* Name Reminder
Haphuco - The main character
Biani - Haphuco's not blood-related younger sister
Sanda - Haphuco's schoolmate
Biudo - The owner of the house where Haphuco is living in an apartment for rent inside
Dorin - An university student who is a tenant inside Buido's house like Haphuco
Cavin - A father who is a tenant inside Buido's house like Haphuco
Hana - Cavin's daughter
Merodi - Haphuco's co-worker at Ba restaurant
New Character
Gara - Hana's school guard
Synsys - Hana's classmate, likes Hana
Chama - Hana's classmate, a bit jealous of Hana
Ketao - Hana's classmate, Chama's friend since nursery school, loves football
Seni - Hana's head teacher, Cipo's daughter
Cipo - Hana's school principal
Aoi - The manager of a convenience store where Kavin is working for
Hakyo - The name of the city where Haphuco is living in
The early morning after the day Haphuco went to the Assassin Gym, Haphuco and BIani is having their routine morning exercises. Doing their 10km run, Biani asks Haphuco about the guy named Sanda they met yesterday.
Biani : So how did you meet that Sanda guy ?
Haphuco : Oh, that's way back on the first day I entered the School.
[ Flashback ]
Haphuco ( Cheerful ) : Nice to meet everyone, my name is Haphuco !
Haphuco : I am eager to spend the upcoming three years at the School and learn everything to become a great Assassin.
Haphuco : Please take care of me !
Sitting near Haphuco is Sanda, finding what Haphuco just said funny as he sounds like a naive child, Sanda could not help but laugh.
And I took that personally
Haphuco : Also, before I went to the School, Mr. Jowi had told me that...
Jowi : If someone dares to look down on you,...
Jowi : BEAT THEM UP !
Haphuco ( Look at Sanda ) : So what do you say ?
Haphuco : Wanna have a Duel ?
Sanda ( Intrigued ) : Heh...
...
Sanda ( Wake up ) : Huh ?!
Sanda finds himself lying on a bed. He is inside the School's infirmary with Haphuco waiting for him to wake up.
Haphuco : Oh, you are awake !
School Nurse : I can't believe you guys challenged each other to the Duel right on the first day and ended up being all wounded up like this...
School Nurse ( Thumb up ) : That's the spirit, you two !
Ah, I see...
Sanda was knocked out on his first-ever duel with Haphuco and got sent to the infirmary. Haphuco, with bandages on his face, does not act like the winner at all, gives his hand to Sanda for a shake.
Haphuco : It was a great match ! Let's battle again sometimes ! Sa...Uh...what's your name again ?
Look at this guy, he won a Duel yet he is acting like it is just a friendly match. He even forgot the name of the man he had shed blood to fight against.
What's an interesting guy.
Sanda ( Shake hands ) : It's Sanda.
Haphuco : Sanda...got it ! I hope we can get along with each other !
And so, for the three years at the School, Haphuco and Sanda became friends with each other. They had a lot of Duels afterwards, all are quality matches.
But the thing is...
Haphuco always won at the end.
[ End of Flashback ]
Biani : That explains his attitude.
I would be mad too if the person who always beat me up now refuses to let me take a revenge on him.
Haphuco : And he did tell me, on our last meeting, that he will challenge me to the Duel when we meet again...
Sanda ( Last time meeting ) : Let's have a Duel the next time we meet, Haphuco !
Haphuco : Honestly, I don't blame him. It was my fault not to be able to fulfil the promise.
Haphuco : Sanda is a man of honour. He would definitely not accept fighting me when I don't use everything I have.
Haphuco : But I really don't want to let myself go all out...
Haphuco : not anymore.
Biani, wanting to ask why but then remembers the conversation she had with Haphuco about the reason Haphuco gave up being an Assassin on the day they met each other again. Instead, she asks :
Biani : Is this related to the reason why you gave up being an Assassin ?
Haphuco : ...
Haphuco : Yeah...
...
Today's breakfast is pancakes with the usual milk and fruits. The breakfast eventually ends and it's time for everyone to go to their places. Hana, in her school uniform that she has been seen wearing for three days now, says goodbye to everyone to go to school, taken by his father Kavin.
Dorin then realises something, he tells Buido :
Dorin : Wait, so Bro Kavin is 25 years old, Hana is 6 years old...
Dorin : Does that mean he had Hana when he had not reached 20 yet.
Dorin : That's wild !
Buido : I know what you are thinking, Dorin but forget about it.
