Apocalypse’s Teacher

Chapter 8

The apocalypse was fair to everyone (8)

***

To put it simply, my teacher could be described like this…

Yes, I would say he was an old-fashioned grouch.

He always had the phrase “kids these days” on his lips.

If I tried to argue, he would say I had no manners and raise his cane.

He hit me so often that he earned the nickname “Heaven’s Cane” among the students.

He was the kind of teacher who was easy to hate and was always bad-mouthed behind his back.

Ironically, he was my teacher.

He had a shiny bald head like an octopus.

A round belly that stuck out.

And a sour expression that was unpleasant to look at.

That man was the teacher who changed my life.

“Seokho.”

My teacher called to me in my dream.

He clicked his tongue and patted my head.

“You rascal. What are you going to do with your life?”

“Right? Should I just go and die?”

“You little punk!”

Smack-!

“Ouch!”

In the dream, I cried out in pain.

My teacher clicked his tongue again.

“Live like a human, for goodness’ sake.”

I scowled at my teacher’s advice.

I remember what I said next… Yes, I still remember it.
T hi s wa s c o p i e d f ro m k in g mt l.o r g

‘Who cares if an orphan lives like a human? Even living like a dog is tough.’

“Who cares if an orphan lives like a human? Even living like a dog is tough.”

My teacher’s face flared with anger.

“You punk!”

Smack-!

Another hit to the head.

Seeing myself writhing in pain made me laugh.

‘I was really a brat.’

My attitude was terrible.

Looking back, it’s a wonder my teacher didn’t beat me to death.

He grabbed my sideburns.

And pulled them hard as he spoke.

“Owwww.”

“Is not having a mother such a big deal? Look over there, in Africa! Those kids go hungry but still work hard to study!”

His words were the same old lines you’d hear from old folks when they talked about passion.
T hi s w a s c o p ie d f ro m ki n gm tl . o r g

He was really the kind of person who was easy to hate, but as I looked at him as a child, I had a big smile on my face.

Because his face, filled with frustration and concern, looked just like a father’s.

Feeling that I had something I never had before.

Knowing that he was the only one who didn’t give up on me when everyone else had labeled me a problem child.

I smiled.

My teacher got angry again.

“You’re not Seokho, you’re Seok-gyeon! Not a tiger but a dog!”

“Stop it! I’ll lose my hair! I don’t want to end up like you!”
Th i s w a s c o p i e d f r om k i n gmt l . o r g

“You little punk!”

I clapped my hands.

‘Wow, I even hit his sore spot?’

Past me was impressive, casually breaking taboos.

Clap clap clap.

I clapped for a while.

Suddenly, my hands stopped.

They fell limply to my sides.

A wave of emotion welled up inside me.

I wasn’t usually like this, but watching this made me feel like crying.

“Seokho.”

My teacher sighed deeply and called to me in a serious tone.

“What?”

The younger me answered rudely.

My teacher looked into my eyes for a long time before speaking.

“Are you eating properly?”

“…What’s there not to eat? School lunches are enough.”

“I mean, is there anything you want to eat?”

The younger me turned his head away.

My teacher clicked his tongue and said,

“Let’s get some soup after school.”

“Soup again?”

“What, do you want jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles)?”

“Sweet and sour pork.”

“You little punk, you have expensive tastes.”

My teacher laughed heartily.

The younger me pouted and laughed, too.

And a smile appeared on my face as well.

‘Still the same.’

Maybe it’s because it’s a dream.

I stared blankly as the scenery faded like watercolors.

I didn’t want to forget this scene until every trace of my teacher disappeared from my memory.

The colors mixed together.

The faculty office, bathed in sunlight, turned gray, then dark, then black.

As the whole world turned black, I woke up from my dream.

‘…’

My body ached, and my head throbbed.

I stared at the ceiling, recalling the dream.

“Pfft…”

Laughter escaped me.

I finally remembered why it had seemed so trivial.

Because I was so desperate to survive, I had turned my back on those dreams.

Looking back at the dreams I had ignored made me laugh.

‘…Oh, right.’

I remembered now.

I became a teacher because I wanted to be an adult like my teacher.

He was so cool, believing in me when everyone else had given up.

I wanted to be like him, so I became a teacher.

It didn’t come to mind yesterday, but now I remembered.

