Paradise Lost: Rock-Paper-Scissors Princess
A rich, harmonious family heading to Korea. A free life in Hawaii. My first life had been good, but this second one was even more perfect. So even living in a child's body wasn't much of a problem—
"We're moving to Korea next year."
A bolt from the blue: Korea. I'd spent my whole life in America, and now this?
"Yujin, honey. You're not that against it, are you?"
"There's that scary fat guy up there on top."
"...At your age, shouldn't it be BTS over international politics?"
Of course, "whole life" was a bit much—I'd only turn nine after next year. I might use English outside, but Korean was my language at home. Plus, both my parents were Korean. I was one of those black-haired Americans everyone knew about.
Going to school in Korea shouldn't be a big deal...
"And they don't have beaches like this there."
Hawaii, Honolulu. After school, I'd bike to Maili Beach. Swimming, surfing. Sometimes just chilling on the sand with my music.
Top 10 in class. Good with friends. No bad words from hip-hop. And with parents who left me alone as long as I met those three conditions, I lived pretty freely.
Abandoning that freedom and fun for Korea? No way.
"You'll get your own room there."
"...Mom, you think that's gonna—"
"Speakers. Bang & Olufsen."
"I'll go pack."
Biting back tears, I had to leave my beloved Hawaii.
Seoul felt way too chaotic for someone used to Hawaii. Closing my eyes in my room, I could almost see Maili Beach shimmering in my mind.
"Son~, time to stop with the music and get ready to go."
"Yujin likes hip-hop, but you always listen with your eyes closed?"
Tears of longing were blurring my vision, for real...
"Have a good first day~."
"Make lots of friends~."
Today, I grabbed both my parents' hands before leaving. Even laissez-faire parents worry about their son's first school day.
"Honey, let's get going~."
"Our first date alone in ages~?"
They were too much. My parents had to be on their second lives too. No way could they produce a genius son like me otherwise, no matter how mature I acted.
"Y-Yujin's parents get along so well~. Our Yujin can get along with friends just like his awesome parents, right~?"
The homeroom teacher left with me smiled awkwardly. With nothing else to say, I just nodded.
Creak.
The door opened, and a burst of noisy chatter hit me from across the classroom. The teacher went in first, and I hung back by the door, scoping out the vibe.
Just a typical elementary school scene—different language, same chaos.
"He's here!!"
"The American kid's here!!"
"Bet his face is super tan!"
"Eww! Teacher said that's a bad word!!"
Man, I really missed home this time.
"Okay, everyone, we have a new friend today. Like I mentioned yesterday, he's lived abroad for a long time. If he reacts weird sometimes, it's just different experiences—so be understanding and get along. Got it?"
"Yes~!"
"Yujin."
The homeroom teacher smiled brightly and beckoned. Suddenly nervous, I muttered Eminem lyrics under my breath and dragged my heavy feet inside.
"Whoa, she's so pretty...!!"
"Idiot!! It's a boy, so say handsome!!"
"But she's pretty!!"
"H-Hey, kids...?! Let's calm down so Yujin doesn't get startled...?!"
Yeah. I wanna go back to Hawaii.
"Alright, everyone settle down and listen to our new friend's introduction?"
It took a solid three minutes to calm the rowdy kids. The teacher, looking way different from her awkward parent chats, forced a smile and positioned me at the front.
...This class is tiny.
Way fewer kids than in Hawaii. Still, all those bright eyes staring made me feel like a monkey in a zoo.
"I'm Seol Yujin. From Hawaii. Nice to meet you."
And that was my standard three-line intro.
"...That's it?"
"Yep."
"Whoooaaa...."
The homeroom teacher blinked in confusion before clapping late to liven things up.
"Wow!!!"
"Let's get along, Yujin!!"
"He’s from Hawaii!! So cool!!"
But elementary kids didn't care about lame intros.
"Who's your fave idol?!"
"Soccer! You good at soccer?!"
"Whoa! Two Yujins!"
"Yujin! Eat lunch with me!!"
"K-Kids...!!"
"Teacher, this seat okay?"
"Y-Yeah, that's right. ...Wait, huh?"
I slipped into the empty seat while they were distracted. Hung my bag on the chair, took off my cardigan...
"Hi!"
Some doll started talking to me. Hair neatly braided by devoted parents. Bright spring outfit. Total "I'm a princess!" vibe, but it suited her perfectly.
"Hehe, I'm cute, right!"
Yeah, a perfect princess with a side of princess syndrome.
"I'm Yujin too! Chae Yujin!"
"...You too?"
"Yup! Same Yujin, so let's be besties!"
The bubbly princess Yujin beamed and stuck out her hand.
Living as an introvert in a kid's body wasn't so bad. Worst part was missing hip-hop and adult stuff loaded with swears.
"Besties!!"
Dealing with tiny kids was pretty tiring too. Actually, this was the worst.
"I said besties!!"
"...Sure."
I cautiously took her hand.
Shake shake shake!
Then came the super enthusiastic handshake. My arm's gonna fall off. My arm's falling off.
"Fighting~!"
No idea what we were fighting for, but—
"...Fighting."
Okay. Gotta ask the teacher to switch seats.
"As class president, I'll show you around the school!"
