Chapter 29: Things Unseen

The scene I’d witnessed wasn’t a dream.

Gahee, with a gentle smile, continued.

During P.E., he’d paid extra attention to her form, brought her water or a towel, and gave off vibes like he was revealing his feelings when they were alone.

Considering all these small things—

“What do you think? Seems like he likes me, right?”

That’s the conclusion she’d reached.

Her story sounded plausible, but without seeing it myself, I’d have dismissed it as a misunderstanding.

What teacher in their right mind would do that?

But I’d seen them alone earlier.

And during P.E., he’d looked after her when she was by herself.

‘Could it be true?’

A teacher with feelings for a student?
Is he insane?

Or maybe it was just a teacher caring for a struggling kid.

Gahee wasn’t your average student.

‘Don’t jump to conclusions.’

“…I’m not sure. You certain?” I asked.

“Hm, just a gut feeling. It’s not common, right?”

She knew that much.

Suppressing unease, I asked a key question.

“What do you think of him? Do you like him?”

“You mean, as a guy?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well, he’s good-looking, and adults have more experience than us, right? Honestly, I don’t see guys our age as men.”

She seemed interested too.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I said.

“Lu-chan?” Gahee gave a wry smile, seeing my serious face.

Her self-deprecating laugh, mature beyond her years, made me realize I’d misjudged.

Teacher-student romance stories often paint the minor as naive.

I’d assumed Gahee fit that mold.

But she wasn’t just some delinquent, nor foolish.

“I don’t have a dad,” she said.

“What?”

I expected a sad story, but anger flared in her voice.

“He was a lunatic. Drunk all the time, hitting us… Mom took more to protect me.”

“…”

“He blew all our money, lost the house. We were nearly on the streets. Mom couldn’t take it, so she fled with me. For my sake, she worked day and night, wrecked her health… but it’s better now.”

Her calm recounting of her family’s hardship left me speechless.

I recalled her coming back from a late job.

‘Thought she needed money.’

I was right, but not for fun—for survival.

No choice but to work until exhausted; it was that or starve.

“I can earn money. Multiple jobs cover enough to get by… Honestly, I’d rather drop out. School teaches nothing useful.”

“…”

“But Mom doesn’t want that. And who respects a middle school dropout?”

My own family history wasn’t great, but hers was darker.

I admired her endurance as a young girl.

Her calm face seemed almost detached, but she was still a teenager.

Dyeing her hair, avoiding friends, always checking her mirror.

‘So she thinks Han Siha’s a good choice.’

As pretty as she was, she’d never dated.

Working after school left no time for it.

Especially with peers.

But Han Siha was an adult.

More stable than students, financially and emotionally.

She likely thought he’d understand her struggles.

“…Anyway, yeah. First time I’ve told anyone. Guess I trust you, Lu-chan.”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“Good. And the Han Siha thing… don’t worry. Just talking. No way he’d like someone like me.”

“Probably just being nice ‘cause he pities me,” she muttered, standing up.

I lingered to give her space, descending the stairs later.

‘What do I do?’

Nothing was certain.

But if Han Siha’s feelings were real, Gahee might not refuse.

Should I stop it?

“Mr. Han Siha, here’s our class’s stuff.”

I brought a stack of printed papers to the staff room.

Usually Hwaseo’s job as class rep, but I volunteered this time.

“Oh, Haru? Rare to see you here,” Siha said.

“I’m the vice-rep.”

“Right, right. How’s studying going?”

I was here to observe him.

Gahee was my friend, and I’d heard her story.

As an adult, I couldn’t ignore it.

No one helped me in my past life’s struggles, but I wouldn’t let her down.

I hoped she wouldn’t get hurt.

To ensure that, I needed to gauge Siha’s character.

‘If he really likes Gahee and he’s decent…’

I’d stay silent.

If they both wanted it, who was I to interfere?

Their outcome was their own.

After some small talk, he asked, “You’re close with Gahee, right?”

“Huh?”

“Saw you together a lot. Wanted to thank you. She’s often alone, so I was worried.”

His bright smile and gentle tone seemed genuine.

His warm, caring voice wasn’t something a student could mimic.

Is this what wins girls over?

‘Am I overthinking?’

He seemed like a good guy.

His words were all concern for Gahee and praise for me.

Apparently, I had a good rep in the staff room—probably just adult flattery.

“Need to grab materials. Wanna come?” he asked.

After skimming my papers, he asked me to fetch class materials from the storage shed.

Since I was here, I nodded.

“By the way,” he said.

“Yes?”

“You being close to Gahee… is it out of pure intentions?”

In the shed, alone, his sudden question made me frown.

“You know about Gahee’s family situation, right?”

“…So?”

“I know yours is tough too.”

His eyes softened with pity.

A ghost has no family.

Early on, I’d claimed my parents died when I was young to avoid suspicion.

“If you’re close to Gahee out of sympathy or shared pain, you might want to rethink it. It’ll only hurt you both.”

He was talking about that.

“It’s not like that, don’t worry,” I said.

“Good to hear. Haha, did I overstep?”

I almost said yes but held back.

His warm tone and expression returned.

“Must’ve been tough. I can’t imagine your pain.”

“To rise above that and grow so well… and excel in studies? That’s effort.”

“No matter what anyone says…”

His comforting words about my fake past didn’t move me, but his tone and face were captivating.

Enough to sway any wounded girl—like a struggling blonde high schooler.

“If you’re struggling, tell me. I’m on your side.”

Then he placed his hand on my head.

Smack!

I swatted it away reflexively.

“…”

“…”

“…Oh, upset you, huh? Sorry.”

I hadn’t meant to react so harshly.

For a moment, his eyes seemed cold, but they returned to normal.

‘Physical contact with a guy? Hard pass.’

One thing was clear: a man with a crush wouldn’t act like this.

So, Gahee was mistaken?

– Urgent. Come to the clubroom now.

Checking Kishin’s late text, I hurried over.

In the dim clubroom, he sat alone, hands clasped, looking grave.

Click!

“Setting the mood solo?” I teased, turning on the light.

“Oh, forgot the light.”

“What’s up? Couldn’t text it?”

“Needed to show you in person.”

On the desk were photos and the camera I’d returned.

He slid one toward me.

“This is…!”

“You took it, right? Don’t know when or why, but… something’s in it we can’t ignore.”

Gahee and Han Siha together.

A potentially scandalous scene, but that wasn’t the issue.

“Gahee might be in danger.”

A black, inhuman hand rested on her shoulder in the photo.