Translator: Nox

Chapter 6

6. Live-in Tutor

Just thinking about it brought a bright smile to Naeun's face, vitality filling her features as she spoke enthusiastically about the children's indoor playground.

"Teacher Han, we can talk about that later..."

"No, I'll take care of it."

Gyeonghye asked again.

"Will that be enough to satisfy you?"

"Yes, more than enough. The kids will love it so much. Minho too. It just needs a little renovation."

"Then I'll have the work start tomorrow."

Gyeonghye handed her a business card.

"If you need any other help, contact me directly."

"Thank you. But I think the director and I can handle most things."

"Even personal matters are fine. Call me."

With that, Gyeonghye placed the card in Naeun's hand and left. The director grabbed Naeun's hand excitedly.

"Teacher Han, you've hit the jackpot. Do you know what that business card means? I haven't even gotten one yet."

"Pardon?"

"Anyway, more importantly, she said to call even for personal matters."

"I have no personal matters to call about. Besides, Minho is my student."

"You're so dense, Teacher Han. Either way, she'll be paying a lot more attention to our kindergarten now."

The director was thrilled beyond words.

"Teacher Han, want to grab dinner with me tonight?"

"No, not tonight."

"Then let's eat sometime soon, just us."

The director, who favored capable teachers with good credentials, now wanted to get close to Naeun—the very person the board chairwoman had visited personally and given her card to, despite ignoring her before.

"Yes, sure."

As Naeun finished her greeting and stepped out, she saw Jiho and Minho sitting side by side, stacking blocks. Jiho's tower was shaky, on the verge of collapse. He fiddled with the blocks carefully, his face full of dissatisfaction.

In contrast, Minho's was neatly and stably built. Stacked squarely from the bottom, layer by layer, it resembled a small castle.

"Wow, Minho, that's cool. Mine's like this."

Minho began building an identical block castle for Jiho, using his delicate, reed-like fingers to place each block precisely. His small hands gripped firmly, stacking with the careful precision of someone who knew exactly where each piece belonged.

The castle Minho made was sturdy and well-balanced, fitting perfectly in Jiho's hands. Jiho touched it gingerly and beamed. The tips of their small fingers held the pride of their creation.

"Thanks, Minho."

"It's okay."

To Naeun's eyes, Minho didn't speak much with the other kids, but he chatted casually with Jiho. She approached them.

"Minho and Jiho, time to wash hands and eat."

"Yes!"

Their responses matched perfectly. Why had selective mutism affected him? He spoke so well.

Two days later, the phone rang. The screen showed Minho's Uncle, Choi Kangwoo. Naeun stared at the ringing phone for a moment, swallowed hard, and tapped to answer.

-Hello. This is Minho's uncle, Choi Kangwoo.

His low, firm voice came through. Naeun's heart tensed slightly.

"Hello?"

Her ordinary greeting felt awkward to her own ears. His voice, in contrast, was steady and weighty, without a hint of fluctuation. She bit her lip briefly.

-Could we talk briefly after kindergarten?

Naeun sighed and nodded.

"Yes, about Minho, right?"

She replied calmly, as if she'd anticipated it.

-Yes.

Kangwoo's short response was followed by a brief silence. Yet she sensed he had more to say.

"Understood. Will you come to the kindergarten?"

Though she answered steadily, an inexplicable tension grew in her chest.

Kangwoo paused before continuing lowly.

-I'd prefer somewhere else, not the kindergarten.

"Pardon?"

Naeun was momentarily surprised, her words catching. Where else? She pondered if meeting a guardian outside was appropriate.

After a short silence, Kangwoo continued.

-It's not something to discuss publicly, so I apologize, but could you come to my office? Or I can go to a cafe nearby.

Naeun held her phone, thought briefly, and replied plainly.

"Office might be awkward. How about the cafe near our kindergarten?"

-Sounds good. Just tell me the location.

"I have to bring Jiho—is that okay?"

-Yes, bring Jiho.

"Understood."

Naeun ended the call. Even as she set the phone down, the subtle, awkward air lingered, stirring her faintly.

After work, Naeun took Jiho to the nearby cafe famous for its apple pie he loved. As they entered, Jiho bounced excitedly.

"Mommy, apple pie! Apple pie!"

"Yes, Jiho. I'll get you some. Let's eat."

Inside, a sophisticated man who seemed out of place in the small cafe sat waiting—Choi Kangwoo, of course. He looked more at ease here than at the kindergarten, though still in his sharp suit.

Naeun approached and greeted him.

"Hello. I'll go order."

"No, I'll do it."

As Kangwoo stood, his towering height struck her anew; she stepped back instinctively.

"No, I need to get Jiho's apple pie too. I'll order."

But Kangwoo didn't budge.

"That's why I'll handle it. Jiho, want to pick apple pie with Uncle?"

"Yes! Yay!"

Jiho took to the stranger easily. Because Mommy was there? Kangwoo glanced back as the child followed.

A tiny child barely reaching his thigh. How did kindergarten teachers manage daily classes with kids like this? He suddenly thought the small woman was remarkable.

Jiho happily ate his large slice of apple pie and soda. Watching Naeun tend to him, Kangwoo said,

"Please take a look at this."

Naeun skimmed the documents he handed over, her eyes widening as she murmured,

"Live-in tutor?"

She stared in shock, unable to hide her surprise.

"Yes. You can live there with your child."

Kangwoo continued calmly. His expression showed no flicker, but Naeun's eyes filled with doubt. She rested her hand on the menu, staring blankly at him before glancing at the papers.

<10 Million Won per Month.>

Her eyes widened further at the amount as she looked back at Kangwoo.

"What is this... 10 million a month?"

Disbelief colored her voice. Stunned and awkward, she pressed her lips before asking again.

Kangwoo nodded lightly, expressionless.

"Yes. We can pay more if you ask."

He added steadily to her shocked gaze.

"Please come live with us and be Minho's tutor. Help him learn to communicate with others while staying together."