Chapter 5: The Child

Inside the Orphanage, the interior greatly shames the exterior. In contrast to the rather gloomy and decrepit look of the building from the outside, the inside looks like a proper house for children, and it even has educational murals. Children were playing around, each with their own unique personalities.

As Julius saw this, he took it upon himself to leave the gun in his holster at one of the empty cabinets, as well as take the jacket of his suit off. Nothing can harm him here anyway, just a bunch of kids and elderly people. There is, however, a young lady with a bright but shy smile that greeted him and the caretaker who called her.

"This is Julia, she will be the one who gives you a tour of the Orphanage." the elderly caretaker grabbed Julia's hand to pull her closer. "Sorry. We recruited her just last month. She's a little shy, and partly because you're a very handsome man." she chuckles.

"N-nice to meet you." Julia waved her hands bashfully, avoiding eye contact but is constantly staring at him. She is a small girl with brown ponytailed hair, about as tall as her senior.  Presumably in her late teens like him.

There was an awkward silence for a while, but the ice was broken when the playing children started gathering around Julius in awe.

"Woah, he's handsome!" Exclaimed a girl with blonde hair.

"Mister, can I marry you in the future?" Another girl tugged his shirt.

"Hmph! I'm more handsome than him!" A boy snorted to boast, but was immediately booed by the other girls. Soon a verbal war occurred between the boys and the girls. Julius, however, didn't find the certain spark he was looking for. There were about twenty children around him, but none of them have managed to pique his interest. 

"Is this all of them?" He turns to Julia, who wasn't sure and was busy calming the kids down.

Julius manages to break out of the fighting crowd and started wandering around the house. There were portraits on the wall, presumably the elderly caretakers when they were younger. At a distance, a child peeking behind the wall caught his eye. The man turned back to Julia, she was still busy. So, he decided to go to the child.

"Why aren't you with them?" He asked the boy... or is it a girl? He couldn't tell, but he assumed that he was a boy through his haircut and clothing.

Long eyelashes, eyes were a little narrow but not too narrow, his hair was black and curtained, is shorter in terms of height compared to the other children. He was truly a beautiful boy. But, he didn't respond. Instead, the child stared at the man and likewise.

"Kimi wa... nihon-jin desu yo ne? (You... are Japanese, aren't you?)" Julius spoke to the child, who smiled blankly.

"Hai (Yes)." he bowed slightly. That explains why he can't understand German. The child knows proper manners in Japan, so he must've had some sort of education. "I can speak English too."

It was certainly impressive. Usually, Japanese people struggle to speak English, or more specifically, pronounce the words properly. Not only was this boy able to say the "L" in "English", but he also spoke in a perfect British accent. In sheer awe, Julius called Julia to check his age, finding out that he was merely 8 years of age. Children like to boast their talents, and this one boasted well.

There was also that feeling upon looking into the child's eyes. He felt a strange feeling. He turned to the side and saw both of them standing beside each other in a mirror.  Only then did he understand-

They had the same empty eyes.

Perhaps... only the child and Julius can fill that empty spot. It was a gut feeling, and Julius' instincts have never failed him. He talked with Julia regarding the adoption.

"W-wait, you're really taking him? There are other children here-" 

"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"

"B-but there are many other children here. That one is unenergetic, gloomy and-"

"I want him. I will not change my mind."

Her persistence showed itself when Julia started begging and crying to him, pleading to leave the child in the orphanage. Julius was surprised by this and had many questions, but when the child hid behind with visible fear and trembling hands, he immediately put a protective arm over him. He has a gist of what's going on. Julia's begging would eventually lead to tantrums, and then threats against the unfazed Julius.

"Julia! What are you doing?" the elderly caretaker from earlier shouted at her. She immediately dashed towards Julius and the frightened children who ran towards the tall man for protection. One by one did she check their well-being.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Julius. I don't know why she's acting like this-"

BANG!

A gunshot from the entrance of the building. It frightened the children, but an even more frightful sight dawned upon them. The caretaker's chest... was bleeding. Her face was distraught, attempting to say something, anything, but couldn't.

BANG!

Another shot. It proved the be the final nail in her coffin and her body dropped coldly on the floor with a loud thud. Blood flowed and spread from her chest and the gaping hole at the back of her head.

Upon looking at the entrance, Julia can be seen holding the revolver that Julius has kept aside. With a face that could no longer be considered sane.

"NOBODY FUCKING MOVES!"