Chapter Two

3 Years Later

To Ms, Eleana,

We have visited your orphanage multiple times in the past. Hopefully, you remember us. We are Mr. and Mrs. Choi and we are Valites living in the suburbs of Estervale. We would like to adopt Mira, the eleven-year-old girl with grey eyes. We thought long and hard about our decision and would like to make an appointment so that we can learn more about Mira before adopting her. We have sent our background information to the Feral adoption center and have been approved. Please write to us back when you are ready.

Mr. and Mrs. Choi.

***

"What's wrong, Mama?" Mai questions as she enters the kitchen. Mama slightly crumples the letter and turns around to face Mai, who is now sixteen. "Someone wants to adopt Mira," she states frankly.

"Really?" Mai says with disappointment laced in her voice.

Mama nods. "Don't worry sweety, someone will come for you too."

"It's not that." Mai sputters. "I'm fine staying here and helping you with the kids. It's just..."

"What is it, child?"

"Everyone is going to miss Mira when she leaves. Though she is quiet, she still is the life of this place."

Mama chuckles recounting all the shenanigans Mira has spontaneously pulled in the past. "It was bound to happen one day, just don't tell the youngsters. Only Steffan and Eira. And I'll inform Mira today."

Mai nods and begins to leave the kitchen.

"Oh, Mai?!"

"Yes Mama?" She sticks her head out around the corner.

"Where is Mira?"

Mai fixes her posture and shrugs. "Maybe in the reading room."

***

Mama saunters down the long corridor of the Minka, looking for the strawberry blonde girl. She actually wonders why she asked about Mira's whereabouts when it was as clear as day where the young girl was. All she had to do was follow the sweet tune and she would find her target.

She reaches the end of the hall and slowly slides the door of the Minka open, careful to not disturb the tunes being released from the fine girl's lips. She gazes at the girl seated on a tatami chair. Her posture is slouched on the chair and her medium length curls shine as the daylight reflects off of them. It seems as the girl is lost within her own voice and Mama is mesmerized by it.

Her voice is smooth and clear and quiet yet powerful. Soothing, in a way. Mama knows not to compliment her or the girl would become flustered and deny the very fact that she was singing. Despite her shyness and reluctance, Mama loved her voice because it gave her hope for a better tomorrow. Not only that, but it was just blatantly beautiful and she wished that Mira would never stop.

"Are you just going to stare at me all day, Mama?"A voice asks gently.

Not knowing that Mira stopped singing, Mama blushes profusely as she's been caught sneaking on the girl. Shaking her head, she clears her throat. "I have something I want to tell you." She says and grabs another tatami chair and sits in front of Mira.

Mira gazes at Mama with curiosity sparkling her amber orbs. At the same time, Mama looks at her golden girl and grins.

"Look at what three years has done to you."

Mira smiles. "Yeah, but I'm still as short as ever! My parents must've been really tiny, huh?"

Mama's grin slowly dissipates as she remembers what she had to tell Mira in the first place.

"Mira?"

"Yes, Mama?"

"Remember the conversation we had three years ago about the orphanage and adoption?"

Mira nods as she recounts how many children have left the orphanage and how many new babes have been added.

"About that, how come we're getting so many babies and not teenagers?"

"Well the Masters have been getting a lot of offspring that's too much to handle for their wife and maidservants," Mama answers.

Mira lets out a scoff. "So they've been cooking too much with their wives, so they have to give their children away? How do they get to decide who stays and who goes?"

"The order of birth and gender."

"That's dumb."

Mama sighs, "What do you suggest they do, Mira?"

"If they decide to cook so much with their wives then they should be able to eat all of it. How gluttonous of them," she mutters while crossing her arms."

"Seems like those books have been teaching you some new words," Mama praises and give Mira and high five. "But you know if they do that then they won't be able to treat each child equally. So they are obeying the laws of Sa Rang by giving up the children they cannot look after. After all, the orphanage isn't a bad place."

Mira absorbs Mama's words but still isn't in agreement. "But what's so important about order of birth and gender?"

"Boys are favored because they keep the clan's name alive, but if they are all girls then whichever one was born first will stay and the younger one will go. This generally doesn't happen with boys because the Master will stop cooking after the third male."

"So what's the role of a female?"

Mama sadly smiles at the girl. "From your books, I think you have the answer to that."

"That's disappointing. Then what's the point of even living if my purpose is just to cook with a boy!? That seems like a boring life."

Mama freezes as she recounts her own life. Flashes of what happened to her can be seen in her watered orbs.

'I was supposed to be granted such a life, but thankfully I wasn't.'

Mama recomposes herself and caresses Mira's puffed out cheeks. "For you Mira, it will be different. Keep dreaming and never stop. I believe you'll be more than just a woman who cooks with a man."

Mira gazes into Mama's eyes and wonders why she thinks so differently of her. However, she does not push the subject.

"So what did you have to tell me, Mama?"

"Ah, yes." She responds by giving Mira the letter. "I think it'll be easier if you just read it for yourself.

Mira takes the letter with curiosity swirling in her mind.

"Adoption?" She questions, her mind filled with disbelief. "They're really going to adopt me?"

Mama sighs, not knowing if Mira was excited or disappointed. "Eventually, they will, but for now they'll just be getting to know you. Like your attributes and preferences."

"Then I'll leave Mai, you, and everyone else in this house?" She questions, but says it as a statement.

Mama smooths out Mira frizzy curls. "It was bound to happen one day. Just be happy that you'll have a family to live with."

"But what about you!" She exclaims. "What about my family here?"

"People aren't always in your life for lifetime, Mira. There are seasons and reasons for everything. You're just going to have to adapt. Just like everyone else."

