Kai and Ren walked toward the Director’s office.
“How far?”
“Just a few…
more…
minutes.”
Kai said while panting.
“Kai…”
Kai looked at Ren.
“…Yes?”
“Where is your etiquette?”
“…Moron.”
Soon after crossing the lobby, they arrived in front of a lounge.
“Yeah…
A lounge at least.”
Kai looked at Ren, who happened to be staring at the old sign hanging on the door.
“DIRECTOR’S OFFICE.”
Sigh~
He stepped forward.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
“…..Come in.”
The voice came from inside.
Click~
Kai and Ren entered the room.
Creak~ Creak.
A woman sat beneath an old chandelier.
She briefly glanced at them, then returned to sewing.
“Time sure flies…
You called…
Director?” Kai asked.
She pointed toward the desk.
“…It’s not much, but it can cover your few months’ tuition expenses.”
A pouch.
Not too big nor too small.
Just enough to carry around.
“Take it.”
Kai was about to say something, but Ren caught his elbow.
Then he shook his head.
“Okay.”
They both bowed.
Kai reached out and took the pouch.
They turned to leave…
“Wait.”
She stood, her back slightly hunched, and stepped toward Ren, placing the bag she had just been sewing into his hand.
“Take this too…
It’s a storage bag.”
She reached out and grabbed Kai’s hand too.
“Stay safe.”
After a while, she released their hands and returned to her chair.
“You can leave.”
Ren and Kai exited the room one after another.
Kai gazed at the sky.
“We still have some time before sunset.”
“…Hm.”
Ren replied.
His eyes drifted toward the kids playing in the garden.
Then to the creaking walls.
Before finally landing on the old signboard.
“KANZAKI ORPHANAGE.”
“Huge, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“She is the one who handles all of it alone.
Food.
Laundry.
Maintenance.
Everything.
If I’m not wrong…
it should be the savings left from her pension.”
Kai leaned over the lobby railing.
Ren remained silent.
Kai sighed.
“Let’s grow strong enough to share her burden then,” Ren said.
“Ha/ha/ha.”
“Hahaha.”
A laugh escaped Kai’s mouth.
Then he fixed his eyes on Ren.
With a smile.
Kai saw a younger version of Ren in him.
Ren stared back with a calm face.
“You know, Ren…”
“What?”
“These are the same words you said when you were five.
Truly…
you never change.
Ha~ha.”
“Ha~ha…
Let’s renew our promise.”
Kai reached his pinky finger toward Ren.
Ren calmly reached out and hooked his finger around Kai’s.
“…Got it.”