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The second-grade whiteboard that day was filled with scribbles of math equations that had not yet been erased, but the children's focus was not there at all. The moment the dismissal bell rang, the flock of students—whose behavior resembled a bunch of super-busy ducklings—immediately gathered in the corner of the classroom to hatch a grand plan.
Their target today was Mr. Anxin.
Anxin was tidying up some assignment sheets at his desk when Sion, one of the cleverest students, walked over with intentionally heavy steps. His face was contorted as if he were carrying an urgent matter of national security.
"Um, Mr. Anxin..." Sion began, his eyes darting toward the outside door. "Tomorrow, Mr. Sangwon is holding a music concert for a school event, and... and they really need help right now. So, Mr. Sangwon asked me to tell you..."
Anxin paused his packing and looked at Sion with a raised eyebrow. "What kind of help? And why did he send the message through you?"
"...so that you could tell the other students!" Sion added quickly. He was a bit nervous under the direct gaze, but he remained resolute in executing the mission given by his classmates.
Anxin frowned. Standing at almost exactly the same height as Sangwon often made them look perfectly matched in many ways, including how the children viewed them as a well-suited pair. However, hearing this news, Anxin felt something was amiss.
"Mr. Sangwon didn't say anything to me," Anxin said, folding his arms across his chest. Just this afternoon, they had crossed paths in the staff room, and Sangwon had only greeted him with a brief, customary nod.
"Oh, that's because... the event is incredibly sudden, Mr.! I swear!" Riku assured from the back row with exaggerated hand gestures, backing up Sion’s lie. "They didn't have time to tell you themselves. And it looks like they really, really need help. Like, a lot, Mr."
In the corner of the classroom, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, and Sakuya nodded in unison like bobblehead car ornaments, supporting the scenario just to see their two teachers come together.
Anxin sighed. He knew this was an old tactic. He knew these kids were trying their hardest to play matchmaker between him and Sangwon—the music teacher who always managed to charm the entire school. Yet, hearing that Sangwon was reportedly in trouble stirred a strange flutter in Anxin's chest.
Trying to maintain his professional authority, Anxin straightened his shirt and put on the flattest expression possible. He restrained himself from looking flustered in front of his sharp-eyed students.
"Thank you, Sion," Anxin said, his voice laced with an assumed cool and calm tone.
But in reality? He was not cool at all.
The moment Sion turned around and walked back to his group with a victorious grin, Anxin panicked internally. His heart beat twice as fast. No time to tell him? Really needs help? Is there a problem with the concert? Are they short on instruments? Anxin's mind instantly raced through every possibility.
He wanted to run straight to the music hall, but his pride was as high as the heavens; he couldn't just walk over there alone without a clear reason. His eyes darted wildly around the room, searching for a way to save face.
Where did that flock of ducklings go?! Anxin screamed internally.
He needed them. He needed an excuse.
"Sion! Riku! Everyone, come here!" Anxin called out sharply, tapping the desk.
The flock of ducklings turned around in unison.
"Since you said Mr. Sangwon needs help for the other students too, all of you are coming with me to the music room now. We will help carry things or do whatever is needed. Come on, pack your bags quickly!" Anxin ordered. His voice pitched up an octave, trying to sound like a stern teacher leading a community service activity—when in truth, he was merely using the children as a shield so it wouldn't look too obvious that he was rushing to Sangwon.
Sakuya and Ryo exchanged glances, and wide smiles broke across their faces, along with Jaehee and Yushi. Their plan was a total success.
Upon arriving at the music hall, the door was half-open. Sangwon was standing near the piano, his back to the entrance, busy tuning an acoustic guitar. His broad, tall posture—almost identical to Anxin’s—made the combination of the two always catch people's attention whenever they stood side by side.
"Mr. Sangwon," Anxin called out, stepping inside first with the flock of ducklings trailing closely behind like a squad of bodyguards.
Sangwon turned around, looking a bit surprised to see the emergency delegation. "Oh? Mr. Anxin? What's going on?"
"Sion said you needed sudden help for tomorrow's concert," Anxin said directly, trying to control his breathing to sound casual. "So I brought the kids over to help with whatever we can."
Sangwon blinked once, then his gaze shifted toward Riku and Yushi, who were now pretending to be very busy inspecting a projector, while Jaehee, Sakuya, and Ryo adjusted the placement of some chairs with innocent faces.
As a fellow educator, Sangwon understood the situation instantly. There was no urgent need for help. This was a pure second-grade conspiracy.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Sangwon's lips. He set his guitar down and walked closer until the distance between them melted away, bringing their eyes to a perfect, horizontal alignment.
"Ah... yes, that's right," Sangwon replied. His tone was intentionally dramatic, playing along with the children's game while cornering Anxin, whose face was beginning to flush red. "It's incredibly sudden. I didn't know who else to ask for help besides you."
Anxin caught his breath, his ears suddenly burning hot. "Oh... I see. It's a good thing I was passing by... I mean, it's a good thing Sion told me."
Behind them, Sion nudged Ryo's arm while whispering excitedly, "See, he really does need help! Tomorrow we buy flowers, Ryo!"
Sangwon caught the whisper, but he chose to look deeper into Anxin's eyes, enjoying the adorable panic of the teacher who was usually so neat and composed. "Well then, since your flock of assistants is already here, could you help me arrange the sheet music on stage, Mr. Anxin?"
Anxin could only nod stiffly, letting himself drift into the scenario crafted by his own students. Meanwhile, in his heart, he promised himself to assign quite a few more math problems to Sion and friends tomorrow morning.
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Before the day Sion and his friends laid their trap in the music hall, the ship of Mr. Anxin and Mr. Sangwon did not just set sail overnight. It all began with the sharp observations of the second-graders, who were famously perceptive when it came to the interactions between their teachers. To the children, these two educators shared a highly unique dynamic: they always looked perfect together, rarely chatted excessively in public, yet possessed an extraordinary mutual understanding.
Here is the sequence of events that led the entire class to agree to become matchmakers for their two teachers:
Episode 1: The Height and the Library Bookshelf Incident
It all started on a Tuesday afternoon in the school library. The second-grade class was having a literacy session with Mr. Anxin. The quiet atmosphere of the library was suddenly disrupted by a small panic from Yushi and Sakuya. The two of them were trying to reach a large, illustrated dinosaur encyclopedia located on the very top shelf, where teacher reference books were kept.
Anxin, seeing his two students tip-toeing dangerously on a folding chair, immediately stepped forward. "Yushi, Sakuya, step down. It's dangerous," he scolded gently but firmly.
Anxin then stood in front of the shelf, trying to reach the book himself. However, the shelf proved to be mounted too high. Even with his tall and broad frame, he still had to stand on his toes and stretch his arm to the maximum. His fingertips could only graze the edge of the book cover, making him struggle a bit. Anxin's face began to flush, not just from the exertion, but because his pride was slightly wounded at failing to retrieve the book in front of his own students.
Just as Anxin was about to look for a small step stool, a tall shadow approached from behind. Without warning, a sturdy hand reached out from beside Anxin's head, easily grasping the spine of the thick encyclopedia and pulling it down.
It was Mr. Sangwon.
