that way you will learn

Inspectors Na Hwa-jin, Im Han-rim, and Bong Geun-dae arrived at Haneul Academy following numerous reports of school violence. In the teachers' lounge, it didn't take long for the teachers to mention a name.

—They're here because of bullying accusations from some students, I suppose. If you're looking for the worst case of bullying... it's Lee Do-hyun.

“He gets hit every day, but he never fights back,” explained one teacher. “He’s athletic, he could, but he just doesn’t respond. He’s too calm for his own good. He only intervenes when a female student is in danger. He always gets in front of them and takes the blows instead. The girls love him like a brother, but the boys call him effeminate or gay or a faggot for spending so much time with them.” Other teachers chimed in, saying things like , “No student has ever managed to make him cry… not even on the worst days.” —He is one of the best students of his generation, but he never boasts about it.

—He has never insulted anyone.

—He never holds a grudge against those who hit him.

—He is the only student we have never seen lose his temper.

—The boy has a very promising future, but we are afraid that this will affect the great person he is.

—Not a single teacher has been able to make him lose his composure, no matter how much they scold him.

—The parents of other students even know him for protecting their daughters.

—He has never been seen arguing with anyone.

—Sometimes it seems as if he endures everything by his own choice.

Na Hwa-jin remained silent for a few seconds; each of the words caught her attention.

—I want to talk to him.

Before leaving, the director added:

—Your mother will arrive in a few hours.

Several teachers burst out laughing.

—She'll probably be a carefree mother.

—If the boy has been suffering this for years, someone at home must have ignored it.

—I don't expect too much from her.

The three inspectors did not respond. They preferred to wait and get to know her before drawing any conclusions.