After the grueling first-day exam, Cheong had enjoyed a day of deep rest. She was still asleep the next morning — or rather, in the middle of waking up — when a loud voice called out.

"Sister! Sister! Are you there?"

“What is it?” she muttered irritably, accidentally opening her eyes. She almost said something sharp, but the sight of Zayeo, still curled up and half-asleep on her chest, calmed her. Hearing the commotion, Zayeo blinked up at her drowsily.

“Children shouldn’t wake up this early. Go back to sleep.”

“Does that mean I should just keep sleeping?” Zayeo mumbled, …