The bus ride to Delight High was a blur of unfamiliar streets and towering buildings. Seoul was so different from Daegu everything here felt bigger, faster, more alive. I pressed my face against the cold window, watching the city rush by, my reflection staring back at me with wide, uncertain eyes.
I got off the bus and glanced at my phone, looking in the direction of the school. Thank goodness it's only a ten-minute walk from the bus stop. These G-Maps are very useful! I followed the blue navigation line, my sneakers tapping against the pristine sidewalks lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and flowering trees. Unsurprisingly, there were no students at the bus stop when I got off. Of course not they all probably arrived in luxury cars driven by private chauffeurs.
The moment I entered the school gates, I felt like I had stepped through some kind of magic portal. Because the vibes in this school felt highly different from any place I'd ever been. Everything here shouted 'expensive' from the marble pathways to the perfectly manicured gardens, from the modern glass buildings to the sparkling fountains that danced in the morning sunlight. The architecture alone was enough to make my jaw drop. My previous school had been a modest building with peeling paint and creaky floors. This place looked like it belonged in a drama.
I looked around, trying to find some kind face to whom I could ask directions for the principal's office. Students milled about in small groups, their designer bags slung casually over their shoulders, their laughter echoing off the grand walls. Why do I feel like a kid lost at an amusement park right now?! My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it.
Spotting a boy standing alone near the entrance, I took a deep breath and tapped some random guy on his shoulder. He turned to me with a confused expression, his dark eyebrows furrowing slightly. He definitely looked a bit younger than me but was at least ten centimeters taller. Bro went through a different type of puberty... I couldn't help but feel a little intimidated.
It's a given that the kids here are well-groomed, but some of them looked even better than celebrities! This boy had sharp, angular features and piercing eyes that seemed to analyze me in an instant. I don't think he's fully Korean, judging from his unique facial features perhaps mixed heritage which made him stand out in the crowd. His uniform fit him perfectly, tailored to his lean frame, and his silver earring caught the light as he tilted his head.
"Hello... I'm sorry. I am new here, so can you please tell me where the principal's office is?" I asked him politely and gave him a small grin, hoping I didn't look as nervous as I felt.
He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable, before his lips curved into a faint smile. "Oh, it's on the second floor, fourth door to the right," he answered, his voice smooth and calm.
I bowed deeply as I thanked him, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "Thank you so much!"
"No problem," he replied, already turning away to join a group of friends who were waiting for him.
I followed the directions he had given, my footsteps echoing through the grand hallways adorned with paintings and trophies. Each step felt surreal like I was walking through a dream. I knocked twice on the principal's door and entered when I heard a faint "come in."
"Good morning, sir. I am Choi Junseo." I introduced myself and gave the elder a deep bow, my back straight and my head lowered respectfully.
The principal was a distinguished-looking man in his fifties, with silver-streaked hair and kind eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. He looked up from his desk and smiled warmly, gesturing for me to come closer.
"Ah... Junseo, I've been waiting for you. Welcome to Delight High." His voice was gentle but carried an air of authority. He rifled through some papers on his desk before handing me a sheet. "Here is your time-table. You're in Class 10-A. It's on the third floor, second classroom to the left."
"Thank you so much, sir," I said, slightly bowing my head in gratitude and exiting the office. My hands were trembling slightly as I clutched the schedule, my eyes scanning the list of subjects. Advanced Mathematics, Literature, Science, Foreign Languages... This was going to be intense.
Seriously... this school is at least six times the size of my previous school! Middle school has its own building, cafeteria, and even a separate playground. I passed by a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a music wing, and what looked like an indoor swimming pool. My mouth fell open. Did they really have all this?
I stood in front of Class 10-A, my heart racing as I smoothed down my uniform and took a shaky breath. The teacher called me in, and I walked to the front of the classroom, feeling dozens of eyes on me. Some were curious, some indifferent, and a few were outright cold.
"Hello, my name is Choi Junseo. I hope we can get along well," I said, holding my head high and smiling brightly despite the butterflies in my stomach.
I saw some faces smiling back at me a girl with kind eyes nodded encouragingly, a boy with glasses gave me a thumbs-up and the rest ignored my existence entirely, their noses buried in expensive-looking phones or books. Mr. Park, my new homeroom teacher, told me to sit beside a boy named Hyunwoo. I smiled at my seatmate as I sat beside him, but he absolutely ignored me and continued scribbling in his notebook. His handwriting was neat, almost calligraphic, and he didn't so much as glance in my direction.
I guess he doesn't want to be friends.
I bit my lip and turned my attention to the board, trying not to let the rejection sting. It was just the first day, after all. Not everyone would warm up to me immediately.
