A beautiful baby girl was born into the world just as the rain began to fall. Sadly, someone abandoned her in a trash bin in a slum area.
"Whose baby is this? She's so beautiful." A middle-aged woman found her. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the shivering infant. The baby's umbilical cord was still attached, and the stench of fresh blood lingered.
The woman then took the baby home. In her hands, the child would feel the warmth of a loving mother.
***
"Edmund!" the woman shouted while pounding on her door, but there was no reply.
An old man in a raincoat passed by. "Your husband left in a hurry, carrying Felix."
The woman asked, "Do you know where he went, sir?"
"No idea. I didn't get the chance to ask." The man glanced at the baby in her arms. "Whose baby is that?"
She smiled. "I found her in a trash bin at the market on my way home."
The man slapped his forehead. "Kids these days are unbelievable. Making babies is so easy for them, but then they just throw them away," said him.
The woman only smiled softly and gazing at the baby.
"Well then, I'm off to buy some mosquito repellent."
"Alright, sir."
Then, that woman placed the tiny baby girl into her fruit basket and covered her with her jacket.
After the old man left, a middle-aged man appeared, carrying a five-year-old boy on his back.
"You're back, Anna?" the man asked.
"Yes, Edmund. Where have you been?" the woman, Anna, asked.
"Felix and I saw some young men from Class E being taken away by those rich folks."
"What month is it now? Why are they already taking the youths?"
"Have you forgotten? It will be July in just a week."
"Oh God, I almost forgot, I've been too caught up in work. Who are the representatives from Class F?"
"They say it's Kara and Xavier." Edmund glanced at his wife's large basket when he noticed a slight movement inside. He quickly pulled out his pocketknife and approached it.
"What are you doing?" Anna stopped him.
"Something's moving in your basket."
Anna blocked her husband's hand, then she opened the basket herself.
Edmund's eyes filled with tears at the sight of the tiny infant. The baby stirred, opened her eyes, and smiled at him. "Whose baby is this?"
"I don't know. I found her in a trash bin near the market. Actually, I found three babies. One was already dead, and another was taken by a fish seller."
Edmund put Felix down from his back, then gently lifted the baby into his arms. "She's perfect, Ann."
"Yes, I feel the same," Anna replied. "So, can I adopt another child? I promise, Rain will be the last."
"Rain?"
"Yes. I named her Rain because I found her during the rain," Anna said.
Edmund nodded. "Alright."
Anna kissed her husband with joy. Finally, she could adopt another child.
***
Eighteen years later ...
Rain had grown into a beautiful young girl. Her eyes were brown and her hair was long. She was as strong as steel. She and her brother often helped their parents to sell fruit at the market. Besides being a skilled vendor, Rain was among the brightest students in Class F.
"Felix, Rain, come here, you must eat!" their mother called while preparing food for her adopted children.
Felix and Rain hurried to her side, where a bowl of plain porridge awaited them.
"What? Porridge? Again?" Rain asked.
"Don't complain. Eat what's there. We must be grateful," Felix said, immediately digging in.
Rain bowed her head and began eating as well.
"If I have extra money, I promise I'll buy you both some eggs."
"Really, Mom?" Rain asked to her mother hopefully.
"Yes, so eat well. That way, you'll grow strong and one day work in a more comfortable place," their mother said.
"By the way, where's Father, Mom?" Felix asked.
"He's selling fruit in Class D," she replied.
Suddenly, sirens wailed—the Elite Troops had arrived. Today was the last day of June, the time when every class had to send their representatives to fight against others.
"Finish your food. Then go join the crowd. Remember, you must split up and stay hidden in the middle of the group," their mother instructed calmly.
Both children nodded.
***
Rain and Felix followed their mother's orders. They blended into the throng of Class F residents. For years, they had done this, and each time, they had escaped selection.
In front of them stood soldiers in cream-colored uniforms, each carrying a long rifle. These were the Elite Troops, named so because they served the wealthy upper classes. To join them required extraordinary strength and intelligence.
"One day, I'll stand among them. I'll be one of them," Rain thought, her eyes fixed on the rows of soldiers with star emblems on their chests.
Tap, tap, tap.
Someone tapped Rain's shoulder. She quickly turned. "Verra?"
"Where's your brother?" Verra asked, scanning for Felix.
Rain shrugged. "I don't know. Probably with his friends."
A handsome young man stepped onto the stage, flanked by the Elite Troops. His blue eyes and blond hair, along with his tall, sturdy frame, marked him clearly as someone from the Elite Class, not from Class F.
"If that man were from here, he'd already have a thousand girls chasing after him," Verra whispered.
"But he's not from here," Rain replied sharply. Then she eyed Verra, who was still staring at the young man. "Hey, don't forget—you're already Felix's girlcfriend. You'll marry him soon. Don't you dare betray him," Rain warned.
Verra blushed. "Yeah, yeah."
The young man stepped forward and tested the microphone. "Test, test, test. One, two, three. One, two, three."
Instantly, the people of Class F lined up neatly. Rain scanned the rows and found Felix standing with his friends at the front.
"Good morning, everyone," the young man said, his voice smooth and commanding.
"Good morning!"
"I am a representative of the Elite Class. I will now read the rules for the Star Game selection. After that, we will choose one pair among you to participate in the game against players from Class A through Class F."
One of the soldiers brought him a scroll on a golden tray.
The young man began reading. "Star Game. First, each class must send two representatives—male, female, or mixed. Second, anyone who refuses will be replaced by a random selection from the Elite Class. Third, there will be only one winner. The winner will earn an honorary title and a golden star as a reward. They will also gain a better life than before." He paused, scanning the crowd. "Now, raise your hand if you wish to participate."
A muscular hand shot up into the air. Its owner stepped forward.
"I want to participate."
***