"I never thought that the famous pilot, Takashi Shirogane, would try to adopt someone." Mason told Shiro, chewing on a pen.

"And I never thought that you, a gifted scientist, would end up running a foster program, Mr. Pines." Shiro shot back, a slight smile penetrating his lips.

"Fair point." Mason nodded, a smile cracking his lips. "So, how many kids are you planning on fostering or adopting or whatever you pilots do?"

"Um, just one." Shiro blinked. "I don't even know if he's in this program."

"I don't understand."

"I…it's hard to explain."

Mason chuckled, shaking his head. "I've studied so many things that are hard to explain. So try me."

"Um. So, I believe in a God, and I think he sent me a vision on which kid to adopt. I think he's here, but I don't actual know."

"Ah." Mason nodded. "Good for you, Shiro. Anyhow, here are the files." Mason pushed over a large book full of files. "See if you can find the kid."

Shiro flipped it open, starting at page one.

ABIGAIL L. FOOTSWORTH read the first file, with a picture beneath of a young girl with brown hair and blue eyes, freckles dotting her face.

Shiro flipped to the next page, where a boy with blonde hair smiled up at him.

Shiro skimmed through the book, pausing once he got to the Ks.

A boy with shockingly purple eyes, black hair in the style of a mullet, and in a red sweatshirt stared back at him, his mouth tugged into an unhappy frown. Shiro's lips twitched into a smile. Keith looked the same as he remembered, and the exact same as what God had set in his mind. This was the child God had set into Shiro's mind, and he was determined to Foster this child.

KEITH AKIRA KOGANE

Born October 23rd 2334 in Tuscon, Arizona

Age; 11

Gender; Male

Medical Disorder; mutated DNA, rare case of Jaundice

Definition; He's a real-life demon. BEWARE.

Occupation; Foster care

Shiro placed the file on the table, blinking at Mason. "This is the kid I'd like to adopt."

Mason looking the file through, his eyes widening. "Listen, Shiro. It describes him as a demon. I've had experience with this sort of thing, so just be careful."

"Of course. But it's not like he's actually a demon, though." Shiro chuckled. "I'm sure it's just his attitude."

"Probably. People exaggerate a lot." Mason admitted. "But my wife, with the help of the past foster people, writes these files. And she's a tough person. It takes a lot for her to call someone a demon. So perhaps this kid really is one. Be careful."

Shiro shook his head in confusion. "It says that he has a genetic mutation, so that might be part of it."

"Let me call up the family who has him in foster care." Mason picked up the phone, typing in the phone number before holding it to his ear.

After a few moments of him talking back and forth to whoever was on the opposite line, he hung up, smiling. "They say they're okay with you going right away to their house. They're across town, so my wife'll drive you." Mason informed Shiro. "She'll be waiting at the front desk."

Shiro shook Mason's hand as he stood, beaming. "Thank you, sir, but I think I'm fine."

"Anytime. But remember…trust no one." Mason warned, his frown deepening.

"Dark, don't you think?"

"In this crazy world, you gotta be ready."

"Okay." Shiro nodded, pivoting and leaving the room.

"So, when will I be meeting Keith?" Asked Shiro, glancing around the large living room.

"Soon." Connie set down the cup in her hand, frowning. "Steven is with him now. That kid needs a good home. I hope you can offer it to him."

"So…what's he like?"

"A nightmare." Connie groaned, slapping her palm to her forehead. "Keith spends all day in his room, playing with knives."

"Metaphorically?"

"No." Connie sunk lowered into her chair, groaning. "He plays with a lot of them, but is favorite is a family heirloom, so we can't just confiscate it. Steven, when he was younger, hand a sword that was an heirloom, so we get that. But…" Connie sighed, smiling at Shiro pathetically. "Keith might be lying. He's a known liar. If only he was as innocent as Steven was at his age…"

"Well, I plan to adopt him. I'm not sure about all the legal terms, but I'm going to try."

"Ha! Even if you're not allowed to, don't stop trying! Break the law if you need to!" Connie giggled, shaking her head. "Well, be nice to him. He needs somebody nice to care for him." Connie glanced at the doorway, grinning. "Ah. There's Steven now. It Keith ready to meet Mr. Shirogane?"

"You bet!" Steven gave her two thumbs up, laughing slightly. "Well, not really. He doesn't want to see anyone, but I managed to convince him. "Com'n, Mr. Shirogane."

"You can call me Shiro." Shiro told him, rising.

"Then call me Steven!" The older man laughed, gesturing down the hall behind him. "Keith's down there, last door on the hallway. Be nice to him, okay? He needs somebody nice to care for him."

Shiro glanced at the couple, recognizing the same phrase from Connie a few moments before.

He shook off the feeling, and entered the room, glancing around. The red curtains were closed, and the lights were turned off.

The room was unusually tidy, an archery target with a knife drilled into it beside the door. Everything else seemed simple and unused.

Shiro glanced at the bed, and met the young child's eyes for the first time in a few weeks.