---
The morning classes passed in a blur of new names, new faces, and overwhelming information. By the time lunch rolled around, my brain felt like it was about to burst. Mr. Park had assigned our class representative, Kim Jungwon, to give me a short tour of the school. Jungwon and I, along with his friends Hanbin and Jisung, were making our way to the cafeteria.
"Wow, Junseo... You must be very smart. It's rare for our school to accept honor students," said Jisung, his eyes wide with genuine curiosity. He had a friendly face and an easy smile that put me at ease.
"Ah, I just studied hard," I replied modestly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I got lucky, I guess."
"Lucky? Don't be so humble!" Hanbin chimed in, slinging an arm around my shoulder. "There are only two scholarships given out every year. You're basically a genius!"
Before I could reply, someone bumped into me from behind, sending me sprawling onto the floor. I hissed in pain as my elbow connected with the hard marble, a sharp jolt shooting up my arm.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry..." The person I'd collided with immediately crouched down, helping me up with surprising strength. Honestly, his face reminded me of that of a bunny round, soft features, big doe eyes, and a flustered expression that made him look incredibly endearing. An extra-large bunny, I thought, suppressing a laugh despite the throbbing in my elbow.
"Why are you such a clumsy ass?" the bunny's friend teased, a tall boy with sharp eyes and a smirk playing on his lips.
"How about you keep shut for a minute, hyung?" the bunny retorted, his cheeks flushing pink. He turned back to me, looking genuinely apologetic. "Are you okay? I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm really, really sorry!"
"It's okay, I'm not hurt," I said, interrupting their quarrel and brushing off my uniform. I offered him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it."
He blinked at me, then broke into a bright grin that made him look even more like a bunny. "I'm Sungho! And this rude guy is Minjae. Sorry again!"
"Choi Junseo," I replied, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you."
We exchanged a few more words before I followed Jungwon to the cafeteria, but I couldn't help glancing back at Sungho, who was still waving apologetically. He seemed nice. Maybe I'd see him around.
---
The cafeteria was enormous more like a five-star restaurant than a school dining hall. Chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, and the aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air. Students sat at elegant wooden tables, chatting and laughing, their meals looking more like gourmet dishes than typical school lunch.
I chatted with Jungwon, Hanbin, and Jisung as we enjoyed our lunch. They were easy to talk to, asking questions about Daegu and my old school, and laughing at my jokes. I felt myself relaxing for the first time all day.
"Your mom must be so proud of you," Jungwon said, his voice sincere. "Getting into Delight is a huge deal."
"She is," I admitted, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. "She works really hard for me, so I want to make sure I don't waste this opportunity."
"That's really sweet," Hanbin said, his expression softening. "If you ever need help with anything, just let us know, okay? We've got your back."
I nodded, touched by their kindness. I looked around the cafeteria, trying to find my seatmate Hyunwoo, but I didn't see him anywhere. Maybe he skipped lunch? Or maybe he ate somewhere else. I shrugged and turned back to my new friends, feeling a little less alone.
---
School ended at 4 PM, and I reached home around an hour later. The familiar sight of our small apartment building brought a wave of comfort after the overwhelming day I'd had. I unlocked the door, kicked off my shoes, and made my way to the kitchen, where I could hear the rhythmic sound of a knife against a cutting board.
I entered and saw Mom preparing dinner, her back turned to me as she hummed a tune I recognized from my childhood. Without a word, I back-hugged her, resting my chin on her shoulder and wrapping my arms around her waist.
She jumped in surprise, letting out a small yelp, and lightly slapped my shoulder. "Yah! You scared me, you troublemaker!"
I laughed, squeezing her tighter. "Sorry, Mom."
She turned her head to look at me, her eyes warm and curious. "How was your first day, Seo-ah?" she asked, going back to chopping vegetables, though I could see the smile tugging at her lips.
"It was better than I had expected," I replied, my voice bright with excitement. "I even made some friends! There's Jungwon, Hanbin, Jisung... and I met this really nice guy named Sungho in the hallway. They're all so friendly. And the school is amazing, Mom. You wouldn't believe how big it is. They have a swimming pool! And a music wing! And—"
"Slow down, slow down!" Mom laughed, holding up her hands. "I'm glad you had a good day, sweetheart. I was so worried about you all day."
"You don't need to worry," I said, resting my chin on her shoulder again. "I'm going to be fine. I'm going to work hard and make you proud."
She reached up and patted my cheek, her hand soft and warm. "You already make me proud, Seo-ah. Every single day."
I felt my eyes sting a little, but I blinked the tears away and grinned. "Now, what's for dinner? I'm starving!"
Mom chuckled and gestured to the stove. "Your favorite kimchi jjigae. Now wash up and set the table."
As I helped her prepare the meal, the worries of the day faded away. Delight High was intimidating and overwhelming, but I had made it through the first day. And with each step, I was getting closer to the future I dreamed of for myself, and for Mom.