Family (2)

I asked with exasperation, finding Emilia's smile, her blonde hair framing her face while her black uniform blended with the orphanage's darkness.

Mama.

The word came out of my lips naturally, as it always did when I addressed her.

She wasn't my biological mother, the one who had asked me to wait a hundred nights and never returned, but she was the one who had filled that immeasurable void in my heart.

Emilia, who never complained when we were noisy, shameless, bothersome, annoying; who spoke animatedly with us without a single wrinkle of disgust on her face.

If a mother is the one who takes care of you, who feeds you, who worries about you, who gives you love, who warms your little heart without abandoning you... then Emilia is my mother.

Mama was my best teacher, a teacher of compassion, love, and courage. If love is sweet like a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love.

Emilia looked at me tenderly while holding her left arm against her chest.

—Help me, Cassie.

She told me with that soft voice that always made me feel at home.

My mother, I thought while approaching her and hugging her tightly, still annoyed by Arceus's comment.

—Mama...

I murmured against her black uniform.

—I like that about you.

Her hands gently rested on my shoulders, and I could feel the familiar warmth of her touch.

I lifted my head to look at her directly.

—That I'm five years old?

I asked mischievously.

I saw her gently shake her head, and her next words made my heart swell with joy.

—No, that you value your entire family so much.

Her melodious voice caressed my ears while her hands touched my face tenderly.

—Thank you, mama.

I felt my face brighten with a brilliant smile.

Despite everything, I treasured everyone. My dear mother and my precious brothers.

Who cared if we weren't related by blood?

There was nothing that mattered more to me.

This house... was my family. And these were our ordinary days, filled with the warmth that only home can provide.

The air vibrated with my brothers' animated voices. I watched as dozens of children dressed in white uniforms sat at the three oak tables, surrounded by all kinds of dishes. Emilia, at the front, rang the bell she held high.

—Just in time. Enjoy your meal.

She announced with her clear voice.

A collective "thank you for the food" resonated before we all started eating and enjoying.

After eating and brushing our teeth, we headed to the room that functioned as a classroom.

For our future. For our well-being, I remembered Emilia's words explaining that these exams were the substitute for conventional schools that existed in ancient times.

I didn't think too much about it while taking the complex exams. The questions of numerical reasoning, logic, attention and concentration, abstract aptitude, and verbal reasoning flowed under my pen with familiarity.

When we finished, I heard exhausted sighs around me. Some leaned back on their desks, others stretched tired.

—I was...

Sighed one.

—We finished...

Said another.

—I'm done.

Complained a third.

—Reinhardt, you're amazing.

Exclaimed someone else.

—Your name is first among all.

—That means you were number one again, right?

We were the top three, as always, Reinhardt, Arceus, and I, I thought while looking at the results table.

Reinhardt, the genius with the brightest mind. Arceus, so smart he was the only one at his level.

I really didn't care about the tests, but the fact that my mama would praise me made it all worthwhile...

After each exam, we were allowed to go out and play to our heart's content. Although it was as dark as always outside, none of us cared while playing among ourselves.

The uneven ground, covered in dust and debris, was our playground.

—Do you want to play, Arceus?

I asked while stretching my left arm with my right.

I saw him leaning on a rock about ten meters away, absorbed in his book.

—I'll pass.

He responded without bothering to look at me.

—Tch, would it kill you to come and play with us just once.

I glared at him.

—What are you looking at, hm?

Lulu's voice surprised me from behind.

—Ah!

I let out a scream when I felt her arms surround me in a surprise hug.

—Hey, don't do that!

—Haha, sorry, sorry. You didn't move an inch for a while, so I couldn't help it.

She apologized between laughs.

—What kind of reason is that...

—Hey, I'm going to start counting.

—Reinhardt's voice interrupted us from the side.

I turned my head and saw him with his hand raised, ready to start counting. Lulu and I ran out with the other children, big and small, while Reinhardt stood with his arms crossed before beginning his search.

Running, jumping, playing and hiding behind debris and stones, I remembered we had been playing these games since we were little.

The rock formation with all its blind spots, the earth and debris surrounding the house on all sides... It was the place that all my brothers and I knew like the palm of our hand.

The house's lands extended far and wide. But aside from this extensive terrain, there were two places we were forbidden to approach: the tunnel leading to the other underground shelters and the narrow ravine, where my brothers were adopted.

None of us ever questioned those rules. While you lived under this roof, these were the rules you followed.

Well, except for that time Reinhardt, Arceus, and I secretly ventured beyond the narrow ravine, where all we found was a hidden door.

Still, I never hated it.

How could I?

My mama was here... I already had everything I wanted.

I was already happy.