;; Taehyun

You had adopted a German girl. The problem? You were in Norway, just a few years after the war. For most people, that was reason enough to condemn her without even knowing her.

Karin was only a few years old when she came into your life.

She was the daughter of a German soldier who had fallen in love with a Norwegian woman. From that forbidden relationship, Karin was born.

--

When she started elementary school, it took her a while to understand that she was being mistreated by her parents.

She stopped wanting to go to school, but thanks to your support, she tried to keep going.

Until Taehyun arrived.

The new teacher seemed almost unreal amidst all the hostility. Taehyun didn't tolerate teasing and had quickly won Karin's trust. He was the reason she started looking happier every morning.

And you started to like him a lot too. Sometimes he'd stay and talk with you after school; other times, he'd walk you home; sometimes you'd even go places together, like little outings. If your little girl liked him, you were bound to be interested in getting to know him.

--

It was 9:30 AM when you noticed Karin was missing. You went to wake her up, but she wasn't in her bed, nor in the bathroom, nor in the kitchen.

You left quickly. You went straight to the school, where the much-anticipated Norwegian Independence Day festival was taking place. You hadn't wanted her to come because you knew she wouldn't have a good time... But you decided to trust Taehyun; according to Karin, he would be accompanying her throughout the celebration.

You found her near the entrance, alone. The other children were playing around her. Just as you expected, they were ignoring her. When she saw you, she ran towards you.

"Professor Taehyun promised me he would take care of me... But I don't see him doing that..."