Chapter 2: An Ordinary Childhood
On the evening of those events, Shin was one year old. Now he was five, and he spoke normally with his mother, but very little—if at all—with other people. Why? Simply because he didn't feel like it.
Since the night his mother had cried, she had never done it again—not once in four years.
Today was the first day of school. And finally, Shin spoke with everyone. He was going to school. He was eating breakfast.
— "Are you ready for your first day, Shin?" his mother asked.— "Yes, Mom, for the tenth time," he answered, without the slightest hint of annoyance in his voice.— "I know it bothers you, my baby, but please understand me."— "I don't hold it against you, Mom. It's just that you're too protective."— "I know that, but you're only five…"— "Will you take me to school now?" he said, changing the subject.
She didn't reply, but she understood his intention.
Once in the car, he thought about what he would do at school. Study? Boring, too classic. He wanted something new.
He sat quietly in the back seat, thinking about the kinds of teachers he might have. And yes, in case one wondered: his mother still wore the same smile on her face. A smile not only full of purity and free of sadness, but also devoid of impurity and misfortune. Shin truly wondered how she managed it.
When they arrived, he took his bag. His mother walked him to the entrance, then gave him a hug and said:— "Be brave, my little one, behave yourself and don't make trouble."— "Be brave too, for enduring my absence. And thank you. See you tonight."
She left, still smiling.
As for him, he entered the school grounds. He checked a sheet where names and classes were listed. He listened to the instructions, then went to the room indicated. About a quarter of the students were already seated. He found a free desk and sat down.
He waited for class to start. Meanwhile, many more students arrived. He thought everyone must be there. Two minutes after having this thought, a boy his age came to sit beside him, apologizing:— "Sorry, there were no free seats left."— "Don't apologize, the seat doesn't belong to me. You can take it."— "Thanks…" the boy said, almost terrified.
The boy sat down. Immediately after, the teacher arrived and introduced herself: Mrs. Quinne. She explained that she would be their teacher for the year and that she expected them to include everyone, leaving no one aside. To begin, she sent them out to the playground.
Once outside, Shin walked calmly when he saw a little girl his age sitting on a bench. He sat beside her and said:— "Are you okay?"
She replied:— "No, I'm not. I messed up my presentation… No one will want to be friends with me. I'm doomed…"— "But I'm sure it wasn't bad. Just quieter than your classmates'. And besides, who told you they wouldn't want to be your friends?"— "No one… just…"— "What? You decided that all by yourself, without asking anyone? You only made assumptions instead of socializing!"— "But…"— "No buts. Go find a group. Now!"
She left without a word to obey. Shortly after, she found a group and started laughing with them.
Finally, Shin thought. She'll stop being alone and crying.
Later, he came across a boy his age. This one was crying alone in a corner, unseen by anyone. Shin went over to him, and the boy said:— "Because I don't deserve to be around people."
Shin sighed at that remark and said:— "Why do you say that?"
Between sobs, the boy replied:— "Because earlier, I tried to socialize with someone and he pushed me away."— "Just for that?"— "You don't understand anything…"
Shin sighed again and said:— "Follow me."— "No…"— "Just follow me," he cut him off.— "O-Okay."
The boy followed him. Shin noticed that, when they approached a certain child, the boy began to tremble. So Shin went to that child and asked:— "You!"— "Yes, what do you want?" the other replied defensively.— "Do you know him?" Shin asked, pointing at the crying boy.— "Not at all," he answered.— "Apparently, he tried to socialize and you pushed him away and ignored him."— "Ah, so it was him," he said casually.— "Explain yourself."— "Yes, I probably did bump into him, but I didn't mean to ignore him. He just ran away, that's all."— "Ah…" Shin sighed again.— "Is that true?" he asked the crying boy.— "Uh… it's possible that I left right away."— "I see. Do you want to socialize with him?" Shin asked the boy who had pushed the other.— "Of course, I was looking for people to do that with."
At these words, the little crier stopped crying and a shy smile appeared on his face, before the other boy reached out to him to seal this new friendship. They went off together, happy.
Finally.
Once the break dedicated to forming bonds was over, they went back to class. Meanwhile, Shin had already helped three more groups come together. Then, once seated at his desk, he noticed the timid boy from the morning had found a place. Shin was left alone in class. The teacher explained how the year would unfold.
Then came lunch break. He went to the cafeteria with his class. Once there, the teacher left them to manage on their own. Which wasn't difficult: take a tray, cutlery, and a plate. But why were so many students struggling with this?
Once everyone understood how it worked, they were served by the cafeteria staff. Then they all went to sit at their tables.
And Shin was left alone.
He, who had helped so many others to socialize, hadn't had time to do it for himself. He didn't think of joining the people he had helped, since they were already smiling happily at their tables. Someone like him, showing up, would only ruin the mood.
He, who had helped everyone without expecting thanks—and received none—ended up alone.