Riona sits on a small stone in the alley, talking to herself.
Riona: "We're a family now. We stick together, help each other, and never give up... is what I said, but it's so hard." She sighs, continuing, "No one even looks our way. We do small jobs like cleaning shoes and selling flowers, but we barely make enough to eat. Why is it so different from what I saw in that house when I was still a doll? Those kids eat, sleep, and play all day, while here..." She pauses, frustrated. "And most of all, I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I could lead them, but I know nothing. Sure, the kids explain some things about how the world works, but still..."
A child walks up to her.
Kid: "Umm, Riona... the kids need your help with something."
Riona sighs and looks at him.
Riona: "Yeah... okay, lead the way."
As they walk, Riona spots two children about to get into a fistfight. She rushes over, standing between them.
Riona: "Stop! What are you doing? Didn't we agree we'd help each other? We're in this together! Why are you—"
Kid 1 (interrupting): "Exactly! We're in this together, but he's keeping the food he found to himself!"
Kid 2: "I wasn't! I told you I was waiting to find more so we could all share!"
Riona looks down at a bag containing some stale bread and understands what's happening.
Riona: "Didn't we agree that no matter the time or place, when we find food, we take it to the shelter?"
Kid 2 (frustrated): "I know, but I wanted to have enough for everyone first."
Riona takes the bread and tears it into small pieces, handing one to each child.
Riona: "There. Now we all have something to eat. Stop fighting and work together."
The children disperse, and Riona walks away, heading back to a quiet alley. She looks at the small piece of bread in her hand and smiles, relieved that she can finally eat something. Just as she's about to take a bite, she hears a growl beside her. She looks down to see a dog—skin and bones, barely alive—growling at her in desperation.
Riona throws the bread to the dog, who initially hesitates but slowly approaches and starts eating. She smiles, but her own stomach growls in protest.
Riona (chuckling): "How funny is all this..."
She glances out of the alley, watching nobles and commoners walk by, laughing and eating without a care in the world.
Riona: "People with money have it so easy."
Months pass. We see a series of scenes of Riona working with the children to earn money. They fight together, endure beatings from adults, and sleep huddled in the cold winter to stay warm. Time has taken its toll on Riona. She's become frighteningly thin, her once beautiful pink hair now a dull, muddy shade—but her eyes still hold the same determination.
Riona talks with some of the kids while, in the background, a small girl with light brown hair plays. Riona smiles, but the smile quickly fades when she sees a carriage speeding toward the girl. Without thinking, she runs, just as a boy shouts:
Boy: "Leoni!"
Riona dives, grabbing the girl and pulling her out of harm's way. They roll to the side as the carriage speeds past. The boy rushes over, hugging the girl tightly.
Boy (frustrated): "You stupid brat, haven't I told you to be careful?"
Leoni (giggling): "Hehe, well, I am."
The boy turns to Riona.
Boy (grateful): "Thank you so much! Without you, she... I don't even want to think about it."
Riona sees the girl is unharmed and smiles.
Riona: "It's okay. Everyone's alright, so no harm done."
Suddenly, she feels something warm trickling down her forehead. Blood.
Leoni (panicking): "Oh my goddess! Zane, Zane, she's hurt! What do we do?!"
The boy, Zane, lightly smacks Leoni on the head.
Zane: "Shut it. We can help her, remember? We've got fresh bandages."
Leoni (realizing): "Oh yeah! Follow us!" She starts pulling Riona, but Riona hesitates.
Riona (confused): "Umm..."
Leoni jumps excitedly.
Leoni: "Oh yeah! You don't know us yet. I'm Leoni, and this is my brother Zane. Nice to meet you!" She beams.
Riona (awkwardly): "Oh, umm, I'm—"
Zane (interrupting): "Riona. We know."
Riona looks at him, puzzled.
Leoni: "You're famous with the kids around here!"
Riona blushes.
Riona: "What? Really?"
Leoni (smiling): "Yeah! They say you're as pretty as a princess but know nothing about the world."
Zane coughs, and Riona looks shocked.
Riona: "Oh, really... Haha... yeah, I guess that's me."
Zane: "Follow us or not, your choice. But don't take too long—you're losing a lot of blood."
Riona looks at the wound on her head.
Riona: "Oh... yeah. Sure, let's go."
Having dragged Riona into an old, abandoned house, Zane pulls up a wooden panel from the floor. He takes out some bandages and starts wrapping them around Riona's head, saying, "So, tell us, how did you end up here? No one's heard of you before, and you don't match the profile of any noble's kid."
Flustered, Riona stammers, "Oh, well, I... I was a merchant's kid, but he ended up leaving me here while on business."
Leoni tears up, while Zane sighs and says, "It's a sad story, but show me one kid here who doesn't have a sad story to tell."
Riona looks at them curiously and asks, "And what's your story?"
Zane scoffs, "Well, just your typical tale. We had a loving family—until both of them died. One from disease, the other in an accident. We were left alone to survive in this world."
Seeing Zane get sad, Leoni yells, "At least we have each other!" making Zane chuckle. Riona, however, smiles bitterly. Noticing this, Leoni turns to her and says, "How about you join our group? I always wanted a sister."
Riona and Zane are both taken aback. Zane quickly responds, "Leoni! We barely know her." He turns to Riona and adds, "No offense."
Riona, still flustered, says, "No, no, you're right. I don't know you either." Despite her words, her smile turns bitter, as she can't help but think how nice it would be to have a family.
Leoni smacks her brother's arm and says, "Oh, shut up, she's way too pretty to be a threat."
Zane, shocked, tries to respond, "That's not how it w—"
But Leoni interrupts, "I don't want to hear any more. She's my sister, and that's final!" She hugs Riona tightly. Zane, defeated, groans, "Ugh, fine. Riona, are you okay w—"
"Yes!!!" Riona exclaims, cutting him off, her voice filled with hope, as if she'd been waiting for this.
Zane sighs and says, "Fine, but both of you need to stop interrupting me. It's annoying as hell."
Leoni and Riona burst into laughter, their voices filling the empty house with warmth