I got up from bed.

T h is w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n gm t l .o r g
After a long stretch, I slowly got off the bed and headed to the door.

‘Let’s see…’

Which room was she in again?

I had heard it yesterday.

I retraced my steps, recalling the memory.

***

Room 714.

The room where our leader, the irritable girl, stayed.

I sat on the bed, facing the girl.

Her head was turned towards me, but her eyes weren’t looking at me.

Her arms were crossed, and she was tapping one foot impatiently, clearly indicating she didn’t want to be there.

“What do you want?”
T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r om kingm t l . o r g

She asked.

Her tone made it clear she wanted to end this quickly.

I steadied myself and spoke the words I had prepared.

“Yesterday, I wasn’t able to prepare a presentation.”
T his w a s c o pi e d f r om ki n g m t l. o r g

“A pre-what?”

“Presentation. You don’t know?”

Her shoulders flinched.

Her expression turned nasty.

“What’s your point?”

Threatening when she had nothing to say—typical bully behavior.

I held back the words that were about to come out and explained further.

“No… I wanted to say what I said yesterday again. This time, with my thoughts properly organized.”

“…You should have said that from the start.”

Did she understand now?

Her earlobes turned slightly red.

‘Well, she was probably in elementary school when the world ended, so it’s understandable.’

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but she must be quite prideful.

“Ahem, go on then.”

She gestured with her chin.

She clearly wanted to change the subject quickly.

Well, I’m grateful for that.

T h i s was co p i e d f rom k i ngmt l. or g
I nodded at her words, adjusted my posture, and began my prepared speech.

“I want to be your teacher.”

“…Teacher?”

“Yes, a teacher. Like the ones you have at school…”
T hi s w a s c o pi ed f r o m ki ngm t l . or g

“You think I don’t know what a teacher is?”

I didn’t mean to insult her. Why was she so defensive?

Feeling awkward, I scratched my cheek.

Realizing I hadn’t insulted her, her earlobes turned even redder.

“…What kind of teacher?”

She was good at changing the subject.

Just as I was about to speak, I hesitated.

‘…Is this the right approach?’

I had prepared a speech to move her emotionally.

After all, I was a college graduate.

I had prepared a convincing speech on my way here.

But this didn’t feel right.

Looking at her directly, I felt that lying to get along wouldn’t be useful.

I hesitated.

I thought about it.

And I made a decision.

‘…Forget persuasion.’

I relaxed.

I decided to approach it like telling an old story.

If I didn’t talk to her now, when would I get the chance to share this?

No one had listened to me as a student, and as an adult, it felt embarrassing to share such stories.

So, I took this opportunity to tell someone my story.

I looked at her.

She looked back at me now.
Th i s w a s co p i e d f r o m k in g mt l . or g

I took a deep breath and slowly moved my lips.

“Back when I was your age…”

I told her my old story, which I had never shared with anyone else in my life.

***

“…So, since then, my dream was to become a teacher. But looking back, even though I became a teacher, I don’t think I ever truly became one.”

As I spoke, it felt funny.

An orphan bullied and ostracized, acting out because of it, and then finding a dream thanks to a teacher who straightened him out.

I felt a little ridiculous realizing that I was the protagonist of such a cliché story.

When I finished, I looked up, and her expression was strange.

“…So?”

Was she curious?

Her tone had softened considerably.

I spoke, still smiling.

“I thought I couldn’t be a teacher anymore because the world ended. But seeing you guys, I felt greedy. I wanted to be not just a teacher but a real mentor. So I wanted to ask for your help. Not for some grand reason like doing it for you guys, but because I wanted to.”

Ah, I felt relieved.

Whatever happened, if she didn’t accept, I would have to let it go.

T h i s was c o p i e d from k i n g m tl . or g
I felt like I was in a moment of clarity.

She looked at me intently.

Her eyes were deep, as if she was lost in thought.

For a long time.

“…You’re just an idiot.”

She sighed deeply and said.

Then she stood up.

“Huh?”

“…You’re just an idiot I don’t need to worry about.”

She walked towards the door.

Holding the doorknob, she spoke quietly.

“…Do whatever you want.”

Click-.

She opened the door and left.

I tilted my head to the side.

‘Did she just give me permission?’

End of Chapter