Earth: The Second

Orphanage Outside of The City

After the heroic deed Adma have done, the rest passenger of the carriage grew fondly of him and Kiki. They openly said that they feel safe to have a companion as strongly as Adma together along their journey to the city of Horundah, luckily for them, the bear last time is the only thread that they have to face. All they need to do for the rest of the journey is to follow the path, until finally, they have arrived on time, at the city.

Horundah is much bigger than Kuliana, but it still have similar tall wall, that surrounding the city. It located near the border of the river, which explains why this city is a good trading point for the kingdom of Henriah. Adma can bet there will be more merchants like Gon in this city. But if that so, why does the government have to cut funding for Kiki’s orphanage?

Kiki and Adma are in the middle of unloading their belongings as Gon approached Adma, and gave him a pat on the back.

“You still fascinate me when you take down on the beast that night. I know you have what it takes. My offer is still available for you, when you’re in the city, look for a shop called ‘Mr. Green’s Merchant and Goodies’ you will find me over there,” said Gon before turning his back and walk away.

Kiki also bid farewell to the parent and their baby, she is going to miss them very much.

“Let’s go, Kiki,” asked Adma. The little girl is nodding, and they going outside of the crowded hub where every other carriage comes and goes. They did not go to the city thought, as Kiki said before, right now, they are going to Kiki’s orphanage, located on the outskirts of the city. 

As expected, the road ahead is going uphill and rocky. The place located outside of the city wall has functioned as agriculture and farming. There various vegetables such as tomato, corn, cabbages, and many more. Adma can also see huge grapes plantations, complete with their winery.

Can’t help but feel amused, Adma commented this view to Kiki.

“This place is beautiful.”

Still walking forward, Kiki smiled. Although this is a place that is more like a playground for her, hearing the newcomer complimenting it feels funny. 

“I agree! You have to try the soup made from vegetables on this land, you certainly will love it!” Kiki answering happily.

Sometime later, Kiki and Adma can see a building made out of bricks, resembling a chapel. Kiki’s step stopped for a moment, Adma realized that and looking in the direction she is heading to.

“Is that the place?” he asked.

Kiki nodded silently, again, her heart filled with doubt as to how her family will react when she showed her face. “What if they angry with me? Or worse, what if they forget about me?” Kiki telling her worries to Adma, and he pats her head again. Although he does not say anything, Kiki understands that Adma wants to encourage her in some way.

Suddenly, the door of the chapel opened, and a middle-aged woman coming out with a bucket of water. She started to splash the water outside of the building to clean the dusty road before her eyes caught a familiar face some meters in front of her.

“Kiki? By The Sevens! Is that really you?” 

Quickly, she abandoned her previous work, and walk faster toward Kiki and Adma. The little girl in turn also walked to the woman, and they end it with a hug.

“Where have you go? Don’t you know what you have done to everyone in the orphanage!?” she started to scold her.

“I’m sorry… I thought that I can do much more to help us earn more money…” Kiki started to sobs.

“Oh, dear child, why bothering with something that is not your duty? Father Risto and Sister Mia are planning to borrow some money to pick you up from Kuliana, but failed. We can only feel relieved after the letters you send for the past three months!” she said. From what Adma understands, she is probably one of the Sisters that Kiki has been talking about.

“I’m sorry… Sister Anne,” said Kiki remorsefully.

Anne is a 36 years old sister with a chubby body, wearing glasses, and a mole on the bottom left of her lip. Her hair is covered in fabric, and her clothes are enveloping from neck to feet. Probably to show that a sister has to always show modesty. Anne hugged Kiki for a while until he realized the person who comes together with the girl. 

“Uh, sister, I want to introduce you to Adma. He is my companion,” said Kiki.

Adma awkwardly showing a smile and bowing a little since he doesn’t know the custom of greeting here. He thinks that maybe he looked like a stupid person now. 

Sister Anna in turn also bowing a little, she does not say anything, probably afraid of the person in front of her. Eventually, this leads to awkward silence between the three of them, until finally, children shout bursting out from the orphanage.

“Big sis Kiki! It’s Big sis Kiki!”

“You finally come home!”

“Are beating up monsters? Have you find treasures?”

“Do adventurers are really eating snakes for breakfast? Tell us!” 

About more than ten children, suddenly running outside of the orphanage. They quickly surround Kiki, like bees to their queens, hugging, shouting, and showing their affection to the big sister that has been lost for more than three months. Tears on Kiki’s eyes started to rolling down, as she feels grateful that everyone in the orphanage is healthy and well.

Again, from the orphanage, a Father, and the last Sister, coming out. The man is the oldest in this orphanage, with grey hair, and a short beard. Meanwhile, Sister Mia, is much younger and thinner than Sister Anna, with the same clothes. Everyone in the orphanage comes together to hug Kiki.

One of them that has been lost, now returned unscathed.