and children, this guy had already been captivated by what he had in this short time. After all, he had lived a lonely life.

"Do you remember Algerian?"

"Strangely, while he naturally spoke Korean, his Algerian was intact, which was quite confusing at first."

That makes sense.

"Let's go during the break. I was so frustrated, wanting to teach a few of them a lesson. If we deal with them, the timing will be just right."

Seok Gang-ho patted his chest a couple of times with his palm.

"The ones I saw today are part of a gang. There are also gangsters behind them, and they were already trying to get me."

Kang Chan chuckled.

"What? I'm serious."

"Shut up. Do you have nothing better to do than to deal with kids?"

"You saw them today. They're students in name only, but they act like neighborhood thugs. So, let's consider it a good deed and just do it until the break. What do you think?"

"You said you wanted to do it?"

"If I do it, as a teacher, I'll be charged with cruelty. I'd have to wear a mask. There are too many things that could get me in trouble."

Kang Chan tilted his head.

"Are you really Daeryeol?"

"Why? How else would I know about God of Blackfield?"

"But why do you look so different?"

"I don't want to go back to prison after being reborn. That's why."

That makes sense.

"Tsk."

"Will you help me?"

"Bring me a cigarette."

"Alright."

Seok Gang-ho got up with a relieved look on his face.

"A month?"

The duration wasn't really an issue.

It's not like he was going to fight with chicks.

As Kang Chan looked out the window of the counseling room, Seok Gang-ho returned and blocked the door with a sofa.

"The counseling room is a place where girls also come, so we can't lock the door."

"Oh, right! What about the girl I slapped? Did you handle it well?"

"Seems like she's going to a bar?"

"It does seem so."

"She's a regular, so there shouldn't be any big trouble. I sent the others to the hospital and explained the situation. With weapons involved, they can't make a big fuss. I told them I would testify, and they seem to want to settle it quietly."

Squeak.

Kang Chan silently lit a cigarette.

"Let's go during the break."

Seok Gang-ho's expression was so pitiful that Kang Chan couldn't refuse.

"If I don't get fired, let's do it. But I won't deal with the kids anymore."

In front of the disappointed Seok Gang-ho, Kang Chan exhaled a long puff of smoke.

***

Life doesn't always go as planned.

Seok Gang-ho's efforts were all in vain due to the hospital's report. Because of the many injured patients, the emergency room had to report it according to regulations.

This was the second time a patrol car had been dispatched to the school since Kang Chan came. Thanks to Seok Gang-ho's insistence and a written guarantee, Kang Chan was able to give his statement in the counseling room instead of being taken to the police station.

"What the hell are you doing?"

The police officer who finished taking the statement frowned, clearly annoyed. He understood that ten people had lured Kang Chan to the rooftop with weapons, but found it hard to believe what happened next.

He bitterly swallowed and looked at his colleague.

"Let's pass it to each other?"

"Then this guy will be in trouble. He has a lot of grievances."

"He might get hurt if we try to cover it up."

"Tsk."

Seok Gang-ho, who had been watching the situation, stepped in at that moment.

"We'll cover the medical expenses, and I, as a teacher, will take responsibility to prevent the victims from filing complaints. Please show some leniency."

"I understand your intentions, but people's minds can change. With so many injured students and their parents in a panic, my neck is on the line. What if they file complaints?"

"Who would want their child to be expelled? And as you can see from his school record, this boy was originally introverted and kind. He has delusional symptoms due to a month-long hospital stay. Didn't you have a teacher who helped you when you were in school?"

The two police officers exchanged glances and looked at the statement.

"It's a case of retaliatory assault, and since the injured are known bullies, they probably won't file complaints. If it becomes a problem, I'll resign from my position."

"That's not necessary, sir."

"How can I call myself a teacher if I abandon a student like this?"

Seok Gang-ho's jaw was clenched, and his cheeks twitched.

"Hmm. Can you really prevent them from filing complaints?"

"Chief?"

"I'll take responsibility. If the hospital hadn't reported it, nothing would have happened."

Despite the worried look from his subordinate, the police officer glared at Kang Chan with pursed lips.

