Chapter 11:

7-year-old Jung fidgeted with his old backpack as he lined up with the other kids for the roll call on the first day of school. His mother mentioned that the worn-out bag was something she used when she was younger.

Jung has no problem with the old bag. The majority of his clothes are hand-me-down donations from town, so he is used to old things. It didn’t bother him. He didn't have enough friends his age to brag about or be ashamed of his possessions. What he wanted to know was: why would a frog character name himself Kero-Keroppi?

North Korea provides full-day kindergarten programs for children aged 4 and 5. Unfortunately, Jung Hee’s parents needed his help in their home, and he skipped that early education. But last week, his mother, Kim Jin Ae, escorted him to the nearest public elementary school in their province, the town of Guanzu, which is approximately 7 mountains away, and registered him to be enrolled in school to start his educational path.

He may wear hand-me-down clothes, and a few visible repair stitches can be seen on his shirt, but the little handsome Korean boy was very neat as he smiled happily. He stood there, excitedly waiting with the other kids.

Books! I will finally have books to read! Jung thought excitedly.

Someone bumped him hard from behind. Jung Hee almost staggered, but he righted himself before turning to look behind him.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Watch it, shorty!” A huge boy glared at him. The boy was turning red from the harsh light of the afternoon sun, and Jung Hee was more concerned about the boy’s health than actually getting offended by the bump.

“You should wear a cap or something. It lessens the heat that way.”

The boy blinked in surprise. “A what?” he asked, despite himself.

“When I’m in the rice field, my dad always forced me to wear straw hats. It makes me look dorky, but it helps lessen the heat,” Jung said matter of factly.

The big boy scowled at him even more. “So you’re a peasant? No wonder you look so poor,” the boy sneered at him before shoulder-checking him again as he walked past Jung Hee. “Get the hell out of my way.”

Jung watched the boy go as he scratched his adorable head in confusion. That boy is weird, Jung thought idly.

The following day, Jung brought one of his older hats with him to school, and when he saw the bigger boy again, he simply placed the hat on his fat head and walked away.

“Hey!” the boy said in surprise, but Jung was already walking. The boy stood up, confused. He was preparing to throw the ugly hat away when he realized he was actually shaded from the sun. He stared at the sunlight for a moment, then looked at the hat. Then he slowly placed it back over his head.

During their first class, which is physical education, he kept wearing the hat despite the weird look he was getting from the other kids. But he couldn’t care less about it. For the first time, he wasn’t burning his sensitive skin that much while he was in the direct glare of the sun.

Why the hell didn’t he think of this when he was younger? He could have prevented a whole lot of discomfort and aggravation from his sensitive skin.

At the end of the class, he approached the weird boy again, and Jung simply stared at him. He smacked the hat on Jung’s table. “Here!” he said angrily. “I didn’t know why you gave me this stupid hat, but it is too itchy. I’ll buy my own hat tomorrow so you can keep this crap.”

Jung nodded at the bigger boy solemnly. “I understand. I’ll keep it in my locker for now. And if you need the hat again, then you can just ask.”

“Are you thick in the head? I told you I don’t need it, you stupid runt!” He turned around before leaving Jung behind, still muttering to himself.

Jung Hee made a face at the retreating boy. That boy is really weird, Jung thought to himself again.