The end of April 2004 was filled with chaotic news.
This was because the ripple effects of incidents and accidents occurring across South Korea in the early 21st century had fostered skepticism toward the loose administrative procedures of the 1990s.
Moreover, the rapidly changing domestic and international situations, unpredictable in nature, added to the unease in people’s hearts.
Gradually, people’s minds were transforming— from anxiety to longing.
– “We need some national pride!”
In a reality laden with stress, the only source of dopamine for the era was the news of achievements in culture and the arts and the growing longing for Korea’s budding cultural influence.
– “Isn’t there another homegrown genius who can appear out of nowhere…?”
Thus began the era known as the “First Year of National Pride.”
The entire nation secretly hoped for the emergence of a comet-like genius and achievements that could rekindle the fervor of 2002, ushering in a new era of passionate patriotism.
Even the news of the upcoming Olympics in Athens was part of that longing.
– “A kind, polite, beautiful, handsome, humble, dutiful, and internationally acclaimed genius—where are they…?”
Just like the line from The Waste Land:
“April is the cruelest month.”
For the people, April 2004 was a cruel month filled with thirst.
However, unlike the restless hearts of adults, for the 4th-grade students of Class 8 at Seoul Daesan Elementary School, today was just another ordinary day.
The class president of 4th Grade Class 8 rose with a bored expression.
“Attention, bow.”
The students’ voices echoed dully as they responded.
“Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Lim Ahra, the homeroom teacher of 4th Grade Class 8, smiled wryly.
She thought about how much the class’s atmosphere could change depending on the class president’s personality.
“Alright, everyone. Good work today, and I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“Yes.”
“Yes…”
– “Ugh, I don’t want to go to my academy.”
– “Wanna go to the PC cafe?”
– “Too lazy.”
– “I think there’s a new game machine at the stationery shop.”
– “I don’t have money.”
– “Then what should we do?”
– “Go home.”
– “…I’m not playing with you anymore.”
– “Oh, thanks.”
As the children scattered to head to taekwondo and English academies, Lim Ahra called out to Go Hana, who was still seated in the front, as usual, even in 4th grade.
“Well then, since the evaluator will be coming after school, should we prepare in advance?”
“Yes.”
The two headed to the consultation room located next to the faculty office.
Walking through the hallway bustling with students leaving school, Lim Ahra sighed deeply.
“Whoo… I get nervous when an external evaluator visits. And a professor from Hanul Arts School, who directly teaches students? So, they must be a Ph.D.? Wow, what an impressive person is coming.”
“Well, if we’re just talking about degrees, sure. And they’re not coming to evaluate Daesan Elementary, but for me, so you don’t need to worry, Lim Ahra teacher. You’re in the same profession, after all.”
Lim Ahra chuckled helplessly.
“I just can’t understand how you’re so calm when you’re the one being evaluated. I’ve been nervous since this morning and couldn’t even focus during the staff meeting.”
“I noticed. During Korean class, when reading Kongjwi and Patjwi, you kept mixing up their names.”
“What?! I did?!”
“Yes. The whole class was kind of puzzled, but we just ignored it.”
“If you noticed I messed up, you should’ve told me!”
“That’s just how our class is.”
“Well, our class is unusually quiet.”
“We do have a lot of peculiar kids.”
“Hana, you’re one of ‘our class’ too.”
“That’s an undeniable fact.”
The two of them arrived at the consultation room.
As they stood in front of the door, they could hear voices conversing inside—a man and a woman.
“That’s the vice principal’s voice. Looks like the evaluator is already here.”
“…Is that so? Then let’s go in.”
“Wait a second.”
After taking a deep breath, Lim Ahra held Go Hana’s hand tightly and knocked on the door.
– Knock, knock.
The voice from inside belonged to the vice principal of Daesan Elementary.
After excusing himself to his guest, he responded with a slightly awkward tone.
“Ah, Teacher Lim Ahra? Come in.”
Lim Ahra realized even the vice principal was nervous.
‘He always speaks informally to me…’
When the door opened, they saw a confident-looking female professor in a white suit.
The relatively young professor, Ahn Sooyoung, smiled as she looked at Go Hana, whose hand was held by Lim Ahra.
The teachers from Daesan Elementary were seated as observers, while Go Hana sat across from Ahn Sooyoung.
Seeing Go Hana’s calm demeanor as she took her seat, Ahn Sooyoung smiled brightly and greeted her.
“Hello!”
“…Hello.”
“I’m Professor Ahn Sooyoung from Hanul Comprehensive Arts School. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Go Hana, a 4th-grade student in Class 8 of Daesan Elementary School. Nice to meet you.”
When the calm voice responded, Professor Ahn Sooyoung chuckled.
Go Hana tilted her head slightly, puzzled by her reaction.
