It's morning, the sun is warm, people are certain that it will not rain today. And now, Ylvin is at the public drinking water station. Not to drink water, but to wash his face. On the counter was a plastic of breads that he bought.
"Waaahhh, I felt so rich!" On Ylvin's hand was a coin. "I have 20 kos left for the bus." Then, he put the coin in the pocket of his jacket. "I shall not lose this."
Meanwhile, the Bailey family's house was filled with the mother's hollers.
"How about her favorite shoes, are they polished?!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Her emergency kit with lots of cute bandages?!"
"It's ready, ma'am!"
"What on earth is she doing?" Kariko rubbed her eyes.
"She's just being a mother, I guess" Kortis answered.
On the other hand, Klinton stretched his body left, and right. "Why so noisy early in the morning? THEY HAVE THEIR FACILITIES HONEY! ALL SHE NEEDS IS ENOUGH CLOTHES!"
Then, Klinton hugged Mayumi from behind, and they kissed.
"Don't sweat it."
"You should have told me." Mayumi rubbed Klinton's cheeks. "Aww, you look so cute on your pajamas, honey."
"Don't send me off like this, disgusting." Kariko blurted.
Mayumi approached Kariko, and wrapped her arm around Kariko's shoulder. "Ahh, let's just have breakfast, shall we?"
She led her to the dining room. When the door opened, Kariko's eyes widened. They were greeted by their maids, and cooks on a line. And in the middle was the long table filled with different kinds of pastries.
The usually poker face Kariko, now have a wide smile on her face.
Kariko touched a pancake and felt the soft and warm goodness on her finger tips. "This pancake is so fluffy!"
"Donuts!" There was a pile of donuts and she couldn't help but eat one, she squealed in delight at the caramel taste.
Then, her attention switched to a chocolate fondue fountain. She dipped her finger on the flowing chocolate to taste. "There's so many chocolates!"
"My favorite!" Kariko grabbed a whole plate of a big blueberry cheesecake. Then, she took a bite off of it and melted at the creaminess.
"I will miss her." Mayumi cried bittersweet tears.
"Why are you not eating?" Kariko asked. "They are yummy, I will eat them all." Kariko smiled, sweetly revealing her fangs.
"Lemme have some, okay?" Klinton ran to Kariko.
"Aww, my baby is so cute." Mayumi bawled even more.
Kariko fed her father a croissant, and they laughed together. While her mother came back with two trays on her hands.
"I made these, darling." On her left hand was a tray of cookies, and the right hand held a tray of muffins.
Of course, Kariko got to try them both. "These are really good!"
Klinton tried the muffins, while Kortis tried the cookies, both showed surprise at the rich flavors.
"R-really?" Mayumi's face turned red. Then, she gave Kariko a back hug. "Be a good girl there, okay?"
"Is it alright that I can't promise you that?" Kariko grinned devilishly.
"Of course, because you're cute!" Mayumi wiped off the cream on Kariko's nose.
"They are now expecting Kariko's arrival" Klinton said as he ate a cinnamon roll.
Kariko drunk her hot chocolate, and when she finished she spoke: "Ah! About that, I will have to change again." Kariko dusted her now messy shirt, her face also have a lot of creams, chocolates, and sugars.
Mayumi pressed her palms together. "I'm sure you'll find friends there."
"Friends? If they don't have foods this good, I'll just burn that place down."
***
On the other side, Ylvin sat quietly in a bus stop. He crossed his legs, and rested his chin on his right palm, he don't have a smile on his face.
"Why do I feel like I robbed Ismaya, and ran away with his money?"
Ylvin sat properly, and crossed his arms. "Am I making a fool of him?"
Then, he shook his head. "No, I wrote him a letter anyways."
"But for sure he thinks we will meet again." Ylvin sighed.
What he did not know is that Ismaya actually visited the playground where he sleeps. There, he talked with the security guard.
"A journey?"
"Well, I don't know. That's just what he told me." The security guard shrugged. "Ask the author where this story is going, not me."
Then, Ismaya approached Ylvin's doghouse, sat beside it, and when he looked around, he noticed a paper stuck out of the door. Curiosity killed the cat they said, but he opened it, and read it.
Meanwhile, there's a screen at the bus stop. "Beep! Attention! One bus to Merixote and two buses two Sueret are arriving. Please choose your preferred destination!"
"These are so cool, what do I do?!" The screen has completely piqued Ylvin's interest.
"You dummy…" Ismaya did not notice it yet, but he just shed a tear. "You're not a burden."
Ylvin pressed on the button that said "Merixote."
"Hmm, one person to Merixote!"
A hologram showed up on the roof of the bus stop which announced Ylvin's choice. He couldn't help but squeal in fascination.
"In anyways, all I could do now is wish you good luck." Ismaya wiped off the tears with his hand.
Later, the bus to Merixote arrived. Ylvin used his last penny to ride the bus. Then, he sat next to the window.
I'm sorry, but even for how many times you tell me, I really wanna see him. Ylvin thought but he went back to his senses when a bald man suddenly stood up to point him out.
"Oi, Oi, what are you doing here? Don't you know you stink?" Said the bald man.