Buido : We should respect the private life of everyone.
...
Dropping at the determined bus stop, Kavin and Hana arrives at the school entrance.
It is a long-standing elementary school named "SunShine". The school is fortunate to have a decent number of celebrities used to study in the school, including the current city's mayor, Mayo but because it is just a primary school so no one can really get the idea.
Still, the school is city-wide-known as one of the best decent-priced primary schools in the city because of its exellent education mindset. Not every children can enrol in the school due to the school's attention to the admission process and it is admirable that the school strictly refuses bribe for enrolment.
Recently, the Maristianity religion has offered the school to be a part of its education system which has already had its secondary school and high school but it is still unconfirmed whether the deal will go through or not.
Kavin : Okay, let's see if you are good to go.
Kavin : Is the Personal Safety Alarm in your bag ?
The Personal Safety Alarm will emit a loud noise when activated, helping them alert nearby people in case of danger or if approached by strangers.
Kavin : Tell me if you feel unwell.
Kavin : You can call me if you want to, I will be rig...
Hana ( Annoyed ) : Papa, I am 6 years old now ! Don't treat me like a baby anymore !
Kavin ( Pat on Hana's head ) : Sure thing, my rascal.
Kavin : Have a good day at school, Hana.
Hana : I will see you soon, papa !
While entering the school, Hana does not forget to say hello to Gara, the old school guard who is cleaning the leaves with his broom.
Gara ( Approach Kavin ) : She is an energetic girl.
Gara : Rest assure, Hana's father. As long it is within the school, I will make sure that everyone is out of any danger.
Kavin : ...
Kavin : Have fun, Hana.
Kavin then leaves to his workplace.
...
Hana walks through the corridor, the 1st class locates right on the first floor of the school so that the 1st class students, the youngest, do not need to climb the stairs. By the way, the school cafeteria locates on the second floor.
Eventually, she reaches her class, class 1-4.
Hana ( Scream ) : GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE !!!
Right after she enters the class and she has done this for three days now. It is impressive, especially on the first day as people tend to be shy when they are surrounded by no one familiar.
But nope, not in Hana's case. She's here to make friends.
Synsys, AKA Tando but female and not an orphan, greets her.
Synsys : Hey there, Hana !
Synsys has taken a liking to Hana since the first day. She likes how cheerful Hana is. They even already has their signature handshake already.
Hana : Hi, Synsys !
The class has a total of 13 students with 7 boys and 6 girls. That's the maximum number of students in one class of SunShine School. Normally, it is only 12.
Limited number of students in one class and balanced ratio between boys and girls in one class, this is a part of the school education policy. Having a limited number of students and a balanced boy-girl ratio in each class fosters a more focused, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student has a better chance to participate, receive attention, and develop socially.
Apparently, everyone is gathering around Chama, a boy who is showing off his skills of solving the rubik that he brought.
Chama ( Solved the rubik ) : And that's done. Same color on each side of the rubik.
Almost everyone : Wow, that's so cool, Chama.
Almost everyone : Yeah, how did you do that ?!
Chama loves it !
The feeling of being the center of the attention.
He wants it !
He craves for it !
Chama ( Notice Hana ) : Ah, Hana ! Wanna try solving the rubik.
Chama does not like Hana. She stole his first place in the enrolment test.
[ When Kavin got Hana's result ]
Kavin ( Shocked, holding the result paper ) : Maximum score ?!!
Hana ( Innocent ) : Did I do well ?
She showed to be superior than him
[ Math Lesson ]
What's 1 + 1 ?
Well, that's not really the question asked but you get the point.
Chama : That's...
Hana : That's 2, Sensei !
Correct !
Chama ( Angry ) : Guh !!!
He hates her.
...
She is cute though, especially her smile...
Wait a minute, I am supposed to hate her, am I ? I can't think her cute.
Hana ( Hold the rubik ) : Oh, so this is a rubik, huh ? It looks interesting.
Chama : Hah, I see this is your first time seeing the rubik right ? Then you will never be able to sol...
Hana ( Solved the rubik ) : Done !
Chama : Eh ?!
After looking for a while, Hana manages to solve it instantly. She solved it so fast that she might as well apply for the Guinness World Records.
Chama : Wait, how could...how could you even solve the rubik faster than I am ?! You never play it before !
Hana : Well...
I planned to add a manual of how to solve a rubik here but it is too long so I gave up the idea.
Hana : The goal is clear, isn't it ? Having the same color on every side. So I just did it.
