Three
아직 잠깐만 are you ready
Hold on, wait, are you ready
내가 신호를 주면
When I give you the sign
하나 둘 셋 세고 눈을 떠 봐
Count to three and open your eyes
뭣 때문에 내가 이러는지
I’m sure you’re curious
넌 궁금해 하지만
Why I’m doing this
아무 날도 아닌걸
But it’s not just any day
Like Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
너와 함께한 순간 내겐 always
Moments with you
매일 같이 특별했었으니까
Are always special
불어 봐 candle light candle light candle light baby
Blow on the candle light, candle light, candle light baby
함께해 준 모든 날 고맙다는 뜻이야
It means I’m thankful for all the days we spent together
이럴 땐 왠지 난 왠지 난 왠지 난 baby
At times like this, for some reason, baby
쑥스럽긴 하지만 널 사랑한단 뜻이야
I get shy but it means I love you
환하게 미소 진 눈부신 널 보니
When I see you brightly smiling and dazzling
Na na na na na na na
너와 나 영원히 해달란 소원이
My wish of us being together forever
다 이뤄질 것 같아
Seems like it will come true
마음속에 네가 있기에
Because you’re in my heart
자연스러워 내 멜로디
My melody is natural
너로 인해 가능해졌어 나의 꿈들이
My dreams were possible through you
이루고 싶어 전부 너와 함께
I want to fulfill them all with you
혼자가 아닌 이제 너와 같이 girl
I’m not alone, I’m with you girl
나 홀로 누군가가 필요할 때 나타나준 너
When I needed someone, you came to me
평범함 속에도 너의 소중함을 celebrate
Even in the ordinary, I celebrate your preciousness
촛불같이 놓여진 street 불빛들 마저 특별해
Streets shining with candles, even the lights are so special
늘 내 곁에 있어 줘
Always stay by my side
(NCT DREAM – Candle Light)
I loved the School Sports Week, even though it was my first time experiencing it. It meant there were no classes from Tuesday to Friday, all filled with sports competitions. I was the teacher representative, while Chungdae was the student representative. He was still allowed to participate in the competitions. Some sports such as running, volleyball, badminton, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, taekwondo, archery, and swimming could be played at school, but bowling would be held at the Bowling Center, which was located not too far from the school. Monday was the day to recap all the names of the competition participants. Chungdae and I sat on the soft carpeted gym floor with papers scattered in front of us.
"So, a maximum of three sports are allowed for each student, right?" I asked, needing reassurance.
"Yes. Here's our class data," Chungdae replied, looking serious, handing me a sheet of paper.
After that, Chungdae busily sorted through the other papers with a frown, while I examined our class data.
"Yeowoo just going to run? I thought she wanted to join the others?"
“She said she’s been having stomach cramps lately, so I guess her doctor told her not to.”
“Oh dear, we’re missing an athlete. So Joonki is playing volleyball, basketball, and… gymnastics? He can do gymnastics?” I asked, failing to hide my snort of amusement.
“Did Miss just laugh at Joonki?” Chungdae pointed triumphantly.
“That’s not it,” I laughed, “I was just surprised.”
“Yeowoo played a trick on him. Yeowoo wrote his name,” Chungdae said, finally laughing too, “but let it be, Miss, we need some entertainment.”
I laughed and checked the paper again, "Dongsun is in badminton, soccer, and taekwondo. Great, I think our class has a chance. Where's Hyeil enrolled?"
"Hyeil is in basketball, soccer, and badminton. And by the way, I'm in basketball, soccer, and taekwondo too! Miss didn't compliment me!"
I laughed heartily, "Yes, Heo Chungdae will lead Class 3B to victory in all the sports he competes in."
I continued the list of names, which was almost finished soon, typing furiously on my laptop.
"Miss, let's make a bet."
"YA, school doesn't teach you to bet, Chungdae."
"Come on, just this once, miss."
I sighed tiredly. It was my fault for giving Chungdae so much leeway, and it seemed he knew I'd grown weaker towards him lately.
"What do you want?" I asked with a long sigh.
"If I win all the competitions I join, will you go on a date with me?"
I slapped his head with a stack of papers.
“How dare you ask your teacher to date you!”
But he grinned broadly, “What was you thinking? I just meant to accompany me for the day.”
I must have overthought it. Okay, just for the day, right? That still sounded okay.
“Fine, if that’s really all you want.”
“I’m more motivated now and will absolutely win it all!” Chungdae exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.
This brat. It’s hard not to like him. But I have to be self-controlled. He’s my student. Remember that, Choeun, and don’t act foolishly.
***
Tuesday arrived, and that meant the preliminary rounds for each sport began. Chungdae and I had been walking together since morning, with me carrying a notebook and him commenting on everything. The first game was basketball, and during this sports week, middle and high school students would compete, while the elementary students would spectate. Class 3B faced Class 1A in a high school basketball match. I couldn't help but be nervous about the outcome. Besides being a homeroom teacher, I remembered my bet with Chungdae. He looked so enthusiastic on the court, even hitting three-pointers with ease. Although Class 1A put up a tough fight, our class advanced to the next round. I patted Joonki, Hyeil, and Chungdae's backs proudly.
