Orion gave Felix the rundown. Explaining what had happened a few moments ago, Felix began to piece everything together.
"So you got jumped after school, got beat up, ran, and then hid in an alleyway by growing a tree using your ability." [Felix]
"Wrong. I didn't get beat up, I took down at least six people before I ran." [Orion]
"Yeah, but you still lost." [Felix]
"That's only because-! You know what, it doesn't matter. I'm just gonna head home." [Orion]
He turned to leave, but Adam stopped him by the door.
"Orion, why don't you let us help you?" [Adam]
"No. I have somewhere to be right now." [Orion]
"Wait, I don't remember being a part of thi-" [Felix]
"Where? Don't tell me you're going to have a rematch with them right now." [Adam]
"Guys, can I have a word-" [Felix]
"Wrong again, I have to get home." [Orion]
He pushed Adam to the side and began to leave.
"Oh, he's leaving-" [Felix]
"Wait! At least let us walk you home." [Adam]
"I'm not a child that needs protection." [Orion]
"Yeah... but at least let us do this much. If not, I'll just follow you." [Adam]
Orion turned to Adam and stared him in the eyes. After watching each other for a few moments, Orion sighed.
"...God damn it, fine. Just… don't be a bother." [Orion]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Given permission, Adam and Felix followed Orion to his home.
("This… is his home?") [Adam]
They found themselves to be in front of a worn down apartment building. It wasn't much, but it could be considered decent in Orion's part of the neighborhood.
"You guys wait out here. I'll call you guys in a bit." [Orion]
He ascended a rusty metal stairway on the side of the building, creaking everytime he took a step. As he reached the top, Orion pulled out a key and entered one of the rooms on the second floor.
("I wonder what he's doing up there?") [Adam]
Loitering in front of the apartment, Adam and Felix bided their time. As they waited for Orion to call them, Adam felt a tug on his leg.
"Hm?" [Adam]
He turned to look behind him, but he didn't see anyone.
"...Am I getting pranked right now?" [Adam]
It wasn't until he lowered his gaze that he noticed a small child in yellow pulling on his leg.
"Huh? A little girl?" [Adam]
The little girl looked at him with upturned eyes, tilting her head with curiosity.
("God damn. She's adorable.") [Adam]
The girl had hazel brown hair tied up in twin tails, along with light green eyes that gleamed with interest.
"Who are you… mister…?" [Little Girl]
"Me? I'm Adam. Can I have your name?" [Adam]
The girl's face brightened, but then immediately went into being dispirited.
"Halia… can't say Halia's name. Big brother told Halia not to speak to strangers…" [Little Girl]
("...I have never seen anyone refer to themselves like that.") [Adam]
"Does it bother you?" [Krino]
("Hell no, it's amazing.") [Adam]
As Adam pondered as to what to do, Felix stepped in.
"Hey, are you lost?" [Felix]
He crouched down low, basically becoming eye level with Halia.
"..." [Halia]
The girl backed away from Felix, showing a somewhat worried expression.
"Is… something wrong?" [Felix]
"...Halia doesn't like you. You don't feel nice." [Halia]
"Feel… nice…?" [Felix]
He was at a complete loss for words. He simply couldn't understand the child's way of thinking.
"I… Adam, I'm just going to let you handle this." [Felix]
Felix walked away muttering something underneath his breath. From Adam's position, he could barely make out the words, "Am I just… not good with children?".
"So… Halia… was it? What are you doing here?" [Adam]
The girl gasped aloud. Putting her hands on her mouth, Halia's eyes widened in surprise.
"How… did you know Halia's name?! Halia didn't say it!" [Halia]
("Ah… this is happening now.") [Adam]
Unsure of how to go about the situation, he thought of a solution only children would believe.
"I can actually read your mind." [Adam]
"What?! No way! H-Halia doesn't believe you!" [Halia]
("She's stuttering.") [Adam]
"I can. If you want, I'll prove it to you." [Adam]
It was a bluff, but it was worth a try.
"P-prove it! Tell Halia what Halia's thinking right now!" [Halia]
"Alright, you ready?" [Adam]
Halia nodded her head in agreement, and Adam began to speak.
"What you're thinking of…" [Adam]
He paused on purpose, causing the little girl in front of him to grow anxious.
("...Krino, you got some ideas?") [Adam]
"What? I thought you had this." [Krino]
("Hell no! I've been improvising this entire time!") [Adam]
"Just say something. She's getting impatient." [Krino]
Halia stared at Adam with a serious expression. She seemed to be determined to prove Adam wrong.
("...Here goes nothing.") [Adam]
As he began to speak, a voice called out from behind.
"Adam! Felix! You can come in now." [Orion]
Orion had finished his business and was out on the second floor of the apartment building.
"Oh, you're done already?" [Felix]
"Yeah, so come up alread- huh? Why are you guys with my little sister?" [Orion]
"Little… sister…?" [Adam]