As he turned and saw them, his eyes widened in genuine shock. "Wait—you guys go to school here? That's surprising. Small world, right?" he said, still trying to process the coincidence.
Na-Yeon and Ha-Seong exchanged glances before Ha-Seong smirked. "Yeah, it really is. But why are you here? I thought you weren't looking to get into college anytime soon."
Travis scratched the back of his head, a lazy grin forming. "That's a tricky question, but I'll make sure to answer after class. For now, why don't I sit with you guys? I don't have any friends yet."
Before he could say anything else, So-Yeon cleared her throat from behind him.
"Besides Noona here," he quickly added, glancing at her with a sheepish smile.
So-Yeon simply rolled her eyes, but a small smirk tugged at her lips.
Once class began, Travis made no effort to pay attention. Instead, he leaned in close to Na-Yeon and Ha-Seong, whispering jokes that had both of them struggling to hold back laughter. Na-Yeon clutched her stomach at one particularly bad pun, while Ha-Seong nearly fell out of his seat trying to suppress his snickers.
So-Yeon shot them a sharp glance from the front of the room, her expression unamused.
"Sorry," Travis mouthed, but his grin didn't fade.
By the time class ended, So-Yeon was already approaching him. She crossed her arms and looked up at him with a knowing expression. "I'd like to see you after class," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Travis barely hesitated before shrugging. "Sure. Sounds fun."
Once everyone had left and the classroom was empty, So-Yeon shut the door and leaned against her desk. Her dark eyes locked onto him, unimpressed.
"I'm really disappointed in you," she said, shaking her head. "It's your first day, and you're already misbehaving. Lucky for you, I'm a good teacher, so instead of actual punishment, you'll just be doing some manual labor for me."
Travis let out a dramatic sigh, acting like it was the worst thing in the world. "Manual labor? Noona, have mercy."
But inside, he was smirking. His plan was working perfectly.
So-Yeon handed him a stack of thick folders, each one packed with papers, but Travis carried them with ease as they walked down the hallway toward her office. His arms barely strained under the weight, making it clear that this so-called "punishment" was hardly a challenge for him.
"Not bad," she muttered, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "Most students would be struggling by now."
Travis smirked. "What can I say? I'm built different."
She rolled her eyes but didn't comment.
As they made their way past groups of students lingering in the halls, Travis leaned in slightly. "So, I heard some of your students got caught... you know... doing things they shouldn't be doing today."
So-Yeon sighed, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, that? Please, that kind of thing happens all the time here."
Travis raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
She nodded, her voice dropping to a more casual tone. "Yeah, there's actually a rumor going around about a 'Sextudy Group'—basically a bunch of students who mix studying with... other activities." She shrugged. "Then there's supposedly an exhibitionist roaming the school, someone who gets off on being seen. And don't even get me started on the drama students. Apparently, they stripped some poor girl naked during a play for 'artistic reasons.'"
Travis let out a low whistle. "Damn. This school's got more action than I expected."
So-Yeon smirked. "It's like a place filled with young minds overflowing with all kinds of desires and ambitions. Some academic, some... not so much."
Travis pursed his lips in amusement. "I mean... it kinda is, isn't it?"
"Exactly," she said with a shrug. "That's why I don't bother paying much attention to all that nonsense. But my colleagues?" She let out an exaggerated groan. "They're always talking about it, obsessing over every little scandal like they're running some kind of gossip column."
She shot him a look before smirking. "Especially this one nympho bitch I work with. I swear, she's slept with half the school. You'd probably like her."
Travis chuckled, shaking his head. 'Oh, I know exactly who she's talking about. She's a hoe, and I'm definitely not simp enough to wife her up. But as a side piece? Maybe. Who knows—could have a change of heart.'
As they walked, So-Yeon's eyes flickered toward Travis, finally noticing just how effortlessly he carried the heavy stack of files. His arms remained steady, his expression unbothered, not even the slightest sign of struggle.
"Wow," she mused, tilting her head. "You must be really strong. Haven't heard a single peep from you complaining."
Travis smirked, shifting the weight of the folders slightly. "I mean, I work out for situations like this—where I get to help a hot woman with her stuff."
So-Yeon let out a soft giggle, her lips curling into a smirk. "You really think I'm hot?" She glanced at him, eyes playful yet teasing. "Wait till you see me naked. I'm sure you'll be disgusted."
Travis opened his mouth to fire back, but before he could, the sudden chime of her phone interrupted them. So-Yeon sighed and pulled it from her pocket, glancing at the screen before answering.
"Yes?" she said, her tone shifting into something more formal.
Travis watched as she listened, her expression changing almost instantly. The lighthearted amusement vanished, replaced by something unreadable. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers tightening around the phone.
A minute passed, then another. When the call finally ended, she lowered the phone slowly and let out a long, exhausted sigh.
Travis frowned. "What's wrong?"
She turned to him, her shoulders sinking slightly. "Well… I just got fired."
Travis blinked, taken aback. "What? Are you serious?"
She nodded, letting out a breathy laugh, but there was no real humor in it. "Yeah. I'll stop teaching by next semester."
His brows furrowed, concern creeping into his voice. "I'm so sorry. Did they even give you a reason?"
"None that I know of," she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "But I did hear someone bought the college recently. Guess that might have something to do with it."
Travis stayed silent for a moment, watching her carefully. There was something about the way she spoke—like she was trying to convince herself it didn't matter, but deep down, it did.
Then, without warning, So-Yeon took the files from his hands and—
Scattered them across the floor.
Travis raised an eyebrow, watching as papers fluttered in all directions, creating a mess in the middle of the hallway.
She exhaled, stretching her arms above her head with a slow, lazy grin. "You know what? It doesn't matter. In fact…" Her eyes gleamed with something wild and reckless. "I'm free. Well, until next semester, but that just means I don't have to give a damn about what this school says or does. Because either way, I'm out."
A mischievous smirk tugged at her lips as she turned to face him. "So, let's go party. My treat."
For a brief second, Travis just stared at her. Then, slowly, his own grin spread across his face.
"Yeah," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "That sounds great."
As she laughed and started walking ahead, Travis shoved his hands into his pockets, his smirk deepening.
'It's all going according to plan,' he thought.
TO BE CONTINUED