Chapter 5: First Day
Amaya woke up earlier than usual, sunlight filtering through the curtains of her room. She stretched lazily before sitting up on the bed.
Today was her first day at the academy.
A small smile appeared on her face. Despite everything that had happened recently, she was excited. School had always been one of the few places where she felt normal.
After taking a shower and getting dressed in her uniform, she headed downstairs.
The dining room was already occupied.
Kim Dan sat at the head of the table, reading something on his phone while eating breakfast. Sylvester was drinking coffee, and Santi was happily stuffing pancakes into his mouth.
"Good morning," Amaya greeted cheerfully as she entered.
She walked over and gently ruffled Santi's hair.
"Morning, Auntie Amaya!" Santi grinned.
"Good morning, Amaya," Kim Dan replied.
She took her seat and began eating.
Kim Dan looked up from his plate.
"You're starting classes today."
Amaya nodded.
"I expect you to behave properly," he continued. "No fighting, no trouble, and no visits from the principal."
He pointed his fork at her for emphasis.
"Yes, sir," Amaya answered obediently.
For some reason, Kim Dan frowned slightly.
Sir.
He wasn't sure why, but hearing her call him that felt strangely unpleasant.
"Tell me something," Sylvester suddenly spoke.
Amaya looked at him.
"Do you really have to go to school?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean," he said dramatically, "you already have a husband and a child."
Amaya nearly choked on her juice.
"What?!"
Santi burst into laughter.
Kim Dan rolled his eyes.
"Maybe you should stay home and take care of Santi," Sylvester continued.
"But I like school," Amaya protested.
"You're a mother now," Sylvester teased.
Amaya shook her head.
"You're very funny, Mr. Sylvester."
"Oh, please." He placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Call me Silver. That's my nickname."
Amaya laughed.
"Silver? That's actually a nice nickname."
"See? Someone appreciates greatness."
"I want a nickname too!" Santi suddenly shouted.
Amaya pretended to think deeply.
"Hmm..."
Everyone waited.
"What about Cutie?"
Santi's eyes sparkled.
"I love it!"
He puffed out his chest proudly.
"I'm cute, so it fits!"
The table erupted into laughter.
Then Santi turned toward Kim Dan.
"Daddy, why doesn't Auntie Amaya give you a nickname too?"
Kim Dan immediately shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because nicknames are childish."
He lowered his eyes to his food.
What nobody knew was that a tiny part of him actually wanted to know what nickname she would choose.
Amaya giggled.
"Okay, Mr. Serious."
Kim Dan glared at her.
She grinned.
"Anyway, bye everyone! I'll be late!"
She grabbed her bag and rushed out of the mansion.
The room suddenly felt quieter.
Kim Dan's gaze remained fixed on the door long after she disappeared.
Sylvester noticed.
A knowing smile spread across his face.
"In love?"
Kim Dan looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, are you in love?"
Kim Dan nearly dropped his coffee.
"With who?"
Sylvester raised an eyebrow.
"Amaya."
Kim Dan stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Never."
Sylvester smirked.
"Sure."
"Not in this lifetime."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Kim Dan threw a napkin at him.
---
At the academy, Amaya entered her classroom and quietly took a seat at the back.
The teacher walked in moments later.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, ma'am."
The lesson began.
At first, Amaya paid attention.
Then she realized something.
Everything being taught was something she had already learned years ago.
Her eyelids grew heavier.
And heavier.
Before she knew it...
She was asleep.
"Miss Amaya!"
Amaya jumped awake.
The entire class was staring at her.
The teacher looked furious.
"A new student sleeping in my class? How dare you!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
The teacher folded her arms.
"Do you think my lesson is boring?"
"No."
"Then why were you sleeping?"
Amaya hesitated.
Because telling the truth would probably make things worse.
Unfortunately, she told the truth anyway.
"I already know everything you're teaching."
The classroom went silent.
Several students gasped.
The teacher narrowed her eyes.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The teacher grabbed a marker.
"Then let's test that confidence."
She began asking questions.
One after another.
Basic questions.
Advanced questions.
Extremely difficult questions.
Amaya answered every single one correctly.
Soon, the students were staring at her in disbelief.
The teacher looked both impressed and annoyed.
Finally, she sighed.
"You answered correctly."
Amaya smiled.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"But you still slept in class."
The smile disappeared.
"So you will serve detention."
The class erupted into whispers.
