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The truck that Rogi and her father were in had now reached its destination. It was a shabby village located in an abandoned city.

At the entrance, there was a large wooden sign hanging between two tall stone pillars, with the words "Dotori Village" written in large letters.(Dotori means acorn in Korean, so the village is called Acorn Village.)

Rogi’s heart pounded.

“Dotori…? Is this where I'm going to live…?”

She was afraid and worried. She wanted to cry but held back. She couldn't cry when she thought of her mother.

The truck slowly entered the village, and many people were out to greet them at their destination. It was as if everyone in the village had come out.

“Huh? Dad, look…”

The father explained the situation to a startled Rogi.

Dad: Rogi, isn't this amazing?

Rogi: Um… why are all the people out here?

Dad: Well. When Dad was a kid, this was a common sight. Hmm… a long time ago, people in villages lived by helping each other like this. As if everyone was one family.

Rogi: Oh… that’s interesting.

Dad: Right?

Rogi: Yeah… but I still don't get it.

Dad: It’s a sight you couldn't see in our old neighborhood, right?

Rogi: Yeah.

Dad: Hahaha, this is what a true world of people living together is like.

Rogi: Hmm… I see…

Rogi’s mind became even more complicated. The villagers’ overly friendly behavior suddenly scared her. The little girl no longer knew what to do.

When the truck came to a complete stop and the engine was turned off, the father quickly got out of the car. He exchanged warm greetings and conversations with the unfamiliar villagers.

Rogi felt as if her thoughts were paralyzed. ‘Should I get out or not…’

With a deep sigh, Rogi slowly decided to get out of the car. But an even more surprising sight unfolded before her eyes.

The villagers voluntarily gathered around the truck, orderly taking down the luggage and sharing the load to move it to the house where Rogi would live.

Rogi was wondering what was happening. A few people made eye contact with Rogi but didn't give her much attention. [It was the adults' consideration, knowing the young child would be surprised.]

A flustered Rogi constantly looked at her father, but he also seemed too busy to notice.

Rogi, who felt alienated in the endless swamp of her thoughts, decided to give up on everything. She leaned against a nearby wall and thought to herself.

“Sigh... Mom… I wonder if I can do well…”

Thinking about her mother made her feel like crying. Just then, a girl her age, walking confidently, approached Rogi with a smaller child who looked like her younger sibling.

The girl approached Rogi without hesitation, took her arm, and greeted her warmly.

Pie: Hi, Rogi! Nice to meet you. I'm Pie. And this is Eti.

Eti: Hi, Big Sis Rogi! I'm Eti.

Rogi: Huh? How do you know my name…? Hehe.

[She gave an awkward laugh.]

Pie held Rogi’s hand and went up to Rogi’s father, greeting him loudly. [The village was very messy and noisy at the moment.]

Pie: Hi, Mister!

Dad: Oh! Hi? I'm Rogi's dad. Rogi and I moved here today. Nice to meet you. Who are you two?

Rogi’s dad and the village kids had their first greeting. Rogi had many thoughts at that moment too.

Dad: Nice to meet you. Please be good friends with our Rogi from now on.

Pie: Yes, Mister!

After talking to Rogi's father for a moment, Pie said they would go to the study room with Rogi. The father picked up another box and said.

Dad: Then, I'll leave her to you.

With that, Pie took Rogi’s hand and started walking toward the study room. Rogi, as if being led, followed her and said goodbye to her dad.

“Dad, I’m leaving~”

But her dad was already busy.

Rogi, Pie, and Eti walked toward the study room. They started talking, asking each other various things.

Suddenly, a big boy their age walked out of a small alley. His name was Leo. He was a friend of Pie's.

Leo: Hi, Rogi~ I'm Leo.

Rogi: Hehe… you know my name too… This place is weird~

Leo: Haha… but where's Dabi?

Rogi: Huh? Dabi? What is that? Who is that?

Pie answered.

Pie: That idiot, he must be watching cartoons, so we came instead. And sure enough, he didn't come out. Of course.

Eti: She called him an idiot, hehehe.

Leo: Oh, I see. But… I'm so hungry. Have you guys eaten yet?

Pie: No, we're going to eat at the study room too.

Eti: Yeah!

Rogi: Huh? You eat at the study room?

Pie: Yeah! When we go to the study room, the teacher makes us delicious food~

Leo: It’s the most delicious in the world~

Pie: Haha, you're right.

Eti: I want to eat at the study room every day.

Leo: Me too!

Rogi thought to herself, ‘What is this place…?’