A nurse holds a newborn baby girl. She weighs significantly less than normal, cries constantly, and her skin darkens during these episodes. The nurse calls the senior doctor, who takes a blood sample for testing.
A week later, the lab results reveal the child has SD-32, an incurable condition caused by a genetic anomaly linked to stress and misfortune. This anomaly accelerates the biological clock. While those with relatively happy lives might live to 70 or 80, those with difficult lives rarely reach 20. The average lifespan for those with SD-32 is 30-35 years. Despite this being common medical knowledge, many people dismissed SD-32, and the darkening skin during stress was largely ignored.
After the nurse informs the mother of the diagnosis, she abandons the baby. The doctor attaches a piece of cardboard with the name "Kira" written on it and sends her to the BH Orphanage.
BH Orphanage
The BH Orphanage was isolated, surrounded by a large forest and a heavily guarded gate controlled by the military. Entry and exit were only permitted under military supervision. The orphanage operated as a government-run logging facility.
First Class
A woman around 40 years old, with an unpleasant, wrinkled face and black hair, addressed the class. Five four-year-old children sat at desks. She introduced herself as Zina, their primary educator and teacher for the next nine years. "Our class, like all others, consists of five students," she explained. "We are designated Class Z and will function as a close-knit family. If you have any problems, you can always come to me, and I will do everything I can to help. At the end of each year, your internal organs and overall health will be examined. All games and activities will be team-based and competitive, five against five, class against class. We are preparing you for adult life and want to instill values like responsibility and teamwork, so your grades will be shared. For example, if one student scores 100% (a 6, the highest grade) while the others score 3s, everyone on the team will receive a 3+. After certification, you will have access to different levels of employment: lower, middle, and upper. Students with grades of 5 or 6 will qualify for upper-level jobs; those with 3s and 4s, for middle-level jobs; and those with 1s to 3s, for lower-level jobs. Classes will occupy most of your time, leaving only two hours of free time before bed. To reinforce responsibility and conscientiousness, you will be required to repay the orphanage for your education and upkeep after certification."
Due to her low energy and physical weakness, Kira didn't excel in sports or academics, consistently bringing down her Z-1 class's average. This made her a target for bullying and ostracization. Her skin remained persistently dark. Her only solace was the two hours before bedtime when she could sew doll clothes in a large recreation room. Only then did her skin appear normal.
On one occasion, when she was being bullied, she sought help from Zina, who promised to address the issue. However, nothing ever changed. Every time Kira asked for help, it was in vain.
Kira:
When I was eight, I met a boy. Bullies were taking my toys in the recreation room when he intervened, retrieving them for me. I sewed him a doll with a purple flower on its dress as thanks. He told me his name was Dima. Dima was the first person who ever defended and helped me. He continued to help me, especially during our certification exams when we were 13. His biological parents eventually paid off his debt and took him away. It seemed the BH Orphanage wasn't truly concerned with fostering responsibility. Dima promised he would come back for me, that we would get married. But I never saw him again.
At 23, I left the BH Orphanage. Leaving the gates, I reflected on my past and mistakes, resolving to never be weak again, to never trust or rely on those who were untrustworthy or unreliable. I decided to close myself off from everyone. I had a final medical examination. Some time later, I received the results: my biological age was 55.
After arriving in Paris, I dedicated myself to designing and creating beautiful clothes, finally pursuing my lifelong dream.
For over seven years, I created clothes in Paris and achieved great success. My boutiques opened everywhere. Aristocrats wore my designs. The "KR" symbol became ubiquitous. I became the owner of one of the world's most prestigious and popular salons, second only to ULHRS. I harbored resentment and envy toward Sarres, the wealthy daughter of an oil magnate who surpassed me only because of her father's wealth. I worked tirelessly, focusing on my passion and trying to ignore my constantly dark skin, a result of persistent stress. After the orphanage, I didn't believe in friendship or love. At 30, I had a heart attack.
Opening my eyes, I saw God. He looked at me disapprovingly and said I had lived in fear, that I hadn't been truly happy.
I couldn't believe my eyes. I was back at the orphanage gates, my skin smooth and young. Looking in a small mirror I had with me, I realized I was 23 again, just leaving the orphanage.
Trying to understand what God meant, I explored every possibility. I made mistakes repeatedly, and only after numerous failures did I finally understand.
The old woman closed the book, kissed the grandfather sitting to her right, and turned to the two children and their parents sitting across from them. "That," she said, "is why I call your grandfather the savior."