Amaya simply nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
There was no point arguing.
The living room was quiet when Amaya returned home that afternoon.
Her shoulders slumped with exhaustion as she stepped through the front door. Between classes and detention, the day had drained every bit of energy she had.
Kim Dan was sitting on a couch, discussing business over the phone. He looked up briefly and froze when he saw her.
She looked tired.
Too tired.
A strange feeling tugged at his chest.
Why do I care?
He quickly pushed the thought away.
"Good afternoon, sir," Amaya greeted.
Kim Dan frowned slightly at the word "sir" but said nothing.
"You look exhausted."
Amaya adjusted her bag nervously.
"Huh? No, I'm fine."
"You're a terrible liar."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Tell me what happened."
Kim Dan stood up and walked toward her.
His tall figure immediately made her nervous.
"Nothing happened."
"Really?"
"Really."
Kim Dan folded his arms.
"Then I suppose I should call your principal and ask."
Amaya's eyes widened.
"Wait!"
Kim Dan raised an eyebrow.
She sighed dramatically.
"I got detention."
His expression darkened.
"For what?"
"I fell asleep in class."
Kim Dan stared at her.
"You slept in class?"
"Technically... yes."
"Technically?"
Amaya looked away.
"I already knew everything the teacher was teaching."
Kim Dan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Please tell me you didn't actually say that."
"I did."
He groaned.
"And then?"
"She asked me questions."
"Could you answer them?"
"All of them."
Kim Dan narrowed his eyes.
"All?"
"Every single one."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Kim Dan took out his phone.
Amaya immediately panicked.
"What are you doing?"
"Finding out exactly what happened."
Before she could stop him, he dialed a number.
The call connected almost instantly.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Kim," the principal answered respectfully.
"Good afternoon," Kim Dan replied. "I have a few questions regarding Amaya's detention today."
Amaya stood frozen.
The principal quickly explained the situation.
Kim Dan listened silently.
His expression never changed.
"I see."
A pause.
"So the teacher asked her several questions?"
Another pause.
"She answered all of them correctly?"
Amaya smiled proudly.
Kim Dan shot her a look that instantly wiped the smile away.
"I understand," he continued. "Thank you for clarifying."
The call ended.
Amaya swallowed.
"Well?"
Kim Dan looked at her.
"The teacher followed school rules."
"What?"
"You slept in class."
"But—"
"And you challenged your teacher."
"But I was right!"
"That's not the point."
Amaya crossed her arms.
"It kind of is."
Kim Dan ignored that.
"The teacher had every right to give you detention."
Amaya looked disappointed.
"Oh."
A few seconds passed.
Then Kim Dan continued.
"However..."
Amaya looked up.
"The principal also confirmed that you answered every question correctly."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Which means you're clearly ahead of the class."
Amaya brightened instantly.
"So I'm not in trouble?"
"You're still in trouble for sleeping."
Her face fell.
"But," he added, "I spoke with the principal about moving you into advanced classes where you'll actually be challenged."
Amaya's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Really."
For the first time that day, genuine excitement appeared on her face.
"Thank you!"
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Kim Dan looked away.
"It was a practical solution."
Amaya smiled.
Maybe.
But she knew he hadn't needed to help her at all.
Yet he did.
That thought stayed with her as she headed upstairs.
Meanwhile, Kim Dan remained in the living room.
Sylvester appeared from the kitchen carrying a snack.
"I heard everything."
Kim Dan sighed.
"Of course you did."
Sylvester grinned.
"You didn't fire the teacher."
"Because she did her job."
"But you arranged advanced classes for Amaya."
Kim Dan remained silent.
Sylvester's grin widened.
"You care about her."
"I don't."
"You called the principal yourself."
"I was solving a problem."
"You noticed she was tired before she said anything."
Kim Dan glared at him.
"Stop talking."
"You defended her."
"I didn't."
"You worried about her."
"I didn't."
"You like her."
"I absolutely do not."
Sylvester laughed.
Kim Dan stood up and walked away.
The laughter followed him down the hallway.
Later that night, as he sat alone in his room, his thoughts drifted back to Amaya.
The way she had smiled.
The excitement in her eyes.
The gratitude in her voice.
He frowned.
Why was he thinking about her again?
Then Sylvester's words returned.
You like her.
Kim Dan immediately grabbed a pillow and threw it across the room.
"No."
The pillow hit the wall.
He stared at it for a moment.
Then he groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"This is bad."
