↳ Brooklyn

@Ma Kenneth "Pretty lively class isn't it?" A voice inquired from beside her. The low timbre, yet clear voice, definitely meant it was the Principal. A jolly old man that had only improved the school ever since he assumed the position, unfortunately there was so much that he couldn't do because the budget didn't allow him to. But Woohee, seeing the good in people, definitely understood that he only wished to do good for the students.

She chuckled,"Indeed. I feel like they might be able to lead their own classmates as well as others, the moment they erase that mask of apprehension." Woohee smiled, listening in on the chatter that the students conducted. She could trace the nervous tone in their voices, how everything came out subtly forced, but she didn't doubt their genuine intentions.

"Always so insightful I see? I trust that you'll be the one to make them leaders? Ah, you're also representing the history department no?" A genuine question, yet Woohee didn't want to take complete credit. She wanted to guide them to a path that they felt most secure in, she didn't want to make leaders...her job was not to play god or be a sculptor, it was to instruct and advise.

Her smile faltered slightly, "I won't make them leaders. But I'll help them recognize their potential." She guided the principal down to his seat, "but yes. I'm representing the history department today. I prepared a lot for today actually."

Woohee in fact did prepare a lot for the speech she'd give, even with all the missions during the summer, she made sure to recite and revise the speech until it was nearly perfect. So when the principal said that he'd have many expectations for the speech, she brightened up immediately. "I won't let you down principal," she promised. "I think the assembly will be starting in a minute, it may be best that you get to the podium now."

(2)

(NO IT'S RLLY GOOD WYS)

@Ma Kenneth Students continued to pour in, some along with their parents, quickly flooding the once barren auditorium with their presence. The first hints of conversation began as soon as the auditorium was filled halfway, some with regarded others familiarly - an exclamation of joy as they nearly pounced on their peer. A sign that they could survive atleast the first day with the presence of their companionship, Perhaps they knew each other from junior high, or maybe they attended extracurriculars together, however they were very lucky in that sense because they could lean on one another on such a day like today.

Others were like lone wolves at first, wide-eyed by the grandeur of what was a high school auditorium. Woohee herself needed to remind her that the fact that the high school housed nearly two-thousand students meant that things were far larger in scale in comparison to the average high school. These students observed their settings, hoping for signs of survival. Perhaps they were lucky and found a person nonchalantly playing on their portable game console, they could ask the person if it was okay to sit next to them, and slowly they could engage in small talk. Sometimes that's how long-lasting friends were made, and the ones that one cling onto since middle school could become a mere acquaintance. That was the way of life, of friendship. Woohee herself saw this happen to herself, and felt the pang of regret that came from the realization. Yet soon after she accepted it as reality. If not the reality of others, her own reality.

Yet it was still intriguing, observing the nature of these teens in a setting like this one. While some didn't show it, deep down there were many fears, fear of the future, and fear of the present. Sometimes, their body language would say more than their expressions. The way one exhales deeply as they enter the auditorium means that they must have inhaled as deeply beforehand is a method to cool one's nerves before assuming stressful situations.

The absence of informal speech...something they lose once they become seniors. Fearing isolation means that they make sure to talk in a neutral tone, a vernacular that is familiar to everything, in hopes that they don't offend anyone. It's only when they become older that they loosen up their speech style and think they can say anything to their teachers. Woohee didn't mind in particular if it meant that she could get a lesson finished, she was completely willing to talk casually with the students. Yet she always commanded a certain level of respect from them. If they learn about the real life from her, they should learn that the world never yields to a person, even if that person is worthy of it. Respect was earned from actions, and speech was also an action. That was what she was taught...albeit it being from the days she was being trained as a spy.

Oftentimes the skills she used as a spy and the skills she learned while getting her teacher's certification helped her lead her double life. Her observant nature allows her to read the body language of students that are lying or cheating - and in the two years of teaching she's quickly earned the reputation of weeding out the cheaters and making sure that they didn't get away with it. No one dared to cheat on her tests. In fact she heard a few whispers from the students talking about how it's better to study for her tests than cheat the answers off of someone - according to an upperclassmen they knew.

She reacted with a slight smirk, somewhat glad that she was able to legitimize a serious reputation with potential students. Although in doing so, Woohee may have lost control of her expressions, especially given that she seemed to have scared off a student. They were courteous enough to receive her greeting but escaped in haste. She sighed, and began to greet the next bunch of students.

A group of three teenagers, bubbly and high spirited, followed by a man that didn't seem much older than her. She noted the look of recognition he gave her, which definitely confused her because she never recalled meeting a man that resembled him outside of school. Or did she...wait. A man that wasn't much older than her, the three teens couldn't have been his children, right? She knit her eyebrows together, eyes not leaving the group of four as she tried to make sense of the scene before her. She figured that he definitely wasn't a student...so was he just a really young looking father?

