Blind Hearts Unveiled|ZB1

7: Echoes of Connection

Matthew sat in the history class, his brows furrowed as he tried to make sense of the Korean words written on the chalkboard. Being a foreigner, understanding the language wasn't always easy for him, and history class seemed to present a particularly challenging combination of unfamiliar terms.

As the lesson went on, Jiwoong, the teacher, couldn't help but notice Matthew's struggle. He saw the thoughtful frown on the boy's face and how he hesitated before jotting down notes. When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the lesson, Jiwoong made his way over to Matthew's desk.

"Matthew," Jiwoong said softly, "could you stay back for a moment?"

Matthew looked up, a bit surprised by the request. "Sure, Mr. Jiwoong."

Once the classroom emptied out, Jiwoong leaned against the front desk, his expression kind. "I've noticed that you sometimes have a bit of trouble with Korean words during history class. Is that correct?"

Matthew's cheeks turned slightly pink, and he nodded. "Yeah, I mean, history has its own set of terminology, and sometimes it's hard to keep up."

Jiwoong smiled reassuringly. "I understand. Learning a new language can be tough, especially when dealing with specific subject matters. How about this? I'm willing to give you some extra help after school. We can work on understanding those terms together."

Matthew's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You'd do that?"

Jiwoong chuckled. "Of course. It's my job to ensure that all my students have the opportunity to learn and succeed. Besides, it's always great to see students who are determined to improve."

A genuine smile spread across Matthew's face. "Thank you, Mr. Jiwoong. I really appreciate it."

Jiwoong clapped Matthew on the shoulder. "Don't mention it. How about we meet twice a week, for about an hour each time? We'll focus on breaking down those complicated terms and understanding their context."

Matthew's gratitude was evident in his eyes. "That sounds fantastic. I can't thank you enough for doing this."

Jiwoong waved off his gratitude. "It's my pleasure. Just remember, learning a new language takes time and effort, but you're making the right steps."

As Matthew left the classroom with newfound optimism, he couldn't help but feel a growing admiration for his teacher. Not only did Jiwoong's willingness to help reassure him, but it also sparked a desire to succeed.

Gunwook stood in the hallway, his thoughts drifting lazily as he leaned against the wall. His mind was far away, lost in some daydream or another, when suddenly, a voice pulled him back to reality. He turned to find Taerae standing there, a friendly smile on his lips.

"Hey, Gunwook!" Taerae greeted, and Gunwook felt his heart skip a beat at the unexpected attention.

"U-uh, hey," Gunwook stammered, his usual composure faltering under Taerae's gaze.

Taerae's smile remained bright. "Sorry for surprising you. I just wanted to come over and say hi."

Gunwook managed to collect himself, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. "No worries. It's all good."

They fell into conversation, and Gunwook found himself becoming more and more at ease. Taerae's easygoing nature had a way of putting him in a comfort zone he wasn't used to.

As they talked, Taerae's eyes sparkled with excitement. "By the way, there's this great place on campus where I usually hang out. It's a quiet corner near the garden. Have you been there?"

Gunwook blinked, momentarily stunned by the question. "Uh, no, not really. I haven't explored the campus much."

Taerae's infectious enthusiasm had Gunwook's heart racing in a way he couldn't quite explain. As if reading his thoughts, Taerae grinned and said, "Come on, let's check out that spot now."