It has been almost one year since I came to this world. In the next five days, it was my birthday. Along with mine, Kathrein’s first birthday was also planned to be celebrated on the fifth day. I actually wanted to celebrate her birthday one month after mine, which would make at least a one-month age difference between us. But the financial status of the orphanage was against my wish.

The royal family provided us with a fixed ration every month which was enough to cover our basic needs. But an event like a birthday celebration needed the money donated by the previous orphanage kids who are now working outside.

Now, all of those didn’t matter. I was in the most awkward situation ever since I came to this world. I was inside Rachel’s room along with Kath.

Leefy went to the town market along with other sisters. So, she asked Rachel to take care of us. I thought Rachel didn’t like babies since she hardly came to visit us. But the way she was playing with Kath made me reconsider my opinion.

Both were having a fun time. I was sitting near them watching them play. When Rachel’s eyes met mine, she put an awkward smile on her face and so did I. The cause of this fiddly distance between us was me.

When Rachel first approached me, I became nervous and rejected her. Still, she continued approaching me and I immediately rejected her every time. I realized that, other than sisters here or Kath or the trio I never had a proper conversation with anyone.

It was probably my previous life’s influence. When I used to be a delinquent, students or teachers rarely talked to me. So, I was not that familiar with human interactions.

Even though I decided to change myself, some habits were pretty difficult to change overnight. What I needed was practice.

I mustered up some courage and turned towards her. Through her behind, I saw Luke leaning on the door staring at us.

Rachel continued to play with Kath without noticing Luke who stood behind her.

“Now you are babysitting? Talk about being Lame.” Luke spouted with an arrogant smile.

Surprised by Luke’s sound, Rachel looked back. After seeing him, Rachel moved her eyes back to Kath.

“What do you want, Luke?” she asked in a simple tone.

Pissed with Rachel’s tone, Luke stood straight and replied.

“I will do whatever I want. Having a purpose or not does not concern you.”

“You were the one who asked me.”

Becoming more pissed hearing her words, he opened his mouth but stopped himself. Rachel continued to play along with Kath.

“Whatever.” Saying that, he turned back and walked outside.

“Kath.” Suddenly, Rachel called out to him. He stopped his feet hearing her voice. A moment of silence followed between them.

“I passed Merlin’s entrance exam.” Rachel broke the silence. Luke stood still without replying.

“I am leaving the orphanage next week to study at the academy. After graduation, I plan to find a job at Merlin city and settle there.” She added. Luke continued his silence.

“I may never come back here.” she said. Her words were hard to come out like she was forcing herself to say those words . She was definitely sad, not only about leaving this place but also for some other reasons. I had a vague idea what that reason was

“So what?” asked Luke.

Rachel’s expression became dimmer.

“Are you not worried about me leaving this place?” She asked, hanging her head down.

Luke turned his head, looking at her. His eyes were red and was clenching his fist tightly. He looked so sad that it filled his face with anger.

Without saying anything he walked outside.

“I will be waiting for you at Merlin.

So, please come.” She spoke.

As she completed her words, Luke was out of our vision. Then with a made up smile she resumed her playing with Kath.

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What was just now? That arrogant kid who hardly had any friends was just acting all embarrassed in front of a girl. Not only that, Rachel also loves him back. How could a bully like him have a girlfriend? I never even had a chance to talk with a girl in my previous life. What was Rachel thinking by making a blockhead like him a boyfriend? To start with, was it even legal to call a pair of kids a couple?

I was jealous. I was so jealous of him.

I thought Laron had a chance with Rachel even if she was treating him like a child. It was clear as water that Laron had a crush on her. On the other hand, I had never seen her talking with Luke. What was wrong with the girls here? I should at least protect Kath from the Vulgar world outside and help her develop a better taste in men.

Mizuna. The art of controlling Mizu. One of the most important pillars of modern society. Only one out of every ten people could use it. A technique superior to all other arts.

Learning about Mizuna was one of my goals in this new world. It would be helpful when it comes to self-defense or protecting someone. And the most important reason was, I can make myself look cool by showing off my skills.