"So my life just has to change because strangers want to raise me?"

Having enough of her questions, Mama rises from her seat. "Humans change, Mira. And as humans change, so does their surroundings. Just enjoy your last few weeks here and accept your new parents with all your heart."

Then Mama exits the room, leaving Mira to consider a lot of things.

***

1 week later

"Hello, Mira. I am Aria and this is my husband, Tobias. Hopefully, you'll be comfortable enough to call us 'mom' and 'dad', but for now please call us Mr and Mrs. Choi." A woman of short stature says. Currently, she stands beside her husband, hand-in-hand, in Mira's room.

Mira, currently puzzled by their appearance, rushes out of her futon and bows in a ninety angle before them.

"Sorry, I forgot that you would be coming this early." She eyes the clock in her room and notices that it's nine o'clock. 'These people sure are early birds.'

Mrs. Choi giggles at Mira's puzzlement and waves dismissively at her. "We're your soon to be parents. No need to formally bow."

Mira lifts up her head and stares aimlessly at the two individuals. She doesn't know what to say in such an awkward situation so she analyzed them from head to toe.

Mrs. Choi is considerably short. Probably the same height as a nine-year-old. She doesn't seem old, but that of course could be the doing of the fine herbs and spices that the village has to offer. She has tiny eyes that are deep brown. You can't even spot her pupils. Her hair is black, probably due to hair dye. It's cut short like a bob and is parted down the middle.

Her choice of style is what puzzles Mira. 'It doesn't look like she's from around here...or maybe she has a super skilled seamstress.'

Her attire consists of a white blazer with matching white dress pants. As well as, a black tank top tucked into her pants.

"Uh Mira?" A deep voice calls. "Sorry for startling you but they told us that you would be ready for a hangout today."

Mira snaps out of her daze and blinks repeatedly. 'Yeah they did, but I didn't think you would be this early.'

"Hangout?"

"Yes!" Mrs. Choi exclaims. "We want to get everything set up for you, so that you're comfortable when you move it with us."

"Right..." Mira responds faintly.

A sunken smile is plastered on Mrs. Choi's face and her husband notices.

"We'll be waiting for you." He says while placing a bag (that Mira had no clue he was holding) down. "Change into these and we'll be outside the minka."

Mira watches as they exit and as soon as the door slides shut, she rushes towards the bag.

"Woah. Where did they get these clothes from?"

She lifts up an all-black jumpsuit that is accompanied by black and white shoes that has a circular emblem with a blue star that says, Chuck Taylors.

***

"So what does Mira like?" Mr. Choi questions. He's standing outside the Minka with his wife and Mama.

The wind blows subtly as it sways Mr. Choi's tan trench coat and hat. Unconsciously, he places his hand on his head readjusting the accessory.

"Well Sir, I could tell you all about Mira, but I believe that today is your job to do that."

"She's right, honey. Besides, wouldn't it be more fun to know this child?" Mrs. Choi questions.

Before her husband can respond, Mama cuts in. "By the way, Mira doesn't know about the Valites nor does she know anything about her kind. As you can see, she isn't the ideal image of a girl in your society. I would have informed her about this, but it's prohibited within my job to do so. It's your responsibility to inform her and to inform her properly. This one," She pauses to giggle. "Is quite stiff-necked."

"Who's stiff-necked?"

All attention goes to the child standing lazily by the front doors of the Minka.

"Oh, you're ready!" Mrs. Choi exclaims excitedly. She advances towards Mira and holds out her hand. "Here, I want to take you to our car."

"Car?" Mira questions while taking her hand.

"Yes, you'll see."

"Mira!"

The two stop in their tracks and look behind them.

There is Mama a few meters away with her hands on her hips. "You wouldn't even bother to say goodbye to me or your siblings?"

Gasping, Mira releases Mrs. Choi's hand rushes towards Mama, and gives her a hug. "Sorry, I guess I was too distracted by this play date."

Mama runs her hand on Mira's head, which was smoothed out to a low ponytail that displays her bouncy curls. "You look gorgeous today. Did the Choi's give you these clothes?"

Mira nods as she steps back from the hug. "I'm gonna thank them, so don't scold me for not doing so yet."

Mama smiles and directs her head to the side of the Minka. "Go say goodbye and join the Choi's quickly. Don't keep them waiting."

Mira then saunters to the kids playing tag at the side of the Minka, the Choi's following in suit.

"Guys! I'll be back and you better save me some lemon cake!" She exclaims.

The children look up and all come running towards her.

"Where are you going?"

"We won't save you squat!"

"Yah, first come first serve!"

"When are you coming back?"

Mira is bombarded with all the questions coming from the young ones. But she looks up and notices Mai, Eira, and Steffan's frown, but disregards them.

"I'm going out with the people behind me and i'm not sure when i'll be back. And if you love me then you'll leave me a piece." She answers all at once. The children seem satisfied with her answer and all give her a group hug.

"Okay guys, let's keep playing!" One child exclaims and rushes towards the field to which everyone else follows.

"You're getting adopted soon." Steffan states, as he carefully eyes Mira. His brown orbs are filled with sadness and his brunette hair sashays to the left as the wind gently blows it.

Before Mira could reply, Eira, a girl with straight blond hair and brown eyes punches him on his head. "Idiot, she's just getting to know them. It'll be sometime before she leaves."

"Yeah, so when you come back let's have the most fun!" Mai exclaims.

"Deal!" Mira says, and they all group hug.

"Mira!" Mrs. Choi calls.

"It looks like they're waiting. Go on we'll leave you some lemon cake." Steffan says as he pushes her to the two adults.

"Thanks, Steffan." She replies and rushes to her soon to be parents.