The gradually spreading hustle and bustle in the quiet early morning. Looking out at the sparse white crowd in the schoolyard from the window of the teaching materials preparation room, I couldn't help but give a slight smile.
Responding to those gazes looking up at me and gently waving my hand, I received an extremely happy smile. Just this alone makes my heart inexplicably become warm. This is also an emotion that I have forgotten, a tiny bit of small happiness.
"It's clearer than I imagined."
Because I have never looked down from this perspective before. Looking down consciously, I found that the distance that I originally thought was far is actually much closer than I imagined. After confirming that his figure disappeared from the school gate, I slowly moved away from the window.
"Good morning, teacher."
"Paul?"
The suddenly ringing voice startled me. Turning around, I saw Paul leaning against the door, with his arms folded across his chest, quietly looking at me. When did he come? I didn't notice his presence at all.
"Good morning. At least knock on the door next time."
"I did knock. It's just that teacher you didn't notice."
Paul slowly approached. I frowned. He narrowed his eyes and gave a slight smile. I could feel my face heating up. I was too focused on the outside and completely didn't notice Paul's arrival.
"I got the document for the handover of the advisor just now. You will do it, right?"
"Um, it seems there really aren't other free teachers."
I shrugged and picked up the document placed on the table. Inside there were the approval documents required by the committee. I stuffed the document in front of Paul's chest. He blinked and showed a surprised expression.
"I thought you would never talk to me again."
"If you think like that, then don't do such things."
Paul muttered like a child and bent down trying to peek at my face. But I obviously avoided him.
To prevent him from noticing my wavering, I wanted to walk past him with a blank expression. But suddenly my right arm was grabbed. At that moment, the touch of Paul's hand made my shoulder jump reflexively.
"Could it be that you are still scared?"
Seeing my slightly timid appearance, Paul frowned. He looked at me worriedly. A sense of apology welled up in my heart, but the reason is still Paul.
"It left a bit of a psychological shadow, fool."
I don't have a sense of fear towards him, but when thinking of that situation, a chill runs down my spine. There is only one person who can remain calm after being touched like that. I deliberately frowned and glared at him. Paul seemed to have sensed it and grinned with satisfaction.
"Then, I'll get your consent next time."
"Who would consent."
Seeing him smiling like a naughty child, I could only sigh. This kind of unrestrained and innocent nature of his is just like that of a child.
I felt that this can't go on like this, so I pulled my grabbed arm. But he just shrugged indifferently. I helplessly waved my arm many times trying to break free, but Paul had no intention of letting go at all.
"What happened between you and Blake?"
"What, what? Suddenly asking like this."
Paul suddenly looked at me with a serious expression and my voice became sharp. So he, as usual, smiled wickedly. Whether it was the inquiry back then or now, I think Paul probably knows a lot of things. I heard that he used to spend a lot of time with Blake. It's not strange that he understands me through that kind of relationship.
"You have become too calm, teacher. It's very easy to tell."
"What is easy to tell."
Although I was still frowning trying to cover it up, Paul just shrugged helplessly.
"I originally thought it was absolutely impossible. But things are unpredictable."
Paul frowned slightly, tilted his head and sighed softly in a low voice. But I also didn't expect it to turn out like this. I chose Blake. Until not long ago, I had never thought about it. It was completely an impossible thing.
"Compared to this, what I understand even less is you. I have no idea at all what you want to do."
I narrowed my eyes looking at Paul who was still tilting his head. He blinked and showed a confused expression.
"Me? It's easy to understand, right?"
"No, it's very difficult to understand."
I replied immediately. Paul's eyes widened in surprise. His reaction also surprised me. Does he really think he is an easy-to-understand person?
"You seem easy to understand, but actually you have a lot of depth."
I think Paul and Blake are somewhat similar in this aspect. Not in a derogatory sense. They both can use the surface and the inside very well, giving people this kind of feeling. These two people seem completely opposite, but maybe their inner characters are very close. No, this kind of freewheeling attitude is unique to Paul. Blake isn't this freewheeling.
"What is teacher thinking about?"
"Hmm?"
Paul pulled my arm which was lost in thought and kissed the cheek of the staggering person without any restraint. Feeling that touch, I came to my senses. In front of me was Paul's face smiling happily.
"If you do this again, I'll bury you."
However, the suddenly heard voice made the Paul in front of me quickly move away.
"Really, ruining a good atmosphere. You really have no sense of romance."
"What do you mean by having no sense of romance."
Paul was grabbed by the nape like a cat but was still smiling happily. At the same time, a loud click of the tongue and a sigh were heard. But Paul didn't show any sign of guilt at all. He just narrowed his eyes.
"Blake?" The owner of the suddenly appearing sigh made me tilt my head. He grabbed Paul's collar and pulled him behind himself. Paul staggered for an instant but still managed to stand firm.
"You guys really aren't polite to me at all."
"If you want me to be polite, then act with more thought."
"I only use my brain for happy things."
In contrast to Blake who showed an unhappy expression, Paul just chuckled softly and shrugged. Although their interaction doesn't seem like they have a good relationship, judging from Blake's more impolite attitude towards Paul than others, maybe he will greatly show the part that is usually hidden in his heart in front of Paul. This might be evidence of his trust in Paul.
"Blake, what's wrong? Is there something?"
I was a bit surprised seeing this scene but still felt confused about the suddenly appearing back in front of me. I grabbed the left elbow in front of me and pulled hard. Blake slowly turned around.
"Nothing."
"Hmm, so it is."
I looked at Blake who suddenly frowned and blinked. The hand that was grabbing his elbow was pulled over forcefully by his right hand on the other side. It happened so suddenly. Although my arm wasn't pulled hard, I was instantly pulled into Blake's embrace.
"Hey, Blake."
It's very awkward in front of Paul. I hurriedly tried to break free but was tightly hugged by his arms and couldn't get away.
"You are too careless."
"Ah? Oh, so it is. Sorry."
I didn't understand his meaning for an instant but seeing Blake's expression like eating a bitter bug, I understood. This is about the issue of crisis management ability that was just reminded not long ago, right? But to be honest, I almost never encountered such things before, so I didn't pay much attention either. No, in normal life, such things really don't happen often.
"The teacher's feeling of being full of loopholes is good."
"You shut up."
Paul's muttering was mercilessly interrupted by Blake. I couldn't help but give a wry smile. Whether it's Abel who slaps Paul or Zoe who scolds Paul, everyone is really very impolite to Paul.