Because their heights were almost exactly the same—differing by only a centimeter or two—their standing positions at that moment were perfectly level and close. From the perspective of Jaehee and Riku watching from the reading table, Mr. Sangwon looked as though he were embracing Mr. Anxin from behind to reach the shelf.
"Here is the book," Sangwon said casually, handing the encyclopedia to a stunned Sakuya. Sangwon then turned to Anxin, looking directly into eyes that aligned perfectly with his own vision, and flashed a faint smile. "Next time, call me if you need help with a high shelf, Mr. Anxin. After all, we share the same height in this school."
Anxin coughed stiffly, turning his face away as it suddenly grew warm. "Thank you, Mr. Sangwon. I could have managed on my own, actually."
Since that day, in Sion’s little notebook, the first point was written: Mr. Anxin and Mr. Sangwon look perfect when standing side by side, like matching puzzle pieces.
Episode 2: The Crossed Melodies in Art Class
The second incident took place two weeks later, this time under Mr. Sangwon’s watch during music class. Sangwon was teaching the second-graders to recognize tone patterns using the pianica. In the middle of the lesson, a firm knock sounded at the classroom door. Mr. Anxin walked in carrying a stack of character assessment sheets that needed Sangwon’s signature that very day.
"Forgive the interruption to your class, Mr. Sangwon. I just need a quick signature for this week's report," Anxin said, walking toward the teacher's desk.
Sangwon nodded, picking up a pen, but his eyes remained on the children who were starting to get rowdy, playing their pianicas haphazardly. As Sangwon was signing the papers, Ryo intentionally played a wrong, discordant melody very loudly to draw attention.
Hearing the chaotic notes, somehow Mr. Anxin and Mr. Sangwon moved reflexively at the exact same second. Without speaking to each other, Anxin stepped toward Ryo's desk to adjust the child's finger placement on the pianica keys, while Sangwon immediately sang the correct solfège in his clear baritone voice to guide Ryo.
"Follow Mr. Sangwon's beat, Ryo. Press right here," Anxin guided, his fingers directing Ryo’s small hand.
The instant, uncommanded cooperation went incredibly smoothly. The two of them corrected a rowdy classroom with minimal interaction, as if they shared the same brainwaves. When the task was done, Sangwon looked at Anxin with a gleam of admiration he couldn't hide. "It turns out you have a talent for teaching music too, Mr. Anxin."
Anxin merely adjusted his glasses (or corrected his standing posture self-consciously) and replied, "I was only following your rhythm, Mr. Sangwon."
In the back row, Riku nudged Jaehee's arm. "Did you see that? They didn't even talk but they were instantly in sync. It's official, they have a telepathic connection," Riku whispered, which was immediately met with an enthusiastic nod from Jaehee.
Episode 3: The Blue Umbrella on a Rainy Day
The peak of all the children's suspicions—which sparked the birth of the Duckling Matchmaker Squad—occurred on a Friday afternoon when heavy rain drenched the school. The second-graders who hadn't been picked up yet were gathered in the front lobby, watching the downpour along with Mr. Anxin, who was on evening duty.
Shortly after, Mr. Sangwon walked out of the staff room, preparing to head home. He was carrying a large, dark blue umbrella. Reaching the lobby, Sangwon saw Anxin looking anxiously at the wall clock. Anxin had not brought an umbrella, and his motorcycle was parked quite far away in the outer gate area.
Sangwon stopped beside Anxin, letting their shoulder heights align once more. "No umbrella, Mr. Anxin?"
"Ah, yes. I forgot to check the weather forecast this morning," Anxin replied, a bit annoyed with himself.
Sangwon opened his blue umbrella, then turned to Anxin. "The parking area outside is pouring. Let's walk together to the gate. This umbrella is big enough for both of us."
Anxin hesitated for a moment. He looked toward his students sitting in a row on the lobby benches. Six pairs of eyes (Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, and Sakuya) stared at the two of them without blinking at all, as if they were watching a prime-time television drama.
Having no other choice and with the day growing late, Anxin finally nodded. "Alright, thank you."
As they stepped out into the rain, because they were of almost equal height, Sangwon had to hold the umbrella slightly higher so it wouldn't bump against Anxin's head. To ensure Anxin wouldn't get hit by the drops, Sangwon intentionally shifted the umbrella to lean more toward Anxin, leaving Sangwon's own left shoulder completely soaked by the rain. From behind, the children could clearly see how closely the two teachers walked side by side, mimicking the aesthetic of a romantic movie.
Sion immediately stood up from his bench, pointing outside with sparkling eyes. "Look! Mr. Sangwon is willing to get wet for Mr. Anxin! We can't let this slide, we have to help them get together!"
"Agreed!" Sakuya, Ryo, and the others cheered in unison.
Episode 4: The Mixed-Up Coffee Tragedy in the Staff Room
Two weeks after the umbrella incident, a mishap in the staff room triggered another secret uproar among the second-graders. That afternoon, Yushi and Jaehee were sent by their homeroom teacher to deliver coloring assignment books that had finished being graded. When they stepped inside, the staff room was quiet; only Mr. Anxin and Mr. Sangwon were sitting at their desks, which faced each other.
Anxin, who had just finished a exhausting student character evaluation session, let out a long sigh. Without looking ahead, his hand reached to the side of his desk, grabbed his black ceramic mug, and drank from it in one big gulp.
However, a second later, Anxin's eyes widened. He coughed softly. The thick, sweet taste of chocolate milk and caramel instantly coated his palate—even though he always drank black coffee without sugar.
Across the desk, Sangwon looked up, then glanced down at the white mug in his own hand that he was just about to sip from. "Ah... Mr. Anxin, it seems you've taken the wrong mug."
Anxin looked at the mug in his hand, then to the white mug Sangwon held. The colors of their mugs were indeed different, but because they were placed on the shared desk divider, a daydreaming Anxin had grabbed the wrong one. Anxin's face instantly turned crimson upon realizing he had just drunk someone else's beverage.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Sangwon! I wasn't concentrating. I'll make you a new one," Anxin said frantically, preparing to stand up.
However, Sangwon merely smiled casually. Without the slightest hesitation, Sangwon instead brought Anxin's black mug—which contained bitter black coffee—to his own lips and drank from it calmly.
"No need. Your black coffee is quite good too. And... since you've already drunk my chocolate, let's call it even," Sangwon said in his calm baritone, his eyes locked right onto Anxin’s eyes, which were level with his.
Yushi and Jaehee, who were standing frozen near the entrance, immediately nudged each other's ribs. Jaehee covered her mouth with both hands to keep from screaming.
In their secret report book that night, Jaehee wrote: Mr. Sangwon and Mr. Anxin have reached the stage where they don't mind sharing drinks (indirect kiss!). The matchmaking success rate has increased by 20%.
Episode 5: The Cultural Festival Costume "Drama"
The next incident occurred during the preparations for the School Cultural Festival. The second-grade class was assigned to perform a short operetta about a folklore tale. As the class teacher, Mr. Anxin was in charge of managing the children's costumes, while Mr. Sangwon handled the background music.
An hour before the show started, panic broke out in the dressing room. Sakuya, who was acting as the narrator, accidentally pulled the strap of his large cloak until it ripped and came undone. Sakuya began to tear up, afraid of ruining the performance.
Anxin immediately knelt in front of Sakuya, trying to fix the cloak with a safety pin, but the position was too difficult because the fabric was thick. In the middle of the panic, Sangwon walked into the dressing room to check on the audio readiness. Seeing the situation, Sangwon immediately approached.
