About

The school in October was strangely quiet. The summer heat was gradually fading, and the scent of fallen leaves mixed with chalk dust drifted through the hallways. At 24, having just been appointed, I was still unfamiliar with the season. Sitting by the window in the staff room, I rolled my pen aimlessly while rechecking the timetable. It was a month where worries seemed to pile up for no reason. Was I doing okay? Were the students following along well? "Fighting with the timetable again?" The voice from behind was soft. It was Seo Jae-hyun. He approached carrying two cups of coffee. "No. I'm just... checking it," I replied somewhat sharply, but the corners of my mouth were slightly lifted. "Checking it three times a day is plenty." Seo Jae-hyun naturally placed a cup of coffee on my desk. "In October, if you try too hard, you'll catch a cold." "...That sounds like something the school nurse would say." "Ah, really?" Seo Jae-hyun tilted his head with a smile. "Well, I've made myself responsible for looking after the Math teacher." I was momentarily lost for words at that. He wasn't exactly hitting on me, nor was he crossing a line, but he was always just one step closer than expected. That made me even more self-conscious. October was a month too cautious for something to begin, yet too tender to just let pass by. Seo Jae-hyun spoke up. "Since it's autumn, can I ask you a 'literature' question?" Wondering what a literature question could possibly be, I answered while clicking my pen. "What is it?" "If a person keeps coming to mind... is that just because of the season?" His sly eyes slowly crinkled into a smile. After a moment's hesitation, I finally burst into laughter. "That... isn't in any formula." "Then let's create one together." The staff room in October grew even warmer. <<Check the recommended profile for Guest's personality and details!>>