Chama : That makes no sense !
Synsys : You are amazing, Hana !
Synsys ( Look at Chama ) : You should also admit that Hana is amazing too, Chama.
Chama ( Thought ) : Impossible, it took me so much time to learn how to solve the rubik. I was so confident that I would be able to do something that she can not do.
He then looks at Ketao, an energetic boy who loves football, his friend from the same nursery school, to seek for support.
Chama : Hey, Keta...
Oh...
The said to be an energetic boy is currently lying his face on the table. He seems depressed.
And the culprit is no one but the innocent smiling Hana.
The story is that yesterday, the class had a PE lesson and they played football. Ketao, having been played football since three years old as a goalkeeper, confident that he will not let any goal get through. He even helped his nursery class win the school tournament without getting scored.
That's when Hana scored a hatrick against Ketao despite saying that she had not played football before. ( All 3 Assists from Synsys by the way )
Losing to someone of his age, to a girl ?!
As a result, his self-esteem is broken which results in his current state. Hana, seeing Ketao like that, asks for comfort.
Hana : Oh, Ketao. Why do you look so sad ?
Ketao ( Shed tear ) : It is because of you, Hana !
Hana : Me ?! What did I do ?
Synsys : You scored against him, Hana. In the football match yesterday, remember ?
Hana : Really ?! Then I am sorry, Ketao. I don't mean that. I actually find you cool though.
Ketao : Huh, really ?
Hana : Yeah, while I just need to use my feet, you have to use both your hands and your feet to play.
That's because he is the freaking goalkeeper !
Hana : I think that's cool !
Hearing the words, Ketao suddenly gets cheerful again.
Ketao : Yeah, I am cool !
What can I say, kids, am I right ?
Synsys, Chama and Ketao. That's three people introduced in the class, the rest will be introduced later.
Seni ( Right in front of the class ) : Uh, I still can not stop being nervous.
Seni, the head teacher of the class 1-4 who just became a teacher this year. Plus, she is the daughter of the school's principal so she has some pressure. Acting confident, she enters the class.
Seni ( Smile, wave hands ) : HELLO, SUNSHINES.
Everyone quickly goes to their seats with Hana siting next to Synsys.
Chama : Stand up !
Chama is the class monitor. Hey, isn't this one thing that Hana doesn't have.
Chama : Good morning, Seni Sensei !
Everyone else : Good morning, Seni Sensei !!!
Seni : Good morning, everyone.
Seni : It's your third day at school. I hope that everyone has got used to it.
Seni : Now let's me check the attendance and then we can start the day.
...
Meanwhile, Kavin is working for a convenience store. He looks a bit unsettled, probably because he is thinking about Hana being at the school. Aoi, the store manager, notices it.
Aoi : Don't worry, Kavin. I am sure that Hana is doing fine at the school.
Kavin : I..guess you are right...
Kavin ( Look at a customer ) : It's 85000 dong, sir.
Aoi ( Warn Kavin ) : Ey ! Kavin ! You got the original price of this product, not the discounted price.
Kavin : Oh, sorry, my bad, it's 55000 dong then.
Aoi : And ?
Kavin : Oh right, would you like a receipt ?
Sanda : It's okay...
Kavin + Aoi ( See the customer off ) : Have a good day !
Kavin : Sorry...
...
Aoi : It is a bit of a problem that we don't have enough available staff for the night shift.
Kavin could not do the night shift so he feels bad to hear that.
Aoi : No worry, Kavin. I understand that you need to take care of Hana at night.
Aoi : It's a shame that her mother passed away. Oh, sorry, I shouldn't say that.
Kavin : No, it's fine.
It's the story he told her to get the job, after all.
...
It's the first-ever Music Lesson.
Seni : For our first-ever Music Lesson, we will learn the school's theme song which is...
You Are My Sunshine
🎵You are my sunshine
🎵My only sunshine
🎵You make me happy
🎵When skies are gray
Miu, a girl in the class, is being the most eager to sing the song. The impression of her for the past few days is that she is a quite girl who likes listening to music from her headphones.
🎵You'll never know, dear
🎵How much I love you
🎵Please don't take
🎵My sunshine away
As the song is sung, a part of memory appears in Hana's memory.
A woman...
She is singing a song to her.
It's exactly this song.
You Are My Sunshine
🎵The other night, dear
🎵As I lay sleeping
🎵I dreamed I held you
🎵In my arms
Tear starts shredding on her eyes...
