THE LITTLE COPY ⋮ markhyuck

Chapter 𝟯

"What do you want to wear today?" Donghyuck asked sweetly, beaming like a morning sun as he opened Dongchan's closet.

"What can I wear, Papa? Can I wear my favorite shorts?"

The kid jumped off his bed and approached the closet as well.

"Hmm," Donghyuck hummed, then shook his head. "Don't you think it's still too cold for them?"

"But I want to wear shorts!"

"Do you mean those with palm trees? Baby, they're meant for summer and it's not summer yet! It's early spring. Boys and girls will wear pretty clothes, so why don't we wear something like that too?"

In the end, Donghyuck dressed his son in a white high-collar shirt and picked pants that had no relation to summer. Papa then combed his child's hair until he really looked like a young student. Happy about how pretty his kid looked, Donghyuck took a few photos and sent them to his family.

On their way to Dongchan's first-ever elementary school, Donghyuck was very nervous. Even though he knew this was a new beginning for both, and it had to happen eventually, he was still very anxious about it. What if Dongchan wouldn't like going to school? Or what if he, as a parent, missed something when raising his child?

These thoughts were all stupid, but Donghyuck didn't know it. Working eight years as an economist for a widow and helping her to rebuild her company was the best choice Donghyuck made in his life. She was very thankful to him and raised his salary twice as much. His income was just what he needed to take care of his child with no difficulties—Dongchan was getting spoiled! And now that it was time for Dongchan to start school, he had everything a kid would need. From a comfortable and highly expensive backpack to a set of many colorful pencils!

The main reason Dongchan was spoiled so much was that he was the only son, therefore, he got everything he wanted. Also, Donghyuck currently had no significant other. He had one before, but the latter needed too much attention from him, and Donghyuck would get upset if he had no time to spend with his son. Therefore, a few years ago, Donghyuck ended his latest relationship and gave his all to his son. When there were two of them in a spacey and modern apartment, Donghyuck felt like he was in Heaven.

"Here we go," Donghyuck said, wiping his sweaty palms into his jeans. "We're here, Chatterbox."

Dongchan looked away from his phone, yeah, he already had one and flicked his eyes to the school building.

"It's so huge, Papa!" he exclaimed. "I want to go in. Let's go, let's go."

Laughing at his son's reaction and excitement, Donghyuck calmed down a bit. If Dongchan liked it, he would like it too.

Together they exited the car and ran into a few parents with kids, too. Donghyuck briefly exchanged words with them and then went separate ways since they all had different motives. What Donghyuck looked forward to was the big auditorium full of parents and students. Finding a seat for two, the young dad happily squeezed his son's hand.

"Your first-ever attendance in this place! I'm so excited."

"What is going on?" Dongchan was confused. "Why are there so many of us?"

"We'll listen for the principal's speech," Papa explained. "He'll wish you a good year and tell a few things about the school."

The principal came in shortly and stood on the stage, reaching for a microphone. He was a man in his mid-fifties, and from first sight, he may look even scary, but Donghyuck was sure he was a great man. He had heard that he was the reason this school ranked high for the past few years.

That's why Donghyuck listened to him in admiration. So did other parents. But kids... They started to get bored. Donghyuck noticed several of them looking around, giggling, and pulling on their parents' clothes. Poor kids didn't know how to sit and listen to a person speaking yet.