Crimson Threads

2

Timeskip: High School

"Let's get going, Y/n," her dad called out, weaving his way through the bustling entrance of the school. The place was a whirlwind of chaos, with students swarming everywhere, desperately trying to find their seats before the exams began. Some were accompanied by their parents, while others stood alone, anxiously figuring out where they were supposed to go. Amidst all the commotion, Y/n felt a mix of excitement and overwhelming nerves, the crowd making her feel lightheaded, as if she might faint at any moment.

"Hello, sir. This is my daughter, Y/n—the one we discussed over the phone. And these are her cousins," her dad said, gesturing towards Y/n and her cousins. Meanwhile, Y/n was lost in her thoughts, zoning out as the crowd around her buzzed with activity.

"Oh yes, I remember meeting her before. Don't worry, sir, we'll take good care of her. Y/n, if you need anything at all, just raise your hand. We're here to help," Mr. Choi, the vice principal, reassured them, snapping Y/n out of her daze.

Y/n nodded, offering a small smile, unsure of what to say. Her attention was divided between Mr. Choi and the boys in the corridor, who she assumed were her future classmates, though she didn't recognize any of them. The only familiar faces were those of her cousins, but even they were assigned to different classes.

"The teacher assigned to invigilate your class will be Mr. Kang. He's the English teacher, so if you have any questions during the exam, feel free to ask him," Mr. Choi explained, addressing both Y/n and her dad.

"Thank you, sir," Y/n replied, her voice soft as she noticed how her father and she were the only ones allowed into the principal's office, while other students waited outside.

"Good, let's get going then," her dad said, exchanging polite greetings with other teachers as they made their way out.

Y/n's dad was a well-known figure in the community, involved in politics with strong connections. Despite his status, he was humble and kind, traits that Y/n had inherited. However, unlike her father's calm demeanor, Y/n had a fiery temper and was known for her impatience, a sharp contrast to her dad's composed nature.

After searching for a few minutes, Y/n found her seat on the second floor. The corridor was quieter now, with only a few students lingering outside, the class still mostly empty.

"Here it is, Dad—my roll number. I found it. You should go now; the exam will start soon," Y/n said, setting down her backpack and scanning the room. The pit in her stomach grew deeper as the reality of the situation settled in.

"You've got this, Y/n. Don't panic. Just focus on the exam, and everything will be fine," her dad reassured her, noticing the anxiety etched on her face. He knew how much this meant to her.

"Yes, Y/n, I'll be the invigilator here, so you have nothing to worry about. If you need anything, just ask," Mr. Kang added, standing next to her cousins, Enwoo and Hwan.

"Yeah, it's a shame we're in different classes. It would've been better if we were all together, but don't worry, we'll check in on you," her older cousin Enwoo said, trying to comfort her.

"It's fine. I'll be okay. You don't have to worry about me," Y/n replied, looking back at her dad, trying to reassure him more than herself.

The stares from other students were starting to get to her, making her more anxious. The once-empty classroom was beginning to fill, and everyone seemed to be watching her. Y/n noticed with her peripheral vision that she was the only one still with her parent in the class, as the announcement had already been made for parents to leave. The pressure was mounting.

Timeskip: Exam Time

A/N POV:

It was almost time for the exam to start, and the teacher began handing out the exam sheets to the students. Y/n's hands were icy cold, drenched in sweat, as the teacher neared her desk.

"Here you go, Y/n," Mr. Kang said, placing the exam sheet in front of her.

Everyone was waiting for the teacher to give them hints, but Y/n, being the diligent student she was, started writing immediately. She had studied all the topics the night before, and luck was on her side—the questions she had revised were on the exam.

"Y/n, you've already started? You know the answers?" Mr. Kang asked as he approached her desk.

"Yes, sir, I do. May I continue?" Y/n asked, looking up at Mr. Kang.

"Good. As expected of you. Go on and start writing," he replied with a nod, before moving to his seat.

The brief exchange caused the other students to glance in Y/n's direction, their curiosity piqued. Y/n felt their eyes on her, which only made her more nervous. Still, she couldn't deny the small swell of pride she felt.

After completing half of her paper, another teacher entered the room and began distributing cheat sheets to the students. The sheets were handed out—one for every two students—except for a select few, including Y/n. The teacher gave a sheet to Y/n first, then moved on to the others. This preferential treatment made the other students more confused, their curiosity about Y/n growing.