"Kevin, where are you going? It's your turn to clean today. Did you forget?" A 12-year-old boy stared at Kevin as he opened the door.
"Oh? I forgot about that. Do you want to help me? I have to go now," Kevin looked at him hopefully.
"Where are you going, though? Isn't today your day off? If I know where you're going, maybe I'll consider helping you," the boy replied.
"I still have work to do. I've taken on a new job as a supermarket employee. So please, help me!" Kevin pressed his palms together in a pleading gesture.
"Sorry, but I also have cleaning duty today."
Kevin slumped. "Why didn't you tell me—" Before Kevin could finish, the boy interrupted,
"But I can ask someone else for help. Don't worry, they’ll understand and help you out."
Kevin smiled.
"When it comes to your job, what else can we do? We also trouble you sometimes. No... we always trouble you. So don’t worry. And—good luck!"
Kevin was taken aback. "Rein..." he said the boy's name, feeling truly grateful for his support.
"But if you come home late and wake up late tomorrow, no excuses! Remember that!" Rein pointed at Kevin's face.
"Eh, why does that sound like a threat? You don't have to be so subtle—I know you're a good kid."
Rein shrugged, feeling a bit shy at how touched Kevin looked. So, he added a little threat to balance it out.
"I'm just reminding you. If that happens, no one can help you."
Then, Kevin left, lost in thought.
I’m lucky to have lived in this orphanage since I was a child. Around twenty kids live here with me. I'm the oldest among them.
Technically, I could leave and live on my own, just like the older kids before me. But I can’t leave my younger siblings behind. I love them too much. I can’t imagine what would happen to them if I left.
The orphanage owner provides us with a place to live. He covers all the expenses like electricity and water bills. He also supplies our food according to a schedule.
All we have to do is take care of this house and follow all the written rules. And the unwritten ones—like the cleaning schedule, which constantly changes when someone leaves, either because they get adopted or because they’re old enough to live independently.
The orphanage owner doesn’t manage us directly. He has an assistant for that—Madam Clark.
She oversees our daily lives, making sure we save electricity, water, and food so they last until the next supply.
She’s strict but kind. So is the orphanage owner. Even though we have to work, we’re still treated well. After all, the work benefits us.
We need an education, and we fund it by making and selling bread at a bakery in the morning. The bakery is in the same yard as the orphanage. It’s managed by the owner's assistant, who also gets a small share of the income.
Unfortunately, even with this job, we still can’t cover everything. There are so many of us. We also need other supplies—school supplies, bags, and more. Sometimes donations help us get clothes and other necessities.
But those aren’t always available, so I have to take on extra jobs to make up for it.
If I leave, the younger kids won’t have access to these things.
Just a few days ago, Edward's bag tore, and I was the only one who could buy him a new one. A few weeks ago, Jessie needed a lot of notebooks, so I had to give her some of mine. A few months ago, Rein had to collect money for a group project. I helped him find reusable materials.
They are luckier than other orphans who suffer more, but still...
What will happen to them if I leave?
That thought lingered in Kevin’s mind before he suddenly realized he was almost late for work. He started running.
---
That afternoon, Diana received a call from one of her coworkers. She was asked to come to the restaurant even though it was her day off. Since she had to cover for her friend, she had no choice but to go.
When she arrived at the restaurant, she immediately approached the manager.
"I’m here to cover for Isabel. She’s sick, but she’ll take my shift another day," Diana informed the manager.
"Alright. Isabel already called me and explained the situation. She has the flu."
"I hope she recovers soon," Diana said.
The manager nodded. "If it’s not too bad, she should be fine in a few days. You can start working now."
Diana nodded and got to work.
She was at the entrance when a new customer walked in.
"Welcome..." Diana greeted with a smile—though it froze for a second when she recognized the person.
She quickly brushed off her awkwardness. "Right this way..."
The person followed Diana to an empty table and sat down as she gestured.
Diana handed him a menu. He silently browsed through it while she waited.
After placing his order, Diana left to deliver it to the kitchen. She noticed he hadn't said anything to her besides ordering. Of course, he recognizes me.
A few minutes later, Diana returned with his meal.
"You work here?" he asked as she set the food down.
Diana hadn’t expected him to ask that. She nodded.
"Yeah. Today is my day off, but I had to fill in for a sick friend," she explained, not knowing why she felt the need to.
"Is this your first time here?" she asked, trying to shift the conversation.
He nodded.
At that moment, David walked into the restaurant. As he entered, a staff member greeted him.
"Where's Diana? I want her to serve me," David said.
The staff looked confused but instinctively glanced at Diana, who was serving another customer.
"Oh, she’s over there."
David walked past the staff and approached Diana, who was talking to the customer.
"Diana, can you be my server?"
Diana was startled to see David. She stopped mid-conversation.
"Brother? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.
"I'm your customer. May I join you?" David asked the person Diana was serving, gesturing toward the empty seat.
The person hesitated before answering.
"You two seem close," David added while waiting for his reply.
"I'm her schoolmate. Go ahead and sit," the person finally allowed.
"Thanks," David said, taking the seat.
"Alright then. What would you like to order?"
David glanced at the table. "I'll have what he’s having."
"Okay," Diana replied before leaving them.
David turned to the guy in front of him.
"What’s your name?" he asked, friendly.
"Revan Gael," the guy answered.