Teïkõ clenched his small fists on his knees. The car rattled over the uneven road, and the cold wind slipped through the slightly open window. Everything felt strange—the trees flying past, the unfamiliar smells, the faint rumble of the engine. And the man sitting beside him… he had never seen him before.
"Wh… where are we going?" Teïkõ whispered, his voice barely audible.
The man gave him a calm, almost smiling glance. "You'll see soon enough. Everything will be fine, Teïkõ. Until you remember."
Teïkõ blinked, confused. Remember… what? He shook his head slightly and curled inward. The road seemed endless, and each bump of the car echoed in his chest.
---
When the car finally stopped, Teïkõ's heart raced. The orphanage wasn't huge, but large windows reflected the late morning sun, filling the yard with a golden glow. He hesitated on the steps, unsure of what to do next.
A small blur of energy collided with his vision. A boy with messy blond hair and sparkling eyes came running straight toward him.
"Hey! You're new, right?" the boy shouted, bouncing in place. "C'mon, I'll help with your bags!"
Teïkõ froze, unsure how to react. The boy was already grabbing one of the small suitcases.
"I'm… Simon," the boy said, grinning from ear to ear. "And you?"
"I… I'm Teïkõ," the boy replied quietly, his voice formal, precise.
Simon clapped his hands. "Alright! Teïkõ, you're in luck. I'm the best bag-carrying helper ever! Follow me!" He started marching toward the building, swinging Teïkõ's bag with one hand like it weighed nothing.
Teïkõ's lips twitched. He had never met someone so loud, so energetic… so impossible. And yet, strangely, he felt a spark of curiosity. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad here after all.
Dame Elisabeth was waiting at the entrance, her warm smile putting the children at ease.
"Hello, little one!" she said gently. "I'm Dame Elisabeth. Welcome to your new home."
Teïkõ straightened slightly, his posture rigid, and spoke with care. "Hello… my name is Teïkõ Sokudo."
Dame Elisabeth tilted her head, amused by the formality in his voice. "Nice to meet you, Teïkõ. You'll be safe here, and you'll learn quickly how things work."
Simon tugged at Teïkõ's sleeve. "C'mon! Let's get your things upstairs! I'll show you your room!"
Inside the room, Simon leapt onto the bed, spinning around in excitement.
"Whoa! You're so serious! But don't worry, we're gonna have fun!" he shouted.
Teïkõ placed his bag on the floor and looked at his traditional Japanese clothes, neatly folded. He hesitated for a moment before taking the set of clothes the orphanage provided—a simple T-shirt and blue jeans. Carefully, he changed, looking at his reflection. The new outfit felt strange, foreign… like a piece of him had been left behind.
Simon clapped and jumped again. "Whoa! Now you look like a real kid from here! But you're still waaay too serious!"
Teïkõ nodded slowly. "It is… necessary to adapt."
After settling in, the two boys went down to the school building. Simon practically dragged Teïkõ by the hand, bouncing in excitement.
"Come on! Hurry up! The classroom is right over there! Bet you'll get scolded if you don't move fast enough!"
Teïkõ walked steadily, observing the other children. Some ran and shouted, others laughed and played tag. He noted everything carefully, his small mind quietly analyzing. When he stepped into the classroom, a chill ran down his spine—not cold, not tired… something else, something he didn't understand.
The morning lessons passed quickly. Simon whispered jokes to anyone who would listen, making faces behind the teacher's back.
"Hey, Teïkõ! Do you know what happens if you mix red and blue?" Simon whispered dramatically.
"I… presume it produces purple," Teïkõ replied calmly.
Simon gasped and threw his hands in the air. "Whoa! You actually know stuff! I thought you just stared at people all day!"
Teïkõ felt his cheeks warm. He wasn't used to being noticed, but he realized he didn't mind it entirely.
Art class came next. Children scrambled for brushes and paint, filling the room with chatter and laughter.
"Come on, Teïkõ! Let's draw something epic! I bet my dragon will be cooler than yours!" Simon exclaimed, dipping his brush into a bright red.
Teïkõ frowned slightly but picked up a brush and began sketching a careful, small figure. Simon peeked over and whistled.
"Whoa! You're actually… good! My dragon will eat yours for breakfast!"
Teïkõ only nodded. "It is… necessary to do one's best."
The teacher, noticing his concentration, smiled. "Very detailed, Teïkõ. You have an interesting perspective."
Lunch was chaos. Children ran to grab seats and stacks of food, giggling and bumping into each other. Simon dragged Teïkõ to a table by the window.
"Sit here! You need a partner for the best sandwich strategy!" Simon said, shoving crackers toward him.
Teïkõ examined the food, unsure at first, then sat down. He observed Simon and the others, noting how naturally they interacted. Even in play, Simon seemed to understand people instinctively—a quality Teïkõ silently admired.
In the afternoon, physical education began. Simon ran circles around the other kids, laughing hysterically.
"Come on, Teïkõ! You can't hide behind the wall forever!" Simon shouted, pointing at him.
Teïkõ sighed but took a deep breath and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Simon, of course, jumped over him dramatically.
"You're serious! But not bad! You'll survive gym class!" Simon laughed, collapsing onto the floor in a mock faint.
The last period was storytelling. Children gathered around as the teacher read tales of heroes and monsters. Teïkõ listened intently, eyes wide. Simon nudged him.
"Bet I could beat that monster!" he whispered.
Teïkõ raised an eyebrow. "I… doubt it is advisable to underestimate the dangers."
Simon rolled his eyes dramatically. "Boring! You need some fun, Teïkõ!"
Even though he didn't fully understand Simon's exaggerations, Teïkõ felt… lighter. The laughter, chaos, and small mischief made this strange new place feel… almost like a home.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of classes, children scrambled to pack. Simon grabbed Teïkõ's bag like it weighed nothing.
"Come on, slowpoke! Tomorrow we're exploring the whole playground! There's a secret spot I found yesterday!" Simon shouted, bouncing on his heels.
Teïkõ allowed a small smile, his seriousness softening. He followed Simon down the corridor, clutching his bag. For the first time that day, he felt… almost like he belonged.
But even as he walked, a strange shiver ran down his spine. Something in the air felt… off, like the world was waiting for him. Teïkõ didn't know why, but he sensed that his story—the one he had yet to remember—was only just beginning.