Chapter 20: Christmas in Eagle City! (Part 2)
December 25th...
"So this is the orphanage where you grew up in your life..." Kappei exclaimed as it cuts to him and Emma outside the place. Laura just dropped them off as they walked towards the building with their boots troding on the snow. "Tell me something Kappei, that large present you have on your hands is the one you talked about a few days ago right?" Emma asked.
"Yup! You'll find out soon enough on what's inside." He replied as she knocked on the door. Seconds later, it opened up revealing a little girl. "Huh? Emma?!"
"Hello Betty. It's been months since I left."
She gasped and ran off. Seconds later, "There she is!" A group of children showed up as they all gathered around her as they went inside.
"Emma you're back!"
"How are you?"
"We missed you so much!"
Being the oldest among the orphans, Emma cared for them like they're her little brothers and sisters. Kappei and Gumchi smiled at their moment when, "Hey Emma...who is that boy?" One of the boys asked.
"Kappei. He's a friend of mine." Emma answered.
This made the kids look at him for a second. They then looked Emma for a second. And back to him, back to her, back to him again, back to her again and the next thing it happened, "Is he your boyfriend?" Betty asked.
"Wh-What?! N-No! No! We're friends! Sure he's cute and handsome and-no wait! I'm serious! Serious! We're friends! We're just best friends only!" Emma was so flustered by the question that she jumbled up a bit as the orphans now have raised eyebrows regarding her and Kappei.
And then, "Hi! Hi! Gumchee! Gumchee!" Gumchi jumped down as the kids gasped and, "So cute!"
"I want to hug him!"
"I want to cuddle him!"
They ran to Gumchi and started fighting over him as they push and shove each other when, "Alright, enough already!" Emma ordered firmly as the kids let go of Gumchi who looks a bit like he's almost pulled apart.
Just then, "Ah Emma! Welcome back and it's good to see you." 3 nuns known to be the caretakers for this orphanage appeared as, "And you brought friends we see."
"Hello there. My name is Kappei and this is Gumchi." Kappei greeted them with Gumchi waving to them.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Caretaker Martha. This is Caretaker Mary and this is Caretaker Magdelene." Martha is the pale-skinned woman, Mary is the fair-skinned woman and Magdelene is the tan-skinned woman. (was able to confirm that there are 3 of those nuns in the anime and decided to give them names)
Kappei then shook their hands as the children had Emma come with them to play. "Some orphanage you got. It's even named, the Chapel." Kappei described.
"How about I show you around." Caretaker Martha then gave him a tour of the place. In this building, there's the large playroom with a TV, a large toy box and the Christmas tree is also there, the large bedroom where all the orphans sleep including the empty bed where Emma slept before entering the academy followed by high school, the dining room, the kitchen, the bathroom, a classroom, a small bedroom for the 3 caretakers, the large storeroom where food supplies are kept and even so, the presents are all stored inside and Kappei left the large gift in there and finally, the office. (Browsed through 2 episodes to know more about the orphanage Emma grew up in and planned additional content)
After the tour...
"So what are your opinions about this place?" Caretaker Martha asked him and they're in the small office.
"It looks great! Enough to shelter all those children." Kappei replied. "How old are they?"
"They're currently aged 8 to 11 years old. During Emma's time in the WNA Academy, they're around 5 to 8 years old." She answered his question as he looked around and noticed some pictures. "Hey...is that Emma as a baby?"
"She was the first one to be raised here by us. A few years later, we began taking in other children with no homes and parents and being the oldest, she leads by example and they look up to her." Caretaker Martha explained.
"How did you come across her?" He asked her.
"When the orphanage first opened, it was during the night when the 3 of us heard crying and when we opened the door, she was in basket, wrapped with a blanket and right in front of us crying loudly and it was such a sad sight to see." She answered.
This made Kappei shed a tear. "What truly happened to her parents..." He wondered as, "You seemed troubled. Is there anything disturbing you?" She asked.
"Nothing much. Just like her, my parents...well...I never knew much about them." He revealed to her.
"Intriguing...how long have you known Emma?" She asked.
