Chapter Text
“Is this for real? I have a General Math class?” Loud mouse clicking and keyboard typing sound spread throughout his room, as he was completely in denial about having Gen Math classes even though he took the Cookery strand. Despite that core subject that he has to face, he was still pleased with the specialized subjects, being the “Bread and Pastry” as well as “Cookery 1”.
Sohn Youngjae is an 18-year-old Cookery student, who’s now enrolled as an 11th grader in a Virtual Mode of learning due to the pandemic. He is living in his own apartment, separated from his parents, as his parents are currently living in their province, where they built a humble home, not too extravagant, but not too simple either. Youngjae has to move to Seoul for better opportunities, whether it be for Universities, or for his dream profession of becoming a well-known chef.
But look at him now, ranting over this single, I guess a bit harmful of a core subject and that is Mathematics.
“How will I survive this school year, especially since it's online and I don’t have any friends to ask help with.” He now looks like he came out from a fresh strangling fight because of his messy hair. He stood up from his computer chair and decided to just cook as a way to relieve stress.
Soft hammering was heard from his kitchen, tenderizing the two pork cutlets that he prepped, making his favorite and comfort food, Fried Cutlets ( Donkkaseu) . He slowly fried the cuts in low heat for 3 minutes on both sides first as it’s first fry. While waiting, he prepares his shredded cabbage as a side and makes a simple barbeque sauce to go with it.
The second fry was done and it was time to serve. As a practice for his Garnishing skills, he carefully puts a streak of barbeque sauce on the plate, and puts the cutlet on top, served it with a cup of rice, and the coleslaw slide. “I certainly wish I could eat this with someone right now.” He pouts as he takes a picture for his Instagram.
Taking another bite of his dish, he decided to facetime with his parents. He quickly went to the app and called his mom, answering him in just a few seconds after it rang.
Youngjae - Bold Letters
Mom - Italic Letters
Hi mom! Have you eaten already? I made some Donkkaseu!
Wow! That looks really good son! Cook us some cutlets too when we visit you again, okay?
Of course mom! I do wish I had someone to eat with me everyday though.
You can call us whenever you’re feeling lonely, okay? By the way, are you enjoying your new setup there? We haven’t visited you for a long time now.
Yes mom! I like it here so much! It doesn’t look like the old shabby apartment that we used to live in!
That’s great then! Just message us if you need something okay? You can always come back here in the province.
Sure mom! I’ve got things handled here so no need to worry.
Is the allowance that we gave you enough for your classes this year? Do you need more for your requirements?
Yes! It’s all settled since it’s just through a digital screen. My PC that you bought me can do lots of things. I told you mom, it is worth the money! I won’t need other devices anymore.
Well, that’s really fortunate! I didn’t know that thing could cost a lot of money.
Oh, by the way mom…
What is it son?
Will it be okay if I get a tutor? I think they get paid per hour. I still have lots of extra funds here, but I just want to ask first if it's okay..
Of course, son! However, get those tutors that are really good okay? Make sure they are worth the offer that they give.
Yey! Thank you mom! I badly need it for my Math classes this year. I think I won’t survive without one. I’ll look carefully at those that are really qualified! I won’t splurge money if it’s not needed. I’m still the Youngjae that you raised well!
That’s really good to hear, son! I’m really proud of you. Anyways, I have to hang up the call now, son. We’re expecting visitors tonight.
Sure mom! Goodbye! Love you!
Love you too son!
After the call, Youngjae immediately cleaned all the utensils he used for both cooking and for eating. He went back to his computer to find Math tutors online. At first, he was contemplating if he should just get a tutor through online, but he decided that a personal or a face-to-face tutoring would be more effective, even if it’s more costly.
As he scrolled through the web pages of multiple math tutors, he saw some with no reviews, some with bad reviews, and some with few good ones. After a good minute, he came across this profile that had a spark. Lee Juyeon, what a nice name. He thought. He clicked his profile and indicated that the tutor currently has no client. He clicked the reviews of the said profile
ji_ch****in
★★★★★
“He’s a really good tutor! He knows what he’s doing. Definitely recommend him!”
hurh****n01
★★★★★
“Really good teacher. Def recommend. Also plays valorant.”
jaeh*****e
★★★☆☆
“I thought he’ll be helpful! I even knew more lessons than him!”
There were a lot more reviews that said he was a great tutor compared to the only few who didn’t think so. As he read his information, it said that he could agree to a personal tutor session with only a small rate difference, which Youngjae thought it wasn’t bad at all. He checked his location and turns out, the tutor was literally living just below him: 2 floors below his room. With that in mind, he decides that he will be the best option, considering the guy is also REALLY attractive.
YOUNGJAE’S POV
Good evening! Is this Mr. Lee Juyeon?
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Good evening. Yes. Do I know you?
I saw your profile on that Math tutor
website and I’m willing to take you
as my Math tutor. Is it correct that
you currently have no clients?
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Oh yes! I assume you’re Mr. Sohn
Youngjae? That name seems so familiar,
but yes, I’m currently free and have
no other clients now.
Yes, I am Sohn Youngjae! That’s great
then. Actually, I found your information
on the website and you’re living here
at Sohn Haus, right? I’m just here on the
7th floor!
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Oh! That’s why Sohn seemed so
familiar… Wait, you’re the owner of
this apartment?
My father owns it of course, how
would I, an 18 year old, own this whole
apartment LOL. So, you’re just on the
5th floor, right?
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Yes! 507 to be exact. I assume that you
would want a personal tutor session
right? Since I can just walk up to your
floor, or vice versa?
Yes! Luckily I found your profile! This
is much more convenient now!
About the schedule…
Mr. Lee Juyeon
That’s great! About the schedule,
we can do an MWF if it’s okay with you?
Why not all the weekdays?
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Well, I do have some few part-time jobs
here and there and I really don’t have
much free time for myself.
Oh, okay! MWF sounds good to
me! If it’s okay, can the tutor session
last until my 1st semester ends? So,
probably until this December.
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Yes, that’s not a problem and we can
do that. Then you could decide if
you continue it until your 2nd semester.
Yes, exactly! Thank you so much!
So, we’ll start next Monday, right?
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Yes.
Okie thanks! By the way, if you go
up here through the stairs or through
the elevator, my guards will block
you, but just say “ERIC” and they’ll
let you in.
Mr. Lee Juyeon
Oh sure. Thanks, Youngjae-ssi.
Just Youngjae! Hehehe. Thank you
too, Sir Juyeon!
Juyeon
No problem, Youngjae! Just call
me Juyeon then.