Chapter 26: The Young Maiden Goes to School.

Kim Minjeong stood before the mirror, adjusting her school uniform.

Today was her first day at Hanlim Multi Art School. The little one felt a bit nervous, unsure if the students in Seoul would be as welcoming as those back in Yangsan. She meticulously organized her backpack, packing her stationery and books, using the task as a way to soothe her fluttering nerves.

"Minjeong, have some breakfast first. I’ll take you to school in a bit."

Ming Yan had also risen early; a child starting school was a major event.

"Oh," Kim Minjeong nodded, feeling rather subdued.

Ming Yan knew exactly what his niece was worried about. "First day of school, a little nervous, aren't you?"

Kim Minjeong’s small face was scrunched up; anyone could tell what was on the child’s mind.

"Yeah."

"Can you say more than two words?"

"Little Uncle, the takeout from this place isn't good. Don't order it next time," Kim Minjeong finally managed a full sentence.

Ming Yan’s face darkened. "Minjeong, I cooked these noodles myself."

"Pfft..."

Kim Minjeong couldn't hold it in any longer. Her small frame trembled slightly as she tried to stifle her laughter. It seemed her uncle’s culinary skills left much to be desired.

"If you want noodles next time, cook them yourself. I’m done cooking," Ming Yan said, taking a large bite of his own noodles.

Hmm, the taste was mediocre, but certainly not inedible—in fact, it was even a little sweet. He figured all children had similar tastes to Kim Jisoo and would enjoy something sweet, so he had creatively added some sugar. Just a little bit.

Kim Minjeong lifted her small face and smiled. "Little Uncle, actually, if you taste it carefully... it's not bad."

"Don't try to smooth it over; I know exactly what you were thinking just now."

"Little Uncle~"

Kim Minjeong had already begun to grasp what kind of person Ming Yan was. Though he was her uncle, he was more like an older brother.

"Alright, none of that. Eat up first. My fried egg skills should be decent enough," Ming Yan said, sliding another plate toward his niece.

Thanks to Ming Yan’s lighthearted banter, the tension in Kim Minjeong’s heart eased significantly. Her little head couldn't focus on two things at once. After they finished their meal, Ming Yan drove his niece to Hanlim Multi Art School.

Stepping out of the car, he sighed, "Nothing much has changed here."

Kim Minjeong gazed at the school with curiosity. She would be spending the next three years here, and she wondered what awaited her.

"Little Uncle, let's go report in first," the little one said, tugging at his sleeve.

"Right." Ming Yan led her with familiar ease to an office door. "Director Kim, hello."

"Oh my, Ming Yan, long time no see!"

Director Kim Jin-kyung looked up, her face breaking into a warm smile. Ming Yan was a rising star actor; although he hadn't yet landed a lead role, he had played several popular characters. With the backing of screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, he was one of Hanlim’s most famous alumni. The school relied on these batches of celebrity alumni to boost its reputation.

"Director Kim, I’ve been wanting to come see you, but I just haven't had the time." Ming Yan walked over and shook her hand. "Director Kim, this is my niece, Kim Minjeong."

Kim Jin-kyung picked up a file from her desk and flipped through it. "I know. Kim Minjeong from the Department of Practical Music, right?"

Hanlim Multi Art School had various departments, including Entertainment, Musical Theater, Practical Dance, Practical Music, Fashion Modeling, and Film Production. Ming Yan had consulted his niece, and Kim Minjeong had ultimately chosen Practical Music. The little one loved to sing.

"That's right. Director Kim, I'll have to ask you to look after her."

"No problem, leave it to me."

After dropping her off and exchanging pleasantries, Ming Yan left, having agreed to pick her up that evening.

...

Kim Minjeong followed Kim Jin-kyung toward the classroom with a sense of trepidation. She didn't really want Ming Yan to leave, but there was no sense in having an uncle accompany her to class.

"The classroom is just ahead. I'll go in and introduce you first."

Had it been anyone else, Kim Jin-kyung would have had the student go in alone. However, Kim Minjeong had arrived through Kim Eun-sook’s connections and had a popular actor for an uncle, so she naturally received slightly better treatment.

The fifteen-year-old girl stood at the classroom door and took a deep breath.

"Everyone, quiet down. I’d like to introduce a new student," Kim Jin-kyung said, then beckoned to Kim Minjeong. "This is Kim Minjeong, who is transferring to our class starting today. Introduce yourself."

"Hello everyone, I’m Kim Minjeong, and I’ve transferred here from Yangsan. Please take care of me."

Kim Minjeong spoke with a hint of nervousness, followed by ripples of laughter and whispering from the room. She didn't know what had gone wrong, and her face turned bright red.

"Alright, find a seat," Kim Jin-kyung said, scanning the room to quiet the laughter before patting Kim Minjeong on the shoulder and stepping out.

Kim Minjeong walked into the room timidly, but it seemed none of the students intended to let her sit with them. She felt lost; the excitement of a new school was instantly replaced by tension and panic.

"Here, you can sit with me."

Suddenly, a hand shot up, and a girl with long hair smiled at her. Kim Minjeong lowered her head, hugged her bag, and walked over to take the seat.

*Don't cry, don't cry,* she told herself silently.

"Your name is Kim Minjeong?"

"Yeah."

The girl finally had a chance to look at her new desk mate—a girl who looked very kind.

"Let's get to know each other. I’m Kim Chaewon, your new seatmate."

"Hello, I’m Kim Minjeong." She finally gathered the courage to greet her companion; it seemed not everyone in the school was unkind.

Kim Chaewon chattered away, introducing her to many things about Hanlim. She also remarked that many of the seniors who had already debuted rarely came to class because their schedules were too packed—like Twice’s Son Chaeyoung and Chou Tzuyu, who were students in their grade.

"By the way, I was born in August 2000. How about you?"

"I was born in January 2001."

"Ah, then we’re friends!"

According to the Korean age system, those born in January are considered "early-born" and can be friends with those born in the previous year.

"Chaewon, why do I feel like the others don't really like me?" Kim Minjeong asked during lunch.

"Them? They're just snobs who judge people based on appearances," Kim Chaewon said. Seeing her new friend still looked confused, she patiently explained, "You’re speaking with a Yangsan accent, so those Seoul students are naturally going to alienate you."

Kim Minjeong had a sudden epiphany; she hadn't expected the problem to lie there.

"Then..."

"Don't worry, I'll help you."