"We didn't interact much in the WNA Academy but ever since we met again at Advanced WNA High, things had changed between us. We grew closer and lead our class to overcome all trials and our time together was precious." He answered.
"I see now. You really are a good boy aren't you? You have a pure and selfless heart to stay by her side and take care of her. Consider me greatly impressed." Caretaker Martha commended him when a knocking sound took effect.
Kappei went to answer it as Caretaker Mary is waiting outside. "Martha. We have a problem."
"CLICK!"
"Make it double and I can't see in the dark..." She replied when, "FWOOSH!"
"Incredible..." Caretaker Martha was astonished for Kappei took the initiative and ignited his left hand with fire big enough to light up in the darkness. "Sounds like you got a blackout."
"That happens sometimes during the winter season. And according to weather forecast, a heavy snowstorm will be storming around the city." Caretaker Mary stated.
"Okay...let's first check on Emma and the children." Kappei suggested.
"They're in the playroom. I'll take you there and keep the fire burning." Caretaker Mary told him as the 3 of them left the office.
In the playroom...
"It's so dark and scary..."
"Someone help us..."
"I'm afraid... it happens often..."
In the darkness, "Don't worry. We'll be safe. Just stay with me and don't wander off yourself." Emma assured to the children when they heard the door open and they can see fire.
At first, the children trembled thinking that there's a scary monster until, "Emma! Are you inside?"
"Kappei?" She called out as the fire on his hand grew larger enough to light up the room. "Thank goodness the children are safe." said Caretaker Mary as she went to check on them.
"How did he do that? Is he like you?" Betty asked.
"Yes. We both have powers awakened in us. Mine was early. His was a few months ago." Emma answered her question and this made the children look at him with awe as Kappei asked Caretaker Martha. "Do you have a circuit breaker?"
It now cuts to the storeroom as through the fire lighting up in the darkness, Caretaker Martha showed him the circuit breaker. Opening it, "I can't tell how the blackout was caused...but I can do this!"
Kappei channeled some lightning on his other hand and placed it on the circuit breaker. "What are you doing? You'll get yourself electrocuted!" She exclaimed.
"Trust me on this one! Here goes nothing!" Lightning bolts zapped into the breaker as sparks zapped around and seconds later, "CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!"
"Power is back!" She exclaimed as Kappei let go and cancelled his powers. "You're truly gifted. Emma regards you highly." Caretaker Mary told him.
"Thank you. She told you about me?" He asked.
"Of course she did. We were in the kitchen making preparations and she told us everything about you when we encountered an issue. She went to check on the children while I went to find Martha and it was at this timing that the blackout occurred." She replied. "And speaking of the kitchen..."
In there, Caretaker Magdelene has started preparing dinner as the other 2 caretakers and Kappei entered the area. "It might take some time due to the blackout but we'll whip something up for the children." She told them.
"I'll help as much as I can!" Kappei volunteered and Emma showed up. "Nice timing! Let's do this!"
A montage shows the 5 of them working together. Kappei and Emma are mashing potatoes together, Caretaker Mary is stirring a pot of stew, Caretaker Magdelene is stir-frying vegetables and Caretaker Martha is roasting pieces of chicken in different variants. Everyone toiled together and Kappei even used his powers to boost the cooking fire a bit and splashed some water on the floor for some cleaning up.
Later on...
It now cuts to the dining room as everyone gathered for the Christmas dinner. "Where's Kappei and Emma?" Betty asked. "Don't forget Gumchi." A girl reminded her.
"They'll join us shortly," Caretaker Magdelene and it zooms to the playroom as Kappei, Emma and Gumchi are bringing in all the Christmas presents laying them below and around the Christmas tree. "Okay. That's the last of them." said Emma.
"Agreed. Let's meet up with the others in the dining room." said Kappei as they left the room. They soon arrived as everyone sat down together.
On the table, there's roast chicken, mashed potatoes with a bowl of gravy, buttered peas, diced carrots and corn kernels, a pot of cream of chicken stew, roast beef with onions and broccoli and butter rolls. For drinks, there's pitchers of water, apple juice and orange juice.
"First, we say our grace." Caretaker Martha told everyone and they got into prayer mode including Kappei and Gumchi as they observed and followed along. Once done, everyone started feasting together.
