2. First Step into Kindegarten

The sun shone brightly over Seoul, its golden rays seeping through the windows of a spacious house where a young boy was about to experience an important milestone—his first day of kindergarten. Excitement and nervousness blended into one as he sat at the breakfast table, his small legs swinging back and forth beneath his chair.

His mother, ever gentle and caring, placed a warm plate of toast and scrambled eggs in front of him. "Eat well, sweetheart. Today is a big day for you," she said with an encouraging smile.

The boy nodded enthusiastically, though his hands fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. It was a brand-new uniform, neatly pressed, making him look slightly different from his usual playful self. His father, dressed in his usual work attire, ruffled his son's golden hair and chuckled. "You're going to make so many new friends. Just be yourself."

He didn't fully understand what it meant to "be himself," but he nodded nonetheless, taking a big bite of his toast.

The car ride to the kindergarten was filled with both curiosity and a hint of anxiety. As the family arrived at the entrance, the sight of other children holding their parents' hands, some excited and others tearful, made his small hands grip his mother's fingers a little tighter.

"You'll be fine, sweetie," she reassured him. "Your teachers are very nice, and I'll be right here to pick you up later."

He let go hesitantly as his teacher, a kind-looking woman with warm eyes, knelt down to greet him. "Hello! Welcome to kindergarten. What's your name?"

He hesitated for a second before softly answering. "…My name is Kang Joon-hyuk."

"That's a wonderful name!" the teacher said. "Come on in, we have lots of fun things to do today!"

Despite the slight unease bubbling in his stomach, he took a step forward, joining the other children inside the colorful classroom.

The classroom was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The walls were painted in vibrant colors, decorated with pictures of smiling animals and shapes. Small wooden chairs and tables were neatly arranged, with blocks, puzzles, and picture books scattered about.

He took a cautious step inside, observing the unfamiliar environment. Some children were already talking and laughing with each other, while others, like him, stood still, unsure of what to do next.

Inside the classroom, he saw many children his age, some already talking to each other, while others were just as shy as him. As he quietly observed, a girl with bright eyes and a warm smile approached him.

"Hi! I'm Kim Mi-jin! What's your name?" she asked cheerfully.

He blinked in surprise before answering, "I'm Kang Joon-hyuk."

"Nice to meet you, Joon-hyuk! Let's play together! I want to play cooking, but it's not fun alone."

Although initially hesitant, Joon-hyuk finally followed Mi-jin to the play corner. They began pretending to cook using the plastic toys provided by the school. It didn't take long before another boy joined them. He had neat hair and a confident expression.

"Mi-jin, come play with me!" he said while glancing at Joon-hyuk.

"But I'm playing with him," Mi-jin replied casually. "You can join too, Zin!"

The boy—Lee Zin—looked at Joon-hyuk for a moment before sighing and sitting beside them. He seemed not too thrilled about sharing Mi-jin's attention with someone else but joined in anyway.

A little while later, another boy appeared. His clothes looked a bit worn compared to the other kids, and he seemed more shy. He stood at a distance, looking like he wanted to join but hesitated.

Mi-jin immediately waved at him. "Hey, you! Want to play with us?"

The boy nodded quietly and approached. "I'm Seong Yohan," he said softly.

From that moment on, the four children began to form a friendship.

During recess, they would run around the playground. Zin was the fastest; he always won during tag. Joon-hyuk didn't care much about winning or losing, but Yohan often lagged behind due to his smaller body and poorer nutrition compared to the other kids. Nonetheless, he always smiled and never gave up.

"I'll win tomorrow!" Yohan said excitedly, even though he was still catching his breath.

Mi-jin always cheered him on. "You can do it, Yohan! If you lose, I'll give you some candy as a consolation!"

One of their favorite games was role-playing. Mi-jin usually wanted to be a princess, while Zin proudly played the role of a knight. However, every time, Mi-jin would ask Joon-hyuk to be the prince who saves her.

"Joon-hyuk is more suited to be the prince," she'd say with a smile.

Zin would huff in frustration every time he heard that, but he never directly complained. Instead, he'd try harder to prove that he could also be a great prince.

On the other hand, Yohan didn't care much about those roles. He preferred to be an explorer or adventurer searching for treasure.

As the days turned into weeks, he slowly adapted to kindergarten life. There were art projects where he smeared paint onto paper with unrestrained enthusiasm, music sessions where he clapped along to songs, and outdoor playtime where he ran around the playground, his laughter mingling with the voices of his new friends.

He discovered the joy of storytelling, eagerly sitting cross-legged on the floor as the teacher read books aloud, his mind painting vivid images of far-off lands and heroic adventures.

Lunchtime became one of his favorite moments. He would open his small lunchbox, carefully packed by his mother, and enjoy the homemade meals while chatting with his new friends. Some days, they would trade snacks, laughing at the silly faces they made while eating something unfamiliar.