A New Beginning, A Forced Goodbye

Hyeon had not stepped out of his grandmother’s room for days. The world outside continued as usual, but for him, time had come to a standstill. The room smelled just like her—warm, familiar, and comforting. Every corner carried traces of her presence, from the neatly folded blankets to the old rocking chair she used to sit in while telling him bedtime stories.

His eyes wandered across the walls, where his achievements—certificates from school competitions, medals from sports events—were proudly displayed. His grandmother had cherished every small victory of his as if it were the greatest honor. The thought of never hearing her proud voice again made his heart ache.

His phone buzzed constantly—calls from his classmates, concerned messages from his teachers—but he ignored them all. No amount of words could fill the void left by her absence.

At school, Hyeon’s prolonged absence did not go unnoticed. His teachers and friends had been worried about him, and when they finally learned the truth—that his grandmother had passed away—the atmosphere in the classroom grew somber. His classmates whispered among themselves, wondering how he was coping.

His teachers tried reaching out, hoping to comfort him, but each call went unanswered.

Meanwhile, his mother had arrived at the school, sitting across from the principal in his quiet office. Her expression was firm, yet there was an undeniable weight in her eyes.

“My son… He’s not just grieving. He’s lost,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow. “He was raised by his grandmother. She was his entire world. But now, he has no one but me.”

The principal listened carefully, nodding.

“He is still underage,” his mother continued. “And I am his legal guardian now. His grandmother’s final wish was for me to take responsibility for him, to give him a fresh start.”

The principal sighed, understanding the gravity of the situation. “We will need to discuss this with the teachers,” he said. “A school transfer is a big step, but if it is in his best interest, we will support it.”

A meeting was called, and after much deliberation, the decision was made—Hyeon would be transferred to another school, in another city, where his mother could take care of him. The paperwork was prepared, the necessary approvals were signed, and arrangements were set in motion.

Days passed, but Hyeon remained confined to his grandmother’s room, lost in memories.

One evening, as he traced his fingers over the glass frames of his certificates, he suddenly realized something—his grandmother had treasured these achievements because she had believed in him. She had always told him that he was strong enough to face anything.

Would she have wanted him to stay locked in grief, shutting out the world?

A deep breath. A moment of clarity.

The next morning, for the first time in days, Hyeon put on his uniform and headed back to school.

As he took his usual seat in the classroom, feeling a strange mix of comfort and unfamiliarity, a student approached him hesitantly.

“Hyeon… the principal wants to see you.”

His heart sank. Was this about his absence? Without a word, he stood up and made his way to the principal’s office.

Knocking lightly, he asked, "May I come in?"

As he stepped inside, he noticed his mother sitting there, her hands clasped tightly together. The principal’s face held a kind but serious expression.

“Hyeon,” the principal began, “I know this may come as a shock, but we’ve finalized your transfer. You’ll be moving to a new school, in a new city, with your mother.”

The words hit him like a punch to the chest. His fingers curled into fists at his sides.

“No,” he said, his voice sharp. “I don’t want to leave. I belong here.”

His mother reached out, trying to reason with him. “Hyeon, this is what’s best for you. You need a fresh start—”

“No!” His voice rose, filled with raw emotion. “You don’t understand! This is my home! My friends, my memories… everything is here! I don’t want to go with you!”

The principal sighed, his eyes filled with sympathy. “Hyeon, sometimes we have to move forward, even when we don’t want to.”

But he wasn’t ready to move forward. Not yet.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the office, his chest tightening as he made his way toward the rooftop—the one place where he had always found solace.

But no matter how much he resisted, reality wouldn’t change. His mother had the final say.

A few days later, with no choice left, Hyeon stood at the entrance of his school one last time. The corridors where he had once laughed with his friends now felt distant. The classroom where he had spent countless hours was no longer his.

With a heavy heart, he was withdrawn from school and made to leave for another city—a place where he had no memories, no comfort, and no trace of his grandmother’s presence.

As the car drove away, he glanced out the window, watching his school fade into the distance.

He was being forced into a new life.

And he wasn’t sure if he was ready for it.

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