(Special mention for web novel [without space between the two words] reader aistitch, who work under web novel [without space between the two words] reader Deelah)
…
"Ah, how long has it been since the last time I came to this place?" Looking out of the car, Lucas wiped the glass for a better view.
It was Winter and snow was filling the street. There were several people who were busy shoveling the snow that piled up in front of their house.
Beside him, Tommy furrowed his brows. "Lucas, don't stick your head out. You're not a child anymore."
"Yes, Brother."
Lucas moved back and leaned on the chair. After living in the orphanage for some time, he managed to find a job when he was older. Since then, he lived on his own and came to visit the orphanage occasionally because his sister chose to stay there and help other orphans.
When he planned to visit, he accidentally met Tommy and asked his step brother to bring him here since it was on the way.
"Brother, do you want to come in too?"
"No," Tommy replied almost immediately. "Boss and Captain are waiting for me, so I have to hurry."
Boss referred to Kevin Kalin while, Captain referred to Kanae Nali. He could be considered as part of Ryukalin Clan now ever since he had been living in Ainge Clan's Residence. Tommy still preferred his old way of calling them, so these weird nicknames were still used even now.
Lucas nodded. "Alright. Thank you for taking me here, Brother."
"It's not a problem. Send my regards to your sister."
"Alright."
Lucas waited until Tommy moved the car near the orphanage and stopped before he alighted out. The weather was chilling, but it was not unbearable. Lucas smiled lightly as he watched the surroundings. He was already familiar with this place.
Raising his head, he could see a young girl standing not far from the door. She had a petite frame and short dark brown hair. Her eyes were watching her surrounding with cautiousness, yet her body remained in natural posture. This was one of the basic self defense that they were taught to catch their attacker unprepared.
"Lyna," Lucas called out.
The young girl, Lyna, raised her head and smiled. Dimples showed on both of her cheeks.
"Brother Lucas!"
"What are you doing out here? You'll get cold," Lucas complained.
Lyna blinked her eyes and laughed lightly. "I'm waiting for Brother to come. Today is a special day because some of the older children are coming back to visit."
"Oh?"
There were several children who either were adopted or left to search for jobs in the past several years. Lyna still stayed here, but many of her friends already left to pursue their dreams.
Lucas tilted his head. "Is there any event today?"
"It's not an event," Lyna giggled. "Today is Sister Aina's birthday, so we are going to celebrate it together."
"Ah. I forgot to bring gifts."
"It's alright, you just have to sing, Brother."
Hearing that, Lucas could only smile bitterly. He didn't really want to sing, but if he had to, then he wouldn't mind. Sister Aina was really kind when he stayed in the orphanage. She was the one who taught him many things and allowed him to live freely outside.
As they entered the hall, Lucas could faintly smell something sweet. He raised his head and looked at the kitchen.
"Who's cooking?"
"It's Mommy Deelah," Lyna replied. "She's Sister Aina's best friend and often comes here to share delicious food."
"Ah yeah, I remember. But, isn't it more appropriate to say that she's coming here to steal food that Sister Aina makes?"
Lyna giggled at her brother's question.
Deelah was not their blood related mother. She was Sister Aina's friend who was also a great foodie. She would come here often to help prepare food for them. Along the way she 'stole' some, but since she also brought a lot of ingredients here, the children pretended not to know the reason she came here was also to eat good food.
As for the nickname, it came from Sister Aina who loved to call Deelah as her mother.
Thus, the children also followed suit despite the complaints that Deelah had given to them so far.
She tugged her brother's sleeve and dragged him to where the other children were. At the backyard, Lucas could see some of his old friends who were clearly already a.d.u.l.ts now. Most of them no longer stayed here because they had their own place to live.
"Ah, you come back too, Lucas," Azarina said with a smile. She had already become a young woman now.
Lucas nodded. "Yeah, I still come to visit here. This is my second home."
"Second home, huh?" another young man chirped in. Lucas remembered him as Wiem. He smiled. "You can say it like that."
"So, what have you been doing so far, Wiem and Misaw? You've grown prettier!"
"You and your smart mouth. I'm still the same as usual. Isn't that right, Rina?"
Rina, whose full name was Azarina, laughed lightly. "He always has a sweet mouth, but you have truly become prettier Misaw."
"Thank you~."
Lyna smiled happily when she saw their happy reunion. She glanced to the side and walked to the kitchen. There were two middle aged women who were busy cooking. Despite their not so young age, their appearances were still like that of women in their early twenties. Many children here would gape in disbelief when they heard of these women's real age.
"Sister Aina, Mommy Deelah, are the food ready?"
Sister Aina turned her head around and smiled. "Not yet. How about if you help prepare the plates first."
"Sure! I'll call other girls to help."
It didn't take long for Lyna to call the girls to help her. She might be still young, only a few years older than most of them, but she was a great leader. Within minutes, they were all ready and Deelah came out with a large container.
"Children, we'll be having vegetable soup, fried tofu, and braised chicken meat today."
"YAYYY!"