pavement ↠ kim sunwoo

four

"I can't work with him."

Hana didn't think Monday's could get much worse, but turns out they definitely could. Especially when her favourite teacher was spouting the last words she wanted to hear.

"Why not?" Mr Kang asked, motioning between the two sour looking faces. "Sunwoo doesn't seem to mind."

"I really do."

"Your differences, can't they be worked out?" Hana and the boy stayed silent. They didn't want to argue with their teacher, but they certainly didn't want this to happen. "It's been going on for years. There's no need for competitiveness when you're both so clever. Time to turn that rivalry into something great, am I right?"

"No." The two said in unison, looking at each other quickly.

"If you give me three good enough reasons," the teacher sighed. "Then I'll consider partnering you up with others."

Hana stalled for a moment, but for once the quiet boy spoke before her.

"She's a narcissist," Sunwoo didn't mumble like he usually did. This time, he was loud and clear. "She doesn't know when to shut up. She thinks she's better than me, and everyone for that matter. She wouldn't let me have a word in. Did I mention she's my friends girlfriend?"

Mr Kang stood awkwardly as Hana watched on. "No, you did not."

"Ah, well," the red haired boy continued. "That would be weird then, wouldn't it?"

"Not really?" The teacher squeaked, looking over to the girl now. He was evidently shocked that Sunwoo had even spoken this much. "Hana, not that I agree with any of that, but do you have any better reasons?"

"That was five, dumbass," Hana spat at the boy to her right. "No wonder I wouldn't let you get a word in, you can't even count properly-"

Mr Kang watched as the two began to bicker. He had always known the tension between the two was bitter, but to see them clashing heads so passionately, he realised maybe as a teacher there was nothing he could do about that. It seemed personal.

Except, he needed to do something. "Great, so you two are fine to work on political party sections together?"

Silence came over the classroom, but Hana wanted the last word this time. "Fine. As long as if he doesn't pull his weight I'm allowed to do this solo."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sunwoo looked baffled, watching as the girl already began to leave the classroom. "Ya! Answer me!"

Mr Kang watched as he chased the girl away, shaking his head. "Those kids."