In a distant land

Small Favors

I couldn't understand a word the teacher said , I joined Japanese classes thinking of learning something new . But I'm struggling , I shouldn't worry it's just the first day but they've taught alot to amateurs like me .

Iseul had taken English even Rosa, actually maximum students at school took that.

Those who didn't wanted to work extra hard chose Japanese because they knew it .

I was only toiling .

I was sitting next to Haneul , I only chose this seat because the rest all were strangers .

I tapped the pen on my desk to draw his attention but he was too absorbed in his novel .

I stepped on his shoe .

"Stop it" he scowled .

"Please tell me the answer for this" I pointed at the last question on my assignment.

He smirked "What I will get in return ?" .

I looked at him perplexed "What would you like?"

He leaned in closer I could smell his breath . It smelled like mint. It's the flavour of his vape.

"Hang out with me after school"

"Fine" Minji will spend her whole day with her family so I don't want to be an obtrusion to her .

"Cut out your whispering" Mr Han snarled .

"It's called The Rainbow stands as if you are here in a moment" he whispered the translation quietly .

' Thank you ' I mouthed .

I gave the assignment to the teacher and scored 2 out of 10 . What Haneul told was only right rest all were wrong . I felt like crying.

"It's okay you will do better next time it's just the first day" he seemed amused .

"You already know it all that's why you chose it , coward'" I scoffed .

He chuckled unaffected by my comment .

We walked to the school gate unsure where to go .

"Where are we going ?" I asked .

"Arcade" I saw Iseul standing alone scrolling through his phone .

"How about we take Iseul too , he doesn't seem to hang out with Rosa today ?" Haneul didn't answer me for a couple of minutes .

"Okay" he finally said .

"Iseul" I chimed , he faced me keeping his Phone in his bag ."wanna go to the arcade?"

He agreed and we all went together.

I and Iseul played table air hockey like Mad humans. We became so competitive that we couldn't stop for an hour . Until Haneul stopped us .

I was sweating so much , Haneul probably noticed so he passed me the juice can . Sealed .

"You bought it for yourself" I wiped the drops of sweat from face .
"You need it more than me" I took the can from hand and took some sips . I felt bad drinking it alone , but now I couldn't return it. It'll be embarrassing if he drank from the same can .

All of a sudden he took the can from my hand "let me have the rest" and chugged down the leftover liquid . My face was flushed from playing so much and I felt grateful because right now I would've been redder than a tomato. His lips touched the same spot where mine were .

I glanced at Iseul who was now calling me over to join him for electronic basketball .

I scurried away from him .