Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Elementary School Entrance Ceremony
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Whoosh!
“Waaah!”
The kid who came rushing over in an instant and hugged Yu-na tightly was none other than Ha-yul.
A warm-looking deep brown coat.
And a cute pink backpack with a rabbit character on it.
‘Is Ha-yul starting at this school too?’
Yu-na, who had lost her balance and fallen to the floor, smiled brightly while pinned under Ha-yul.
“You go here too?”
“Yeah! You too, Yu-na? What class are you in?”
“Yu-na’s in Class 3. What about you, Ha-yul?”
“I’m in Class 1. It would’ve been so great if we were in the same class. What a bummer.”
It was nice to see them so happy to meet each other, but…
How long were they going to stay lying on the floor?
Right then.
Yoon Si-won, who had come running belatedly, suddenly pulled Yu-na and Ha-yul to their feet.
“Ha-yul! Look at you, getting Yu-na’s clothes all dirty. What if you’d hurt her rushing like that?”
“But I ran gently.”
“What’s so funny about it?”
Even as she scolded loudly, she brushed the dust off Yu-na’s clothes.
“Hehe. Yu-na’s fine.”
“R-Really? No injuries anywhere?”
“Nope. Not a single one.”
Only then did she slowly stand up, dust off her knees, and turn around.
A sudden silence fell.
The one who broke the heavy silence first was none other than Yoon Si-won.
“Hello. Long time no see.”
Since she greeted me first, I bowed my head slightly in return.
“Yes, hello. Looks like Ha-yul’s enrolling at Bora Elementary too. How about they commute together with Yu-na?”
“That’s right. But…”
She trailed off and politely extended her hand, pointing to the person next to me.
“This is Yusia, right?”
“Oh, hello. I’m Yusia.”
“Hello… I’m Ha-yul’s mom, Yoon Si-won.”
With that awkward greeting over.
The homeroom teacher came between us with a very troubled expression.
“Um… Lee Yu-na’s guardian?”
“Oh, yes.”
“I’m sorry, but all guardians need to move to the back.”
Looking around, all the kids Yu-na’s age and the adults were staring at us.
We were in the way.
“Ahaha… Sorry. You said to go to the back, right? We’ll head there now.”
“H-Ha-yul. Mom’s going!”
“Yu-na, Dad’ll be watching from back there, so be good.”
We handed the kids over to the homeroom teacher and hurried to the back.
The entrance ceremony had clearly started, but the kids up front kept turning around blatantly.
Kids waving hello to their moms and dads.
Was this an entrance ceremony for the kids…
Or for the parents?
-Next, we’ll introduce each class’s homeroom teacher.
At the announcer’s words, I leaned forward and whispered just loud enough for Yoon Si-won to hear.
“Did you say Ha-yul’s in Class 1?”
“Yes, the teacher has such a unique name. Once you hear it, you’ll never forget it.”
“Really? What’s the name?”
“See for yourself. Hehe.”
She didn’t seem inclined to tell me now.
I straightened up.
By the way…
‘Where’d Yusia go? She hasn’t been around since earlier… Did she step out?’
As I looked around.
-Class 1’s teacher is Teacher Prim. Teacher Prim, please come forward and introduce yourself to Class 1.
I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the homeroom teacher’s name. Her words about it being unforgettable were spot on.
Prim…
I looked at the teacher picking up the mic from the podium.
She looked fairly old.
Just as prim-looking as her name.
-Oh, yes. I’m Teacher Prim, and I’ll be teaching Class 1 for the year. Don’t worry—my personality isn’t as prim as my name.
With that, Class 1 was done, followed by Class 2.
Then it was Class 3’s turn.
Kang Yu-jin, was it?
Kang Yu-jin, looking tense as she creaked her way to the podium, picked up the mic.
-Th-This is my first time at this elementary school, and I’ll be taking Class 3. Please take care of me for the year.
Murmurs of concern rippled through after her brief intro.
“My kid has a temper and can’t hold back… I wonder if a young homeroom teacher can handle the tantrums…”
“Right? She’s so young, she might get hurt easily… Can she teach all the kids equally without bias?”
“They don’t even allow kneeling punishments anymore. What are we gonna do…”
“The kids’ illusions are about to shatter.”
Honestly, I was worried too.
From her timid reaction during greetings earlier, she didn’t seem equipped to lead a class on her own.
Well, Yu-na’s not the type to cause trouble like other kids.
As long as she teaches well, that’d be great.
Tap! Tap!
I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Yusia had returned, holding a big camera.
“The ceremony’s not over yet, right?”
“Yeah, where’d you go?”
“I thought we’d need a camera. It’s Yu-na’s once-in-a-lifetime elementary entrance ceremony—gotta capture it in photos.”
“Oh, a phone would work. Do we really need a camera?”
“The quality’s different. Quality.”
Click! Click!
She adjusted the camera and started snapping away.
