"W-What brings the saintesses here?" The stunning pink-haired woman, dressed in a red mini skirt and matching top, inquired as she nervously glanced at Kyra and Kira, who held a small girl wrapped in tears within their comforting embrace.
"What are you attempting to do with this child?" Kira's voice carried a menacing undertone, her eyes narrowing at the pink-haired woman with suspicion.
The woman visibly flinched, her demeanour shifting uneasily, "I-I was just trying to take her to her new home. Someone brough- I mean, someone adopted her."
"And who might this 'someone' be?" Oliver interjected, his gaze sweeping the dimly lit corners of the old building, noting the frightened expressions on the other children being tended to by Arlyne and Pearl.
"W-Well, it was someone...." the woman hesitated briefly, her eyes briefly locking onto the Nex's Student badges worn by Kyra and Kira. With a hint of defiance, she added, "I cannot disclose the details of the person to strangers, especially a student who is no more than 18"
An air of tension settled among the group, signalling a standoff but then Kira was about to use her authority when Eli's voice cut through the silence.
"I have come here with the intention of adopting a child," Eli announced calmly, his gaze scanning the orphanage with a discerning eye, as though evaluating its suitability like an... invigilator.
"I regret to inform you that our adoption hours for today have concluded, and we can't—" The pink-haired woman started to decline, but Eli's gentle yet persuasive tone interrupted her.
"Please," Eli's soft plea was accompanied by a flicker of pink in his eyes.
"!!!" The pink-haired woman's breath caught in her throat as a sudden rush of warmth flooded her body, engulfing her senses. At that moment, everything around her seemed to fade into obscurity, leaving only the striking figure of the man before her. His presence exuded an inexplicable allure, a magnetism that left her spellbound and captivated....
Any girl would wet themself just seeing his pleading eyes.
'Drip, Drip'
Her lower lips trembled in shiver.
""Slut!"" The sharp word sliced through the tension, echoed by the disapproving voices of Arlyne and Pearl, who stood with crossed arms and intense gazes fixed on the pink-haired woman.
Startled, the pink-haired woman snapped back to reality, her cheeks ablaze with embarrassment. "W-Well, since you're asking so kindly, sir, I don't mind making an exception and extending my time here."
"Hmm... I'll adopt her," Eli affirmed with a nod, taking a seat at the nearby table and gesturing towards the girl held by Kyra and Kira.
"I'm not the kind of person who goes out of his way to help strangers.... It's just your brother Leon caught my attention, or I wouldn't be here" Eli continued, his words carrying a weight of warning.
"This is your last chance," Eli's voice lowered, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone. "Either stay here and cry and face the fate of being sold to someone who will treat you like a mere plaything, or..." As he finally looked at the children.
"What the hell are you saying?" Oliver's confusion deepened, his concern growing as he watched the children tremble under Eli's words.
"E-Eli, Please stop. You are scaring the child" Kyra interjected with a frown, sensing the discomfort radiating from the children. It was clearly they were feeling uncomfortable.
"..." Arlyne and Pearl exchanged a glance, their expressions softening with sadness as memories of a child that blasted himself like a pawn.
Ignoring the turmoil around him, Eli's demand remained resolute. "Wipe the tears and look at me."
The children flinched, their hesitation palpable as they grappled with fear and uncertainty. Eli's voice grew stern, commanding them to act.
"Wipe the fucking tears!" Eli's tone was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade.
'Trrrr'
The sudden tremor in the old building rattled everyone!
"What's gotten into you?!" Oliver's voice rose in anger, his protective instincts flaring as he moved to confront Eli, only to be halted by Arlyne's intervention.
"Tsk, she's completely on his side!" Oliver's frustration boiled over as he watched his dear sister supporting Eli, despite his disagreement with Eli's methods.
The children, trembling in fear but inside their hearts, something was telling them to listen to this man and cling to him as if he were their brother Leon.... Wiping tears and looked at the man.
"Hmm..." Eli nodded, his posture relaxed as he reclined in his chair, a sense of authority exuding from him. "You want to be saved, right?"
The children hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances before nodding in unison.
"Good," Eli continued, his voice carrying a note of pragmatism. "But remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want freedom..."
Eli leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto each child with a piercing gaze. "You'll have to give me something in return."