"Can you promise not to do this again?"

Kang Chan bit his teeth to suppress a smile.

"Sure, man. Seeing you, I understand. Did you save me to get food and rice cakes? I'm sorry, right?"

"Yes."

It was more out of a sense of responsibility to Kang Dae-kyung and Yoo Hye-suk than a desire to attend school.

"Teacher, I'll go to the hospital and meet the victims. If they sign a waiver, we can consider it resolved. But please come up with a suitable excuse for the injuries."

"Thank you. I'll go to the hospital first and calm them down. Thank you very much."

"Teaching these days is tough, isn't it? Seeing you reminded me of the teachers who cared for me. I'm prepared to help, but please make sure there are no further issues."

The two police officers stood up, and Seok Gang-ho followed suit. The atmosphere was such that there was no other choice.

Kang Chan lowered his gaze and stood next to Seok Gang-ho.

"Hold it, kid. No matter who bullies you, remember the teacher's kindness and endure it. Got it?"

"Yes."

Kang Chan clenched his teeth again, imagining the police officers' reactions if they heard Seok Gang-ho's suggestion to beat up the bullies.

"I'll trust you, teacher. I'll go to the hospital in about two hours, and you must tell them it wasn't assault. If that doesn't work, I can't do anything."

"If they intended to report it, would they have waited for the hospital to contact us? Don't worry about that. Thank you."

"I'm the one who's grateful to have a teacher like you. Alright, then."

As the two police officers left, Kang Chan slumped into his seat.

Seok Gang-ho went to see them off and returned a moment later.

"Go to the classroom."

"For class?"

"I need to go to the hospital, and you've been here too long, haven't you?"

"Your speech is getting shorter?"

"Hmm. Considering my age, let's just let this slide."

Kang Chan chuckled. After all, Daeryeol was a year older than him. He didn't really mind the lack of formality.

Kang Chan had no choice but to head to the classroom.

The classroom was quiet as classes were in session.

Creak.

As he opened the door and entered, all eyes turned to him.

Lee Ho-joon quickly turned his startled face away.

Even the middle-aged female teacher couldn't say anything and was watching Kang Chan's reaction. He slowly took his seat and looked at the teacher.

"Ah, let's start the class."

The teacher resumed the lesson as if waking from a trance.

It was a Japanese class, and the content seemed to be about Tetsu asking the owner about the prices of udon and set meals in a snowy village, which he wouldn't eat anyway.

It was better than math, but he was still lost.

The class ended.

Squeak.

After the teacher hurriedly left, a male student in the front row stood up, and the sound of his chair drew everyone's attention.

The break was just as tense.

Kang Chan leaned back in his chair and sighed.

The students who went to the bathroom moved with the solemn and grand demeanor of monks.

At that moment, Lee Ho-joon approached Kang Chan.

When he gave a sharp look, the boy placed a can of juice and a bread on his desk.

Is he really rotten to the core?

Kang Chan looked at Lee Ho-joon with disbelief.

"After class, the first and second-year students will come to greet you."

Ignoring Kang Chan's gaze, the boy said what he wanted to say.

"Take this."

The startled Lee Ho-joon, intimidated by Kang Chan's gaze, took the juice and bread and returned to his seat. The tension in the classroom was palpable as everyone watched.

Kang Chan, feeling just as stifled, let out a small sigh.

Feeling the students' gazes, he turned around without thinking.

They were girls.

One of them was a familiar face.

Her left cheek was swollen.

"Hey! Kang Chan!"

The girl, completely ignoring Lee Ho-joon, stood next to him, flanked by three other girls with childish makeup, as if 'delinquent' was written on their foreheads.

"Can you spare some time after class?"

"Don't mess around and go."

"Hey!"

Squeak.

Kang Chan stood up and faced the girl. The smell of cosmetics hit him.

The students' bravado and Kang Chan's aura were completely different, so the girl could only look frustrated and couldn't speak.

The girl's gaze suddenly fell on Kang Chan's right hand, clearly afraid he might slap her.

This kind of thing happened in France too.