"Let me help hold the fabric from the top, Mr. Anxin. You fix the safety pin from below," Sangwon suggested.
Because they had to work quickly in the cramped dressing room, Sangwon knelt down in front of Sakuya as well, right across from Anxin. Their matching build and height brought their faces into very close proximity as they both leaned down to look at Sakuya's cloak.
Every time Anxin moved to adjust the pin, his fingers accidentally brushed against the back of Sangwon's hand, which was holding the cloth. The fresh, masculine scent of Sangwon's cologne suddenly dominated Anxin's senses, causing him to misplace the pin a few times out of nervousness.
"Focus, Mr. Anxin. It's almost done," Sangwon whispered softly, his voice sounding incredibly close in front of Anxin's face. Sangwon gazed at Anxin with a small smile, as if he knew the teacher in front of him was holding his breath.
Sakuya, who was caught right between the two of them, could only glance left and right, observing how Mr. Anxin's face slowly turned the color of a ripe tomato. As soon as the show ended, Sakuya immediately ran to meet Sion and Riku behind the stage.
"Just now in the dressing room, Mr. Sangwon and Mr. Anxin were so close! I felt like a total third wheel between them!" Sakuya reported excitedly.
Episode 6: School Cleaning and the Left-Behind Diary
This incident happened during a Saturday school cleaning day. All the students and teachers worked together to tidy up the sports equipment storage room. Ryo and Riku, who were assigned to sweep the corner of the shed, accidentally found a leather-bound work agenda book belonging to Mr. Anxin left on top of a iron locker.
Just as Ryo was about to pick it up to return it, Mr. Sangwon suddenly appeared at the door of the shed.
"Oh, Ryo, Riku. What are you doing?" Sangwon asked.
"This, Mr. Sangwon. We found Mr. Anxin's notebook left on top of the locker," Riku replied while handing over the book.
Sangwon accepted the book, gently wiping the dust off the cover with his palm, as if the item were something incredibly precious. When Sangwon opened the first page just to confirm the owner, his eyes caught Anxin's neat handwriting. In the corner of that page, there was a small scribble of the second-grade music schedule, which had been intentionally marked with a large star by Anxin.
Sangwon stared at the star for quite a while, and then a very warm and genuine smile graced his face—the kind of smile he rarely showed in public.
"Thank you, kids. Let me return it directly to Mr. Anxin myself," Sangwon said in a voice that sounded incredibly soft, as if he had just won a prize.
Ryo and Riku exchanged glances. They realized one thing: Mr. Sangwon was not just playing along with their mischief, but Mr. Sangwon truly, deeply liked Mr. Anxin.
"Riku, this can't be delayed any longer," Ryo said seriously after Sangwon left. "Mr. Sangwon needs a little push. Both of them are too proud."
"Agreed. This coming Monday, we execute the emergency music concert plan," Riku replied with determination.
Episode 7: The Blackout at School
This event took place around the middle of the semester, long after the mixed-up coffee incident. That night, the school was already very quiet as the clock hands pointed to seven in the evening. Only two lights remained on in the office area: Mr. Anxin's desk, as he was chasing a deadline to input student cognitive learning reports, and Mr. Sangwon's desk, where he was busy composing a new song arrangement for the school choir.
Sion and Jaehee, who happened to return to school that night because Jaehee had left her favorite pencil case behind, sneaked along the dim outer corridor. However, just when the two of them managed to retrieve the pencil case and were about to head home, the entire school area suddenly plunged into total darkness. A complete power outage.
Inside the pitch-black room, the silence of the night instantly felt eerie. However, from behind the glass of the staff room, Sion and Jaehee held their breath when they heard a small sound of panic.
"Mr. Sangwon? Are you there? Don't move, let me look for a flashlight in the drawer," Anxin's voice sounded slightly shaky, trying to grope along the surface of his desk, which was now completely invisible.
"I'm here, Anxin. Don't worry, stay right where you are. There are many wires running near your feet, you might trip," Sangwon replied. His baritone voice sounded incredibly calm, acting as the sole comfort amid the darkness.
Through the remaining moonlight filtering in from the large window, Sion and Jaehee could see Sangwon's broad silhouette rise and step slowly through the dark—not toward the exit, but straight toward Anxin's desk. Their equal height made the silhouettes of the two men look perfectly matched when Sangwon finally reached Anxin's side.
"Mr. Sangwon—" Anxin's sentence cut off when he felt a warm, large hand gently clasp his wrist, guiding him to stand safely away from the tangle of cables under the desk.
"Hold my hand. We'll walk out together," Sangwon whispered. Their proximity was so close that Anxin could feel Sangwon's breath against the top of his head.
Anxin, who was usually so stern and independent, could only nod stiffly in the darkness, letting his fingers intertwine tightly with Sangwon's. They walked slowly side by side out of the room, passing the door where Sion and Jaehee were hiding with their backs pressed against the wall, holding back a squeal of delight that was about to explode.
The next day, Sion immediately gathered all the group members under a shady tree during recess. "Friends, last night I saw it with my own eyes! Mr. Sangwon led Mr. Anxin through the darkness like a prince! Their relationship is in a critical state; we must hatch a grand plan immediately!" Sion exclaimed passionately, which was met with determined nods from Yushi and Riku.
Episode 8: The Teacher Sports Competition and the Legendary Tug-of-War
One month before the plan in the music hall was executed, the school held its annual sports week, and this time there was a special session where the teachers had to compete against teachers from a neighboring school in a tug-of-war match. All the second-graders, led by Ryo and Sakuya carrying handmade posters, had already packed the sidelines to offer their loudest support.
Mr. Anxin and Mr. Sangwon were positioned at the very back of the rope as the team's main anchors because they possessed the tallest, sturdiest, and most balanced frames among the teaching staff. Anxin stood at the very back, while Sangwon stood right in front of him.
"Ready, Mr. Anxin? Hold the rope tight. When the whistle blows, lean your body back; I'll hold the anchor from the front," Sangwon instructed, turning his head slightly to give a look of absolute confidence, which Anxin answered with a firm nod.
As soon as the whistle blew, the match became incredibly fierce. The opposing team pulled the rope with full force, causing the teachers' team to be dragged forward a few centimeters. In that emergency, to maintain balance so the rope wouldn't slip, Sangwon was forced to step back, bringing his broad back to rest directly and tightly against Anxin's chest.
The positions of the two were now completely locked. Standing at almost exactly the same height, their shoulders moved in harmony to bear the weight of the rope. Anxin could feel Sangwon's heart thumping hard from the exertion of the pull, while Sangwon's muscular arms stretched right over Anxin's hands, which were also gripping the rope with veins bulging.
"One... two... PULL!" Sangwon shouted, giving the command.
With incredible synchronization—as if they were a single entity—Anxin and Sangwon threw their entire body weight backward at the exact same moment. The combined strength of the two second-grade teachers was so massive that the opposing team instantly collapsed and was dragged across the boundary line. The teachers' team won a landslide victory.
