Chapter Text
“Welcome back, Sucrose,” she whispers to herself.
This day marks the start of a new school year for Teyvat Elementary School. Sucrose was excited to be back to see her source of happiness, which is her students. Sucrose is more prepared than ever, bringing extra sweets with her, for the students and everybody else.
Entering the faculty, Sucrose is greeted by Xingqiu, the Language teacher, as she places her things down. Xingqiu was one of the people she got along with when she first arrived here. As they got to know each other, she discovered that Xingqiu arrived in the school a year before her and they actually went to the same high school. Lovely coincidence, right?
“Sucrose! How was your summer?” said the blue-haired teacher while seated in his chair while running over his schedule for the day.
“It went great, Xingqiu! How about yours? How many books have you read over the summer? Any interesting ones?” she smiles in the direction of the latter, quietly taking her seat.
“You know me too well! Would you like to borrow a copy? There's this book I’ve read and I think you will love it.”
“Yes please! I’ll take care of it.”
“I know you will.”
* * *
Every step Sucrose takes towards the classroom, her smile gets wider and wider. As her feet set in front of the door, she takes a deep breath before entering the room. Eyes scanning the room, buzzing can only be heard; assuming the kids are still awkward around each other. Which Sucrose understands.
“Hi, class,” the mint-haired teacher said, thrilled, while smoothly putting her things down on the table and sitting in front of it to get a better view of the class. It wasn’t much since it’s just the start anyway, she doesn’t want to put pressure on the kids when they’re supposed to be getting comfortable in the learning space first.
“Good morning, teacher!” said in unison.
“I’m Sucrose, your homeroom teacher for this school year!”
“Hello, Miss Sucrose!”
“Like table sugar?”
“Table sugar?”
“Yeah!”
“I don’t know that...”
The overlapping voices of the students in front of Sucrose made her giddy. The presence of children warms her heart. She tells the students to take their seats so they can proceed with the agenda for the day.
“Alright. Teacher will set a few rules so we can work together well. Is that okay, class?”
The students respond with nods and yes-es, taking it as a signal to go on by the educator.
“You are allowed to use anything that you see in the classroom. But you have to make sure you will be safe in doing so, you and the people around you will not be harmed. And you will use it respectfully! Putting it back from where you got it after using it.” She ensures she isn’t too fast in talking. “Are we clear, class?”
“Yes, teacher!”
“Another rule is we should always use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ whenever it’s needed in the conversation. Even teacher is included in this, kids. And if teacher forgets to do it, please don’t be scared to correct teacher.”
“Yes, teacher!”
“Perfect! Now, it’s time to introduce ourselves. We’ll start with me, and whoever wants to volunteer in introducing themselves, please tell me!”
She clears her throat. “I’m Teacher Sucrose, I’m 27 years old and I came from Monstadt. I’ve been teaching for almost 4 years! It’s nice to meet you, guys.”
After Sucrose introduces herself, a boy with dirty blonde hair raised his hand which she invited in front.
“Hello, I’m Timmie and I have a pet bird!” the child started off.
“Wow, Timmie! That’s amazing,” Sucrose comments. “What’s the name of your bird?”
“Tookie! He’s cool and kind! He has never hurt me since I’m always nice to them… Always be kind to birds!” the boy added enthusiastically. Sucrose can feel the passion of the child from where she’s seated. “I’m from Monsdadt too!”
After a rather spontaneous introduction, Timmie went back to his seat. Sucrose walks back to the middle to ask the class if anyone wants to introduce themselves. Her eyes scan amongst them to see if anyone shows any sign of wanting to do it but is rather shy to volunteer until her eyes landed on a pink-haired girl who caught her eyes. “Do you want to introduce yourself? You don’t have to go in front!”
The girl nodded in hesitation before taking a deep breath while standing up. “I-I’m Diona! From Mondstadt! I’m 8 years old and I like cats… I have a pet cat! Her name is Feles, which means cat… Hmph. I thought I’d share my pet before anyone else does too!”
“That’s a beautiful introduction, Diona. If we get a bring-your-pet-to-class day, I’m sure we’ll have fun!” Sucrose beams. “Who’s next?”
A blonde girl in ponytails raises her two hands. Sucrose finds it very adorable then asks her if she wants to stay in her seat or introduce herself in front of the class. The girl pointed to the front and made her way to it.
