A/N: Heya people! I'm back again! :D I was debating whether or not I should post this or just continue it until the end, but I was just itching to get this out there! I hope it's not too boring since things kinda start to go forth from here. :/

Chapter 4, Part 1

I stared at the white paper written in an undistinguishable language as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"What a really magnificent paper!" I shouted sarcastically. I then looked at the culprit who sat Indian style across of me and had his brows furrowed as he cautiously try to separate pages of a book stuck together. This arsehole tricked me. I was completely fooled into his lair! Apparently, this stupid rabbit knocked over a glass full of water on these books the other night and he was so stupid he slept after knocking the glass over instead of drying them right away so the pages won't get stuck. I grumbled from the thought and without notice, I accidentally ripped the page I was working on halfway down. I remembered Lavi's little warning earlier about how these books were ancient and written by well-known philosophers and I could feel a sweat roll down the temple of my face. I slowly looked up to where Lavi was sitting and he was staring at me right in the eye. Fudge. You screwed up big time, Allen. I quickly turned my gaze anywhere but on those emerald orbs. I tried to cover my mistake with a lame, "Oh who could be eating really crispy chips in here huh? I could totally hear it!" excuse except we were the only ones in the library. Plus, the sound of paper tearing should be nothing like the crunch of chips. Only idiots would fall for that. I chuckled nervously when the other teen finally broke off his silence.

"Hey…" His tone was dead serious. He meant business. I responded to him, though I still kept my eyes off him.

"Y-yes?" I could almost hear my English accent. It would come out when I'm anxious or excited and obviously I was very anxious.

"Where you hiding the chips?" I heard from Lavi's direction. I slowly turned my head towards him, looking directly at him. I was hella sure 'Are you serious' was plastered all over my face.

"What? Did I miss something?" Lavi questioned, noticing the look on my face. Affected by his innocence in the matter, I gave up and just told Lavi what actually happened. He made me repeat a few times since my voice was really low. I didn't know what to feel if this became the reason of a broken friendship instead of what I was going to tell him later. Not that I was expecting that our friendship will be over...

Lavi was a bit panicked at first and he kept on rumbling how his grandfather will kill him. I honestly felt bad and told him I would take responsibility, but he insisted it was his fault in the first place for knocking a glass of water on the books. When he was checking what kind of book was ripped, he let out a relieved sigh. Turned out it was only a minor one. It was still special, but at least it wasn't as important as the others. After that, I suggested to work on something else instead because I didn't want to damage anymore books. Lavi told me I could put the newly arrived books on their respective shelves. I was glad I was taught how to arrange library books when I was in elementary. I honestly thought I would never be able to use that skill since I rarely ever read, but I couldn't be any more thankful right now. I left the ones I had no idea where to put inside the box. I would have to ask Lavi about those later...

...

"Allen." I heard a sweet voice call out behind me. I slowly turned around to face Maria san. She wore a sweet smile that almost reached her ears. "What are you doing here, Allen?" She spoke softly and her voice warmed me. Maria san said she was a volunteer at the orphanage. I didn't know what volunteer meant, but she always helped out around here.

"Nothing..." I answered silently and honestly. I didn't like playing with the other children because they would always tease me about my hair and my arm. Sometimes, their teasing would go out of hand, especially when the big kids were there, so I learned to stay away from the others. Whenever I'm missing, the workers would spread out to look for me, but they could never find me. Only Maria san knew where I would be.

"Hey Allen, You know today I went to..." Maria san would always talk about how her day went with a huge grin on her face. I would sit on her lap while looking up at her. I loved listening to her and Maria san was the only one I felt attached to. The first time we met, she asked about my arm and my hair. In the beginning, I thought she would be like the rest, but her reaction warmed me. She didn't seem disgusted. In fact, she looked really excited and interested in a good way. She told me how beautiful my arm and my hair were. Listening to her, I would end up asleep every time. By the time, I wake up it would be dark outside and I'd be lying on my bed. Every day was like that. At least on the days that Maria san would be at the orphanage otherwise, I would be hiding in the bushes until twilight or when I needed to go to the bathroom or kitchen.

