Time flew by — the first day at kindergarten.
"Wake up, Luoli. You have to go to kindergarten today," Qinran said gently, shaking his shoulder.
"Mhm… nooo…" he mumbled, burying his face into the pillow.
"Come on, get up." She scooped him into her arms.
"Let's brush your teeth…"
"Mhm…" he yawned sleepily. "I dont wan go…"
"But sweetie, you have to. You'll make new friends."
"I don't need freunds…"
She smiled softly, brushing his hair back. "Okay… but let's go see it at least, okay?"
"Okay~"
She placed him carefully onto the stool in the bathroom. "Say ahh."
"Ahhh…"
"Good boy," she praised, giving him a gentle pat.
A while later —
"Which one do you want to wear?" Qinran asked, holding up two tiny shirts.
"The orage one…" he said.
"Okay, hands up."
He lifted his little arms obediently. She slipped the shirt on, then placed him gently on the bed to put on his socks and shoes.
"All set. Let's have breakfast now?"
"Yay! Omelette! Yummy!" he squealed.
After breakfast, she grabbed his small backpack, slipped it over his shoulders, and held his hand.
"Let's go now."
"Okay Mommy!"
Hand in hand, they stepped out of the apartment, the morning sun spilling warmth across the street.
At the kindergarten—
"All right, go in now," Qinran said, kneeling slightly to meet Luoli's eyes.
"You're not coming with me…" he said, confused.
"I wont go ! I want to be with you!" He clung to her tightly, refusing to let go.
"Sweetie, you have to go. You'll learn new things and make friends," she said gently, brushing his hair back.
"I don't wanna…"
"How about this," she offered, smiling softly. "After this, I'll take you to eat ice cream."
"The one from Big Bear?" he sniffled.
"Yes, from there."
"Promise?"
"Yes, promise." She held out her pinky. "Pinky promise."
He hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly hooked his tiny finger around hers.
"Now, no more crying, okay? Try to have fun."
He nodded, still a little sulky.
"Go in now."
He walked toward the building stopping every few steps, looking back at her anxiously.
She gave him an encouraging smile. "You can do it."
After he finally entered the classroom, Qinran exhaled a sigh of relief, watching as he disappeared into the room filled with bright colors, toys, and the chatter of other children.
Qinran stood at the kindergarten entrance for a moment, making sure Luoli settled before turning back. Then she headed toward the café.
She pushed the door open.
"Oh, you're here early… Miyah" Nana greeted, looking up from the counter.
"Just dropped off Luoli at his kindergarten," Qinran replied, smiling tiredly.
"Did he cry?" Nana asked, raising an eyebrow. "My little brother cried the first few days he went, too…"
"He did," Qinran admitted with a small laugh, "but I bribed him with ice cream."
Nana grinned knowingly. "Ah the universal parenting trick. Works every time."
Qinran shook her head, smiling. "It's a start. Hopefully, tomorrow he'll go in without any fuss."
The café hummed softly around them, the rhythm of keyboards and low chatter filling the space as they settled into their morning routine.
"Where's the Boss?" Qinran asked, glancing toward the back.
"Called in — said she had something to do. Miyah."
okay
At closing time—
Qinran arrived at the kindergarten again, the sky now painted in soft orange and pink hues.
"I'm here for Luoli," she said gently at the entrance.
"Oh yes, his mom," the teacher smiled before turning toward the classroom. "Luoli, your mom's here!"
A small gasp echoed from inside.
"Mommy!"
Tiny footsteps pattered rapidly across the floor. Qinran barely had time to kneel before Luoli rushed out and threw himself into her arms.
She caught him instantly.
"Mom… I had funnn…" he beamed, cheeks slightly flushed, eyes sparkling. "I made this! See!"
He proudly held out a handmade lollipop — slightly uneven, wrapped in crinkled plastic, colorful sugar pressed together in a messy swirl.
Qinran accepted it as if it were something priceless.
"It's great," she said warmly, her voice filled with genuine pride. "You made this for me?"
He nodded vigorously. "Mhm! I did it myself!"
She brushed his soft hair back and kissed his forehead. "I'm so proud of you. See? Kindergarten wasn't so scary after all."
He puffed his chest a little. "It wasn't… but I still missed you."
Her heart softened instantly.
"I missed you too," she whispered.
Then she smiled knowingly. "Now… should we go get the ice cream I promised?"
His eyes widened dramatically.
"Yayy!! The one from Big Bear?!"
"Yes, the one from Big Bear."
He grabbed her hand excitedly, bouncing in place.
"Let's go let's go!"
Laughing softly, Qinran intertwined her fingers with his tiny hand. Together, they walked in the direction of the ice cream shop.