~~~~~~~

"Well...this is it. I made sure to pack you, food, and pastries, sewed your clothes, and some emergency items I thought you might need! I-" Miss Adler starts listing off things handing me a suitcase full of stuff, this is the most things I've ever owned in my life. Then, she does the absolute unthinkable.

She cries.

I can't handle a crying person forget about handling a crying FEMALE. To add on the fact that it makes me feel bad since Miss Adler has really taken care of me for the time I was here. She's sniffling and all I can do is stand there.

"Um..uh...Miss Adler?" I start tentatively worried about being insensitive to her as she looks up tears still streaming down her face, "I-er...uh-...um...Thank you for everything you've done for me. I really appreciate it. I promise to repay you just- just please don't...cry?" I wince at my own words scared to see her reaction to my terrible attempt at being whatever it is I'm trying to be.

She brightens up and smiles softly drying her eyes.

"Awwww, how sweet of you. Y'know you might not think it but, you are such a sweet boy. Much better at speaking now", chuckling making me slightly smile along with her, "than back when I found you for sure. I know you'll do well in taking care of yourself."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

My heart suddenly feels a little lighter from the compliment and more confident in surviving on my own, it's like validation. My eyes gazed over the clock in the train station and saw that there were only a couple more minutes before I had to leave.

"Well, I...will. I promise to write and...erm...stay well, Miss Adler" mustering up the best goodbye I could think of and finished up, "I hope to..-uh...see you again, I have to go...soon."

Miss Adler sniffled a bit and nodded, smiled, and handed me over a pouch and a satchel ready for her final words to me for a long time.

"I have to go back to the bakery soon as well. Remember to send me letters if you can. Just- Just, stay well and try to make friends?", smiling and had given me a half-worried look.

She paused then came closer and hugged me.

She hugged me.

I- forgot how a hug felt, it's been such a long time since I had one.

'It's warm. And comfortable....Is this what a mother's warmth feels like?'

And then off I went to that blasted academy. Gosh, I hate the fact that I actually like this school, it changed me all right.

And that's when I met her, on the first day at the academy when classes started my eyes were immediately drawn to her.

Ichika Zavia.