New Leaf

The morning air in Seoul felt colder than usual.

I quietly stared outside the car window while my mother drove through the busy streets of the city. Tall buildings surrounded us, and unfamiliar faces passed by one after another. Everything here felt different from our old hometown.

Maybe this place could finally give me a fresh start.

“Mom, you really don’t have to drive me to school,” I said while adjusting the strap of my bag. “I’m already in college. I can manage on my own.”

My mother suddenly laughed softly.

I frowned. “Mom, I’m serious.”

“You say that, but you still look like a child to me,” she teased.

“Mom.”

I let out a sigh before looking away again.

“We didn’t have to move all the way here because of my nightmares,” I muttered quietly. “I can deal with them.”

The smile on my mother’s face slowly faded. For a brief moment, silence filled the car.

Then she gently tapped my head.

“You’ve grown up,” she said softly.

I rubbed my head in annoyance.

Why does she always treat me like a kid?

Still… seeing her smile somehow made me feel lighter.

A few minutes later, we finally arrived at Seoul Academy.

The campus was larger than I expected. Students walked around confidently while chatting with their friends. Some laughed loudly, while others hurried to their classes.

Meanwhile, I stood there awkwardly, feeling completely out of place.

“Don’t overthink things,” my mother said before driving away. “Call me if anything happens.”

“I will,” I replied with a small smile.

After taking a deep breath, I entered the building.

Professor Wang personally guided me to my classroom.

As soon as we entered, the noisy room suddenly quieted down.

“Good morning, everyone,” Professor Wang said firmly. “Please settle down. We have a new student joining us today.”

All eyes turned toward me.

I felt my chest tighten slightly.

“Go ahead and introduce yourself,” he said.

I stepped forward and bowed politely.

“Good morning. My name is Kang Heiwa. It’s nice to meet all of you.”

A few students greeted me back, while others simply stared with curiosity.

Professor Wang nodded. “You may find your seat now, Ms. Kang.”

I scanned the room and noticed an empty seat beside a boy sleeping near the window.

Perfect.

A quiet seat.

I slowly sat down, relieved that I wouldn’t have to deal with someone talkative.

Or so I thought.

“Hi! I’m Yoo Nam!”

I nearly jumped when a girl suddenly appeared in front of me with a bright smile.

“You’re really pretty! Where are you from? Do you like Seoul? What course did you take? I hope we become friends!”

Her words came out so quickly I could barely process them.

So much energy…

Before I could respond, the boy beside me suddenly lifted his head sleepily.

“Oy… who are you?” he asked with a frown. “Why are you sitting there?”

I blinked at him.

You’re the one who scared me.

“I’m sorry,” I said politely. “Did I wake you up? Professor Wang told me this seat was empty.”

Before he could answer, Yoo Nam crossed her arms dramatically.

“Hey, Cheng, don’t be rude. She’s new here.”

Then she turned toward me cheerfully.

“Heiwa, this lazy guy is Jian Cheng. Professional sleeper. Part-time student.”

Jian Cheng immediately glared at her.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?”

“And how many times do I have to tell you to stop sleeping during class?”

The two continued arguing while I silently watched them.

Strangely enough… it felt normal.

Warm, even.

Yoo Nam leaned closer to me and whispered, “Don’t mind him. He always acts grumpy when someone interrupts his beauty sleep.”

“I heard that,” Cheng muttered before laying his head back down on the desk.

Not long after, class finally ended.

As students slowly left the room, my phone suddenly rang.

Mom.

I answered immediately.

“Hello?”

“Heiwa,” my mother’s gentle voice spoke from the other line. “How was your first day?”

I smiled faintly while walking out of the building.

“It was fine, Mom. I’m heading home now, so don’t worry too much.”

She sighed softly. “You know I’ll always worry.”

“I know.”

“Well, hurry home. I’ll cook dinner tonight.”

“Alright.”

The call ended shortly after.

I stared at my phone for a moment before slipping it back into my pocket.

My mother could be overly protective and stubborn sometimes…

But she was the most precious person in my life.

After everything that happened two years ago, she stayed by my side through every nightmare, every panic attack, and every sleepless night.

I honestly couldn’t imagine a world without her in it.

As I continued walking home beneath the fading sunset, I tried convincing myself that maybe—

Just maybe—

Things were finally starting to get better.

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