Total oversight. I’d forgotten the ultimate cliché: the loudest, most hyperactive kid in the room is always the class president.
"Why can't I see?!"
"Move, Han Chaeyun!!"
Lunchtime. Elementary kids are busy with soccer and tag on the playground.
Still, rumors of the transfer student drew kids from other classes crowding the doorway.
"You're from another class!!"
"Don't make our Yujin uncomfortable!!"
And now the kids were proudly blocking them with that classic childish possessiveness. Guys, I'm exhausted.
"...Can I just eat and nap today?"
No music at school. Without hip-hop spirit to hold me, I couldn't refuse Chae Yujin's sparkling-eyed request as she propped her chin on her hand.
"No way!!"
Shot down instantly.
"...Huh?"
"As fellow Yujins, I can't allow it!"
"...What does that even mean?"
"As fellow Yujins, I can't allow it!"
Ah, right—elementary kids. Her spoiled act after so long made me chuckle involuntarily.
"You laughed, so I win?"
"Hold on."
"Huh?"
I smoothly dodged her hand as she reached for mine. First time for Princess, apparently—she stared at her swinging hand in the air.
"...You dodged my hand? But I'm cute?"
"I get it's a shock, but hear me out first?"
"But I'm cuuute...."
"......"
Squeeze.
No choice—I took her hand. Only then did she smile like it was the most natural thing.
"Heh. Playing hard to get."
Where'd you learn that?
"Anyway! What'd you wanna say?"
"Let's bet."
"Bet?"
She tilted her head at the unexpected word.
Second life lesson from dealing with endless kids: no need to act all grown-up.
"Rock-paper-scissors. If I win, you'll obediently follow me around."
I let go and mimed the game. She glanced between my hand and me.
"Hehe. Rock-paper-scissors against this lady?"
She puffed out her chest and put hands on hips in total confidence.
What was that pose? And where'd you pick up that speech?
"Kids, Yujin's doing rock-paper-scissors!!"
"What?! Who else dared challenge Yujin...!!"
"Yujin did!"
"Who?!"
"Yujin!"
"No way!!"
Her confidence had backing, it seemed. Kids who'd been scarfing lunch suddenly swarmed us in a frenzy.
"I've never lost at rock-paper-scissors once! Not even to the teacher!!"
"Yeah!! We got to sing in class last time thanks to Yujin!"
"And we beat Class 3 before that!"
"Ahem!"
She shot me a smug look, eyes screaming "You dare challenge this lady?"
"Perfect then. You can drag me around easy."
Opportunity. Kids love competition.
"Hehe. Hurts my heart for fellow Yujin to lose, but a bet's a bet!"
And our princess had killer competitive streak. Losing? Not in her world.
"Ready? Rock~ paper~."
"Wait."
"Huh?"
"I'm throwing rock."
I clenched my fist firmly, sticking to principle. She fumbled a bit—first time seeing this.
"...Not lying, right? Fellow Yujins can't lie."
"No lie."
"What if you do?"
"I'll buy you a slushie on the way."
"...So you are planning to lie?"
"Twenty slushies."
"No pay, you lose!!"
Her quick add-on, half-beat ahead. She grinned and reached out.
"Rock-paper-scissors!!"
"Paper."
Two cute hands slammed on the desk.
"Liaaaar!!!"
My scissors beat her rock. Victory.
"You promised no lies!!"
Bam!!
She slammed the desk hard. Super salty about losing—cheeks puffed, big eyes brimming with tears.
The other kids looked panicked, scared she'd cry.
"You lied, so I'll buy the slushie."
Bets are cold. Even against a kid, I go all out. Whatever—
Class rank 10. Good friends. No hip-hop swears. Pocket money flowed as long as I kept those three. First day bonus for snacks with friends too. Twenty slushies? Covered.
"One more! No slushie, just one more!!"
Bam! She wiped her eyes quick with her sleeve. Leaned in close, like don't you dare run.
"This time, loser obeys winner for a month?"
"Deal! Do it!"
"If I win, you leave me alone for a month?"
"Fine, just play!! No throw, you lose!!"
Two beats ahead, no psych-out. Eminem-level rapid fire—I matched and threw.
"Whyyy meee!!!"
Rock-paper-scissors against an excited kid? Easy mode.
"Yujin won...!!"
"What?! I missed it—who won?"
"Against Yujin!!"
"Who?!"
"Against Yujin!!"
"Quit joking!!"
"Kids, why's the class so—. Yujin?! Why's our Yujin crying...?!"
Class exploded in chaos. Teacher rushed in from the noise.
"Me loooosing...!!"
But Yujin didn't care—super mad about the loss.
"Fellow Yujin keeps promises, right?"
And I, Seol Yujin, cared only about winning, teacher or no.
"One moooore!!"
"Uhmm, no speak Keeorean."
"Lying agaaaain!!"
Ah, wanna go home and blast music.
"Heard from the teacher. Made a classmate cry on your first day?"
"...Huh?"
"Son. What're we gonna do if you make friends cry day one?"
"W-Wait...! It was just rock-paper-scissors—!"
"No inviting that girl over next week? No more Bang & Olufsen."
Kid life. First real crisis.