Only yesterday, after seeing that love drama between Rachel and Luke, I realized something very important. At some point in my life, I needed to enter an academy. Which meant I can again enjoy my youth. In my previous youth, I spent most of my time alone.

So, changing that, I want to make friends and fall in love with a pleasing girl. For that, learning Mizuna was a must.

Merlin academy which was the largest academy of the state was an ideal place to fulfill my dreams. But, getting admission there was pretty hard. Only sixty students were selected from the hundreds of applications they get every year.

Being an Mizuna user was not a mandatory criterion for admission, but it would increase the possibility of passing the entrance. Only Rachel and Laron got into Merlin this year. Even our muscle boy Luke, failed the entrance exam.

Only Mizuna users from our orphanage got admission, that was enough to prove my statement.

Taking everything into consideration, today was the perfect day to put my plan into moving. My first step towards learning Mizuna.

Kath was playing with her toys beside me. I was eagerly waiting for their arrival. It was the first-time they were ever useful to me.

The light level between the clock was between the ninth and tenth line indicating it was almost 9:30 in the morning.

Clocks in this world also used Mizu to show time. During the start of a day, it was charged using Mizu. As time passed, the Mizu was uniformly dissipated in a fixed time period. Thus, reducing the light level of the clock.

They slowly opened the door, peeking inside. They came in time.

The Trio.

My plan was to take advantage of the busy atmosphere around now, which was caused by the preparation on my birthday and Rachel’s farewell party. Only orphanage sisters and older children were taking part in the preparations. So, the younger ones were free to do what they wanted.

The trio’s favorite game was hide and seek. Only the three would really play this game. Me and Kath were participants for the sake of participants. Usually, Shina took care of Kath while playing but I was a lone player.

“Look look. Didn't Kath Cha become cuter than yesterday?” said Shina while taking her up.

“For me, she looks the same.” replied Dayson. As dense as ever.

“Hey. Here is where you should agree with her and add more praise.”

“Hhu? Why should I do that?”

“Leave him, Mayu. Look at my angel Kath shining her kindness upon us from Heaven.”

“What should we play today?”

“Why do you ask? It's definitely hide and seek.”

“No. I don’t want to play with Dayson. He always hides in the basement or above the roof. It is hard to find him there.”

“It’s because you don’t know how to hide. You can’t find me because you suck at this game.”

“You are the one always saying ‘I want to play hide and seek’. We want to family-family today. I will be father, Shina will be mother and you, our plumber.”

“What? Why am I a plumber? First of all, there is no plumber in family-family.”

“Is that so? Then you can be the beggar.”

“I don’t want to be a beggar. And also don’t want to play family-family. Let's play hide and seek Shina.”

“You want to play family-family, right Shi Cha?”

“Well, if we play family-family I can be Kath Cha’s mother and raise her as my child. But if we play hide and seek, I can be on Kath Cha’s good side by going easy on her. Both are good...

Why don’t we play shopkeeper-shopkeeper? That way I can buy Kath Cha from the shop and make mine forever.”

““NO””

Both answered simultaneously.

“There is no game called shopkeeper-shopkeeper.”

The situation was taking its worst turn. If I don't do anything, my plan will end before it even begins.

“Hid an cheek.” I spoke, childishly.

Hearing my words, they all looked surprised.

“Kee. Reez spoke. Rez Cha spoke. Did you hear it, Mayu?” Mayu, who looked surprised, came to me and held me in her hands.

“Call me Mayu. M-A-Y-U" she asked.

Among the kids, Mayu cared for me the most. She wouldn’t interact much with me but always looked after me while playing or when Leefy was not there. So, she was the one most surprised after hearing a word other than Leefy from my mouth.

“Mayu... Mayu...” I smiled.

Tears started flowing from her eyes as she hugged me.

“It's Mayu nee. Call me Mayu nee.”

“Mayu. Mayu.” I repeated, as childish as possible. I felt bad. It was like I was using Mayu. So, I wanted to call her sis, genuinely some other time.

With that, the game was decided. First step towards my plan was cleared.