Today, Maria san was supposed to come. I waited and waited on the bushes where she would always come find me, but the sun already went to sleep and she was still out of sight. Unknowingly, I fell asleep on the grass. It was already morning when I woke up and the workers were about to contact the police because they thought I was missing for real. Days and weeks passed until it was almost a month, but there was still no Maria san.I was making my way to the kitchen because I was starving when I passed by the worker's room and heard Maria san's name. I stopped from my tracks and tip toed just beside the slightly opened door to hear."...so young...bright future ahead...her..." I couldn't hear enough so I cautiously opened the door a little more.

"How could a father kill his own daughter?" I was stumped. Kill...

"They said it was an accident. Nonetheless, she still ended up dead. I hope she will rest well in heaven..." By this time, the workers realized I was at the door. I didn't run. I also didn't say anything. There were only tears coming out of my eyes. It was like one of the river that Maria san told me, how it flowed and flowed and flowed to the ends of the world. The workers knew how the two of us were close and they tried to comfort me. But I kept crying because my tears were just like that river.

A year passed and I was already ten. I tried to forget the mystery that surrounded Maria san's death and only left the beautiful memories. Today, I was supposed to get adopted by a man named Mana Walker. I hated it. I hated everything that had to do with parents or family ever since I found out about Maria san. The workers reassured me that Mister Walker was a very good man and that I shouldn't have to worry. Though, I still had my doubts.

Mister Walker arrived late. Not a good first impression. When he arrived, he had faint make up left on his face. What a strange man, I thought. He went directly to the office, but when he saw me sitting at the waiting area he smiled at me. After a few minutes, I saw him leave the office and thanked the director and the workers. He walked towards me, still wearing that smile he greeted me with, earlier. It kind of irked me. His smile seemed so welcoming. But, I wasn't planning to get comfortable with my new family. Mister Walker introduced himself while I stayed quiet. He chuckled, and then led me to his car. I saw a dog on the window of the car. It was really excited to see us and it started barking and circling inside, with the little space the car provided him. I must say, I was quite happy to see a dog and I think Mister Walker found out because I heard a little laugh coming from his side. I frowned. He was way comfortable at this situation. Are all adopters like him?

Mister Walker helped me with the seatbelt since I was lost on how this thing worked. I sat at the back and patted the dog while Mister Walker started the car. I was really curious what kind of dog he had. The dog had long, really pretty golden fur. It almost reached my size. I looked up at him, wondering if I should ask him. He noticed me staring and asked me if there was something I wanted to say.

My voice was really quiet and I stuttered a bit, but I continued anyway. "U-uhm... Mister Walker... What kind of dog is he and... name?"

"And here I thought you were finally going to ask about me! Timcanpy, you beat me!" He laughed. His laugh filled the whole car and the dog began barking as if to respond to him. When both of them have calmed down, Mister Walker said that his name was Timcanpy. Timcanpy was a two year old, golden retriever dog that he had gotten from a friend.

"Allen?"

"You can call me anything you want from uncle, dad or even Mana just not Mister Walker, alright?"

"...Mister Mana?" From where I was sitting I could see he had his brows furrowed as reaction to what I called him. I giggled... Just a bit! I was still holding onto my don't-open-up plan after all. I tried again, this time I omitted 'Mister'.

"That sounds better, doesn't it?" He smiled at Timcanpy and me from his car mirror.

Suddenly, I had a random spark of interest. Why did Mis- I mean, Mana adopt me out of... all the normal looking children in the orphanage? I had to ask him. What did he see in me?

"Mana?" He responded with a hum, briefly looking at me from the mirror."Why... Why did you choose me?"

"That's a good question." He grinned at me.

"Hmm... I think it's because... you look like an angel?"

A/N: Really sorry if it became too gloomy or boring. I just needed a sad background story for Allen. Cos you know, it's Allen and somehow he can't have a happy past. xD

Also! Thank youuu so much to the people who continue to support me! (eventhough, I basically left you guys hanging for two years!) I'm really overwhelmed with the support I'm getting! See you next chapter! There's going to be a lot more happening then! Hehe ^^