Woohee noted how it became noticeably noisier as students began conversing with each other, she even noticed some of them sharing their phone numbers and snapchats in an attempt to keep in touch with each other. She just wished that they could quiet down just a little so they could let her think clearly.

(1)

@Bae Woohee “Are you guys-” before Kenneth could finish his question, two of the teens latched onto him into a tight hug, successfully knocking out air from his lungs. He took a quick glance at the teens and sighed softly.

“Guys, come on. Don’t look so down on your first day” Kenneth chided gently and gently patted their backs reassuringly.

“Do you really not expect anything in return?” One of the teens asked and Kenneth shook his head. “Nothing. Just do the best you can and do things that you love. Safely, mind you. Don’t be rude to others, be nice and friendly. If someone starts giving you trouble, kill them with kindness….or exchange a few blows. Please do the former though.” As Kenneth was talking, the teens started to laugh at his slightly overbearing nature.

“Dad, we know. We aren’t kids anymore.” Kenneth gently brought the teens into a side hug, patting his hand on their back reassuringly. “I know. Now then. Collect yourselves and your things. Let’s go to your new school now, together. Alright?” Kenneth watched as the teens gathered their things and began walking towards the school, of course with him being pulled along and away from his much more leisurely speed.

The teens animatedly talking amongst each other and sometimes bringing Kenneth into the conversation, as they headed towards the entrance. Kenneth’s eyes instinctively glanced around them, already starting to count how many entrances and exits there were before pulling himself out of that mindset. He was not on the job, he was with some of his kids. Kenneth promptly ignored the fact that he quietly filed the information away in the back of his mind.

“Dad! Were you ever good in math? Or English?” One of the teens asked and Kenneth mused as he dragged out his ‘hmmm’ when he thought.

“I suppose I was. My guardian was thorough on what they expected of me. They refused to let me skip over something and would search all sorts of ways to make sure I understand the material. I remember that my Guardian would have these tests on the material and occasionally pop quizzes to make sure I retained the information.” Kenneth laughed softly at the thought of his guardian.

“They only wanted the best of me. If I got the basics down, then I wouldn’t have such a hard time later in life. I’m sure that they would have loved you, all of you.” Kenneth watched as his kids scanned in and trailed in after them.

Kenneth allowed himself to be pulled by the teens towards what seemed to be the auditorium. His eyes landing on the woman -a very familiar woman- near the entrance greeting the students and their guardians. A slow glance around and Kenneth figured out that this was where her - Woohee. His mind softly interrupted- cover job was. Kenneth gave no indication that he had recognized the other and he, along with the teens, greeted the teacher -Code Name: Yami. his mind continued- with warm smiles. Kenneth internally winced at the loud chatter that echoed in the auditorium.

"Dad! We're so glad that you came with us! II can't wait to show where my classes are!" One of the teens excitedly spoke and the other two teens started to argue on who would show their classes first. Kenneth just laughed amusingly and they took their seats.

[] JUST GONNA GO DIE NOW CAUSE BAD REPLY

@Bae Woohee Kenneth stood in the kitchen, silently drinking a cup of coffee, trying to get himself awake for the day. He had just flown in a the previous day and he was still feeling the jet lag from his flight. Honestly, by this time one would expect him to be used to the jet lag due to his constant flying around. He would at least take a day or so to get himself situated, but this occasion was literally just shoved into the small period of time he would have some free time from everything.

"Dad...?" A soft hesitant voice called out and Kenneth glanced up. "Hey, did you guys get situated here?" Kenneth asked the three teens with a warm smile and when the teens voiced that they had, Kenneth tilted his head towards the dining table. "Go and eat up. I'm coming with you to the school." Kenneth explained and as the teenagers began their breakfast, he sat down at the table with them, with his mug in hand and his own plate of breakfast in the other.

"You didn't have to come, Dad. You're already so busy..." One of the teens trailed off and Kenneth chuckled softly as he ate. "What kind of Dad would I be if I wouldn't make sure that his kids are situated in a new environment?"

"A normal one." Was the unified answer and Kenneth tilted his head curiously. "Ah....but I'm not exactly...a normal dad, am I?" Kenneth trailed off with an awkward laugh and the teenagers started to laugh.

"I dont think any normal person would be doing everything you are right now, Dad." Another teen made out between their laughter causing Kenneth to calmly remind them to breathe and finish their food before they choked. As the teens resumed eating their breakfast, Kenneth raised his now half full coffee cup up to his lips, and drank it calmly with a slight smile.

After putting their dishes away, the teens ran up the stairs to grab their bags and Kenneth quickly finished his own breakfast and coffee before washing the plates up. It wasn't long before Kenneth and the teenagers were leaving the house and slipping into the car with Kenneth making sure they had everything they needed, listing all the items that were coming to mind out to the teens. Exasperatedly groaning as they answered his questions, the teens exchanged a small smile between each other. Kenneth was always so busy, so when he had the time and was spending time with some of the kids, they always enjoyed having him around.