I know… Ylvin is quiet but right now he wished a black hole would eat him whole.
"Why? Why? What's the matter over there?" The bus driver took a quick glance behind him.
"The kid who just ride seriously stinks!"
"That can't be helped he paid me."
Ylvin looked around for a solution, he respects the other passengers, but he also really needs this ride. "I can ride on the roof right?"
"Huh, are you serious?"
***
"I see, he isn't coming back anymore." The security guard said. "To where is he?"
"Who knows? He didn't mention it." Ismaya answered.
"He really don't want you to see him again!"
Then the two men laughed aloud, and after was silence as if someone died. To think they will never hear Ylvin's laughter again is a needle in their throats for them. They've known Ylvin for years, and before they knew it, they become fond of a mere beggar.
In the end, Ylvin sat on the roof of the bus, it's odd, but there's no other options left for him. All he need to do is to watch out for dangling stuffs, and he'll be fine. However, it was scorching hot, though he's wearing his newly borrowed leather jacket. He hoped it will not rain, it's the worst to come.
Ylvin lied on the roof, he used the chance to admire the cloud-filled lightly blue sky. Then, he reminisced the first and last time he mentioned a place to Ismaya.
Ismaya has treated Ylvin some hotdogs in a park, they both looked younger. They sat on a table, then there they talked.
"Whatever happens never go to that place, ya hear?" Ismaya's voice was so strict like a parent.
"But Sugo said it's a fun place!"
Ismaya glared at Ylvin, without a blink. "Ylvin, look at me in the eyes." Ylvin stared back. "As an agent of the government, I know every dirt of it."
Ylvin was about to took another bite of his hotdog when Ismaya sighed. "Just why can't you be in an orphanage?"
Ylvin crossed his arms. "Mommy, and Daddy told me not to mess with them anymore."
"That doesn't make sense, you just need a shelter, that's all! They don't need to be involved!"
"It doesn't matter, personally I don't want to live with anyone again!" Ylvin yelled, then he spoke softly: "Let's just change the topic shall we? Or let's not talk at all."
Until now, Ylvin wondered what Ismaya meant not to go on that place, but today, Ylvin's mind are all set. He will visit the place, and find Sugo.
But who really is Sugo? Ylvin's face is painted with happiness again as thought back at the time he met a boy on the stairs of an overpass.
"Eh? You are abandoned but you have a house?"
"It's not really my house, there are other children that stays there."
"So… it's just an orphanage?" Ylvin furrowed his eyebrows and his voice showed hints of disappointment.
Sugo giggled. "No, it's rather a place full of amazing people."
"Eh? Now that sounds interesting!"
"You'll understand once you see it for yourself."
Until now, Ylvin remember how Sugo smiled back at him. He was so nice, Ylvin wished he knew more about him. However, they never met again after that day. Ylvin would go back to the same overpass, but he saw no such boy with burgundy hair. Call him gullible, but Ylvin became interested at that place with just that conversation. And today, he's going to disobey Ismaya for that. Ylvin laughed again at the thought.
"I wonder what Sugo looked like now? Me? I got even skinnier. Does he even remember me? That's impossible"
***
The traffic wasn't so bad, but Kortis still drove carefully with Kariko sitting behind him, eating marshmallows. The siblings were very quiet until Kariko turned to ask her brother a question.
"Just what are Mental Hospital-Schools? You've been there, right?"
Kortis glared at the rear view mirror. "Just like you, a lot of children unfortunately went down the hard way of becoming criminals."
"And?"
"And of course imprisoning them with the adults are beyond the law's moral. So, they found a solution to this, and it's to put them on rehab. Inside a place where they could do whatever they want-"
"I could do whatever I want?" Kariko stood up but since the car was moving, her body wobbled, then she fell back down to her seat.
"In that way, it can also benefit the government."
"How?"
"It's called a school because they teach the minors how to fight"
As they were talking, Ylvin on the other hand ate the breads he bought. Then, the bus passed by a billboard of Juvianna Acresia-Mitchswinger. Ylvin has never looked sentimental. Juvianna was a beauty queen, but that was before, and until now, her face still radiated true beauty.
"The strongest among the students becomes part of the Government's military force." Kortis continued. "In Merixote Central District Mental Hospital-School the strongest student, The Superior is a wild one; Himuraki Nero."
"Can I beat that guy then?"
"Everyone could, after all, your freedom depends on your rank-" Kortis closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. "I blew it…"
"Just now, I'm not supposed to know that, is it?"
"Forget about it."
"What does that mean?! Why hide it from me?! What do you know?! What! What!" Kariko repeatedly pounded her seat with her fists.
"Yes, you can be the same criminal inside that place but you can't go outside."
"And why didn't anyone told me about this?!" Kariko kicked her brother's seat.
"Calm down. We truly care for your well-being, so we have to make this decision."
"That's bullshit! You're really tossing me off?!"
"We're not. Please understand, it's also hard for our beloved parents."
"Then… can we just…" Kariko stood up. "…Not go!" Kariko suddenly grabbed the steering wheel, and tilted it to the west side. She was fast, and Kortis couldn't have stopped her. The car bumped to two more cars, and caused a huge road accident. The siblings were safe, but it would be a pain in the ass to negotiate with the accidentally involved people.
