Mark: “Donghyuck... please don’t.”
He tried to keep his voice steady, but inside, his heart was a messy thump-thump.

Hyuck: “Look, I’m sorry, but as far as I remember... you still loved me when you left high school.”
That casual delivery sent a small jolt through Mark’s chest. Like a spark caught on dry leaves.

Mark: “That was a long time ago.”
He fought the urge to glance at Hyuck’s face, to read the smile tugging at his lips.

Hyuck: “Ten years ago, yeah... I remember.”
Mark swallowed the sudden lump in his throat.

Mark: “Look. Just please focus.”
He tried to sound bossy, professional. It didn’t quite land.

Hyuck: “Yes, no problem. Were the songs you sent me the ones for the competition?”
His voice softened, eyes flicking up to Mark, alert and serious now.

Mark: “Yeah. Seniors and juniors.”
Mark’s fingers brushed the edge of the papers on his desk, feeling the weight of the moment more than the paper.

Hyuck: “Okay. You didn’t send me what I should be teaching.”
Mark: “Oh, don’t worry. It’s in the files on your desk. You don’t have any classes today, but you do have choir.”
A small smile cracked Hyuck’s lips.

Hyuck: “Okay, great.”

Mark: “Also, it’s Teachers Night on Friday. Since you’re a teacher now, you must come meet the other staff.”
Hyuck: “Uh... is it late?”

Mark raised an eyebrow, half amused.
Mark: “It’s Friday...”
Hyuck: “Well, yeah, but I need loads of sleep.”

Mark let out a breathless laugh.
Mark: “Don’t worry. No work on Saturdays.”

Hyuck: “Oh. Then okay.”

Mark: “It starts at 6 PM in the main office. Be there.”
He let the command hang for a beat, then added with a slight pout, “No excuses.”

Hyuck’s smile was so cute it nearly disarmed Mark.
Hyuck: “Sure thing.”

Mark cleared his throat.
Mark: “I have to leave now. Got a lot of work to do.”
Hyuck: “Go on. I don’t want to be the reason you don’t get work done.”

Mark laughed dryly, shaking his head.
Mark: “See you tomorrow.”
Hyuck: “Bye.”

---

-Thursday-

Taeyong: “Good morning, Minhyung.”
Mark: “Morning, Taeyong.”

Jeno: “Yo! Hey, what’s up?”
Mark: “Nothing much. Didn’t get much sleep, so I’m kinda tired.”

Jeno: “Just don’t do what you did last time, and you’re good.”
Taeyong: “Yeah. And don’t overwork yourself again.”

Mark raised his hands defensively.
Mark: “Jesus, what are you two? My mom?”
Taeyong: “Almost.”
Jeno: “You could say that.”

Taeyong: “How’s the new guy?”
Mark’s smile softened, eyes lighting up a little.
Mark: “Lee Donghyuck? He’s good. Yesterday, he just sat down and read through every file I sent him. Already got the lectures down, sent me his teaching plan. He told me how the choir accepted him right away, and that they taught him the songs well.”

Jeno: “Seems like we got ourselves a perfect catch.”
Mark: “I think we do.”

---

Later, a flurry of footsteps echoed in the hallway as Donghyuck burst through the school doors, cheeks flushed.

He dashed into his office, grabbed his folder, and sprinted toward the classroom—only to collide with a firm chest, sending him stumbling back. Papers scattered like startled birds.

Hyuck: “Shit. Sorry, I was in a hu—”
Mark: “Late on the first day, huh?”

Mark held out a steady hand, and Donghyuck took it quickly, bowing.

Hyuck: “Minhyung… I’m sorry. My alarm didn’t go off, I woke up an hour late. I got ready as fast as I could, drove here as fast as I could, ran to my office, grabbed everything—”
Mark: “Donghyuck. It’s okay.”

Mark crouched, gathering the scattered papers with deliberate calm.

Mark: “Don’t be like that. We need you here. Being a little late is better than not coming at all.”
His hands lingered a moment on Donghyuck’s shoulders, voice softening.

Hyuck: “Okay. Thank you.”

He smiled shyly, eyes flicking away when he noticed how close they were.

Mark: “So... are you coming tomorrow?”
He stepped back, clearing his throat.

Hyuck: “Yup. Already picked out my outfit. Can’t wait to meet the other teachers.”

Mark nodded, a genuine smile tugging at his lips.
Mark: “Great. Now go—don’t keep the students waiting.”

Hyuck: “Sure thing. Goodbye.”
Mark: “Bye.”

---

I miss this.