"Do you have your id's?" Kenneth finally listed as he was driving and the teens all groaned.
"Dad! We have everything! Don't worry!" They exclaimed and Kenneth smiled sheepishly.
"Alright. I just wanted to make sure. You guys know that you can contact me no matter what, right? I'll always find time for you guys and others." Kenneth asked and the teens nodded.

"We know." The teens responded and before Kenneth could continue, the teens all began reciting the very words Kenneth was about to say.

"You're just worried, blah blah blah, Dad. We know!" Kenneth simply laughed and became silent, concentrating on driving with the radio playing in the background. After he goes through the Open House, he would have to go back to the orphanage there and spend some time with the kids before flying to another building then doing more paperwork. As he was figuring out what he had to do next, he didn't realize the teens were trying to get his attention.

"-ad. Dad. DAD." One of the teens yelled and Kenneth jolted out of his thoughts, automatically analyzing his surroundings and remembering what he was just doing.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about something. You were saying?" Kenneth apologized and the teens all exchanged a look, making the tendrils of worry start seeping into his mind.

"We just wanted to say thanks.... We know how busy you've been recently and you still helped us move to Brooklyn and now you're going to our school with us... Plus everything you've done before, taking us in and without question... Everything...really. Thank you." Kenneth chuckled softly and shook his head rather amused, yet there was that little ball of warmth in his chest hearing them thanking him.

"You don't need to thank me, really. I'm glad that I could help you with everything, I just wanted the best for you all and everyone else. I wanted to give everyone somewhere they can call home and help them the best I can. Somewhere they know they're accepted no matter what." Kenneth explained gently and paused before continuing. "I am really sorry, that I haven't had time to spend time with all of you. You guys may not share the same blood as me, but you all are still my kids. And I will love every single one of you no matter what, you understand that right?"

The teens all nod and Kenneth carefully pulled up at the school, then parked the car. The four all climbed out and Kenneth locked the car, then turned to look at the frozen teens when he realized that they weren't walking with him. "Guys?" Kenneth questioned and walked back to the teens. [pt1]

@Ma Kenneth Shutting the door of her apartment, she breathed in the stale air of the post Labor Day depression. Today was the first day of school, and also the open house for admitted students, it was in fact, a very stressful day. Woohee realized as much as she trotted down the steps of the aged brownstone building, looking out at the chaotic serenity of the morning in front of her. A comforting yet hectic view that she'd face up until the last days of June.

The sidewalk was a meeting place of noise, as parents rushed school-aged children out from the rows of townhouses and on to the cement streets. A rainbow of expressions coloring the faces of each child as they hopped onto the buses, dived down to the subway, or strolled down the street to their school across the corner. Each strapped with a book bag that may have enveloped them, had they been a few inches shorter. Of course the exception were high schoolers, whether they were upperclassmen that just didn't care or freshmen that were afraid of looking like one. A big bag in high school often meant that the student was fresh meat just waiting to be picked up by the predatorial upperclassmen.

As a high school teacher that taught freshmen, as well as seniors, Woohee could see the stark differences between the hasty fear laced responses from freshmen and the lax answers from the seniors. The stark differences amused her, reminded her of her own time in high school.

But now she was the teacher, and they were her students. She would ensure that the freshmen could smoothly ease into high school while the seniors had a clear path ahead of them when they graduated. She completely empathized with the freshmen, after all, she was just two years into her teaching career. And it was far from easy, from judgemental teachers to stubborn students, Woohee experienced them all within the span of two years. These freshmen would too. She imagined that even the cynics of the lot would have the shiniest gleam in their eyes while they picture the future ahead of them.

A teacher could easily dull that shine as much as they could intensify it. But perhaps that was Woohee's self-fulfilling theory of how every person had the immense weight of power burdening their shoulders. But enough of that. Her first job was to make sure the students felt secure, even if the other teachers refused to make that a reality.

It's not like the sunlight wasn't a burden either. Her commute to the school was a five minute walk but it felt double that amount because of the immense heat of early September. Her hair, combed neatly before leaving her apartment, curled towards her nape. The heat burned her eyes, but it may have been her own fault for hastily leaving her home without her shades. She grumbled to herself, because in a bit she would have to be stuck in an auditorium with five hundred other pubescent teenagers. And if the department of education did their job right, they'd give the school enough of a budget for air conditioning, but they don't do that luxury was reserved for the latter half of the second semester.

"Hopefully they have fans" Woohee mumbled to herself, slipping into the main entrance. She was still rather early and so she was greeted by a few other teachers and security guards. The students would arrive soon and she knew it, the first batch would burst forth from the entrance like a stampede...except they'd need to scan in first...so it was a slow stampede. Whatever, Woohee sighed and stretched her arms before she made the hike to her classroom to place her belongings and then to the auditorium.

She claimed the seat near the stage but quickly scurried over to entrance, greeting the students and their guardians.