Pairing: Sunggyu x Reader (G)
Prompt: Ghost
Word Count: 1.4K
~Admin V
You used to think of yourself as being good at math. In high school you were asked to tutor students before exams. You even got to skip finals because your average was above 90%. But now you were in university and you found out you were not good at math.
Maybe it was that you didn’t have class everyday like in high school or that you were expected to read the math textbook on your own and understand it. Whatever the case, where you used to bring home As you were now getting Cs, and that was only because you turned in homework and participated. When the homework was returned to you, it was full of mistakes and marked up.
You didn’t have any friends in class, so you couldn’t have a study buddy. It was also unfortunate that tutoring times were during your class and work schedule. You just hoped you’d be able to retain enough formulas to help you pass the final so you would never have to take math again.
You sat in your dorm’s common room with your book open, half hoping someone would see your pathetic attempt at studying and come save you. No one did.
You’d erased the problem you were working on so many times, that as your eraser skidded across the paper this round, it ripped it. Out of anger you balled up the paper and threw it at the wall.
A shower. That would give you some reprieve from this hideousness. Maybe after you would have a clearer mind. You left your book with notebook inside on the table. If someone wanted to steal it, at least you’d have an excuse for not doing it.
You took extra time, washing your hair, exfoliating, just standing under the hot water, anything to delay the inevitable.
You dragged your feet back to your room and put on pjs before going back to the common room. You took a deep breath to brace yourself for what would take you the next few hours.
When you opened your book, you were confused. On your notebook were all the problems set up. Then, the problems were mostly solved out. All that was missing was the final step and the answer.
You looked around. Who helped you? You looked at your notebook again. Whoever helped you was very smart. They broke down the problems in more steps than what the professor showed you. It made it so much easier to solve. You were able to complete the homework in no time.
“Thank you!” you called out when you finished. You skipped happily back to your room. You’d actually be able to get some sleep tonight.
The next week, math went smoother because you were able to use the new breakdown to solve the new problems given. The following week was a different story, however. Once again, your professor expected you to read and understand the textbook to know how to solve these new equations and memorize the different formulas.
You found yourself once again in the common room, waiting for someone to help, or at least the person who helped you last time to reveal themselves. No one came.
You sighed. You closed up your book and notebook and left them on the table again. You needed a break, so walked back to your room to make some ramen. Maybe food would help you focus and think.
Again, you took your time to savor every noodle. You even sipped the broth slowly. Too soon it was time to go back to your math homework.
You groaned as you sat down on the lumpy sofa. You opened up all your books ready to work. You gasped. Someone helped you once more! The formulas were written down clearer and equations broken down more simply. You just needed to finish solving them like last time.
This time when you finished, you took a leaf of paper from your note book and left a note on the table. Thank you, Mystery Math Wiz!
The next day you walked in the common room to see if anyone responded to your note. Unhelpfully, there were a few responses. You’re welcome. No problem, my good bitch. Fuck math. There were also a few uncreative penis drawings. You threw out the note then decided to try something different later that night.
After midnight you went back with your math book and notebook. You left them closed as you had previously then went back to you room and slept for the night. When you woke the next morning, you hurried to your math book. You pulled out your notebook and sat on the lumpy couch.
First on the note was the message you left:
Dear Mystery Math Wiz,
Thank you for helping me with the math homework. Do you like cookies? Tell me your favorite and I’ll make you some to return the favor!
Then, to your happy surprise, there was a response.
Dear Mathematically Impaired,
I just couldn’t take the torture of watching you countlessly butcher equation after equation. I don’t eat. Just leave your supplies next time you need help.
It wasn’t in the realm of what you expected. Couldn’t take the torture of watching you . . . Where were they watching you? It was normally empty in the commons when you did the homework. Now you were a little creeped out. And then the, I don’t eat. Everyone eats. Maybe they just meant no cookies. You didn’t dwell on it too long. Regardless of the strange response, they had helped you with the impossible. And at least they didn’t draw a penis.
A couple more weeks passed. You left your books in the common room with your notebook as suggested. You left another note as well. After working on art history homework you came out to see if MMW had been to help.
Success! They organized how to do the new assignments. You looked at the note you left.
Math Wiz,
I am infinitely grateful for your math help. Is there anything I can do to repay you? We have a big test coming up. Would you be open to meeting in person for some tutoring? I’m okay with meeting late since that seems to be when you have time.
The Response:
Math Impaired,
Really, just seeing the math done correctly is thanks enough. I don’t think meeting will be possible. Just leave tabs and circle the things you need help with. Think of it as me studying with you in spirit.
The notes and math help continued for the rest of the semester. All that was left now was the final exam. Because of the Mystery Math Wiz, you actually felt prepared.
You sat in the common room writing a farewell note to them.
Math Wiz,
The final is tomorrow. Wish me luck! Thanks to you I think I actually stand a change of pulling a decent grade. It’s funny though. I’m happy math is ending, but I’m sad I won’t have this fun communication with you anymore. Are you sure you can’t meet up? I’d like to think we could be great friends. . .
“Hi, are you okay?”
You looked up mid-sentence. A very handsome, but very pale guy stood in front of you. He had a kind of charm, despite his out of fashion clothes.
You closed your notebook. “Uh, hi. Yeah, I’m okay?”
The guy chuckled at your confusion. “Sorry. You just looked sad.” He sat down in the chair next to the couch.
“Ah. I guess I am. I’m sort of writing a goodbye letter.”
He looked at you curiously then looked at your math book. “A sad goodbye letter to math?” He smiled.
You smiled back. “No, that is a happy goodbye. There’s a friend who helped me study, but now that math is ending I don’t think we’ll be in contact anymore.”
“Ah. Well I’m sure it’s nothing to do with you. School life can be busy.”
You crinkled your forehead. “I guess. I just really wanted to show them how thankful I am. They were a real life saver. I just know we would’ve been great friends, if they’d given it a shot.”
“Maybe you would’ve if things were different.”
How vague. “Who did you say you were again?”
He smiled again. “I’m Sunggyu.”
You returned his grin and introduced yourself.
“Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. I’m sure your Mystery Math Wiz knows how much you appreciated the help. You don’t seem too mathematically impaired anymore.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Sunggyu nodded and got up.
“Hey,” you called after him. “Maybe I’ll see you around?”
He turned and smiled once more. “Not likely.”
That threw you. You looked back to your notebook. What an odd response. But . . . did he say Mystery Math Wiz? Was he . . .
“Sunggyu!” You looked at where he just stood, but no one was there.