"Good, very good!" I praised with a wide smile.
"Who are we facing in the next round, miss?" Joonki asked, glancing at my notes.
"Oh no. We're going up against 3A."
"We're going up against the neighboring class? This early?" Hyeil asked in disbelief, running a hand through his hair.
"They're strong, but I'm sure we'll win," Chungdae said after downing his drink.
“Oh, now we have to watch the bowling match!” I exclaimed.
“I’m coming!”
Many students were running towards the Bowling Center. When we arrived, Dongsun was already there.
“Miss, this is a big deal. Minjae can’t come because he’s sick today,” Dongsun reported.
“In urgent situations, players can be substituted. Who’s ready?” I asked, looking at the 3B students nearby.
Dongsun, Chungdae, Hyeil, and Joonki exchanged glances, and my three tall students pointed at Chungdae simultaneously.
“I’m not very good at bowling,” Chungdae complained.
“Just do it, the important thing is to do your best,” Hyeil coaxed.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
I reported to the panel of judges that our player had just been substituted. At that moment, Eunyul eonni tapped me on the shoulder.
"How many have we won?" she asked curiously.
"We're done with basketball. Our bowler suddenly got sick, so Chungdae replaced him," I replied curtly.
Eunni smiled knowingly when I mentioned Chungdae. I looked at her with narrowed eyes.
"Stop that, eonni. You know that's not allowed."
"Well, it's never wrong to fall in love."
"Except you fell in love with you-know-who," I said, rolling my eyes.
Chungdae had only struck out once, but his opponent from Class 2A seemed just as good as him. And I just realized that on the next line, Donghyun was playing against the Class 3C representative. Applause and cheers rang out. I glanced at the scoreboard and was stunned to see Donghyun had already struck out seven times in a row. I walked over to the line where he is playing.
"Wow, Donghyun. Wow."
"Ah, miss," he snapped shyly.
"So, your real talent is here?"
"No, miss, I only started playing last December."
I couldn't help but be stunned as Donghyun released the ball again, getting his eighth strike. Eunyul eonni nudged me.
"Do you want a video? I just recorded it in slow motion," she whispered, holding her phone out to me.
I glanced at her phone, my heart beating abnormally fast. Donghyun's calm face, and the hem of his jersey fluttering slightly as he released the ball, made him look incredibly handsome. It's worth noting that Donghyun doesn't always look this calm. Well, he's generally a bit of a goofball. But apparently, when he's exercising, he shows a different side of himself.
"Since when did he look so handsome? I mean, he looks even more handsome than usual," Eunyul complimented.
“I know, eonni. He’s really cool…”
“Miss, you didn’t see me compete!” Chungdae complained, suddenly walking towards us.
“Hyung! Won?” Donghyun asked.
“Won, though it wasn’t as easy as you did,” Chungdae complained.
“Let’s play together sometime,” Donghyun suggested.
“You guys can talk later. Hurry up, we have to get back to school!” I yelled at them both.
Class 3B advanced in all sports in the next round except gymnastics and archery. As expected, Joonki was only a laughingstock in gymnastics, while our representative in archery lost to Donghyun, whose score was also near perfect. I was also worried about the unusual enthusiasm Chungdae showed in soccer and taekwondo. I was worried about losing a bet with him and how Eunyul eonni would react if she found out about our bet. I hadn't told her yet, either intentionally or accidentally.
“Miss Baek.”
I just realized that Hyeil, the Student Committee president, was sitting next to me watching volleyball, the last match of the day. Chungdae was nowhere to be found; he had disappeared.
“Yes, Hyeil?”
“Actually, I was just curious. Who’s your favorite student?”
“Teachers are not allowed to have favorite students,” I snapped, laughing.
“Then, who is the most handsome student in your opinion, miss?”
“You really won’t stop asking, huh?”
“Come on, Miss, I just want to know. I’m graduating soon,” Hyeil said, flashing her charming smile, “your secret will be safe.”
I looked at her, “Oh, right. I’ll miss you, Hyeil.”
“And miss Chungdae, Dongsun, Joonki, and Yeowoo? Miss will be lonely without Chungdae and Joonki. And by the way, I’ll still visit the school often while Chinye is still studying here.”
“Okay then. I’m grateful.”
“And the order, miss?”
“Yeah, okay. I guess… Donghyun is first for me.”
“Oh wow. Yeah, who doesn’t like Donghyun? I think a lot of the teachers do.”
“Then I guess Dongsun.”
“I thought miss would choose me.”
“You’re third!”
“That’s good enough. And then?” Hyeil asked again, who usually didn’t chat this much.
Chungdae had just walked onto the field and would be coming over to us soon.
“Chungdae and Joonki.”
“Ah… yes, yes. Thank you for being honest with me, miss,” Hyeil whispered, then chuckled.
It felt strange that Hyeil suddenly asked me that. But I wasn’t being completely honest. There was no way Chungdae would be in fourth place for me. But he couldn’t just be in first place either. Ah, I don’t know, I was confused.
***
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