🎵When I awoke, dear
🎵I was mistaken
🎵So I hung my head and cried
And she cries.
Synsys : Eh ?! What's wrong, Hana ? Why are you crying ?
Noticing Hana cry, the song stops and everyone, especially teacher Seni, looks at her and asks for comfort.
But Hana just wipes the tear and then smiles.
Hana : Hehe, I don't know why I am crying.
Seni ( Worried ) : Are you sure you are okay, Hana ?
Hana : Yes, I am okay, Seni Sensei. I don't know why I am crying though.
Seni ( Relieved ) : This can be quite a sad song. That may explain why you cried, Hana.
Seni : See, everyone. This is what makes the song in particular and music in general special. It has the power to touch everyone's heart.
A link for anyone interested in listening to the song :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oc6PTtcthA
...
The school day is over. Seni and everyone in the class goes outside the school yard and wait for their parents to pick them up. It's the duty of Seni as the head teacher to make sure that everyone gets picked up safely.
Merodi : Hey, Miu !
If you don't remember who the heck is Merodi then no worry, she has just appeared briefly in Chapter 7. She will be the main character in the upcoming Chapter 10.
Miu : It's my sister, I will see you tomorrow then, Seni Sensei.
Seni : You did great in the Music Lesson, Miu. Have a good rest of the day.
Chama got a private car picking him up and Ketao follows him. Despite being jealous of Hana, seeing her cry, Chama feels like he should act nice to her.
Chama ( Slightly blushed ) : Don't cry like today, okay. That doesn't suit you.
Seni : Aw ! Look at who is comforting her.
Hana ( Smile ) : Thanks, Chama !
Chami ( Get more red ) : I am leaving !
Eventually, each person gets picked up, leaving only Hana left. But it is expected as Kavin clearly informed them beforehand that his shift ends a bit later than when the school ends and despite having been allowed to leave early by Aoi, it still takes time for him to get to the school.
During that time, Seni and Hana meets Cipo, the school's principal.
Cipo : How's school today, Seni ?
Seni : Ah, father.
Hana : Eh, are you Seni Sensei's papa ?
Cipo ( Smile ) : Yes, I am your teacher's papa. Call me papa, Seni.
Seni ( Embarrassed ) : No way ! I am not a child anymore.
Cipo ( Joke ) : Oh, I am heartbroken. She called me papa all the time when she was young.
Kavin ( Arrived ) : Sorry, I am here to pick up Hana.
Hana ( Come to hug Kavin ) : Papa !
Kavin ( Hug Hana ) : Did you have a good time, my rascal ?
Hana : Yes !
Seni : Hi, my name is Seni. I am Hana's head teacher. And this is Cipo, the school's principal.
Kavin : Ah, thanks you for taking care of my daugher. My name is Kavin.
Seni : No problem, Mr. Kavin. But I have to inform you that today Hana cried...
Kavin : Cried ?! Did anyone hurt you, Hana ?!
Seni : No ! No one hurt her. She cried when she listened to the song
You Are My Sunshine
Kavin : ...
Cipo : Oh, really ? How's so ?
Kavin ( Put Hana down, speak a bit low ) : Oh, that must be...the song her mother sang to her when she was young.
It's true...
Kavin : She...passed away not long... after she was born.
Seni : Oh, I am sorry to hear that.
Cipo : That's must be the reason why she cried.
Kavin : It's okay. She does not need to know about it at her current age.
Kavin : Anyway, we shall take our leave.
Hana : Bye bye, Seni Sensei and Seni Sensei's papa !
Seni : Bye, Hana ! See you tomorrow !
Cipo ( As he watches Hana and Kevin leaves ) : ...
Seni : What's wrong, pa...I mean, father ?
Cipo : I feel like I have seen Hana before...
Cipo ( Shake his head ) : No, that's just absurd.
Cipo : By the way, did you just call me papa ?!
Seni ( Embarrassed ) : No ! You heard nothing !
...
Kavin : How's about we eat fried chicken at the LFC store that Dorin is working at for the dinner tonight, Hana ?
Hana : Yeah, let's go !
Kavin : Alright, LFC it is !
Hana : ...
Hana : Papa !
Kavin : Huh, what, Hana ?
Hana : Can you sing that song for my good night sleep ?
Kavin : What song, Hana ?
You Are My Sunshine
🎵When I awoke, dear
🎵I was mistaken
🎵So I hung my head and cried
End of Chapter 9 : SunShine
Next Chapter - Chapter 10 : Let's Rock