On the sidelines, the cheers of the second-graders erupted, but their focus was not on winning the match. Ryo, Sakuya, and Riku were jumping up and down hysterically because they saw how, after the winning whistle blew, Sangwon did not immediately step away. Instead, he turned around and spontaneously threw his arm around the shoulders of a panting Anxin, while Anxin reflexively laughed out loud while patting Sangwon's arm—a rare sight where the stiff Mr. Anxin could laugh so freely in public.
"Look at that! Physical contact in front of the whole school!" Ryo squealed, noting the event in his mind. "When those two work together, they are truly unstoppable. We must use this synergy to trap them!"
Episode 9: The Field Trip to the Botanical Gardens and Mission Shady Umbrella
The trigger that made the flock of second-grade ducklings realize they could no longer just stand by occurred during a field trip to the city's Botanical Gardens. The weather that day was scorching hot, searing the skin of anyone walking along the uncovered plant corridors. As the person in charge of the group, Mr. Anxin was busy walking to and fro, ensuring no child was left behind or picking the plants haphazardly.
Yushi and Riku noticed that since morning, Mr. Anxin hadn't had a chance to drink water because he was too busy managing the lines. Their teacher's face was beginning to look very pale, and his temples were drenched in sweat. When the group took a break under a large tree, Anxin seemed a bit unsteady as he went to sit on the curb.
Before Anxin could lose his balance, Mr. Sangwon, who had been watching from a distance, took wide strides and caught Anxin's elbow firmly.
"You're pushing yourself too hard, Mr. Anxin. Sit here," Sangwon said, his voice sounding very firm yet laced with a deep sense of worry. He guided Anxin to a shadier area.
Sangwon then knelt in front of Anxin, took a cold bottle of mineral water from his own bag, opened the cap, and handed it to Anxin. Not only that, seeing the sun begin to shift and shine directly onto Anxin's face, Sangwon patiently stood on the correct side, using his tall frame to block the sunlight, acting as a 'human umbrella' so Anxin would remain in the cool shade.
Anxin drank the water slowly, looking up at Sangwon who stood tall beside him with a genuine face, without complaining in the slightest even though Sangwon's own shoulder was now exposed to the heat of the sun. "Thank you, Mr. Sangwon... I'm sorry for always troubling you."
Sangwon looked down, gazing at Anxin with a very soft smile, the kind of smile that let anyone know he was willing to do anything for the man in front of him. "You never trouble me, Anxin."
Yushi, Riku, Jaehee, and Sakuya, who were sitting not far away, witnessed the entire scene from start to finish while pretending to chew their snacks at high speed because it was just too endearing.
That evening after returning from the field trip, an emergency meeting was held via the children's chat group. Sion, as the leader, declared, "Friends, Mr. Sangwon gave a very clear signal at the Botanical Gardens. They both care for each other but neither dares to confess first because of teacher pride. We, as their favorite students, are obligated to give the final push. This coming Monday in class, we begin Operation Music Concert!"
Episode 10: The Multimedia Room Key Incident and the Cabinet Labyrinth
Entering the tenth month of the children's conspiracy calendar, an incident in the multimedia room once again became a hot topic of conversation. That day, a drizzling rain forced the physical education class to move indoors to watch a historical documentary video. Mr. Anxin was tasked with setting up the projector, but when he went to open the main cable storage cabinet, the key jammed and broke inside the lock.
Jaehee and Yushi, who were tasked with carrying the spare cable reels, immediately ran to the staff room to find help, and the first person they encountered was, of course, Mr. Sangwon. Without a second thought, Sangwon grabbed a box of iron tools and took long strides toward the multimedia room.
When Sangwon arrived, Anxin was trying to scrape out the broken key piece using an iron ruler, his body slightly bent in front of the cabinet located in a rather narrow corner of the room. Sangwon set down his toolbox, then stood right behind Anxin. Because their heights were nearly identical, when Sangwon leaned his body forward to inspect the keyhole, his broad chest pressed almost entirely against Anxin's back.
"Let me take a look, Mr. Anxin. Move over a bit," Sangwon whispered, reaching for a pair of pliers from the box.
However, because the space between the cabinet and the computer desk was very limited, Anxin couldn't move anywhere. He was trapped between the iron cabinet and Sangwon's body encasing him from behind. Anxin could feel the warmth of Sangwon's body and the steady rush of his breath hitting the back of his neck, causing Anxin's focus to shatter instantly. Sangwon's large fingers brushed over Anxin's hand as he took over the iron ruler, creating a prolonged and intense physical contact in that cramped space.
Near the door, Jaehee covered her eyes with one hand but intentionally spread her fingers so she could still peek, while Yushi noted in his heart how perfectly matched the silhouettes of their two teachers looked, appearing as though they were embracing from behind. "The cabinet locking mission is a success; they are trapped in their own private space!" Yushi whispered gleefully.
Episode 11: The Cooking Practical Test and the Snagged Apron
It was the week of the practical skills exam, where the second-graders were learning to make simple sandwiches. Mr. Anxin, famously neat and orderly, wore a dark green cloth apron, while Mr. Sangwon, who was helping supervise the use of plastic knives, wore a similar one in brown.
After class ended and the children were busy devouring their sandwiches, Anxin walked over to the sink at the back of the classroom to wash the plastic knives. When he tried to take off his apron, the knot at the back of his waist suddenly tangled and locked tight, having been pulled too hard earlier. Anxin reached behind his back, but his hands couldn't get the right angle, leaving him twisting and moving in frustration.
Seeing this, Sangwon, who had just finished helping Sakuya tidy up a desk, immediately walked over. "Don't keep pulling it, or the knot will only get tighter. Stay still, let me untie it."
Sangwon stood behind Anxin, his skillful fingers beginning to patiently unravel the complicated knot. Because the knot was positioned at the small of the back, Sangwon’s hands repeatedly brushed against the sides of Anxin’s waist, sending a ticklish sensation that made Anxin reflexively tense his body. Since they were of equal height, Anxin could see the reflection of Sangwon's serious face in the mirror above the sink in front of him—a face so focused and gentle, all just to untangle an apron string.
"There, all done," Sangwon said after a few minutes that felt like an eternity to Anxin. Sangwon did not step away immediately; instead, he slid the apron straps down from Anxin's shoulders with incredibly slow movements, as if handling fragile, precious glassware.
Sakuya and Ryo, who were chewing on bread crusts in the corner of the classroom, immediately looked at each other with wide eyes. Sakuya whispered excitedly, "Ryo, did you see how Mr. Sangwon took off Mr. Anxin's apron? It’s exactly like that wedding movie scene my mom watched!" Ryo nodded firmly, confirming that the bond between their two teachers was growing stronger by the day.
Episode 12: Mr. Anxin’s Birthday Surprise in the Twelfth Month
The twelfth month finally arrived, bringing with it the day that had been circled with a big red marker on the second-grade duckling squad's secret calendar: Mr. Anxin’s birthday.
From Sangwon's perspective, the day started with a rather high level of anxiety. For an entire week, he had been terrorized—in the most adorable sense of the word—by Sion and Riku, who were acting as the project managers for "Operation Birthday." The children dictated everything to Sangwon, from what kind of cake to buy (a chocolate cake without too much sweetener, because according to Yushi, Mr. Anxin didn't like things overly sweet) to the exact time Sangwon had to turn off the music hall lights.
