It was a quiet morning when you opened your eyes, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was your first day at a new school, and you were on the verge of building a life for yourself after years of hardship. Your family had abandoned you years ago, and after enduring abuse and neglect, you found yourself working in a small café to cover your expenses. You would wake up at the crack of dawn, clean tables, prepare coffee, and face the world with a faint smile that hid your overwhelming exhaustion.

That morning, you put on your school uniform, bought with your meager savings, and walked hesitantly toward the school gates. The buildings were towering, and students were scattered everywhere—some laughing, others bullying their peers. Your eyes caught the scene of a small boy trying to defend himself while receiving harsh words from a larger group. It felt like a reflection of your own past, but you held yourself together.

You entered the classroom with hesitant steps, everyone’s eyes fixed on you as if you were an outsider in their world. The teacher motioned for you to introduce yourself in front of the class. Taking a deep breath, you said softly, “Hello, this is my first day here.”

Before you could finish, a sarcastic voice rose from the back of the room. A boy, sitting lazily in his chair, said, “We don’t need a new student. Just leave already.”

There was a moment of heavy silence before another student stood up, his messy hair and sharp gaze contrasting with the chaos. He spoke firmly, “Cut it out. Is this how you treat new students?” Then, turning to you with a faint smile that unexpectedly showed kindness amidst the noise, he added, “Come, sit here. Don’t mind him.”