As Arko reached the school gate, children rushed inside excitedly.
"New class!"
"New books!"
"New year!"
Arko stepped inside…
And then—
Stopped.
"…That's what you all think," he muttered.
From his pocket, he slowly took out a few coins.
The money his mother had given him.
"For school," she said.
Arko looked at it seriously.
"…Very important work."
And just like that—
He turned around and walked straight out of the school.
A few minutes later—
ting
He entered the village dokan.
Inside, there were already customers.
An uncle buying oil.
A boy staring at chocolates.
A woman asking for rice.
And behind the counter—
The dokandar.
Arko walked toward the snacks.
Biscuits.
Chips.
Toffees.
And… Shoyda.
He folded his arms.
"…What should I buy?"
The dokandar looked at him.
"What do you want, Arko?"
No reply.
Arko was thinking deeply.
He picked one packet.
Put it back.
Picked another.
Rejected.
This was not buying.
This was a life decision.
Time passed.
The other customers started getting irritated.
The boy next to him whispered—
"Are you buying or opening a shop?"
Suddenly—
"HEY!"
The dokandar snapped loudly.
"What do you want? Buy fast! There are other customers here!"
The whole shop went silent.
Arko jumped.
"…Yes!"
Without thinking—
He grabbed whatever was closest.
One Shoyda.
One biscuit.
Two random toffees.
He quickly paid and rushed out.
Outside, he stopped.
Breathing fast.
"…I don't like this shop," he muttered.
"That man is dangerous."
After calming down, he looked at his snacks.
Then smiled.
"…Still worth it."
A few minutes later—
He entered the school again.
This time… for real.
Inside the classroom, mats were spread across the floor.
Students were already sitting.
Some shouting.
Some laughing.
Some fighting for space.
Arko quietly walked in and sat down on a mat.
"…Same noise every year," he muttered.
"Arko!" a voice called.
He turned.
Som stood there.
"You came! I thought you would skip school!"
Arko looked offended.
"I am a serious student."
Som stared at him.
"…You came late."
"Timing is flexible."
Before Som could reply—
THUD!
A book dropped heavily.
The class instantly went silent.
"Class…"
A deep but slightly playful voice echoed.
Mota Master had arrived.
Big and round, his belly slightly wobbling as he walked, yet his steps were surprisingly quick.
He adjusted his glasses and looked around.
A small smile already forming on his face.
"I don't like too much noise…" he said.
Then after a pause—
"But I like energy."
A few students smiled nervously.
Arko sat straight.
"…Safe or danger?" he whispered.
Som replied quietly—
"Mixed."
"Everyone will introduce themselves," Mota Master said, fanning himself lightly with a notebook.
"And then we study… if you all behave."
One by one—
"My name is Raju…"
"My name is Sita…"
Everything normal.
Then—
"Arko."
Arko stood up confidently.
"My name is Arko," he said proudly.
"I am very hardworking."
Mota Master raised an eyebrow with interest.
"Oh? That's good."
"I wake up early…" Arko continued,
"…and focus deeply on important things."
Mota Master nodded.
"Very nice."
Arko smiled.
Confidence rising.
"…Like cartoons."
Silence.
Then—
The class burst into laughter.
Mota Master pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh.
"…Cartoons, huh?" he said.
Arko nodded seriously.
"They improve imagination… and fighting knowledge."
Mota Master turned slightly, hiding a smile.
Then looked back at him.
"Your imagination is already very strong."
A pause.
"Maybe… too strong."
The class giggled again.
Then he pointed toward the door.
"Go stand outside for a while."
His tone wasn't harsh—
But final.
Arko blinked.
"…Outside?"
"Yes," Mota Master said gently.
"Let your imagination get some fresh air."
A few minutes later—
Arko stood outside the classroom, hands behind his back.
"…First day," he muttered.
"…First punishment."
Inside—
"Som."
"Yes, Master!"
"You were laughing."
Som froze.
"…Little bit, Master."
Mota Master sighed dramatically.
"What will I do with this class…"
Then pointed outside.
"Go. Join him."
Som came outside and stood a little distance away from Arko.
Not too close.
Arko grinned.
"Welcome."
Som sighed.
"This is your fault."
Arko shrugged.
"System problem."
After a pause—
Arko secretly took out one toffee.
"Want?"
Som hesitated…
Then took it.
"…Only this time."
Inside the class, Mota Master shook his head, smiling to himself.
"These children…"
He muttered softly—
"They will drive me crazy… but I like them."
Outside—
Arko smiled.
"…Still better than studying."
Som didn't reply.
But he didn't disagree.