Chapter 1: Prologue

/ September 3, 2020 /

/ Japan /

In a residential area, a few kilometers from the big city, there was a large house. This house was located on the side of the road as well as a little far from the other neighboring houses, it was surrounded by a lot of trees that could make think of a mini forest with beautiful sakura cherry trees, giving a pleasant charm and tranquility to this house. This house was a mixture between a modern American style represented by its structure and a Japanese style represented by the wood in which it was made and it had one floor. The house also had a courtyard in the front and a huge garden in the back filled with playgrounds such as a swing, a mini activity park and a small swimming pool, all designed for children.

This place was actually an orphanage for a total of 10 children. It is true that this orphanage may seem too big for only 10 children, even counting the people who care for them. But this is only because the orphanage did not take in any new children, which is reassuring, but also because it wanted a place big enough for the children to grow up and live in good conditions. And as they say, better too big than too small. There was also a dog that was adopted as a baby by the grandmother, the director of this orphanage, following a repeated request from the children, and there were also cats, but they were stray cats that came and left after spending an afternoon with the children.

"Onii-chan!"

In the garden, a little girl was playing with the other children when she heard a high-pitched sound that echoed throughout the house. When she heard it, she immediately understood who it could be, without hesitation or reflection. A huge smile formed, full of pure happiness, as her eyes shone and ran with impatience and frenzy.

This little girl's name was Liz, she was 10 years old, long blond hair as silky, beautiful and shiny as gold, a height of about 140 cm which was about average for a child her age, a round and full face that made her want to be pinched at all times and a skin as soft as a baby and all this accompanied by beautiful amethyst eyes that dominated her face, making her so cute and angelic while wearing a pretty plain white dress. A future beauty, for sure.

Running at the speed of light (expression), going room by room, opening door by door so fast that her arms weren't even visible at the time of the action. And after overcoming all her obstacles, she finally arrived in the front yard where she could see the silhouette of a young man illuminated by the sun that made him look like a god. Finally, all this from her point of view of course.

The young man was 18 years old and was about 1m78 tall, which is again neither too tall nor too short. He had medium-length hair reaching eye level as well as wavy and fine hair at the tip; he was not too dark black mixed with gray which made him very beautiful and hypnotizing when it was windy. With a soft white skin, without impurities to spoil it, a face with a clean line, a small pointed net and eyebrows cut like swords. Everything was perfect, not even God would dare to say that there was an imperfection. But the most beautiful thing was his eyes, an emerald green that seemed translucent, eyes that conveyed a goodness, a kindness, a purity, seeming to contain infinite vitality and calm. As if you were looking at nature. It emitted an aura of serenity and calm that would soothe even the craziest demons. To describe him as << diabolically beautiful >> was impossible, the word "diabolically" could not be attached to his face, it would be borderline insulting. No vile word could be given to this young man. (like the photo on the cover) Dressed in a white t-shirt with a black jacket on top, black shorts and white sneakers, he was always so charming and handsome, even in this casual outfit.

The young man's name was Shin Ai, an orphan from this orphanage who was never adopted and ended up keeping the surname of the owner of the orphanage, who was a 75-year-old grandmother named Malia Ai, who never had children or rather could never have children because of an ovarian problem. Shin considered her as his mother since she raised him as a baby until he was 15 years old when he moved to a student apartment. But even after that, he came over whenever he could to see her, help her and have fun with the children.

The person who suffered the most from his departure was undoubtedly little Liz, she was so sad that she stopped eating for a few days and tried to persuade Shin not to leave and stay with her. After a lot of fits and tantrums, she finally gave in after a discussion with Shin that he would come as soon as he could and even after school to eat with them and sleep there. Shin's departure was really difficult for her.

She was in the same situation as Shin by having been adopted as a baby, found at the door of the orphanage. When she arrived, Shin was 8 years old and was already very responsible and mature for his age, he helped grandmother Malia with the housework, the yard maintenance and even took care of the kitchen sometimes... really a boy to marry. But with the arrival of Liz, he spent most of his time taking care of Liz by his greatest happiness, he loved children, moreover Liz was a real angel with him but a little demon with the others as if the presence of Shin comforted and reassured him.

