Masato walked toward the orphanage door with Kurai. He looked at Kurai and said in a trembling voice:
— I'm sorry, Kurai. I know this is my fault, but I got scared of Father and couldn't tell him the truth.
At that moment he thought:
If he believes this, I'll have completed a big step in the plan I have with Father, but there's still another important step left.
— Don't worry, Masato. That's what friends are for, right?
— Yeah, that's true, Kurai. Hey, can you wait a moment, please? —he said, releasing Kurai's shoulder.
— Okay, but don't take too long, Masato.
He went to his room where Hana, Sota, and Riku were lying on their beds, and said:
— Hey guys, can you come to the village around noon, specifically to the fruit shop? Please, I want to show you something amazing.
— What is it you want to show us, Masato? —Riku interrupted.
— I can't tell you now. It's something really unusual —he exclaimed.
— Alright, Masato, we'll be there.
Without further ado, Masato said goodbye and went back to the orphanage door, where Kurai was waiting.
— Let's go, Masato. I have to apologize to get this over with quickly —he said, smiling brightly.
— Yes, let's go quickly.
The two went to the village where the fruit shop was, but they arrived very early. The sign said it opened at 11, and they got there at 10. Kurai exclaimed:
— Oh no, bad luck.
— Yeah, bad luck. What if we go to the river while we wait for the shop to open?
— Good idea! —Masato said, smiling and heading toward the river.
— Masato looked and smiled. How does Kurai never stop smiling? It's a bit annoying.
Arriving at the river, they sat on a large rock by the riverbank. Kurai said:
— Masato, can I ask you a small question?
— Sure, anything, Kurai.
— How did you get to the orphanage? I've always wondered.
— Masato replied seriously, I didn't expect you to ask me that, but I'll tell you.
I arrived at the orphanage when I was seven. Before that, I had a very close family. We lived in one of the large cities where humans and dwarves lived. My mother was a regular human, but my father was a very smart dwarf. They both loved theater in the big city of Forgen, so they enrolled me in acting classes. Since I can remember, I've been acting, and I loved it. I still remember the applause from the theater audience, and my first main role, I think I was four years old. Everything was going well, but it all collapsed when an accident happened to my parents. They worked at the city's main power plant. On the second floor, there was an overload, and the whole floor exploded. Many people were dead or injured, affecting even the first floor. I was in acting class, and when I heard the news, I ran to the hospital where my parents were. I found them in bed, with severe burns. I was very scared but wanted to help them no matter what. I spent all the money I had earned from acting to help them recover, but it didn't work. A month later, my parents had passed away. I was left without parents, money, and the ability to act. As a final act of kindness, my acting teacher took me to the city's outskirts. We walked all day to reach the nearest village orphanage. Then he left me there and said:
— I can't take care of you now, but in the future, I will come to get you.
I believed him. I stayed there for half a year, but since he never came, I lost hope. The village was the closest to the city, so many homeless children came, and the leftovers were sent to other orphanages. That's how I arrived here. The first person who helped me was Father, and that's why I care for him so much. Well, I've talked a lot, right? Now it's your turn, Kurai. How did you get to the orphanage?
Kurai was speechless after hearing Masato's story, but letting out a small laugh, he said:
— You know, Masato, my story isn't much. I've lived here as long as I can remember. My mother told me she found me in a basket at the orphanage door, and that's it. Nothing tragic or special.
— Masato interrupted, Kurai, I thought you had something more interesting to tell, but I like you a lot anyway, so I'll give you a bracelet as a symbol of our great friendship.
Kurai, surprised, accepted it, staring at the bracelet, mesmerized by the red gem, and said:
— Amazing, Masato. I really thank you. I've never received a gift before —hugging him tightly.
— I'm glad you liked it, Kurai —Masato said, gently pushing him away, slightly annoyed by the hug—. I think it's almost noon.
— Yeah, we should hurry to resolve the problem with a proper apology.
On the way to the shop, Kurai couldn't stop looking at the bracelet. Elsewhere, Father was talking to a hooded merchant.
He seems really strong with that big body, he thought.
— Hey, I came to do business, not to be stared at —the merchant broke the silence.
— Sorry —he said, bowing his head.
— You mentioned you had someone of the dragon race, right?
— Yes, that's true. I'm not lying. I want you to take him, I don't care about the money.
— Really? You'll just let me take him? —the merchant said, laughing.
— Yes, I don't care. The boy looks like a demon, which upset me a lot. When he grows up, it will give a bad image to the orphanage.
— Alright, I'll offer ten silver coins.
— I accept! —Father shouted.
— Hey, don't shout. They can hear you —the merchant said, extending his hand.
— Sorry, I'm just happy. Thanks for understanding, and also for the money.
— You're welcome. When can I take the dragon boy? —the merchant asked.
— Today. Just wait for me in this alley —Father replied.
When Kurai and Masato arrived at the shop, Kurai bowed his head and exclaimed loudly:
— I'm sorry, ma'am. I swear it won't happen again.
— The lady nodded. Alright, I accept your apology, young man.
When he raised his hand to shake hers, Masato tapped the gem on the bracelet three times, and beautiful colored flames spread to the lady's hair. She screamed in desperation:
— Cursed child! What have you done to me?! Ahhh!
The others arrived, horrified at Kurai's act. They shouted:
— Kurai, you're crazy! This is going too far! —pushing him to the ground.
Sota and Hana helped the lady put out the fire in her hair. Riku spoke to Masato:
— Is this what you wanted to show us, Masato?
— Of course not, but I don't know what happened. Suddenly, Kurai unleashed his dragon fire and tried to burn the lady.
— Alright, take Kurai back to the orphanage to talk to Father about this terrible act. I'll stay and help the lady. Take it Hana and Sota with you.
— Okay —Hana and Sota said, angrily shouting at Kurai to get up and come with them, grabbing him by the shoulders and forcing him to go.
— Guys, I didn't do it, I swear! —Kurai said, terrified.
While they were taking him, they found Father in the village. They called out from afar. Father approached, concerned:
— What happened?
— Kurai almost burned a lady.
— What?! Really, Kurai? —Kurai looked at the ground, silent.
— I guess it's true. Don't worry. I have a solution. I always knew Kurai would cause a big commotion, so we'll take him to a kind man who can take care of him.
— Surprised but firm, they asked —Alright, Father, where should we leave Kurai?
— Come. The man is waiting.
When they arrived, Father grabbed Kurai's hands and handed him to the merchant. The man put a sack over Kurai's head. Hana and Sota, frightened by the man's strength, watched and angrily shouted:
— You deserve it! The lady didn't do anything! She was just working!
Kurai, about to close his eyes, saw Masato through the sack and heard:
— You were never part of our family. You were never my friend.
After that, Kurai fainted. The merchant, holding the sack, approached Father and shook his hand mockingly:
— Thanks for the gift, little Father.
Without further ado, the merchant carried the sack with one hand, walked to the edge of the village, and left.
What awaits Kurai?