Alyssa went to Dr. Tachibana's office and sat on one of the many chairs in front of it.
Most of them were empty, with only two occupied.
On one, a man in his 40s was sitting, apparently waiting for a consultation.
On the other one, a small boy, about 10 years old, was sitting and looking at the floor.
The little girl smiled and went to him, then sat down on the chair to his right.
'Hi!' she greeted him.
'Uhm… hello' he shyly responded.
'I'm Alyssa! What's your name?'
'It's… Joshua'
'Nice to meet you! Why are you here?'
'Well… I had a surgery a month ago, and my mom said I should be examined…'
'Really? So did I! Were you sick?'
'Yeah, I was'
A few moments of silence.
'What about you?' Joshua finally spoke.
'Oh… I was hurt'
'I see…'
Alyssa looked around.
'Why are you alone here, Joshua? Aren't your mom and dad with you?'
'Uhm… No, my mom's at work…'
'What about your dad?'
'Well… I don't have a dad'
'You don't?' she jumped.
'No. He and my mom separated when I was very little'
'Oh… That's so sad'
'What about you, Alyssa? Where are your parents?'
'Oh! Well… I also never knew them'
'You never knew either of them?' Joshua opened his eyes wide.
'No. I spent most of my life in an orphanage'
'Aw… That's even sadder than simply not having a dad…'
'But it's okay!' the little girl laughed. 'Naomi adopted me! She takes great care of me!'
'Naomi…'
'Yeah! She's like a mom to me! She's so nice!'
'Oh… Uhm… I'm glad you're happy' Joshua smiled.
In this moment, the door opened, and the man (who had apparently entered Tomoe's office without the children noticing) left, followed by Dr. Tachibana herself.
'Joshua, come on in!' she looked at the boy and smiled.
'Well… I have to go now… Sorry'
'It's okay! Naomi will be here soon!' Alyssa laughed. 'Let's play together sometime!'
'Sure!'