67. Fantomas

Kim Teho

Teho was overwhelmed with curiosity as the girls left him alone at the table.

So, is "he" the ex-boyfriend? But who could that be and where would they meet?

Tension crept in.

I need to know. He started to scan the room from boy to boy.

There were student groups formed per usual. Some embraced their freshman additions, some didn't.

Mixed media people drank coffee, from all of the options. Probably decaf.

Having serious debates about the social function of the visual arts in public spaces. They were always talkative and ready to help you, but only if you helped them back. Everything was a serious topic with this bunch.

Fuck, I don't even know where Somin went to high school.

But these guys weren't chasing girls as hard as they were chasing their own ambition.
Teachers with senior assistants sophisticatedly talked, probably about this year's grants.

She isn't "good enough" for those.

I'm not seeing her going for a teacher and these seniors were genuinely busy.

They had too many responsibilities. Teho knew one - Kim Raon, if you want to achieve something, you'd better be on his side. The ever-so-reserved boy grew in importance throughout his years in a way nobody expected and now the ambitious student helped with various problems the teacher's office dealt with. Mainly the ones others felt uncomfortable facing.

Yeah, these boys would be too much for her.

His fellow photographers, were loud, drunk, playing immature games, bothering their best A+ student Jitae for being overly serious. Jitae was lecturing others without a pinch of self-reflection or overview, probably about the dangers of overly excessive consumption of alcohol. Although the blonde with soft features and rosy red plump lips was handsome, there was no denying it, his "go by the rule" persona wasn't.

Not her type for sure. That was Teho's hunch.

I would know already if someone from them dated her. Love those guys to death, but they can't shut up for the love of god or keep a secret.

They were one of the worst gossipers in the school, right after the painters themselves of course.

Fashion designers were the freakiest bunch in school. They sat sophistically and looked at their tablets, dissecting a fashion show runway or upcoming trends. Some of them drew with digital pencils. Their voices were quiet, commenting a bit here and there. They soon move upstairs where they wouldn't be disturbed by the surrounding commotion.

Teho adored them to death. They were creative guys, who can sew, draw and make the most rad fashion choices. He often proudly modeled for them and repaid them by making the most beautiful art photos of their creations.

I don't know, if Somin dated one of them, they couldn't ever let her leave,f they even liked the girls in the first place. They were such cool and heartwarming guys.

Teho especially loved Damin, he was too cool for everyone. If the dashing photographer had any figure assignments, he'd always go for him. Damin had small cartoon tattoos all over his fit body and colored his hair, each season differently. Teho envied his physique but was too lazy to put in the hours himself.

So designers? No way.

Painters, not many guys there. Just this new kid and Teho didn't even know his name.

He's hella weird, too young for Somin though.

It wasn't a secret that many painters had girlfriends or boyfriends among other students. They were crawling against each other already.

Teho's ebony eyes lay on sculptors, laughing loudly, drinking heavily, and arguing aggressively.

Nah, they would never date her.

They were bad news, too extra. He always saw them with older girls or should he say, 'mature women.' Rumors spread around that a particular "unnamed" artist bullied younger students for the thrill of it. You would have to be tough as stone to hang out with them, not to mention dating them.

It's better to stay out of their way. He thought with fear seeing Kyumin's full, white teeth smile, remembering what Jitae went through. Kyumin came across as silently charming on his good days and menacingly violent on his bad ones. Nevertheless, everybody was willing to overlook this side of his persona, students and teachers alike were busy praising his art and his equally good looks.

Funny that that was enough for most people. Teho scoffed.

Handsomeness was the real way into the world. Not art or intention, the looks opened the doors. He should know best from his own experience.

I hate them so much.

Dancers were new additions from different faculty. They had some of their detached studios on the premises of the art school.

We are always on good terms with those guys.

Teachers like to hang out with them, that is why they were here.

They probably solely fuck amongst themselves.

Guys were either gay, too wild, or both.

Damn, I don't know her type. Teho was frustrated beyond imagination.

If she likes me, it must be a guy like me, am I wrong? He was astounded.

I need to know so badly.

Who had her?

Who's the competition?

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