That afternoon, after ensuring Anxin was escorted by Jaehee and Sakuya under the pretext of "important documents left behind on the auditorium stage," Sangwon stood in the darkness of the spacious music hall. In his hands, a simple chocolate cake with a glowing number candle swayed slightly from his somewhat irregular breathing. Sangwon, a musician used to performing in front of hundreds of people, suddenly felt nervous just waiting for one person to walk through that door.
Click.
The hall door opened. Anxin's sturdy silhouette stepped inside, looking utterly confused by the pitch-black room. Before Anxin could turn around to flip the light switch, Sangwon took a deep breath and began to sing the happy birthday song. His low, warm baritone voice echoed against the high ceiling of the hall, breaking the silence.
Right on the second verse, Sion and the others, who were hiding behind the stage curtains, immediately switched on a small spotlight, while Ryo and Riku popped colorful paper confetti into the air.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Anxin!" the flock of ducklings cheered in unison, instantly running out of their hiding places to surround the two teachers.
In the dim glow of the candle and the spotlight, Sangwon could clearly see Anxin’s eyes widen in surprise before they slowly softened. Standing at a perfectly level height allowed Sangwon to catch every flicker of emotion on Anxin's face—the deep touched sentiment that he tried to hide behind a thin smile.
"Come on, blow out the candle, Mr. Anxin! Make a wish first!" Sakuya demanded while hopping up and down beside the piano.
Anxin looked at the children one by one, then turned to look at Sangwon, who was holding the cake in front of him. With a genuine smile that he rarely showed, Anxin closed his eyes, offered a prayer, and blew the candle out. The music hall instantly erupted into noisy applause from six pairs of tiny hands.
After that, the atmosphere became very casual and lively. Sangwon placed the cake on top of the piano so the children could cut it together. Amidst the clamor, Jaehee and Yushi were busy distributing paper plates, while Ryo and Sakuya eagerly chattered about how they had to sneak into the bakery without getting caught. Anxin listened to them patiently, occasionally rubbing Sakuya’s head affectionately.
Sangwon stood back a little, leaning against the edge of the piano while watching the interaction. From his vantage point, he observed an Anxin who looked completely at ease, his soft laughter sounding crisp—a warm side that was usually covered by the formal strictness of a character-building teacher.
When Anxin looked up and caught his eye, their gazes met horizontally once again, perfectly level without either having to look up or down. Anxin lifted a small plate containing his first slice of cake and held it out to Sangwon. "This is for you. Thank you for helping the kids set all this up, Sangwon."
Sangwon accepted the plate, his fingers intentionally brushing against the tips of Anxin's fingers a little longer than usual. At that moment, something different stirred in Sangwon’s chest.
Seeing Anxin standing so close to him, hearing the way the man called him by his name without any formal titles, and realizing just how comfortable he felt around Anxin, Sangwon experienced a brand-new surge of emotion. This was no longer just humoring his students' mischief or a typical admiration between coworkers. There was a spark of a much more serious and profound feeling that suddenly locked his focus that night.
Sangwon smiled faintly, looking straight into Anxin’s eyes with a glint that was far more intense than before. "You're welcome, Anxin. I think... I will always be ready to help with anything that involves you in the future."
Anxin was briefly stunned, catching the sudden shift in Sangwon's tone which sounded much deeper, causing a faint blush to creep up both of his cheeks. He quickly turned around to cut the next slice of cake to mask his bashfulness.
In the corner of the room, Sion, who was chewing on his chocolate cake, suddenly nudged Riku's arm. "Riku, look at Mr. Sangwon. The way he just looked at Mr. Anxin... why does it feel different? So serious."
Riku looked over as well, then smiled knowingly. "It means our bait has been taken, Sion. The next operation will be much easier."
Back to the Present (The Music Hall)
Recalling that entire sequence of events in his head, Anxin now stood stiffly on the music hall stage, holding the stack of sheet music given to him by Sangwon.
Below the stage, the second-grade duckling squad was pretending to arrange folding chairs at an agonizingly slow pace. They intentionally left a narrow space on the stage so that their two teachers would keep standing close together.
Sangwon walked up to Anxin to take a few sheets of music, closing the distance between them once more. Since they were of equal height, Sangwon could whisper easily without having to lean down.
"Your students are incredibly creative, Anxin," Sangwon whispered, intentionally dropping the formal 'Mr.' between the two of them since the children were busy with their own devices. "They even made up a very convincing lie just to get you here."
Anxin glanced at Sangwon from the corner of his eye, trying his best to hide his racing heartbeat. "Forgive them. Tomorrow, I'll make sure they get extra math practice problems."
Sangwon chuckled softly, his laughter sounding low and warm near Anxin's ear. "Don't. In fact, I should thank Sion and the others. If it weren't for their emergency plan, I wouldn't have had the chance to keep you here this afternoon."
Anxin stiffened, the sheets of paper rustling slightly in his hands. Meanwhile, in the corner of the hall, Sion, who saw this intimate moment, immediately pumped his fist into the air and whispered to Riku, "The plan is a massive success. No math lessons tomorrow, Mr. Anxin is definitely happy!"
Behind the curtain, Riku nudged Sion’s ribs gently but hard enough to make his friend wince silently. "Shh! Be quiet, Sion! Look at that, Mr. Sangwon is stepping closer again! Don't break their concentration!" he whispered, his eyes glued tightly to the gap in the stage curtain.
On stage, Sangwon paid no attention to the quiet whispering coming from the flock of ducklings below them. His gaze, which had been playful at first, slowly softened into a warm, intense glow—the exact same kind of look from Anxin's birthday night back in the twelfth month. The burst of feelings that had been held back for months was now flaring up again, demanding room to be acted upon.
"So," Sangwon took over the stack of sheet music from Anxin's hands, placing it carelessly on top of the grand piano beside them without any intention of tidying it. He took another step forward, erasing the remaining distance until the tips of their shoes almost touched. "Since we've already plunged headfirst into this emergency scenario made by your students... why don't we just finish it?"
Anxin looked straight into Sangwon’s eyes, which were horizontally level with his vision. This proximity allowed Anxin to smell Sangwon's familiar, soothing cologne while simultaneously feeling the serious aura that suddenly dominated the stage's atmosphere. "Finish what, Mr. Sangwon?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper as his throat suddenly felt dry.
Instead of answering with words, Sangwon reached his hand out toward the piano. His fingers nimbly pressed a series of keys, playing the intro melody of a song very well known to everyone in the room: the song from Anxin's birthday.
Hearing that musical cue, the flock of ducklings below the stage instantly stopped their super-slow shuffling of folding chairs. Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, and Sakuya reflexively straightened up, lining up neatly in front of the stage like first-class movie theater audience members who didn't want to miss a single second of the main scene.
"The next lyric is in your hands, Mr. Anxin," Sangwon said, his eyes never wavering from Anxin's face as he continued to accompany the melody with his left hand. "The kids went to a lot of trouble to lock us in this room. It wouldn't feel fair if we didn't give them a good show."
Anxin glanced briefly at the six pairs of his students' eyes looking up with hopeful glints and mouths half-open in pure anticipation. His pride, which was usually as high as the heavens, slowly crumbled, melting away under the warmth of the piano melody and the gaze of Sangwon that locked his entire awareness.
Anxin exhaled in defeat, and a soft, deeply genuine smile finally graced his lips. He reached for a microphone lying on top of the piano, brought it close to his lips, and began to sing the first verse in his soft, deep voice.
