"You understand, right?"
For the children at the orphanage, the idea of a father or mother was vague—just like her—something they didn't really feel anything about.
To them, the director, the teachers, Siena, and her were all family. There was no difference.
But Pixie was different. She had come to the orphanage only after losing her parents, with no one left to care for her.
In other words, she already understood what that meant.
"You mean..."
Zane's pupils narrowed slightly as he caught on.
"Yes. Pixie's mother died in the Hollows disaster. Her father had an accident while protecting her..."
"I don't know the exact details, but the director said that by the time the officials arrived, Pixie's father was already on the verge of complete erosion. Before that, he had held off many Ethereals."
"When the rescue team was about to evacuate Pixie, her father had fully transformed into an Ethereal."
"And at that moment... Pixie was still conscious..."
Nicole didn't say anything further, but Zane could already imagine how it ended.
Once a creature becomes an Ethereal, it loses all reason—and the rescue team nearby would have been the closest target.
To ensure a safe retreat, the rescue team had only one option...
In other words, in front of Pixie, her father had died twice.
For a child, this was an unimaginable blow—especially when her mother was already gone...
Zane's gaze gradually steadied. He decided to approach the little girl and see if there was anything he could do.
"Zane brother!"
Just then, a voice rang out. A little girl ran over, two little boys following behind her. They grabbed Zane and started pulling him toward the other side.
Zane was a bit confused but stood up and followed the three kids.
The little girl leading the way pulled Zane along and began rattling off her complaints.
After spending some time together, these kids already saw Zane as a kind big brother.
"Alright, alright, I'll help you teach them a lesson. If I step in, they're bound to lose."
Zane looked at the defiant little girl and smiled helplessly, then added,
"But first, we need to find one more teammate."
Zane led the three children over to Pixie. She had short brown hair and was holding a stick, drawing something on the ground.
Sensing someone approaching, Pixie glanced up, eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.
When she saw it was Zane, she quickly lowered her head again and kept drawing.
"What are you drawing, Pixie?"
Zane knelt beside her, gaze falling on what she was drawing as he asked curiously.
Pixie hesitated for a moment. Though she hadn't interacted much with Zane, she had a good impression of this handsome and gentle big brother.
"I... don't know."
She shook her head—not brushing him off, but simply drawing whatever came to mind without any particular intention.
"In that case, why not put that aside and come play some fun games with us?"
Zane extended his hand to her. The three children nearby quickly caught on and chimed in.
"Yeah, Pixie! You never play with us. I don't even know how good you are!"
"Right, Pixie! Join us—we'll beat Robert and the others and win today's championship!"
They weren't excluding Pixie; she simply hadn't wanted to join in. Now that Zane was inviting her, they were eager to play together.
"I... can I...?"
Pixie's voice was very soft, as if still uncertain. She seemed to have little confidence in herself, no matter the situation.
Hearing this, Zane understood her state. He didn't say anything more. Instead, he simply took her hand and helped her to her feet.
"Let's go."
Without giving her a chance to hesitate, he led Pixie toward the other children.
If she was going to retreat, he would make the choice for her.
Sometimes, a little firmness was just what was needed.
Nicole watched this from behind, a smile tugging at her lips.
"This guy... he's got a real knack for handling kids..."
It wasn't that she hadn't tried to help Pixie before, but she'd never succeeded. She wondered if Zane would do any better.
Time passed little by little.
The sun set, its glow fading.
In the courtyard, the children—tired from playing—hugged the equally exhausted cat and rested on a blanket. A few little ones were still happily playing.
By Pixie's side, Zane kept her company, helping her ease into the group.
After some time together, while many small issues still remained, there had at least been some progress.
Zane's gaze rested on Pixie. She was quiet, a little timid, even when playing.
Perhaps it was tied to what she'd been through...
Relaxing moments always seemed to fly by.
As the sun disappeared, night fell and stars filled the sky.
...
Unlike the bustling parts of Janus District, the orphanage was in a remote, poorly developed area with no nightlife to speak of.
The orphanage itself was even quieter—most of the children were already fast asleep. Those few still awake would soon tire themselves out.
In a small room within the orphanage.
"Why would Zane be interested in coming here?"
"It's so late—aren't you going to rest?"
Nicole's voice rang out, deliberately low so as not to wake the children sleeping in the nearby large room.
"Hmm, just walking around."
Zane gave a slight nod, his gaze falling on a group photo on the table. The photo had been taken in a small room very similar to where he was now.
He didn't recognize anyone in the picture, but it was easy to guess that the little girl with long pink hair was Nicole.
As for the middle-aged man, he was probably the director Nicole had mentioned—and the little girl lying on the bed...
A smooth, round metal object, shinier than a mirror.
Zane withdrew his gaze.
"This was her room."
Nicole noticed Zane's glance and knew he had figured it out, but she spoke anyway.
Her voice drifted softly, leaving the room quiet once more.
After a moment, Zane's gaze shifted to the hallway outside the window, then moved to the side—and he raised an eyebrow.
"Pixie?"
Hearing this, Nicole looked over too. Through the open door, they saw Pixie standing quietly by the window in the empty activity room, bathed in moonlight.