PARADOXICAL

"I Volunteer"

"And that, students, is how DNA replication occurs," Mrs Kourt said taking off her glasses as she prepared to end the lesson. "Any questions on that... or cell in general?"

The class murmured their no. She batted her brows unbothered. "If y'all insist. Class representative, remember to report the assignment prepared by each group on Monday to my desk."

He nodded.

"Good. And let's be reminded also that I have been gracious enough to let you all do group works. Most of you really do not participate in them and still earn free marks, so this will be the last. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am!" They chorused. Some grumbled at the idea of solo works again.

She glitched a smile. "Great! That'll be all then--"

The school closing bell rang just before she could finish. All the student took to its call, not wanting to hear the rest she had to say. She sighed as she packed her things.

Huffing as he plopped in his chair doodling over his note, she turned just in time to realise he was remaining after all the students were gone.

She cocked her brows. "Mr Park?" She asked tilting as if to see what he was doodling. "Park?"

She had no response. She rolled her eyes and trotted to him. "Jimin park!"

He jerked in his spot. "Ma'am!" He hitched out as if.

She pursed her lips in a frown and rested on a foot. "Do you mind explaining how DNA replication occurs?" She scowled as she motioned to the marker board. "A pen is lying on the front desk. Go write it out."

Confusion set before him. He looked around the class. Not a single soul in sight, just the two of them.

He cleared his throat unsurely. "Ma... i-i... It's closing time."

She shrugged. "I realise. But it's clear you didn't. And if you didn't even pay attention to the closing bell, it only means you didn't pay attention in my class." She pointed to the board. "Go write it out."

He swallowed as a thought hit him, suddenly checking his watch and starting to pack his writing materials into his backpack hurriedly, standing to his feet.

"Mrs Kourt, I really would love to do that, but I have a job to hunt and hope I catch it the rest of the weekend," he said in the most soothing yet quickest manner. "I have to get going, ma'am," he swung his backpack over, going past her and dashing out the door completely.

~~~

He was lucky to meet the bus. He hurried in squeezing through, maintaining the slightest comfortable position which was barely.

After a while, it stopped and he came down along with some others.

There was a coffee shop across the street. That'd have been it, the hunt he spoke earlier about.  He crossed to the side, stoping right in front of the shop inhaling, before going in.

It was a 'push in' door, and the interior was quite cottage vibe. He went up to the counter.

"Hi good afternoon," he greeted politely.

The lady at the counter wore a black T-shirt and pants, with the words 'coffee shop' printed on the upper left side, matching well with her clean bun.

"What coffee would you like sir?"

"Oh no, I'm here for the interview," he raised the wrist where the watch rested. "Scheduled for 4pm. This is 3:15."

She recalled. "Oh! Right. Take a sit, I'll go inform the manager of your arrival so he'll call you when it's time exactly."

He nodded with a smile. "Thank you."

Jimin took a sit on the far end of the shop closest to the wall. Although the shop wasn't that big enough, it was spacious enough to look so.

Staring at the aesthetics of the whole place, a man came up to him, sitting before even offered the chance to. The shop was empty - not that it was full when he first stepped in, but he had just realised that thanks to the man's presence. He didn't seem to pay attention much.

His eyes curled to the side in a questioning look, tilting his head making it even more obvious.

The man smiled unbothered. "I understand," then he shrugged. "Ready for the interview?"

Jimin blinked as he heard him, bowing in his sit immediately. "Yes. I am," he said smiling. "I'm Jimin Park..."

"I know you are."

He pressed his lips shyly. "Of course."

The man twitched. "Let's begin right away. What have you as experience? Either as an assistant or sales person?" He asked, plopping back in his chair quietly folding his arms.

Jimin had the intent to speak, but he didn't seem comfortable. So he asked instead. "I thought the interview would be held in your office."

"You fail there or here changes nothing." He said plainly.

Jimin laughed wearily. "I do not plan to fail though--"

"Good. Cause I have a better offer you can never," he looked the shop over. "But this one?" He looked at him again. "I cannot guarantee you'd pass," he finished mater of facts.

Jimin wore a puzzled look. "I do not understand."

The man smiled satisfactorily. "I said I do, remember?"

"Sir--"

"You do not need an interview for it. You just need to volunteer, and if you're fit for the job, we'd pay you ten thousand."

His eyes widened. "Ten? For real?"

He nodded.

He swallowed. "What job is it?"

The man smiled again. This time, shipishly. "Are you volunteering already?"

"Don't I have to know first what the--"

"Do you most care about that or the pay? I'm not asking you to pay a dime for Kuwait in return."

Jimin needed the money at least, even though he wasn't sure what the service was that he had to render. 'Who cares'

"I volunteer."

This time the man's smile pulled to a full smirk. "124 Talks street. Tomorrow night, 8pm. Be early... like you were today."