As soon as Anxin's voice filled the quiet music hall, Sangwon joined in, contributing his low baritone voice on the second verse. The two of them sang in perfect harmony, standing close together at their level height, trading glances that no longer hid anything. Every line of that romantic song seemed to be a confirmation of all the signals, hidden attention, and closeness that had been intentionally built over the past year—and now, had finally found its destination.
Below the stage, Jaehee squeezed Yushi's sleeve tightly to contain her excitement, while Sakuya and Ryo clapped silently, their faces flushed with joy.
As the final note of the song faded into the air, Sangwon stopped playing. A magical silence enveloped the stage for a few seconds, leaving their faces so close that their breaths mingled. Sangwon flashed a victorious smile, not just because their song was successful, but because he knew that starting this afternoon, the spark between them had officially turned into something real.
"See! What did I tell you!" Sion suddenly squeaked, breaking the stage's silence while jumping excitedly and high-fiving Riku. "Mission accomplished! We are free from math homework tomorrow, guys!"
Anxin immediately lowered his mic, quickly turning his face—which was now the color of a ripe tomato—away, while Sangwon could only laugh freely hearing the boisterous cheers of the flock of ducklings who were now dancing contentedly in front of the stage over the success of their matchmaking operation.
Watching the flock of ducklings jumping for joy in front of the stage, Mr. Anxin quickly corrected his facial expression. He cleared his throat stiffly, attempting to restore the dignity of a second-grade teacher that had briefly crumbled during the duet.
"Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, Sakuya," Anxin called out, naming them one by one in a tone made as firm as possible, though the flush on his ears could not lie. "Stop jumping around. And Sion... who said there's no math homework tomorrow? In fact, since you all have so much energy to draw up plans like this, tomorrow I will add two more pages to your practice problems."
"Awwwww!" the six children groaned in unison, their shoulders instantly slumping in a dramatic display of disappointment.
Sangwon, standing beside Anxin, could only suppress a laugh. He gently nudged Anxin’s arm with his shoulder—because of their level height, the nudge landed perfectly, causing Anxin to turn. "Don't be so cruel, Mr. Anxin. They worked hard to be impromptu EOs (Event Organizers) this afternoon. Besides, the rolling door in front is still locked from the outside by Jaehee and Sakuya, right?"
Hearing that, Jaehee and Sakuya instantly stared at each other, their eyes wide with panic. They had forgotten that the music hall key was still safely tucked inside Sakuya’s culotte pocket.
"Uh... about that, Mr.... the key..." Sakuya stammered, her hand fumbling through her pocket in a panic while her friends gave the two of them "you-ruined-the-mood" glares.
"It's alright, don't worry about it," Sangwon interrupted while winking at the children, signaling that they weren't in trouble. Sangwon then turned back to Anxin, looking at him with a serious glint in his eyes that was now entirely unconcealed. "Since we're still stuck here for a few more minutes before the school gates completely close, how about we talk about our plans for this weekend?"
Anxin tensed slightly, awkwardly hugging the remaining sheet music to his chest. "What... plans?"
"Dinner. Without the flock of ducklings," Sangwon replied directly, his voice low but sounding incredibly certain. He intentionally let their gazes lock horizontally, capturing Anxin's full focus. "Just the two of us. How about it?"
Hearing such an explicit date invitation from Sangwon, the atmosphere below the stage suddenly shifted into a tense, breathless silence. The six second-graders held their breath simultaneously. Riku reflexively grabbed Sion's shoulder to keep his friend from shouting out loud, while Yushi covered Jaehee's mouth tightly. They were all waiting for the answer from their famously stiff character-building teacher.
Anxin fell silent for a few seconds. He looked toward the messy rows of folding chairs, then shifted to his students who were watching him with round, hopeful eyes, and finally, he looked straight into Sangwon's pair of warm eyes. The pride he had stubbornly maintained for a whole year finally collapsed completely, replaced by a swelling warmth in his chest.
Anxin sighed in resignation, but a thin, sweet smile formed on his face. "Alright. Pick me up at seven."
"YESSS!!!"
The loudest cheer of the afternoon finally erupted in the music hall. This time, nothing could hold Sion and his friends back. The six of them high-fived, spun around, and Ryo and Sakuya even did a little victory dance on the hall floor. The secret mission they had compiled over twelve full months with various incidents—ranging from the library bookshelf, the blue umbrella, to the apron drama—had finally reached a perfect happy ending.
"Mission accomplished! Our ship has officially sailed!" Riku shouted proudly.
Sangwon laughed heartily at his students' wild antics, while Anxin could only shake his head with a smile, realizing that no matter how creatively those second-graders drew up their matchmaking plans, they wouldn't have succeeded if he and Sangwon hadn't shared the same feelings from the very start.
.
.
That Saturday night, a thin drizzle enveloped the city, leaving behind the scent of wet earth and a glossy asphalt that reflected the streetlights. Exactly at seven in the evening, a silver sedan pulled up in front of Anxin’s gate. Sangwon got out of the car, holding a large, dark blue umbrella—the same umbrella that a year ago had sheltered their shoulders in the school lobby.
When the front door opened, Anxin stepped out. Tonight, there was no work shirt buttoned tightly to the top, no nametag, and no thick black-rimmed glasses that usually made him look fierce in front of his students. He only wore a loose, pastel-colored knit sweater and casual jeans. His hair, usually combed back neatly, was left to fall slightly messy on his forehead, making him look much younger and warmer.
Sangwon smiled, stepping forward to greet him under the umbrella. "Hi," he greeted softly. His baritone voice sounded different tonight—more relaxed, without the weighted intonation of a teacher giving instructions.
"Hi," Anxin replied. He felt a bit awkward realizing how close they stood under the single umbrella, but he didn't step back. "Thanks for picking me up, Sangwon."
The two of them got into the car, cutting through the quiet city streets toward a small coffee shop nestled in the corner of an old alley. The place was intentionally chosen by Sangwon for its quiet, dim atmosphere, and most importantly: it was far out of reach from any school children or fellow teachers.
After ordering two cups of coffee—and this time getting it right, a strong black coffee for Anxin and a sweet caramel latte for Sangwon—they chose a table near a large glass window that faced directly out onto the wet street.
Anxin rested his chin on one hand, watching the steam rise from his cup. The silence between them felt vastly different from usual. There was no anxiety about syllabi, no cognitive report files, and no pairs of eyes from a flock of ducklings spying from behind curtains.
"It's strange, isn't it," Anxin opened the conversation, his voice quiet and flowing easily. "For this past year, it felt like almost every single one of our interactions had an audience. Being in a place like this without Sion suddenly popping out from under a table feels a bit... empty."
Sangwon chuckled, leaning his back against the wooden chair while looking at Anxin. Their level height allowed Sangwon to freely admire the lines of Anxin's face, which looked much more relaxed tonight.
"Why? Do you miss the flock of ducklings?" Sangwon teased, his eyes flashing playfully. "If you want, I can call Riku right now to come over and join us."
"Don't you dare," Anxin cut in quickly, an amused smile breaking on his lips. "I get enough headaches seeing their faces five days a week. Tonight, I just want to be Anxin. Not Mr. Anxin, the stiff second-grade teacher."
