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Teacher |mattwoong

In a quiet town nestled between rolling green hills and a winding river, a new teacher named Jiwoong had just arrived at Maplewood High School. Fresh out of college, Jiwoong was eager to start his teaching career, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and an infectious passion for literature. He had a gentle demeanor and a unique ability to connect with his students, yet he felt a nervous excitement every morning as he walked into his new classroom.

Among his students was a boy named Matthew. At seventeen, Matthew was bright but struggled with English—a subject Jiwoong had come to love. With tousled brown hair and an earnest expression, he often sat at the back of the class, doodling in his notebook instead of engaging in the lessons. Jiwoong noticed this almost immediately and resolved to help him.

After class one day, Jiwoong approached Matthew, his heart racing. "Hey, Matthew," he said with a soft smile, "I noticed you seem to have a difficult time with the material. Would you be open to some extra tutoring sessions? I'd love to help you improve."

Matthew looked up, surprised but grateful. "Yeah, that would be great, Mr. Jiwoong. I really want to do better."

Their tutoring sessions began the following week in Jiwoong’s classroom after school hours. At first, they were a bit awkward. Jiwoong would meticulously explain the nuances of Shakespeare or Hemingway, while Matthew often fidgeted, struggling to absorb the information. But as the days turned into weeks, their dynamic started to change. Matthew grew more engaged under Jiwoong’s guidance, and Jiwoong found himself increasingly inspired by Matthew's determination to learn.

One rainy afternoon, as they sat together in the dim light of the classroom, the atmosphere shifted. Matthew had finally grasped a challenging concept and jumped up, his eyes bright and his laughter filling the room. Jiwoong couldn't help but smile widely, his heart swelling with pride and an unintentional warmth that enveloped the space between them.

"See? You get it!" Jiwoong exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. "I knew you could do it!"

Matthew, flushed with adrenaline and happiness, glanced at Jiwoong, his smile fading slightly into something more contemplative. “Thanks for believing in me,” he said, his voice a bit softer, as if sharing a secret. "You make it fun to learn."

Jiwoong felt a flutter in his chest at the sincerity in Matthew’s eyes. He knew there were lines that shouldn’t be crossed, that the relationship between teacher and student was charged with ethics and the weight of responsibility, but an undeniable bond was forming between them.

As the weeks rolled on, their afternoons together became not just about literature but also personal stories. They shared their dreams and fears, laughter echoing off the classroom walls. Matthew spoke of his aspirations to become a writer, while Jiwoong shared tales from his own journey, how he too had struggled to find his voice.

Yet, as they grew closer, the nagging voice of caution echoed in Jiwoong's mind. Love between a teacher and a student was fraught with complications and societal judgments. He tried to suppress his feelings, pushing them deep down, but it was becoming increasingly more difficult.

One evening, after a particularly engrossing discussion about a challenging novel, they found themselves lingering in the classroom long past the scheduled time. The school was silent, the faint sound of raindrops pattering against the window filling the void. Matthew looked at Jiwoong with an intensity that made Jiwoong’s heart race.

“Can I ask you something?” Matthew’s voice broke the silence, thick with emotion.

“Of course,” Jiwoong replied, unsure of where this was heading.

“Do you ever feel like… like we have a connection? Like it’s more than just teacher and student?” Matthew leaned in closer, his eyes searching Jiwoong's.