Yu-na turned her head, flashing a bright smile and waving at us.
‘Alright, maybe I should take some too?’
I pulled out my phone and tried zooming in max, but the quality pixelated.
Not gonna capture all her cuteness like this.
I stared longingly at Yusia’s camera.
“What? Not taking any?”
“…Could you send me the pics from today?”
“You said just use your phone.”
“……”
I was speechless.
“Kidding. I’ll send them.”
“Phew. You’re teasing me a lot today.”
“Guess you’re getting comfortable with me. I don’t usually joke like this. Not sure you’ll believe that.”
Click! Click!
Even as she replied, her hands didn’t stop. The nonstop clicking went on without a break.
No idea how many she took.
“Yusia, you can stop now. Why so many shots?”
“The more photos, the better.”
“Too many, and sorting the good ones is just a hassle.”
“Okay, okay, got it, sis.”
She chatted naturally with a woman who’d appeared holding a bouquet.
Her voice sounded familiar.
But I couldn’t place her face.
Yoon Si-won, who’d been watching silently, couldn’t hold back her curiosity.
“…Who’s the woman right next to Yusia? I don’t follow singers much, so…”
I nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, I’m curious too. Who’s that next to you, Yusia?”
Right then, the woman with the bouquet strode right up to me.
“Lee Jun-seo… You don’t recognize me?”
“Huh? Not really.”
When I said I didn’t, Yusia burst out laughing.
“Ahaha, that’s hilarious. You really don’t? We’ve met before.”
“We have?”
I asked again, and she cracked up more.
“…Yusia—no, Seo-yeon, you’re killing me.”
“Pfft, that’s why I told you to dress up more usually. Even managers do these days.”
Only then did I realize who the woman with the bouquet was. I locked eyes with the manager and composed myself.
“Ahem! Hello.”
“Yes, hello, Jun-seo. Here, take this. It’s from our Yusia for Yu-na.”
After handing over the bouquet, the manager glared at Yusia briefly and whooshed out of the auditorium.
“…Did I tease her too hard?”
“Looks like it.”
“I’ll be right back. Text me when it’s over!”
We let out a deep sigh as Yusia chased after her manager.
After singing the school song that no one could quite hit, we followed the homeroom teacher to the classroom the kids would use.
‘Class 3, Year 1.’
Yu-na would spend a year here…
I looked around.
The desks and chairs were kid-sized, looking tiny.
Small potted plants by the windows.
Even before spring arrived, vibrant green plants thrived.
And the blackboard looked nothing like the ones I remembered, as if showing the passage of time.
A glossy blackboard…
Uses markers instead of chalk, huh?
“…Everything’s so cute and quaint.”
Yusia, back with the manager, looked around in wonder.
Then the corner of her mouth twitched up.
I turned to where she was looking: Yu-na, sitting there.
“Daaaad! Auntie! Hehehe.”
Yu-na looked brighter than ever, waving vigorously at me.
‘She’s grown so much, looking at her like this.’
Already an elementary kid.
By middle school, she’ll probably complain about sharing a room with Dad.
As I imagined that unfulfilled future and felt glum.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The homeroom teacher clapped, scanned the kids, and spoke.
“Everyone? Are you all in your assigned seats with your names on them?”
“Yes, Teacher!”
“Yeees!”
“Are we studying now?”
The kids, who looked like troublemakers, were surprisingly eager to learn.
Studying on the first day of enrollment.
The teacher nodded approvingly at their enthusiasm, lips curved up.
“Nope! Wrong.”
“So what do we do now?”
“Today, with parents here, I’ll just briefly explain how you’ll spend your days at school this year and what you’ll learn.”
“So when do we eat?”
“No school lunch today.”
“Can we go play in other classes?”
“Yeah! Can we go play?”
“Yes, but only during breaks. You know no leaving during class, right? Now that questions are done, I’ll share the plans ahead.”
Huh, she’s handling it better than I thought.
She’d answered the kids’ questions one by one with confident energy.
Unlike my worries.
‘The explanation started right away.’
To help adjust: only 4 periods for the first few days.
Lunch provided, of course.
Classes replaced with activity books for now.
Her smooth, assured delivery boosted my trust a ton.
Some parents who’d worried about the young teacher now looked relieved.
“…That concludes it. Parents wanting individual consultations, please stay. Thank you.”
And with that, the entrance ceremony was over.
‘Should I give Yu-na the bouquet now?’
Right then.
Parents suddenly swarmed around Yusia and me.
“Um, Jun-seo. Big fan. Could we shake hands? A photo would be even better…”
“I’ve been a fan since the sitcom. Photo together, please?”
“I get through tough times listening to Yusia’s songs. As a fan, could you shake my hand…?”
They’d all been holding back till the end. Not many parents around, so maybe just do it?
Yusia and I exchanged glances and nodded slightly.
“Sure, that’s no problem.”