With her great dependency on Shin, who took care and spent time with her for 7 years, her departure was a great shock and the worst nightmare she could have had. The first few days had been complicated, especially at night as she often slept with either Shin in the room or directly with him. Eventually, she managed to adapt and enjoy her time with Shin even more.

"Shin!" cried little Liz with overwhelming joy all over her face with very explicit facial expressions. She ran at full speed towards Shin as if her life depended on it.

Seeing her little Liz rushing towards him, Shin could do nothing else but sketch a warm smile as he crouched down to get to Liz's level and spread his arms, pushing them as far as possible to catch her as quickly as possible.

Except that he didn't even need or have time to catch her when half a second after crossing a suitable threshold, she jumped right up to Shin to snuggle her head to her chest to cuddle her like a little kitten, making her a cute little kitten to turn your brain.

As if time had stood still, the scene gave a warm and emotional image of a big brother and a little sister so big that it would melt anyone's heart, from the holiest to the vilest.

"Hey, that's a big hug I'm entitled to," Shin said with a chuckle.

"Hehe, only Shin has the right to these hugs" replied Liz with a naughty, joyful and dreamy laugh.

After a few seconds, Shin got up from his crouching position to stand up without forgetting to take Liz on his arm, which despite the action did not move a single inch. Seeing her little cuties, he couldn't help but patting her head and stroking her smooth and soft hair, which gave a very pleasant feeling of touch.

After a minute of silence brought by a moment of pure happiness and enjoy it.

"What if we went back home to see the others and obaa san?" Waking up from her moment of ecstasy and enjoyment with the words of Shin, Liz finally decided to raise her head to look at Shin before nodding her head.

Having received his answer, Shin walked towards the front door while crossing the front yard.

Finishing the small crossing, Shin arrives in front of the Japanese style sliding door before sliding it to the side to open it and find himself in a small corridor leading to a much larger and brighter room at the end of the corridor. Shin went to the room at the end of the hallway, passing through other rooms such as a toilet, a kitchen, a bathroom, two other doors and finally the stairs just before the end of the hallway.

Stepping into the light, Shin's eyes closed as Liz hid her eyes in Shin's arms.

Opening his eyes again, Shin saw all the children in the backyard, through a bay window, playing with all the toys and attractions at their disposal. As you looked at the children, you could see them all smiling with excitement, playing with each other with vigor and fun, it was truly a children's paradise and all was set up to be, with the sun shining on the stage and the trees blowing in the light wind carrying the leaves and blowing everyone's hair. Really a scene to cheer you up.

Having admired the scene for a few moments, Shin moved quickly to the already open bay window to fully open it and set foot on the terrace.

The wood on the terrace cracked under the weight of Shin combined with Liz's weight, warning the children of his arrival. They hadn't heard Liz's scream at all because of their activity and the noise caused by their heckling.

Noticing her presence, all the children stopped their activities to sketch an even bigger smile, overflowing with joy, and finally rushed towards Shin while shouting.

"Shin!!!!" A tumult of shouting provoked by his name made him drop a drop of sweat on his forehead but their reaction to his presence made him very happy.

Luckily the nearest neighbors are far enough away,' Shin thought.

The children arrived in front of Shin after he had crossed the entire courtyard in just 2 seconds. Unlike Liz, none of them had jumped into Shin's arms because he didn't dare to do so and they didn't have as close a relationship with him as Liz, who often bragged about it.

Knowing this, Shin quickly crouched down so as not to make them get impatient and think that he did not love them.

Spending a little time caressing the head of a child who considered this "action" as the most enjoyable of their lives that they could end up addicted to... at a much higher point than he already had. And by talking to them and answering the question they were asking, with Liz who had to take herself off his arm and hug him by her greatest misfortune as she stood next to him while listening to Shin's discussion with the other children.

While he was doing this, Shin felt something pull on his sleeve. As he watched, he saw a little girl of about 8 years old pulling at his sleeve.

"Hmm, what's the matter?" Shin said in a voice and with a gentle, caring expression on his face.

"Here, I made it for you" exclaimed the little girl as she handed him a small bouquet of flowers made of tulips, roses and daisies with a smile and expectation in her bright eyes.

"Thank you, it's very pretty" Shin took the bouquet and stroked the girl's hair for her greatest pleasure and the jealousy of another little 10-year-old girl pouting next to Shin.

