2: How Could I Forget?

"I'm worried," Rie told Cecil as they entered the break room.

"Me too. If this continues, it might affect Mayi more. Jun has been staying in our office every day since he arrived! Mayi can't even focus. Heck, I can't even focus with him around. He even brings paper works in our office to ask Mayi's help." Cecil said as she drank her coffee.

"Mayi might be struggling right now. What can we do to help her? Jun is now a manager, he is no longer our student." Rei replied as she sipped her coffee.

These two were the department's mothers. They have a backup plan for everything and they protect their department. They weren't impressed with what Mayi did last year but they forgave her because she accepted her mistake and even took a break from school for two quarters after the incident. Since that day they were constantly looking out for her and the others because they were afraid something similar would happen.

Jun's arrival was something they never anticipated. It's been four days since his arrival. It seems pretty normal on the outside but within the walls of the office... well... it's a different story.

Every day felt like a year for Mayi. She can't focus because Jun kept staying in the office what annoys her most is that he sits right in front of her. It's like he is deliberately making it difficult for Mayi!!

Mayi seemed unfazed on the outside but her heart kept throbbing like it was going to explode. She maintained a quiet demeanor, which was weird for the department because she's usually loud and annoying.

Her sudden silence IS now annoying the department. It is so not her!!!

"Mayi! New schedule is up." Rie said as she gave her a copy.

Mayi was confused about it but she still looked at the schedule. Her eyes looked at the paper Rie gave to her. They gave her a bunch of classes. She looked at Rie and looked at the schedule. She knew they were trying to keep her busy but at the same time to keep Jun away from her. But, is this schedule really enough? Jun was just there scrolling through his phone.

"Liberal Arts department is full. You'll handle those students for this quarter. They are the Idol-Trainee... their agency asked that all their classes be in a group. Don't kill them okay?" Rie said. They both laughed at Rie's joke.

"Okay. Can I push back the deadline of my books then?" Mayi asked. Rie nodded her head in approval.

"Rie! Where's Mayi?" Cecil asked as she opened the door to the office.

"Mayi... I'm sorry. I tried to do everything that I can but it seems...." she couldn't finish her sentence as she eyed on Jun who was sitting on the chair opposite Mayi.

"What?" Mayi asked. She has a bad feeling that it has something to do with Jun's request. She subconsciously looked at Jun who looked back and gave her that I-told-you-so smile.

"Here's the new schedule." she just handed her a paper with the schedule and saw that she has an office work until 6pm.

"There are two colors for the office? Why?" she asked Cecil who is now looking at Jun piercingly. Mayi's schedule was full of four hours of class and 5 hours office.

"White one is an office here, pink is for the manager's office," Cecil said as she patted Mayi's back. She looked back at the schedule and realized 3 office hours were in pink.

"Gapjjagi. Wae?!" she couldn't contain her shock.

"My request," Jun said plainly as he looked at Mayi. Mayi felt helpless. She couldn't stand staying in the same room with this guy and now she has to work with him too? Mayi felt ill and she rushed out the door.

She saw Jun stand up but Rie stopped him. She didn't know what happened next as she went to the smoking area.

She wanted to shout and cry but she stopped herself from doing so. This can't end the same way as last year. She told herself as she lit a cigarette.

"Oh, Teacher? You smoke?" a guy suddenly said behind her. She turned around and saw a familiar face. It was the guy who asked if she has a boyfriend.

"Yes, I smoke. Why?" she replied as she blankly looked away.

"Cool," he replied and lit a cigarette as well.

"I'm Lee Jung Min," he said to break the ice.

"Lee Mayi," Mayi replied plainly. It wasn't her real name, it's her school name. All of the teachers in their department use fake names for work. Her real name is Maria Yvonne Lee, she smiled at the thought that only a few people know her real name.

"Eh~~ You're Korean?" the guy asked... shocked.

"I'm half Korean." she just replied as she puffed her cigarette. The guy became more interested.

"Daebak!" He replied and looked at her. "So can you speak Hangul?"

Mayi shook her head. "I only know a few Korean words."

The two chatted for a few more minutes until Manager Ken approached them.

"Miss Mayi." Manager Ken said in enthusiasm. Jung Min went ahead as he saw the manager was holding heaps of papers.

"Manager Ken. What is it?" she asked.

"Can you help arrange the outing for the students this weekend?" It's open for all and we're planning to go to a resort." he replied. Judging by his tone, Mayi guessed that Manager Ken already knows that she'd be working with them starting next week.

"Have you told the Liberal Arts Department?" Mayi asked.

It was common that a department would handle its quarterly acquaintance party, this quarter was no different. Manager Ken nodded and handed her an itinerary and the roster for the weekend. Her name was there along with teachers and students.

"Okay, Let's go to the office so we can discuss this with the team." she casually said as they both went back to the office. From Jun's office, he can see how much she changed. He couldn't help but sigh.

Was it really my fault? He asked himself.

He vividly remembers everything from the time he met Mayi. How could he forget? She was after all the only person who saw through his mask.

He couldn't help but think that Mayi's actions towards him were unreasonable but can he really blame Mayi?

Meanwhile in the Liberal Arts Office...

"Mayi! Look at this photo!!!" Richard said as he pulled out a photo book from last year.

Mayi looked like she saw a ghost. It was their photo from last year. It seems her past kept on haunting her. They all looked at Richard who just smiled innocently. He wasn't there last year so he didn't know.

"He doesn't know guys. Let it go." Mayi said as she grabbed the photo book and stared at the photo. It was a group photo from last year. Jun and Mayi were in the middle with the rest of the department and the students surrounding them. Jun was carrying Mayi and they were smiling at each other. That was the happiest day of Mayi's life and also the beginning of her roller coaster ride.

Trans:

*Gapjjagi. Wae?! - Suddenly. Why?

*Daebak! - That's amazing!