Chapter 3: Forever Home

By 13 years old, Apollo had just about given up on finding a forever home. When he was around 8 years old, he had been adopted and then returned 27 times, bringing despair to his life. He then decided he would rather live at the orphanage for good with Sister Park Min-Seo, so he hatched a plan. As new children arrived at the orphanage, he would take care of them enough to have them on his side and then, he would ask the children to persuade the adults to adopt someone other than him. The powers imbued within him have grown exponentially, as well as his control. No longer was he the orphanage's freak as many of the old children who had known him during his more unstable time have left. In addition to using the children to dissuade couples, Apollo would also disappear whenever potential adopters arrived.

His plan wasn't foolproof however and often made Sister Park disappointed, but she understood his reasoning. If, by a small chance, a couple found him to still fit their preferences, he would act out in a way that would convince them otherwise. After he was 9 years old, he no longer was a child of interest per say to many couples.

Life became better for Apollo overall when he began middle school. He knew he would make plenty of friends but many flocked to him for the popularity it'd bring, rather than for the friendship they'd make. His personality hadn't changed much over the years, still full of selflessness and finding the good in everyone, but sometimes Apollo would doubt his own personality per say. He'd get these times where his emotions get a bit out of hand and it makes him seem like a different person. He hates when that happens but can't do much about it, aside from meditate.

Middle school also brought Apollo his best friend, Sung Jin-Woo, who he's been close to from the very first time they met. The two met under the cherry blossom tree outside of the school, while they were both heading home. The conversation they had was pretty awkward but by the end of it, they spoke as if they'd known each other forever.

If Apollo had to describe Jin-Woo in a single word, it would be jittery. His friend was a bit on the weak side, with his lanky body type and lack of muscles, but he loved him all the same. Apollo often confided in Jin-Woo about his hope to find someone who'd love him for him family-wise and the feelings of worthlessness that often stemmed from his lack of success. His friend never judged him, something that brought Apollo immense happiness.

Life was always constant for Apollo by this point, until he came home from classes that one fateful day. It was a beautiful sunny day and the orphanage was booming with noise, something that was often reserved for the days potential adopters showed up. Slowly walking over, Apollo was not prepared for the sight he saw. There, standing in all his glory was Go Gun-Hee, Chairman of the Hunter's association. Apollo could feel the power flowing off of the man and amazement was visible on his face. That did however beg the question as to why he was here.

Apollo was just about to sneak off and observe from the stairs, when the chairman turned towards him with a gentle smile. "Ah, just the man i'm looking for." Go Gun-Hee put his hand out with the intention of shaking Apollo's hand, who slowly put his own hand out. "It's nice to meet you sir, but why are you looking for me?" Apollo questions, still not seeing why the chairman of a prestigious hunter organization is looking for him specifically.

"Well young man, there's a bit of a story behind my visit today." Go Gun-Hee begins his story per say.

Flashback

Go Gun-Hee stares at the files containing every single person who has tested to see if they are a hunter. Between a specific time frame, there was always 1 person constantly brought by to see whether or not they're a hunter. However, when he asks the staff from that day, none of them remember the person who was constantly getting tested. Interested in who it could possibly be, he searches for the first time they tested and the staff member who was on the testing site as they are the most likely to remember.

With his mind set, he leaves his office and makes his way towards the staff room, intent on finding Kang Seung-Sik. He's glad the man hasn't quit because he can get the answers he needs far easier. Carefully opening the staff room, he isn't surprised by the sudden stiffness of every staff member. Many admittedly idolize him. "Hello everyone, i'm looking for Kang Seung-Sik, does anyone know where he is?" He gently asks and eventually, a young girl comes up to him. "A-Ah yes! Kang Seung-Sik is currently testing someone but he should b-be back here soon." She stutters a bit due to nervousness but Go Gun-Hee brushes it off. "Thank you dear, I will wait here then." He decides, before taking a seat on one of the many brown leather couches within the room.

It takes 10 minutes for Kang Seung-Sik to arrive, who looks absolutely flabbergasted at seeing his idol casually sitting within the staff room. It isn't as though Go Gun-Hee hasn't interacted with the staff before, but he becomes extremely busy fairly easily. "Ah! Kang Seung-Sik, just the man i've been looking for." Go Gun-Hee calls out to Kang Seung-Sik, who quickly straightens up his back.

"Sir, w-what can I help you with?" the male staff members asks, confused as to why such a bigshot is looking for an average worker like himself. Has he done something wrong? Is he going to get fired?! The clear anxiety from those damned thoughts become increasingly apparent to everyone around him. "Please, don't be so nervous. You've done nothing wrong, I just need some help. You see, there is a certain time frame where a single person is constantly tested to see whether they've awakened as a hunter or not. However, not a single staff member can recall who this person is and you may be the only one who can give me insight into who they could possibly be." Go Gun-Hee finishes off, a somewhat expectant look on his face.