“Hello everyone!” the young lady starts with a giggle. “I’m Klee, and I’m from Mondstadt too! I have a friend, his name is Dodoco… My mom made it for me before she traveled overseas and he’s been my best friend ever since! In the future, I’d like to make more explosives! And, uhm...” Klee trails off, thinking of what to say next.
“Explosives....?” Sucrose repeats, clearly surprised at Klee’s interest.
“Yes, teacher! My big brother introduced me to things that can make explosives… Did you know that a lizard's tail can be used as one?!” Klee was enthusiastic, for sure. Sucrose is still taken aback, then she nods.
“I see! I just knew about that. That’s very bomb, Klee. However, I think our Principal Jean will not like it if you bring your explosives to school.”
“Yes, teacher! Big brother told me that too. It stays at home!”
Sucrose is relieved, to say the least.
“That’s all from me, teacher!” Klee smiles and runs back to her seat.
After Klee returns to her seat, a girl with a flower headband volunteers to introduce herself. The class learned that her name is Flora and her family has run a flower shop for generations. Sucrose is surprised she’s the first Flora in the family. They learned that her older sister Chloris studies here too, but she’s graduating and will soon be a high-schooler. Flora ends her introduction by saying she hopes to get along well with everyone.
The rest of the class introduces themselves. Some stayed in their seats, some bravely stepped to the front. Through the introduction, she discovers that her students came from different parts of Teyvat, one even came from Snezhnaya! She’s been informed that his brother is staying in Liyue for business and he wanted to be brought along that’s why he’s enrolled in this school. For how long? Sucrose doesn’t know. Surely long enough to last for one school year, she hopes.
After that, Sucrose noticed someone who hasn’t introduced themself yet. She’s seated in the middle of Klee and Diona. Sucrose approaches the young lady with a gentle smile then she squats down enough to talk closely to the child.
“Hi...” Sucrose greets with a mellow tone in her voice.
“H-hello...” the aloof student replied with her head hanging low.
“What’s your name?”
“Qiqi...”
“Hi, Qiqi. I’m Teacher Sucrose. Do you want to introduce yourself to the class? You don’t have to say a lot, your name and where you came from would already be perfect.”
Sucrose can sense that the girl is shy. It seems like Klee and Diona think the same and tried to encourage her to introduce herself. It wasn’t too long until Qiqi got up from her seat, she fiddled with her hand as she introduced herself. “H-hi everyone…! I’m Qiqi, from Liyue… Nice to meet you...”
“Thank you, dear Qiqi, and everyone. The reason why I asked everyone to introduce themselves is that the more people you know around, the more fun you’ll have. And when you need help. surely you know you can count on someone.” Sucrose explains. A short pause before she continues. “Alright, everyone. Are we ready for ice-breaking questions for my subject?”
* * *
“Very good, Qiqi. As you answered the hard question correctly, here are three jellies for you.”
“Thank you, Teacher…”
Sucrose always keeps homemade candies in her pockets every day. Whenever a student gets the right answer when she asks, she would give them one. Whenever someone greets her in the hallway, she would give them one. Let it be students, faculty members, or even the staff, everyone has tasted Sucrose’s fruit jellies.
The bashful student thanked Sucrose as she sat down and shared her candies with her friends. As she turns around, she hears the bell ring indicating that it’s already their dismissal. The schedule states that the children will only meet their homeroom teacher for the first day. She says goodbye to the class and watches them pack their bags and leave the room, the majority of the students left and only one was left, Klee. Sucrose asks the child why she’s not going out yet.
“My big brother said I have to wait for a while since his work only lets him leave after an hour of my dismissal today. It’s okay for me to stay here teacher, right? Please let Klee stay! Klee promises she won’t make trouble!” Klee has her hands clasped together.
“Klee… Don’t worry! I can accompany you while you wait. Do you want to color? I can get some coloring books and we can color together if you want!”
“Phew… Thank you, teacher. I have colors here! We can share!”
Sucrose pulled coloring books from one of the drawers in the classroom, letting Klee pick for what she likes before taking a random one for herself. They colored and exchanged experiences over the summer to let the time pass without boredom. After an hour or so, they heard a knock on the door before it opened, revealing a man with blonde hair like Klee. Sucrose assumed it was Klee’s brother since she stood up and ran to him with her arms wide open. “Albedo!!!”
Albedo…? The name sounds familiar... From high school? There must be a lot of Albedo in Mondstadt, right? Her brain short-circuited at the mention of a familiar name, only for her assumptions to be confirmed by the other.
“Oh? Sucrose? You’re Klee’s teacher? It’s been a while.”