SECRETS

Chapter - 32

Author P POV

The bustling crowd, their excited chatter filling the air as they gathered for the last day of university. The atmosphere was electric with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation. However, the hubbub quickly hushed as Mr. Shin, the newly appointed principal, stepped onto the stage. His tuxedo-clad figure exuded an air of authority, the sharp contrast against the sea of casual student attire emphasizing his role.

With a graceful clearing of his throat, Mr. Shin began his address, his deep voice resonating across the venue. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "as your new principal, I may not yet know each of you personally, but I am honored to be here with you on this momentous occasion."

The students listened intently, their attention fixed on the man at the podium. "To our incoming juniors," he continued, a warm smile crossing his face, "I will be your principal for the upcoming academic year. I expect nothing less than excellence from each one of you. Be kind, be respectful, and make the most of your time here."

A sense of responsibility settled over the juniors, knowing that their academic journey would be under Mr. Shin's watchful eye. On the other hand, the departing seniors couldn't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and excitement for the unknown future that awaited them.

Mr. Shin's tone softened as he turned to address the seniors directly. "And to our graduating seniors," he said, his voice tinged with warmth, "I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. You've worked hard to reach this point, and I have no doubt that you will excel in whatever path you choose."

As he concluded his speech, the applause was thunderous. The students were now united by the shared experience of Mr. Shin's words, bringing a sense of closure to the departing seniors and setting the stage for the juniors' journey ahead. The moment marked not just the end of one chapter but the beginning of another, under the watchful eye of their new principal.

The arrival of Mrs. Choi, the university owner, sent a collective hush through the crowd. Her enigmatic presence, concealed behind a mask and dressed entirely in black, added an air of mystery to the occasion. The principal's respectful bow emphasized her authority as she took the stage.

Mrs. Choi's cold and commanding tone gripped everyone's attention. "Good morning, everyone," she began, her words piercing the silence like icicles. As the audience greeted her in return, they could feel the weight of her presence.

"I am Mrs. Choi," she continued, her identity shrouded behind the mask. "I am the owner of this university. Seniors, today marks the end of your journey here, doesn't it?" Her question hung in the air, met with affirmative responses from the audience.

A sense of curiosity and unease settled over the crowd as Mrs. Choi's speech took an unexpected turn. "I hope you all have a great future ahead of you," she stated cryptically, her tone hinting at hidden knowledge. "And if you think I don't know what all has happened here, you are absolutely wrong." She paused, a sly smirk hidden beneath her mask, leaving everyone in attendance to wonder about the secrets she held and the mysteries she hinted at within the university's walls.

Mrs. Choi's revelation about her connection to the university left the audience in astonishment. She had not only built the institution but had been silently observing it for the past year, a fact that had gone unnoticed by everyone. The realization sent a shiver down their spines, as they wondered what else she might know.

Her next words struck a chord with the seniors, who couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. "Well, the thing I hate is bullying," Mrs. Choi continued, her voice stern. "But, guess what, every day it happens here." The weight of her words hung in the air, a somber acknowledgment of a dark reality that had tainted the university.