He had seen a girlfriend of a beaten boy approach with a metal ring hidden on her hand, and a girl who stuck a needle into her hair and took off her clothes.

If you show mercy, trouble will follow.

'Do I have to prevent any trouble here too?'

Seeing her in a school uniform made him feel strangely soft-hearted.

'This isn't a battlefield, after all.'

Maybe he could show some leniency?

But Kang Chan decided not to. He knew how much such girls could bully others.

He steeled his resolve.

If she says one more word….

But the girl, as if reading his mind, abruptly turned around. The three lackeys behind her looked at Kang Chan with disdain, but it was nothing serious.

'I'm tired.'

Kang Chan sighed and sat down, only to meet the eyes of Snow White with a watermelon chest.

It's a hassle.

He wanted to go to France, go through the procedures, and then go to Africa. He never thought he would miss the dust and bullets.

After another two hours of endurance, the class ended.

"Phew."

Just as Kang Chan let out a big sigh of relief, a dozen or so rowdy students burst into the classroom. They immediately lined up in three rows in front of Kang Chan and bowed to him one by one.

He wanted to cry.

Not only were such students attending school, but receiving such greetings was even more distressing.

"Get lost."

"Understood."

The students, like obedient dogs, gave the same bow and disappeared at his command.

He missed home.

Kang Chan quickly got up and slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Let's go together."

A cautious voice came from behind.

It was Snow White.

"Are you going home?"

The same direction?

Kang Chan said nothing. He thought she might be helpful since he didn't know how to use public transportation properly.

Kang Chan walked ahead, and Snow White with the watermelon chest followed.

As they were about to leave through the back door, the girl who had slapped him was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, glaring at him. The three girls behind her were roughly eyeing Snow White.

Kang Chan didn't care, but Snow White looked terrified.

"You're dead."

Kang Chan clearly heard the threat.

Snow White couldn't even lift her head and looked at the floor.

But it wasn't a problem for Kang Chan.

Why was the girl following him, he didn't know, but he couldn't just slap her for standing there.

As they went down the stairs, students who recognized Kang Chan quickly moved to the wall to make way. Some even pulled their friends who hadn't seen him to let him pass.

It's not like he had a contagious disease.

Kang Chan ignored them and went down the stairs.

As they exited the building, a long line of students was waiting by the playground.

"Are you going to the cram school?"

"Cram school?"

"Wallshang. You're not going, right?"

Is the cram school called Wallshang?

Walking towards the main gate, Snow White seemed to be more at ease. She clearly didn't notice Kang Chan's tense state.

"Yoon-sil seems to have a thing for you."

"Who's Yoon-sil?"

"Yoon-sil! The girl waiting in the hallway."

"Oh!"

"Be careful. She sleeps around with boys."

Is that something to be careful about?

'The French kids would faint.'

That was as far as his thoughts went.

Just as he turned to leave through the main gate, four bulky men in black suits were staring at him.

A student in a school uniform who had been standing next to the bulky men quickly disappeared into the crowd.

'This is worse than Africa.'

Kang Chan confirmed the black sedan parked on the street and looked at the four bulky men again.

"Hey, come here."

One of the bulky men, with a chubby face, raised his bent finger.

Kang Chan walked up to the bulky man.

Snow White couldn't move, and the surrounding students were gathered in a black mass.

The bulky man, annoyed, scanned the students and then looked at Kang Chan.

"Are you Kang Chan?"

"So what?"

"You damn punk."

The eyes of someone who had destroyed people before.

Gangs are careful….

'Wait! There are no guns in Korea.'

He felt much more at ease.

"Let's go somewhere nice, man. Get in the car."

The bulky man nodded towards the car.

"Tsk."

"Damn punk. Don't be annoying and get in the car."

Just as Kang Chan chuckled, a familiar scent of cosmetics wafted by.

"Brother!"

It was the girl named Yoon-sil.

If you don't clean up after yourself, trouble will follow.

Yoon-sil stood with her hips twisted in a strange way, one leg forward. It was a sign of confidence.

The bulky man nodded towards the car with his head.

"You, get in the car too!"

He then growled at Kang Chan.