“Hmm, your social skills are great… Actually, you’re more mature than most high school students. Well done.”
“One student I met before just stared at me like I was part of the wallpaper for 30 minutes after my greeting. What was her reasoning? Oh, her dad told her, ‘Don’t trust people who are overly kind when you first meet them.'”
“See? Even the seemingly extraordinary ones have their quirks.”
Go Hana blinked, not quite following the conversation.
Meanwhile, Lim Ahra thought to herself.
‘Ah, that student must’ve had a unique upbringing…’
And so, their unusual meeting began.
Professor Ahn Sooyoung continued smiling at me as she arranged the drawings in her hand neatly.
“Still, could you show me? I’m really curious how the books explained the drawing process. Oh, by the way, you’ve already passed the evaluation. I think you’re ready to prepare for the special admission exam.”
“…Even so, you’d like to see me draw?”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
Professor Ahn Sooyoung’s eyes sparkled in the evening sunlight.
“You enjoy drawing, right? So you understand how I feel, don’t you? The desire to have the opportunity to show your art to someone. And the curiosity to see the work of someone like that.”
Understanding…
Yes, I understand.
‘…More than anyone else.’
Of course, I understood.
Looking at Professor Ahn Sooyoung’s face, I replied.
“Alright, I’ll show you.”
“Good.”
Professor Ahn Sooyoung turned to the teachers of Daesan Elementary School.
“Would it be possible to use an art studio or a classroom with art supplies for a little while?”
The idea that a great prodigy could emerge from Daesan Elementary caused both Teacher Lim Ahra and the vice principal to nod so vigorously they resembled bobbleheads.
Later, I recounted the story to Mari, who was playing with her hair, attempting to braid it with one hand.
“…So, that’s what happened.”
“So you passed?”
“Yeah, kind of… After seeing my drawings and conducting the interview, they already said I passed. She just wanted to see me draw personally.”
“Ugh, so she dragged it out even though she was going to pass you anyway?”
‘That makes it sound so pointless…’
Mari sighed heavily as she struggled with the one-handed braiding, then gave up and flopped back onto the wide hospital bed.
“So, does that mean you’ll start attending next year?”
“No, this just means Hanul Arts gave the go-ahead for me to take the test despite my age. Separately, I still need to take another test to prove to the Ministry of Education that I can graduate elementary school early.”
“Ugh, what a hassle. If you’re good at drawing, they should just let you in.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Sounds like they’re making an easy thing unnecessarily complicated.”
‘Can’t argue with that.’
Mari’s surgery had already been performed once.
She still complained of slight pain and numbness, so the plan was to proceed cautiously over the next few months.
Psychological factors were also considered, and the chief requested that I visit her more often.
‘Not that he needed to ask. I was planning to anyway.’
I plopped down beside Mari and muttered.
“May is almost here.”
“Yeah.”
“Does the hospital close on Children’s Day?”
“No, this place is always open. Does elementary school close?”
“I am a child, you know.”
“Oh, I see… Hehe. Little Go Hana gets the day off.”
“Mari, you should take a break too.”
“Sure. I wonder if Dad and Uncle will take the day off.”
“They’re probably busy running a big company.”
“Dad’s just a figurehead.”
“…You shouldn’t say that in front of others.”
“I’ll say what I want.”
“This is when you’re supposed to say, ‘It’s not just your feelings; mine matter too.'”
“Ugh, that’s such an old-fashioned line.”
“Then don’t use it.”
“Heh…”
Mari suddenly blurted out, “I hope you pass quickly, Hana.”
“Why?”
“I want to help pick out your uniform.”
“They’re all the same, though.”
“No, no.”
“It’s the same outfit, but it’ll be special because I chose it. Like planting a baobab tree.”
A The Little Prince reference, huh?
“Don’t you uproot baobab trees?”
“Hehe, you get it.”
Mari laughed as she looked at me.
“I’m just glad you’re okay. That day, you went to the competition, then had that car accident, and broke your arm…”
“…I’m healing now.”
“Yeah.”
The next day, a magazine contacted Teacher Lim Ahra.
She conveyed the request to me.
“An interview? Hmm, sure, why not.”
I didn’t think much of it.
‘Well, interviews about students winning competitions are common enough…’
This could even be used as evidence when applying for early graduation to the Ministry of Education.
The journalist arrived the very next day.
“Hello, I’m from the art magazine Palette. I came to see Go Hana.”
“Hello.”
After a few hours of Q&A, the journalist left quietly.
‘That was easier than I thought.’
The following day, I received another request for an interview.
“Hello, I’m from this newspaper…”
“Hello.”
And the next day, it happened again.
“Hello, I’m from an art bulletin…”
And the day after that.
“Hello, I’m from a youth TV program…”
“…Seriously?”
Soon, people began showing up without even contacting me beforehand.
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