The Genesis slowed, turning off the main avenue onto a quiet, pine-lined boulevard before gliding through a set of massive, crest-embossed wrought-iron gates.
As the car pulled up the circular stone driveway, the grand 18th-century European-manor main building of Kirin Arts High came into view—its dark brick, ivy-draped walls, and arched glass windows standing majestic under the September sun.
"We're here! Kirin!" Mrs. Lee announced brightly.
San stared out the window, his jaw literally dropping.
"Wow... Daebak."
"Okay, we're going!" Mrs. Lee unbuckled her seatbelt. "We have to go to the main office, then later today we will go shopping! Blankets, toiletries, snacks, everything you need! We'll pick you up after school. Be good! Ha-neul, take care of him!"
"Have a good first day, San-gun," Mr. Lee added warmly in the rearview mirror, reaching back to hand him a heavy new backpack packed with textbooks, fresh notebooks, and a pencil case.
"Ah, ye! Thank you! Kamsahamnida!" San bowed awkwardly from the backseat.
Ha-neul stepped out first, slinging her school bag over her shoulder.
San stumbled out right behind her, hauling his heavy guitar case into the quiet morning air.
A few passing students in sharp navy-blue Kirin uniforms paused, casting curious, lingering glances at the tall, messy-haired foreign boy in casual clothes with a plastic "Mountain" tag pinned to his chest.
San stood frozen on the gravel driveway, staring up at the ivy-covered manor like a character dropped into a fantasy kingdom.
The lined-up sakuras of the main path to Kirin towered behind the gates.
"Is this... all the school?" he asked, his voice breathless.
Ha-neul didn't stop walking.
"No. That's the main hall. The music building is back there. The arts center is to the left. The sports hall with gym, courts, and pool is at the back, and those are the dorms."
"Dorms? People live here?"
"Obviously," she replied casually. "Kids whose parents are too busy, or who live far away, like in Busan. It's basically a hotel. Come on."
The black Genesis purred quietly as it pulled away down the circular drive, leaving them standing alone near the grand entrance.
Ha-neul took three steps ahead, then stopped.
She turned around to check on him.
San was standing there in his wrinkled shirt, clutching his guitar case like a lifeline, his wide dark eyes blinking up at the carved oak doors in absolute, terrifying bewilderment.
A tiny, unexpected sound escaped Ha-neul's throat.
Psh.
She tried to hold it in, but a genuine, dazzling smirk broke across her lips.
'He is kinda cute.'
"What?" San asked, blinking at her reaction.
"You look like a lost puppy," Ha-neul said softly, her smirk blooming into a full, rare smile as she shook her head. "Come on, San-ssi. Don't be late on your first day. You'll stick out even more."
She turned on her heel and walked toward the giant gates of Kirin Arts High.