37 The Kind Teacher, Ms. Kim (1/2)

”Oh my, Student Lee Yeo Ri?” A familiar voice exclaimed.

It was Ms. Kim Misun, Yeo Ri's homeroom teacher.

”What brings you here so early?” Kim Misun carried a tumbler in her hands. It was probably her morning coffee that she had brought from home. She hadn't expected to see anyone at the teacher's lounge, much less Yeo Ri. The girl had been sitting on the sofa, working on a worksheet that Min Chae had given her over the weekends. It was her homework from last Friday, but she hadn't had the time to do it previously.

Seeing the diligent-looking girl, Ms. Kim couldn't help but misunderstand. She praised her, ”As expected of Lee Gun's little sister. You're so hardworking,” she smiled. The exams were right around the corner and this was exactly the type of student that she wanted to see. She had thought that her class would be ranked low thanks to her losing Student Lim Jang Mi to another class, but with Yeo Ri around, she wouldn't lose face to the other homeroom teachers.

Yeo Ri smiled wryly at her misunderstanding, but did not clear it up. ”Good morning, teacher,” she greeted.

”What are you doing here so early?” Ms. Kim usually arrived early to avoid traffic, and she usually had breakfast alone in the lounge, so having another company made her feel talkative.

”I wanted to make up for my absence so I came early, but the classrooms were locked when I came,” she half-lied.

”I see, I see,” Ms. Kim smiled with satisfaction. She had always liked Yeo Ri and this added some extra points in her books. She had known the girl since she was in her first year; Ms. Kim had been her homeroom teacher in her first year, after all. The girl was not only diligent and obedient, but was also polite and often greeted people with a smile. It was hard not to like her.

”Have you eaten breakfast, Yeo Ri-ah?” Ms. Kim smiled warmly at the girl.

Yeo Ri shook her head, ”no, not yet...”

”That's bad! You should eat breakfast; it's the most important meal of the day,” Ms. Kim lectured as she pulled out her lunchbox from her bag. It was a three-tiered lunch box filled with all sorts of side dishes and riceballs.

”Come and have some,” Ms. Kim offered. Her family held a memorial ceremony over the weekends and there were plenty of leftovers. Luckily, Yeo Ri was around so she didn't have to have such a big breakfast all by herself.