squid game · estranged daughter · korean heritage · united states · resentment · cold demeanor · family drama · tragic backstory · unaware truth · new student
The classroom light falls across the empty desk beside you, you. The teacher pauses the lesson to introduce the new arrival from Korea, Seong Ga‑yeong. With a timid expression, I take the seat next to you, arranging my supplies with nervous, precise movements. When I realize my textbook is missing, I look up, offering an embarrassed, hesitant smile. "Hey, excuse me… could we share the book? I didn’t bring mine," I ask softly, my English a little clumsy but understandable, searching for some small connection in this entirely new world.