After spending some time with the children, Shin went to the right side of the balcony at the end to see a large table with 2 adult men and 2 adult women sitting chatting and watching the children with a few bottles of juice on the table and some cakes.

"How are you, Shin?" Man 1

"Hi Shin, still loved by the children I see?" Man 2

"Hello Shin, finally on vacation?" Woman 1

"Hey Shin, come sit, drink and eat cake" Woman 2

"Hello, how are you? Uh, yeah well and no, I'm not too hungry, thank you," Shin replied with a little laughter.

As we continued to approach the table, we could see another chair swinging towards the courtyard, next to the table. It was occupied by a grandmother, her eyes closed, enjoying the fresh air and a pleasant breeze gently falling on her hair.

"How are you, Shin?" Man 1

"Hi Shin, still loved by the children I see?" Man 2

"Hello Shin, are you done with school?" Woman 1

"Hey Shin, come sit, drink and eat cake" Woman 2

"Hello, how are you? Uh, no, I'm not too hungry, thank you," Shin replied with a laugh.

As we continued to approach the table, we could see another chair swinging towards the courtyard,

next to the table. It was occupied by a grandmother, her eyes closed, enjoying the fresh air and a pleasant breeze gently falling on her hair.

"Hello, obaa san," Shin expressed himself with a tenderness and a soft tone different from that used with Liz or the others. It was more respectful and accompanied by maternal love and great attention.

Hearing this voice that had accompanied her for so many years, a voice that she would recognize among all and that she had raised with so much love and affection, she opened her eyes gently while sketching a small smile and turned her head weakly towards this famous voice to see the beautiful young man she had raised and of whom she was so proud.

"Hello big boy, how are you?"

"I'm fine, how are you, Grandma?"

"Oh oh, I'm doing great, just like a little grandmother."

"Good then" Shin went to get a chair to put it next to his grandmother's and settle down.

"Shin!" Just after sitting on the chair, a small voice came on the left side as a small figure arrived to quickly climb on his lap like a little monkey and settle down quickly and comfortably.

"Haha, I see that our little Liz is still attached to our Shin as she always has been," laughed grandma when she saw this scene.

"Hehe" chuckled Liz, sinking deeper and deeper into Shin's embrace with a spoiled expression as a drop of sweat appeared on Shin's forehead to let out a happy chuckle.

Having spent a short hour discussing his studies as Shin was a 150 IQ prodigy as well as girls, dinner time quickly arrived as everyone, including the children, set the table as Shin helped the two women finish the food. Afterwards, everyone sat at the table waiting for the meal.

"The meal is ready," Shin shouted, bringing plenty of plates to the table as the two women served bowls of ramen to everyone. On the table were presented many plates full of different dishes: a large plate of sushi, a plate of yakitoris, a smaller plate of onigiri, osaka takoyakis, gyozas and okonomiyakis. Really very varied with a lot of choices. (I don't know the Japanese dishes or if there is a specific time or date when they are eaten so I just put the name of the known Japanese dish)

After a dinner full of laughter, it was time for everyone to go to bed. For the children because they were children, for Shin because he had had a busy day, for Grandma because she was a grandmother and she was only as fit as she was 40 years ago and the other 4 who followed.

The 4 and grandmother had gone to give a good night kiss to Liz and the other children while Shin had in turn given a good night kiss to all the children and ended up with Liz.

"Shin, are you sleeping with me tonight?" asked Liz with her big round eyes full of expectation and hope.

Sighing at the sight of her face and expression far too cute to be ignored, Shin sighed to make a small smile with sweet eyes.

"Of course" Shin quickly settled down next to Liz as she huddled next to him as if he were a teddy bear.

"Do you want me to read you a story?"

"Hmm" Liz responded with a nod, a little excited to hear a story. It might seem odd to act so childish for a 10 year old as mature as Liz, but when she was around Shin, she was just acting like a little sister to her big brother and was becoming a little girl 6 year old again.

"Once upon a time,..."

"And they lived happily" Shin finished reading the book as he looked down at Liz to see her sleeping next to him.

With a small smile, Shin closed the book and put it on the shelf.

"Shin gave her a little kiss on the forehead and then turned off the lamp on the shelf and plunged the room into darkness and put himself into a deep sleep, but not without noticing the smile that appeared on Liz's face after her kiss on the forehead.