***
"Kim, I'm sorry you got fired today," said the director of the academy.
Kim sat down in front of the academy head in a frenzy. In her hand, she gripped a white envelope containing a steady application letter as a permanent employee. "I -- I'm sorry? What did I do wrong, Sir? "She asked in a voice that could barely get out.
"We have new teachers who are more qualified to look after children at the academy," Jordi, the head of the academy.
"Then why did I have to leave? Can't I still be here even though there's a new teacher? Hasn't it always been? "Asked Kim with a frown and a sense of uncontrollable wonder.
"I'm sorry, we can't. Since you're not regular, there's no reason to let you stay here, "explains Jordi as she takes out a brown envelope filled with severance. "We are currently downsizing the number of employees because the economy in this city is not good."
Kim had no choice but to sign the resignation letter. She received her severance check feeling claustrophobic. Though it seemed short, three years was enough time to make a good impression when she was teaching the children.
"Hey, did you hear the latest news? He said that Kim was fired because the kid who owned the foundation wanted to teach here."
Kim stopped to walk down the stairs when she saw someone talking downstairs and talking about her. She moved up a few steps to stay out of sight.
"Maybe it's just a rumor. Besides, Kim is just a temp here."
"What if the rumors are true? Luckily she was handed a letter of resignation. If she had a bad job, she would have been dishonorably fired."
Kim shouldn't believe the rumors she hears. But if things turned out that way, how could she accept that injustice? Protests will only get her into trouble.
"Kim, be patient. Maybe you can get a better job when you get out of here, "said a woman about to go down and pass through. The two downstairs who were talking about Kim quickly moved away.
Kim saw the person who had encouraged her down the stairs. After seeing her for a while, she felt like she'd never seen her before. She thought it might be the new employee the head of the academy was talking about.
***
Kim walked home with a brown envelope in her hand. She saw the envelope with tears in her eyes. Perhaps if not on a public street, her tears would have flowed. However, before her tears could drop, she slowed down when she saw Alen trying to pull the ren down. Suddenly, she had an idea in her head.
Kim approached the two of them and immediately took action. Thanks to her, many of the residents wrote her name on the list of participants. A paper that had once been merely a number is now filled with names. Ren and Alen smiled favorably upon it.
"Kim, thank you for helping us," he said.
"No problem," said Kim with a slight chill.
"Be careful. People here are so individualist. They don't care about the neighborhood. Maybe they don't care when they see your white wings, but some people weirdly look at you," says Kim.
"It's nothing serious. Thank you for watching me," ren said. To be honest, she noticed the strange stares of those who saw her earlier. Still, she was too happy to care about it.
"Kim, aren't you teaching today?" Alen asked who immediately picked up the pile of paper brought by ren. Now he'll bring it home.
Kim gave a glance at the pile of paper. "I asked other teachers to teach children. Besides, I'm not even on the payroll yet. So I could take any time I wanted," replied Kim in a lie.
"You're a teacher?" said ren, looking at Kim with curiosity. Kim gave her a quick look and then took one of the brochures she wanted to take home.
"First-rate witchcraft academy," says Alen on Kim's behalf, "Children who are past their beginner's stages."
"As it turned out, there is such an academy here," Ren said in amazement.
"Of course! We live by magic," replied Kim.
Alen doesn't want any further talk of witchcraft. He thinks that ren might cancel the deal if he finds out his weakness. "Ren, I'm tired of carrying this pile of paper. Let's go home!" take Alen. Ren nodded in agreement.
Kim was immediately upset. Envious that Alen was living with a young girl she had known for a long time, she was never allowed. Even so, she tried to control her expression to keep her oblivious. Let Alen and ren go from there.
***
Ren and Alen flew together to the roof. They both looked at the property next to the building where they were standing. "Is that the place you will make for the first thousand trees?"
Alen nodded as he looked at his prepared plot. He has obtained permission from the citizens who own the land. "I was so nervous. This is the first time I've been planning something big enough."
"Calm down. You didn't do all that by yourself. I'll stay with you till the end," he said with a big smile.
"Really?" he asked Alen as if he didn't believe what ren had just said.
"If only you would teach me to fly until I can fly," replied ren who did not give up his smile.
Alen nodded with a slight smile. He suddenly felt guilty for covering up the real purpose he was teaching ren. Still, he's not ready to say about it.
"Look, the people are coming!" called Ren, pointing at the people who are coming.
Alen looked down. "All right, let's get down now!"
Alen and ren stepped off the roof and walked among the people. Ren's beautiful, shimmering wings, of course, attract the attention of residents who have lost their wings. No need to wait long, the citizens have gathered enough. Kim arrived some time ago to check on the people who attended the list written down yesterday.
"Kim, are they all present?" Alen asked Kim with a pen and a piece of paper.
To be continued....