The next morning, soft sunlight poured through the old curtains of the orphanage window. Kaia was still sleeping, wrapped in a warm blanket on Toma's bed. Meanwhile, Toma was quietly getting ready to head to work. As he tied his shoelaces, a loud commotion echoed from outside—shouts, the sound of marching boots, and the distinct rumble of carriage wheels approaching on the dirt path.
Curious and slightly alarmed, Toma stepped outside.
To his shock, he saw a group of Marine officers lined up in front of the orphanage gate, all wearing formal uniforms with gold trim and white gloves. In the center of their formation stood an elegant, dark-colored carriage bearing the Navy's royal insignia. Ms. Saint, hearing the noise, stepped out as well and stood beside Toma, her eyes narrowing at the unexpected visitors.
All of this was happening while Kaia remained asleep inside, unaware of the tension building outside.
The carriage door opened slowly, and a distinguished couple stepped out. They were dressed in the finest clothes Toma had ever seen—clothes that only those from the highest levels of society could afford. The man wore a white and navy-blue officer's coat with polished medals on his chest, and the woman beside him wore a flowing dress of deep violet silk.
The man stepped forward and spoke in a stern voice:
"Is your name Toma, little boy?"
Ms. Saint stepped in with a calm but firm expression.
"Yes, this child here is called Toma. But who are you to enter my personal property without my consent?"
At her question, several Marines instantly raised their rifles toward Ms. Saint and Toma.
One of the officers barked,
"Only answer what is asked. You are in the presence of Commodore James Corwin and his wife, Lady Layla."
Toma froze in place. His heart pounded—he wasn't strong enough to protect Ms. Saint, not against someone of such high rank. He felt utterly powerless.
Seeing Toma's frozen expression, Ms. Saint calmly stepped forward and said,
"With all due respect, I apologize if I have offended you, Commodore."
James didn't respond to her apology. Instead, his eyes scanned the house and he asked,
"Where is Kaia?"
That question hit Toma like lightning.
"Kaia? Why would someone this powerful… be looking for her?"
His thoughts swirled in confusion.
For a moment, a flash of surprise crossed Ms. Saint's face. Then she turned and said to Toma,
"Go wake Kaia up."
Toma hurried inside, rushed into his room, and gently shook Kaia awake.
"Kaia, wake up—something's happening. The Marines are outside. They're asking for you."
Kaia sat up slowly, her eyes still heavy with sleep. But when she heard his words, she blinked, fully alert now.
She said softly, "I'm not going to run away anymore."
Her words confused Toma even more.
"What? I… I don't understand any of this."
Kaia tied her hair with a rubber band she found on Toma's table and looked at him calmly.
"They're my parents," she said.
Toma stood speechless.
They stepped outside together and stood beside Ms. Saint. Kaia faced the Commodore and said in a clear voice,
"Father, I am ready to go to the Navy Academy."
James's stern face softened. His posture relaxed as he heard the words he had waited so long to hear.
"Then let's go home. Our home," he said.
Kaia began walking toward her parents. But halfway there, she stopped. She turned around, her eyes sparkling, and looked at Toma with a bright, warm smile.
"Thank you for everything—Toma."
With that, she stepped into the carriage, and the Marines formed ranks to escort them away. Ms. Saint returned inside quietly, leaving only Toma… and his silence.
He stood in the same spot long after the carriage had disappeared down the road. The sound of footsteps, the rustling of leaves, and the soft chirps of birds had returned, but everything felt still around him.
He stood there for nearly twenty minutes before finally going back inside.
Entering his room to get ready for work, he noticed a folded piece of paper resting neatly on his table. He picked it up.
Toma,
If you're reading this, it means my parents found me. So let me thank you properly—
If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have made this decision.
I can't keep running from what fate has chosen for me. I have to do what it takes.
Thank you again… for everything.
And for becoming my first friend ever.
~ Kaia
Toma quietly opened his old trunk, took out a worn book he kept inside, and placed the letter between its pages. On the cover of the book, written in faded ink, were the words:
"One day, I'll sail the world."
This memory played like a dream in Arman's mind. All day, he couldn't stop thinking about it.
Everyone saw Toma as "the troublemaker,"
"that kid who's always fighting,"
"he's reckless…"
But no one knew that Toma cried silently at night when no one was around.
Lost in thought, he was suddenly snapped out of it by Nana's voice.
"You've been acting different lately. Something happen?"
Toma looked away and replied,
"No."
Nana smacked him on the head and said,
"Then why aren't you working? Don't you see how many people are in line?"
Toma groaned and made an annoyed face,
"Tch… fine,"
then finally got back to work.
Later that night, lying on his bed, he stared at the ceiling in the dark.
"I don't know what you went through. I don't even know why I'm here…
But I'm sorry.
I'll live better than before.
I'll do it for you too."