39 The Distracted Brother and His Concerned Peers (2/2)

Of course, why wouldn't he be surprised. Gun was his favourite student who never failed to turn in a complete and neat work. But for some reason, today, he broke his streak. Unlike what other students have been expecting, however, Gun did not get hit.

The teacher lowered his wooden ruler, looking at Gun worriedly, ”did something happen? Why didn't you complete your work?”

Gun lowered his head, ”I'm sorry, teacher. There were some family issues over the weekend and I couldn't finish the homework on time.”

”No, no. It's fine, Student Gun. I'll go check the rest first while you finish yours.” He kindly offered an initiative.

”Thank you, teacher.” Gun bowed his head politely, accepting the offer. He ignored the other students' quiet complaints and stink eyes. Very quickly, he finished solving all of the questions before the teacher went through the rest of the students.

”Teacher, I'm done.” Just as the teacher was in the midst of punishing another student, Gun called out.

”Really?! Good, good.” The teacher smiled in satisfaction. He went over to Gun's seat and checked his work. As always, it was perfect without a single flaw. Though he did it in a hurry, all the answers were correct.

”Good, good.” The teacher repeated, nodding, his eyes practically glowing.

Seeing the blatant favouritism, some students grumbled, but kept quiet. They might get punished for complaining, after all. Gun was the teacher's pet, and slighting him was like slighting the teacher himself. It was better to keep their thoughts to themselves instead of risking getting their merit points deducted.

Gun spent the rest of the class half-daydreaming and half-focused.

Yeo Ri's image and thoughts about her knife kept popping up in his mind, distracting him. He couldn't forget the scars marring her skin and the look of fear she had at the mention of that man. The franticness she showed when she couldn't find her knife was ingrained in his mind.

Gun shook his head and sighed. He took out his phone, flipping it open. The home screen had Yeo Ri's picture as its wallpaper.

It had been taken during Yeo Ri's 14th birthday. Yeo Ri was smiling prettily in the picture, looking bright and happy. They had been at home, eating fried chicken and a small cake. Yeo Ri rarely had cake so she had been very happy to have one present on her birthday. He wondered where the girl in the picture had gone. These days, her smiles seemed so sad.

Gun sighed again and flipped his phone shut.

He tuned out his thoughts and prepared himself to concentrate on the lessons instead.