Hold My Hand (part 2)

The classroom was buzzing with chatter after a long time. Soon, the teacher walked in with a bright smile and tapped the bell on her desk twice.

“My, what a lot of talking! It sounds like you all had a wonderful break. It’s so good to see your healthy faces. Since it’s our first day back, I’ll take attendance.”

The teacher called out the names of the 12 girls and 12 boys. Just as she was finishing, there was a knock at the door. The teacher stepped outside and returned, holding a boy’s hand.

“Everyone, we have a new transfer student in our class.”

As she asked the new student to introduce himself, one of the kids blurted out jokingly,

“Is he a celebrity? Look at those sunglasses!”

The new student, dressed in ordinary clothes but wearing dark glasses like a star, spoke up.

“Hi, I’m Kim Jin-woo. Sunglasses? Actually, my eyesight is very poor.”

The children began to whisper among themselves.

“Then shouldn’t he wear thick glasses? Why the celebrity sunglasses…?”

Jin-woo calmly continued.

“I’ve been this way since I was born. I don’t really know why. I wanted to ask my mom, but I didn’t because it makes her very sad. I can only tell the difference between light and dark. The reason I wear these dark glasses is for the people looking at me. I’ve attended a school for the visually impaired until now. I use a special cane when I walk. However, my hearing and my sense of touch are very good.”

Jin-hyeon, nicknamed ‘Woodpecker,’ interrupted with a question.

“Wouldn’t it be safer to stay at the special school? Everything there is made just for you.”

Jin-woo nodded and replied.

“You’re right. But before I start middle school, I wanted to try attending a regular school. Even though a special school is safe, I realized that the world and the people I’ll meet as an adult will be much broader and more diverse. It wasn’t an easy choice, but I took a big leap of courage. Please help me out a lot.”

Jin-woo expressed himself calmly and with deep sincerity.