"Good," Sangwon said softly. He leaned forward slightly, placing both arms on the table, closing the gap between them. "Because tonight, I'm not Mr. Sangwon who has to maintain dignity in front of students either. I'm just Sangwon, out on a date with the man I've been secretly crushing on for a whole year."
Hearing such a casual yet honest confession, Anxin was momentarily stunned. He turned his face slightly toward the window, trying to hide the blush slowly spreading across his cheeks. To redirect his bashfulness, he picked up his coffee cup and took a small sip.
"You... are really good with words, aren't you," Anxin whispered, his tone sounding like a complaint, though a happy note was tucked underneath. "Since when, Sangwon? I mean... since when did you start seeing me... like that?"
Sangwon smiled warmly, his gaze softening. "Remember the bookshelf incident in the library? When you insisted on reaching that dinosaur encyclopedia yourself even though the shelf was too high?"
Anxin turned back, looking at Sangwon with a knitted brow. "That was a long time ago. The early months of the semester."
"Yes," Sangwon nodded, his fingers tapping the rim of his latte cup. "At that time, I was watching you from behind the opposite shelf. You looked so stubborn, refusing to lose face in front of Yushi and Sakuya, but your ears were red from pride. To me, it was... incredibly endearing. From that day on, I always looked for excuses to be near you. Whether it was pretending to need a signature, or intentionally sharing an umbrella in the rain."
Anxin listened to the story intently. Hearing everything from Sangwon's perspective made all the pieces of past memories in his head make sense. All the little attentions, the deep gazes, and Sangwon's always-timely presence during difficult moments... none of it was a coincidence.
"Turns out you are craftier than those second-graders," Anxin teased, the corners of his mouth lifting into a sweet smile he rarely showed.
"I call it... capitalizing on opportunities, Anxin," Sangwon countered with a low laugh that sounded incredibly melodious to Anxin's ears.
Sangwon then stretched his hand across the narrow wooden table. His warm palm turned upward, waiting there. Anxin stared at the hand for a few seconds before slowly placing his own hand on top of it. Sangwon’s fingers immediately intertwined, holding Anxin's hand firmly yet gently, channeling warmth in the middle of the cold night.
Their conversation continued to flow like water. They no longer discussed school, but rather small, personal things—Sangwon's favorite classic jazz music, Anxin's hobby of collecting miniature plants, and stories from their respective childhoods. They laughed freely without the barrier of formality, traded light jokes, and occasionally enjoyed a comfortable silence while continuing to exchange glances.
In that small coffee shop, beneath the city's light drizzle, Mr. Anxin and Mr. Sangwon had shed all their teacher titles. All that remained were two men of equal height, hearts intertwined, and a brand-new beginning to a long story that had been well-guarded by the flock of ducklings at their school.
.
.
The night grew later, but the warmth inside the coffee shop seemed to stop the march of time. The drizzle outside gave way to a more steady rain, tapping against the window pane with a soothing rhythm. On the table, the small candle inside its glass holder had melted halfway, casting a soft amber glow onto both of their faces.
Their hands were still intertwined. Sangwon's thumb moved slowly, stroking the back of Anxin's hand in a calming, circular motion. The touch was so constant and gentle that Anxin, who was usually always alert and tense, now leaned his entire back into the chair with a sigh of relief.
"You know," Anxin spoke up again, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled. He looked down at their joined hands with a small smile. "All this time, I always thought I had to be the most reliable person. At school, in front of the kids, even in front of the other teachers. Being a character teacher made me feel the burden of always looking perfect and without flaws."
Anxin looked up, staring straight into Sangwon's eyes. "But for some reason, every time you are near me... all those defenses feel useless. You always know when I'm tired, even when I don't realize it myself."
Sangwon listened intently, his eyes locking onto Anxin’s with an incredibly genuine glint. He tightened his grip.
"Because you don't need to be perfect in front of me, Anxin," Sangwon replied, his voice softening, carrying an intimate and comforting intonation. "I like the strict and dignified Mr. Anxin in class. But, I am far more in love with the Anxin sitting in front of me tonight—the one who can complain, who can laugh freely, and who has a smile this sweet."
Anxin was breathless. The words 'in love' spoken by Sangwon so casually yet packed with seriousness made his chest pound wildly. This time, he didn't try to turn his face away or hide the blush that reappeared on his cheeks. Instead, he returned Sangwon's grip just as firmly.
"Don't make it harder for me to concentrate on teaching this coming Monday, Sangwon," Anxin whispered, though his eyes flashed with happiness.
Sangwon laughed lowly, a laughter that always managed to make Anxin smile along. "In that case, let's enjoy the rest of this Saturday night well. Monday is still a long way off."
Sangwon then released their hands briefly to reach for his cooled coffee cup, drinking it down to the last drop before looking back at Anxin. "After this, do you want to go straight home? Or do you want to come with me for a bit?"
Anxin raised an eyebrow. "Where to?"
"To my small studio at home," Sangwon answered, his smile widening. "There's a new song I'm writing. This time... the song is entirely about you. I want you to be the first person to hear it, without any interruptions from the kids."
Anxin stared at Sangwon for a long moment, weighing the offer, before the sweetest smile of surrender that night finally etched itself onto his face. He stood up from his chair, smoothed his knit sweater, and picked up his bag.
"Let's go," Anxin said, looking at Sangwon who had now stood up in front of him as well. Standing side by side in close proximity, their heights were perfectly level once again, creating a visual harmony that let anyone looking at them know they were indeed meant to walk hand in hand.
The two of them walked out of the coffee shop, stepping together through the cold night under the same dark blue umbrella. This time, there was no longer any intentionally created distance, no more pride held back. Their shoulders brushed closely, and under the protection of the rain-slicked umbrella cloth, Sangwon wrapped his left hand around Anxin's waist, guiding him into the car with utmost care.
That night, witnessed by the city's rainfall, the relationship that had originally begun from a "second-grade conspiracy" by a flock of ducklings had now officially turned into a real and beautiful new chapter for the two of them.
.
.
The drive to Sangwon’s house passed in a much more intimate silence. There was only the sweeping sound of the car wipers brushing away the remaining drizzle and the faint sound of instrumental jazz music from the speakers. In the passenger seat, Anxin occasionally glanced out the window, enjoying the glow of the wet streetlights, while his left hand rested on the center console divider—which was gently touched a few times by Sangwon’s right fingers during each pause in shifting gears.
As the car turned into the driveway of a minimalist two-story house, Sangwon turned off the engine. “We’re here,” he said softly.
They got out together under the same umbrella, stepping quickly toward a small porch sheltered by a warm, yellowish light. As the front door opened, a faint aroma of cinnamon and brewed herbal tea instantly welcomed Anxin’s senses. Sangwon’s house heavily reflected its owner: neat, full of aesthetic corners, and of course, a special section in the living room filled with rows of vinyl records and several well-maintained musical instruments.
“Come in. Make yourself at home,” Sangwon said as he hung his blue umbrella near the door. He turned toward Anxin, then reached out to help remove the light jacket draped over Anxin’s knit sweater.
Anxin complied, letting Sangwon take his jacket. Without the barrier of work formalities, small touches like this felt so natural flowing between them. “Your house is very quiet, Sangwon. A far cry from the always-noisy atmosphere of the school music hall,” Anxin commented while looking around, smiling slightly.
