The Author's POV

”I think itʼs about time I hire a helper.”

She had been at it for over a year now, and only now did it truly dawn on her that she was severely understaffed.

Taking care of a dozen children was not an easy task. In fact, it was quite a hard task. One had to wonder just how she had managed to keep at it for over a year.

To Tok—!

All of a sudden, Emma heard a soft knock coming from the main door of the orphanage and her brows jumped up in surprise.

”Oh, who could it be?”

There were rarely any visitors coming to the orphanage. Occasionally one or two would come to adopt the children, but they were a rare sight. Ever since the war, the financial ability that was once present in Ashton City crumbled, and many were found struggling to settle back into their daily lives again.

Adopting wasnʼt in the minds of very many people.

Still, thinking of possible adoptees, Emmaʼs eyes lit up and headed for the door.

”Iʼm coming.”

She shouted, straightening her dress and putting on a warm smile. There was nothing that brought her more joy than seeing the children finally find a family.

While she did her best to keep them happy, she knew that she couldnʼt replace a warm and complete family. Nothing could.

Reaching out for the door handle she slowly opened the door and smiled brightly.

Clank—!

”Hi there, are you looking to ad—”

Her words stopped halfway through as her entire body froze. Her previously calm mind blanked, and she found herself struggling to comprehend the situation.

Standing before her was a figure she dreamed of every single day. He may have wanted her to forget about him, but she simply couldnʼt.

She wouldnʼt let him disappear from her memories.

”...”

His crimson eyes shone like jewels under the starry skies.

He looked exactly as he was in her memories, and she blinked her eyes slowly. Hoping that when sheʼd reopen them heʼd still be there.

And he really remained there.

It wasnʼt a dream or a mirage.

He was standing right in front of her.

Pita! Pita!

The silence that surrounded her was broken by the hot streaks that fell down from her cheeks and fell to the ground.

Slowly, her eyes started to blur and she felt a small piece of her slowly filling up.

Right then and there she wanted nothing more than to just jump into his arms and bawl her eyes out in his warm chest.

However, she refrained from doing so. She was getting cold feet.

What if this was all a dream? What if it wasnʼt him, and just someone that looked like him?

Such thoughts were broken by a familiar voice.

”Ehm... so.”

His voice sounded the same as in her memories, and when she wiped her eyes, she could see the apparent nervousness in his gaze as he looked down and his eyes wandered everywhere but towards her.

”So, like,” he scratched the back of his head nervously as he seemed to struggle to say what he wanted to say. ”Ehmm... I had a whole speech prepared, but... I canʼt seem to find my words.”

Emma could tell just how nervous she was at a glance, and her heart started to calm down. He was no different than how he was in her memories.

”Huuu.”

Eventually taking a deep breath, their eyes finally met and he pursed his lips before saying.

”I... I heard that you were looking for helpers.”

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Holocene

Bon Iver

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ʼEfforts never betray you.ʼ

A saying widely respected and repeatedly preached across the world.

Some people regard this quote as a personal mantra to follow throughout their whole life, while others simply scoff at it as if it were a mere joke.

I mean, why put effort when you have a super-rich dad who provides you with all you need?

Big house?

ʼHello, Dad! Can you buy me a house?ʼ

New car?

ʼDaddy~ Thereʼs this new car that I really love and was wondering if...ʼ

There are also those that live in luxury simply because they are lucky, like the ones who win the lottery.

I mean, how much effort does it take for someone to win a lottery?

ʼCongratulations! You have won 200 million.ʼ

How does ʼefforts never betray youʼ apply here?

Of course, setting those examples aside, there were many cases in which the saying proved to be correct.

For example, have you seen the movie- hmm, what was it called?

Ah!

The ʼPursuit of Happynessʼ.

It is your perfect example of ʼefforts never betrayʼ.

Itʼs a touching story about a homeless dad living on the streets with his son, who, because of his pure love and dedication for his child, managed to succeed and become a millionaire. Very touching.

But...

What about me?