Kang Seung-Sik tries to remember who exactly the head of the hunter's association could be referring to, before a very specific memory pops up in his head. As if a light-bulb had gone off within the man, his entire face brightens up. "Oh!! I know who you're talking about now. This young couple brought in a baby of around 1 years old, claiming he could use magical powers. They were sure he was an awakened hunter in the mage class, but unfortunately, that was not the case. The baby showed no magic, nor was he an awakened hunter." The staff member recites, finally remembering the odd experience he had with that delusional couple.

"And what was the young baby's name?" Go Gun-Hee asks excitedly, feeling as though he has finally cracked a puzzle. "Apollo, his name's Apollo. I'm not quite sure as to why no last name is present, considering the fact that the couple in name claimed to be his parents, but that's the only name on record." Go Gun-Hee scrunches his face a bit at the answer, also confused as to why no last name is present. Usually, whenever someone registers to check whether or not they've awakened, the entire name is necessary. All he can do is suspect that the baby in name was not considered a complete part of the family yet.

"Well, thank you for your time. Would you be able to give me the couple's name? I'd like to reach out to them about the baby in question." With a fast paced nod, Kang Seung-Sik gives his boss as much information as he possibly can regarding the couple and watches in awe as the powerful man bows down to all the staff members. It's the little things that highlight why everyone respects Go Gun-Hee so much.

The ride to the Park couple's home took about 20 minutes and Go Gun-Hee was somewhat nervous. As a hunter, relying on his own instincts is a must and they're telling him that Apollo, who should be a teenager by now, is special. Whether that specialness will be positive or negative has yet to be determined, but that won't deter him from finding the lad.

When he knocked upon the door of the small beige home, he was not expecting to be face to face with a child, a female at that. "Hello young miss, would I be able to speak to your parents and your older brother Apollo?" Gently he asks, not wanting to scare the seven-eight year old. She stares right back at him with both naivety and suspicion, "I don't have a big brother and mommy said not to talk to strangers!" She recites, seemingly proud of herself for remembering her mother's life lesson.

Confused by the notion that the young lady in front of him does not have an older brother, Go Gun-Hee tries another tactic. "My name is Go Gun-Hee, the leader of the Hunter's Association. How about you tell your parents who I am and they can speak to me?" With a gentle smile upon his face, he watches as the young lady in front of him gets a pensive look on her face.

The young girl shuts the door, before yelling out to her mother. Go Gun-Hee patiently waits on the porch, with no intention of leaving until he gets the information he needs. Luckily, the door opens up a minute later to reveal a fairly tall red-headed woman with large bright blue eyes and a very warm smile. She's not even nervous, something he takes interest in as whenever someone meets him, more often than not, they are nervous and flabbergasted.

"Hello sir, my name is Park Cho-Hee. What brings you to my lovely abode?" She asks, her warm smile never quite leaving her face. "Hello miss, apologies for possibly disrupting your day, but do you have a child named Apollo?" The second the child's name leaves his mouth, the woman's face contorts a bit before quickly snapping back into place as if the smallest ounce of disgust never appeared on her face.

Her face ends up displaying signs of sadness as she wistfully sighs. "My husband and I believed we were ready for a baby, but at the time we weren't. We returned the baby the next day….i've always regretted it." Go Gun-Hee sighs, a bit upset that he isn't able to see the child quite yet. "Well, where did you bring him back to? I have been looking for the young lad." That catches the woman's interest, who seems as though she regrets returning the child but for all the wrong reasons. He's always been a great judge of character and the red-head in front of him isn't all that innocent.

"Ah, Heart's Orphanage. It's about 30 minutes down south from here. Would you like to really meet my daughter, I think she'd interest you more." Though the smile on her face exudes warmness, there is a bitterness below. "Thank you for your time, but I must leave. Maybe I will come back to see your daughter." With a small wave, he leaves, not wanting to stay any longer with the bright blue eyed woman. He wasn't all that comfortable with the mother trying to push her child towards him whatsoever.

Shaking his head to get rid of those thoughts, Go Gun-Hee makes his way towards the orphanage.

Flashback Over

"And that's how I came to find you, young lad. I would like to get to know you if that's alright. I don't quite know your story, nor why you've been tested plenty of times, but the lovely young lady who runs this place has told me great things about you." Apollo is a bit intimidated by the offer and also quite unsure, feeling as though the powerful man only came by because of his powers or at least, the oddity as to why he has been tested so, so many times. However, something deep within him is telling Apollo to go for the offer, as though it'll open up countless opportunities. With a slight nod of his head, Apollo watches as the man, Go Gun-Hee, lights up as if Christmas has come early.

From there on, the two get to know each other over the course of a few months, with Apollo slowly opening up about his own powers and finding Go Gun-Hee to be a father figure of sorts. The two really bond over charity work and helping people out, a passion shared between the two. Apollo was still a bit skeptical at times, but Go Gun-Hee would always reassure him that he enjoyed Apollo's company and found him to be interesting. Eventually, that fateful question was asked.

"I'd like to adopt you, Apollo. Would that be alright with you?"