chapter 5

I only spent one year in kindergarten, but that single year was enough to change me in ways I hadn’t expected. At first, I had resisted attending. I thought I would never fit in, too “grown up” in mind to mingle with children. Yet by the end of the year, I had found true friends, discovered the joy of playing, and learned how to laugh freely again.

And then, before I knew it, the end had come. Graduation.

That morning, the kindergarten was decorated with balloons and ribbons. The smell of flowers filled the hall, and tiny chairs were neatly arranged in rows for both children and parents. Teachers bustled about, making sure every child wore their little caps properly.

I tugged at my gown nervously. Today was not only a graduation day for me—it was a turning point.

Because unlike my classmates, I wouldn’t be moving on to first grade with them.

To my utter delight, my parents, who had been away for so long due to their research work, managed to attend. When I first spotted them entering the hall, my eyes widened, and my feet carried me forward before I could think.

“Papa! Mama!” I cried, throwing myself into their arms.

My mother bent down instantly, hugging me tightly. “Oh, my little one… you’ve grown so much in just a year.” Her hand trembled slightly as she caressed my hair.

Father lifted me up into his strong arms. “Did you miss us?” he asked gently.

Tears pricked my eyes. “So much! Every single day.”

Behind them stood my grandparents, uncle, and brother, all smiling proudly. For the first time in months, my family was whole.

Because I had been the Class Representative, I was chosen to give a short speech on behalf of the students. Standing on the stage, my tiny hands clutched the microphone. My heart raced as dozens of eyes focused on me, but I straightened my back.

“Good morning, everyone,” I began, my voice steady. “Today, we graduate from kindergarten. It has been a fun and happy year. We played, we learned, and we laughed together. I wish all my classmates the best for the future. I hope you will all grow strong and kind. Thank you to the teachers for always helping us. And thank you to our families for always supporting us.”

The hall erupted in applause. My parents’ eyes glistened with pride. Grandpa clapped so hard his palms must have stung, and Grandma dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. My brother whistled loudly, earning a disapproving glare from the teacher.

I giggled quietly.

But the joy of the day was bittersweet. My closest friends—Ming, Mei, and Tao—had found out that I would not be joining them in first grade.

During the ceremony, their faces were already puffy with unshed tears.

Afterward, when we gathered in a quiet corner, Mei finally broke down. “Xiao Wei… why aren’t you coming with us? We’re supposed to be together!”

Tao sniffled, his voice shaky. “You’re our leader! The four musketeers can’t be three!”

Ming wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “It’s not fair!”

I sighed softly, crouching down to their level. “I… I don’t want to leave you either. But the teachers spoke with my brother. They think I should skip ahead to higher classes. After vacation, I’ll be in fourth grade.”

Their eyes widened.

“Fourth grade?!” Tao gasped.

“That’s so far!” Mei wailed, hugging me tightly.

I stroked her hair gently. “I’ll still see you. We can still play together outside of school. We’ll always be friends. Promise.”

But the sight of their tear-streaked faces broke my heart. That was why, throughout the year, whenever they got into trouble, I had taken the blame for them.

We had been inseparable—the so-called “Four Musketeers” of our kindergarten. Of course, it was mostly the other three who caused mischief. Sneaking extra biscuits, scribbling on the chalkboard, hiding toys—there was always some chaos.

And every time, the teacher would frown. “Who did this?”

Before my friends could cry, I would step forward. “It was me.”

The teacher always sighed, clearly knowing who the real culprits were. But I couldn’t bear to see Ming’s pout, Tao’s trembling lips, or Mei’s teary eyes. They looked so ugly when they cried! So I protected them with my lies.

“You’re too kind to them,” my brother had once muttered when he overheard. “One day, they’ll take advantage of you.”

“Maybe,” I replied simply. “But that’s what friends do.”

After the ceremony, we took countless photos together. First with our teachers, then with classmates, and finally, just us four musketeers.

“Smile!” my brother called, holding the camera.

Ming draped an arm over my shoulder. Tao stood on my other side, grinning through watery eyes, while Mei clung to me like I might disappear.

“Say cheese!”

“Cheeeese!” we chorused.

The flash captured our last moment together as kindergarteners. A bittersweet treasure.

Eventually, the time came to leave. I hugged my friends one last time, whispering promises to meet during vacations. Then, hand in hand with my brother, I walked back to my family.

On the ride home, my brother sat by the window, scrolling through the photos on his camera. I leaned against my father’s chest, nestled securely on his lap. Mother sat beside us, her fingers gently caressing my hair with infinite tenderness.

“I missed this feeling,” I murmured sleepily.

Mother’s voice was soft. “And we missed you, darling. Every day.”

Father kissed my forehead. “We’ll try to be home more often.”

The warmth of their presence, the steady rhythm of the car, and the quiet hum of my family’s voices lulled me into peace. My eyes fluttered shut, and before I knew it, I was asleep in my father’s arms.

I didn’t even wake when we reached home.

That night, as I dreamed, my mind wandered. The kindergarten chapter of my life had ended. Ahead lay new challenges—skipping grades, adjusting to older children, carrying the burden of expectations.

But even so, I carried with me precious treasures: the laughter of friends, the pride of family, and the simple joy of being a child again.

One year was short, but it was enough to remind me that in this new life, I wasn’t alone.

And though I had bid farewell to kindergarten, my story was only just beginning.

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