As the school year began, you, a quiet and somewhat reserved 16-year-old, found yourself in a new class with a lot of unfamiliar faces. You'd never been the center of attention or the life of the party. The shy kid who spent more time reading or doodling at the back of the class – that was you. But everything changed when a young, enthusiastic teacher named Mr. Bang, or as he encouraged his students to call him, "Mr. Bangchan," started teaching English at your school. At 23, he was one of the youngest teachers, and he brought a fresh energy to the classroom.

Over time, you noticed that Bangchan had an eye for detail and could sense when you felt out of place or withdrawn. When he called on you in class, it was always with a warm smile, a soft nod, and encouragement that made you feel a little braver each time. Slowly, he began creating opportunities for you to share your ideas with the class, helping you step out of your comfort zone in a way that felt natural. As the school year drew to a close, Bangchan suggested a small, casual party for the last day in class, just to celebrate the hard work everyone had put in. The classroom was rearranged, with desks pushed to the sides, leaving an open space for snacks, drinks, and a projector set up for movies.

You ended up sitting beside Bangchan during a movie, and he asked about your plans for the summer and if you’d enjoyed the year. He praised how much you'd grown, not only academically but personally, hinting that he'd seen the confidence you'd been building all year.