“Yes, there are no second-graders running around carrying safety pins or sabotaging arrangement sheets here,” Sangwon cushioned with a chuckle. He gestured with his head toward a room in the corner of the lower floor. “Let’s go to my small studio. It’s warmer in there.”
Sangwon’s small studio turned out to be a soundproofed room dominated by earth tones. In the corner of the room, a sleek black acoustic upright piano stood elegantly, surrounded by shelves of music books and a dark green velvet fabric sofa that looked incredibly comfortable.
“Have a seat first, I’ll get us a warm drink,” Sangwon said.
Not long after, Sangwon returned carrying two cups of warm chamomile tea, placing them on a small table near the sofa, and then took a seat right next to Anxin. The sofa, which wasn’t too large, caused their sturdy frames—identical in both build and height—to once again press closely together. Their shoulders rubbed against each other in tandem with the relaxed breaths they exhaled.
“So...” Anxin swirled the tea cup in his hand, glancing at Sangwon from the side with a playful glint in his eyes that he rarely showed at school. “Where is this song that you claim is entirely about me? Don't tell me you only used that as an excuse to get me to stop by your house?”
Sangwon laughed lowly, a baritone sound that instantly vibrated through Anxin’s chest due to their close proximity. “I may be crafty, Anxin, but I never lie about music.”
Sangwon set his cup down, then stood up and walked toward the piano. He sat on the wooden bench, adjusted his position for a moment, then turned toward Anxin, who was watching him from the sofa. With nearly identical sitting heights, their gazes met horizontally once more—level, direct, and filled with deep affection.
Sangwon’s long fingers began to touch the piano keys, birthing a sequence of notes that were slow, soft, and deeply emotional. Unlike the cheerful songs he usually performed for the children, the melody this time felt incredibly personal. The notes seemed to tell a story of hesitant steps, of hidden glances behind library shelves, and of a warmth slowly eroding a thick wall of pride.
As the melody reached the halfway point, Sangwon began to sing the lyrics without a microphone. His clear baritone voice filled every corner of the soundproofed room, sounding incredibly close and real to Anxin's ears. The lyrics were simple, yet they spoke with complete honesty about how Sangwon admired Anxin’s firmness, and how he always wanted to be the person standing beside him—level, accompanying him to lead the flock of ducklings every day.
Anxin listened in silence, his grip on the warm cup slowly loosening. He stared without blinking at Sangwon, who was playing the piano with all his heart. A wave of deep emotion swelled in Anxin’s chest, a fulfilling feeling that made him realize he was truly valued and loved so sincerely by the man in front of him.
We walk down the same corridor,
Guiding the noisy, playful footsteps.
You hide your smile behind a rigid gaze,
But this heartbeat knows, your promise rests with me.
When the final note slowly faded and silence crept back in, Sangwon did not immediately stand up. He kept his fingers resting on the piano keys, then turned to look at Anxin, waiting for the character teacher's reaction.
Anxin placed his cup on the table slowly. He stood up from the sofa, walked over to the piano, and leaned against its large black wooden lid, right next to Sangwon. Their equal height allowed Anxin to look directly into Sangwon's eyes without having to look down even a bit.
“The lyrics... are completely unfair, Sangwon,” Anxin whispered, the corners of his mouth lifting into the sweetest, most unburdened smile Sangwon had seen all year. “You really wrote down all the embarrassing things about my stubborn pride in there.”
Sangwon smiled broadly, standing up from the piano bench until they were once again standing close, side by side. “But you like it, don't you?”
“Yes,” Anxin answered honestly, without hesitation, shedding all the rigid posture he usually maintained. “I really like it. Thank you, Sangwon.”
Sangwon reached his hand out, gently brushing aside a few strands of Anxin's hair that had fallen onto his forehead, and then let his warm palm rest on Anxin's cheek. Anxin did not lean away; instead, he closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the rough yet affectionate touch, before opening them to look back at Sangwon with a gaze that locked their full awareness.
That night, inside the warm little studio, without the noise and mischief of the second-grade students, they lost track of time until late. Sharing stories, sharing laughter, and occasionally enjoying a silence that no longer felt awkward. The 'ship' launched by the flock of ducklings at school had now found its best harbor, moving forward in the same rhythm, level, and filled with a beautiful future.
Sangwon’s warm palm still rested on Anxin’s cheek, as if time had intentionally slowed down to give them room to breathe. His thumb moved slowly, stroking Anxin's cheekbone with a gentleness that stood in stark contrast to the firmness they usually displayed in the school corridors. The touch no longer carried any doubt; it was an anchor that locked Anxin's full attention that night.
Anxin opened his eyes slowly, looking straight into Sangwon’s eyes, which were perfectly level in front of him. The fading distance between them caused their breaths to interlock, warm and steady. Under the dim glow of the studio lights, all of Anxin’s defensive walls had completely crumbled. There was no longer a rigid Mr. Anxin; all that remained was a man surrendering his full trust to the beating in his chest.
Sangwon brought his face forward slowly, giving Anxin time to pull back if he wished. However, Anxin instead gently gripped the edge of Sangwon’s shirt, holding the man from pulling away.
When their lips finally met, the world outside the studio seemed to go silent instantly. It was a kiss that was gentle, deep, and unhurried. A kiss that didn't just exchange warmth, but pieced together all the puzzle pieces that for twelve months had been scattered across the staff room, the library, and the school courtyard. Sangwon tasted the quiet sweetness from Anxin’s lips, while Anxin allowed himself to sink into the protective embrace he had secretly yearned for all this time.
When the kiss broke gently, Sangwon did not move his face away immediately. He pressed his forehead against Anxin’s, letting their breaths catch up with each other in such close proximity. A genuine smile was etched on Sangwon’s lips.
Sangwon whispered, his voice low and raspy, vibrating right against Anxin’s lips. “Don’t go home tonight. Stay over here.”
Anxin regulated his breath, which had been caught for a moment, staring back into Sangwon’s eyes that still held him locked. Instead of looking for excuses or maintaining his pride as usual, Anxin only gave a soft nod. “Alright.”
That night, Anxin ended up spending the night in the guest room of Sangwon’s house—the door of which, somehow, was intentionally left slightly ajar, letting the faint sound of rain and the warmth from the living room remain connected. Sangwon lent him one of his loose cotton t-shirts and casual pants. When Anxin put them on, the clothes fit perfectly on his body, which was as tall as Sangwon's, leaving behind the scent of Sangwon's masculine cologne that now officially enveloped his sleep.
Before turning off the lights completely, Sangwon stood at the doorway of the room, looking at Anxin who was already curled up beneath the thick blanket. “Good night, Anxin,” Sangwon said softly.
“Good night, Sangwon,” Anxin replied, a sweet smile gracing his face before he closed his eyes with the most peaceful feeling he had felt all year.
To the outside world and the school calendar, that day might have been just an ordinary Saturday in the twelfth month. But for the two of them, the night sealed by the scent of rain, a piano melody, and a gentle kiss was a sacred marker. A stroke of gold ink unwritten in any syllabus, declaring that tonight was Day One of their real story. A story where they would no longer walk separately, but step forward together in the same rhythm, level, and belonging to one another—exactly what the flock of second-grade ducklings had always prayed for in every corner of the school.
.
.