Kortis grabbed his phone, and made a call. On the other side of the phone was an old as time man with wrinkled hands, it's the headmaster.
"A car accident? Is this another joke against old timers like me?"
"Don't worry, I'll still bring my sister there." Kortis said and behind him was Kariko peeking out their broken car window with a mischievous smile on her face. "She's as alive as ever."
The call ended. Looked like Kariko will be late, but Ylvin already arrived at the city. His eyes widened with so much sparkles as they meet a place with a huge fountain on the middle. Now, the only problem is that he doesn't know exactly where the place he will go to is. There are more trees than people around the area, so he doesn't know who to ask. As much as he doesn't want to bother an older lady sitting on a bench, he still approached it nonetheless.
"Bonjwa!" I think he meant "bonjour," but either way the lady was startled, and was full of fear in her eyes.
"Do you know where is the Mental Hospital-School?"
"W-why you ask?"
"Why are you asking why I'm asking?"
Bummer, the old lady doesn't seem to know so he walked around the area. Just as he was already dripping sweat, he saw a security guard of an empty pawn shop, not working, but sleeping.
"Hey, stop slacking off, and work." Ylvin shook the security guard then he jolted awake. "Do you know where is the Mental-"
"Why?" The security guard yawned.
"Just tell me! There is no way you don't freaking know!"
***
Now, Ylvin stood behind a bricked wall. This huge wall is built to assure the people that they are safe even when they lived next to an estate filled with criminals. Inside of it was the road to the estate, Ylvin is officially here. However, he is in a conundrum of how will he get inside the estate. He thought of ways how, but there's no luck in his hands. So, he waited, and waited.
Then, suddenly two white closed vans came. He watched what will happen, then he learned that there will be a security guard that will ask for your ID. This is Ylvin's only chance. Think, think, there must be a way.
"If I just ran as fast as the truck go they will definitely notice." Ylvin held his fist under his chin. "I can't just hid behind because there is a guard…so"
The two drivers successfully confirmed their identity. They went back to their cars, and finally entered the main gate. However, where did Ylvin go?
When the vans are finally parked, the two drivers left. Then, someone rolled out from under the second van, it's Ylvin.
There, Ylvin's jaw dropped. Stood before him was a building that is more like a mansion. Draped in beige, black and crimson red paint. It have three huge open doors you can cross anytime. And on both sides was two tall, and thick towers. There are prominent features such as cubes, and arches. It have intricate details, but Ylvin can't just stand still, and stare at it. He noticed that the two drivers are almost back, and he needed to hide. So he hurried to the third open door.
The inside was even better. There were beautiful chandeliers as light. A long red carpet that goes up a staircase. And tables and seats are placed all over the place, it's an exquisite lounge. Ylvin hid behind a tall pillar as he scanned the area around him. He saw nobody, but he can hear people talking. He shook it off and proceeded to walk.
There, a stair caught his attention just four pillars away from him, now he knew exactly what to do. He just had to go unnoticed while going up the stair, he's good at this.
So he walked vigilantly to the next pillar to another. But just as the stair was right before him, he noticed people sitting on a round table far from where he stood. Ylvin cursed in his mind as he observed them.
Five girls, he can't be wrong. They are wearing dresses with sophisticated details in different colors. Nobles, judging by how they looked.
The first girl was Dhalia, a tanned brunette wearing a hot tight red dress which introduced her small waist and legs. On her hand was a mirror and the other applied red lipstick delicately on her small lips. She continued to check herself out on the mirror.
Sat beside her was Stella Cabrera, sticking out the most like a sore thumb. Everything about her is green, from her hair tied in twin buns to her spiral eyes to her dress. Much like she works at a carnival, her dress resembled a lot of a jester. She is completely absorbed on whatever she was watching on her tablet, biting on a handkerchief and muttered. "Soohyun is as hot as ever."
There's two other girls leaning close to each other to use one tablet.
Milad Moore is also tanned and tied her brown hair to a bun. Wearing round glasses and a tight, neatly crafted blue dress that she looked a lot more matured than the others.
The other was Kiss, that's her name, Kiss. She looks odd, both her make-up and how her hair was tied on long twirls, you can't possibly stand near her. But her dress looks like a sweet strawberry cake, pink and with lots of ruffles.
Kiss pressed something on the tablet, it made a loud beep and Milad turned to her with a quiet voice.
"Kiss, you idiot."
Kiss doesn't seem to understand, she placed a fingertip to her lips and tilted her head.
Then, the fifth girl to complete them. She had her golden hair as her crown glowing under the chandelier. Wearing an even more golden ball gown, her alluring beauty is undeniable. Her blue eyes all fixed on a book, she's quiet but her charisma is overflowing.
Ylvin shrugged it off, they are far from him and distracted, everything is in his favor. Yet he walked as discreetly as possible to the stair, his moves are calculated.
But the blonde girl snapped her book shut. She stood up and pointed at Ylvin's direction.
"Not another step, intruder!" Her voice was clear, it is a command. Then, the stair where Ylvin was exploded.