Kappei and Emma are seated together as they served some of the children sitting beside them first before themselves. Even Gumchi was patient enough to wait and once it's time, Kappei gave him his portion.
"Look at them. All having a great time." Kappei spoke to Emma as he drank some of his orange juice.
"Yeah...I've always treasured those moments before the academy." She spoke back as she ate a piece of beef.
"Happee! Happee!" said Gumchi as he drank up his bowl of stew in one go. Some kids cheered at his action and Kappei served him another bowl because he nudged him for another.
Some time later, it's time for dessert as everyone has a bowl of ice cream. 3 scoops ofchocolate, strawberry and cookies n cream respectively. "Icee Creamee!" Gumchi cheered as everyone enjoyed the treat.
"Hey Emma. After this, we unveil the Christmas miracle right?"
"Correct Kappei. The children are gonna love the gifts."
Interestingly, Betty has been observing their interactions and is more curious about them now. (Not to mention she is the only named orphan in the anime...)
After dinner and dessert...
"Okay everyone. Please follow us to the playroom." Emma called out to the children as she and Kappei lead the way with the children following them and the caretakers and Gumchi followed behind.
When they arrived, "Look! Christmas presents!" A boy pointed out and in an instant, the children cheered and ran to the pile and started checking out for their presents.
"All according to the list." Emma thought as they opened them and the room was filled with the children's joy and laughter.
"Emma! I got this toy robot as I wanted!" A boy called out to her and he's holding onto the toy.
"Look Emma! The doll that I wanted is in my hands!" A girl called out.
"I finally got it! Yay! I got the 500 piece jigsaw puzzle!" A boy cheered in elation.
Everyone smiled at the children's happiness and likewise, the caretakers. "We kept in touch with Ms Warren ever since our first meeting. She often helps us with the plans such as this." Caretaker Martha told her when Betty noticed it, "Hey...this large present looks interesting."
The kids have gathered before it as, "Well what are you waiting for? Open it." Kappei urged the kids and once they opened it. "No way! Beyblades and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards! This is so awesome!" A boy exclaimed and in an instant, the children started playing with them as Kappei joined the fun teaching and guiding on how to play with the toys and cards especially when he generated a bit of wind around the beyblades enabling them to spin longer.
"Cool...Kappei you're one selfless person..." Emma thought with a dreamy smile and the caretakers noticed it. Gumchi cheered and joined in as the children gamed together for fun along with their gifts.
"My room has some extras I could give away." Kappei told Emma when he rejoined her. "After all, it's better to give than to receive right?"
"Indeed. We made their Christmas time the best." said Emma as they watched Betty and a boy launch beyblades onto the bey stadium for some action while 3 children checked out some rare monster cards.
Some time later after the fun...
The time is 10:30pm and it cuts to the road as Laura drove them home. Stopping in front of the red light, she looked behind and smiled at the sight of them sleeping as Emma is leaning onto Kappei with her head resting on his shoulder. Gumchi is also sleeping as the red light turns green.
Soon enough, she arrived and woke them up. "Home at last..." Kappei thought as they woke up. "Thanks for the ride Ms Warren."
"You're welcome. And in the house, there are some surprises left you guys." Laura revealed.
"From the party at the WNA HQ right? Say how was it?" Emma asked.
"It was a blast! Everyone ate, drank, danced and exchanged Christmas gifts. And...Jane got drunk." Laura answered leaving them stunned. "I know right? She drank too much and made out with Ron in the meeting room during the party."
"Kissee? Kissee?" Gumchi asked.
"Yes they kissed." She answered as the little alien gum looked behind at Kappei and Emma and had a curious look on his face. "Why are you looking at us Gumchi?" Kappei asked. He shook his head as they got out of the car. "Goodnight Ms Warren."
"Goodnight!" She called out and drove off. They went inside and in the living room, Gen'unsai is seated down drinking a cup of tea. "I've been waiting young ones."
"Had a good time at the party grampa?" Kappei asked.
"I sure did. There's something left in your rooms. Go check it out. In the meantime, after I finish my tea, I'll get some shuteye." He told them as he sipped his tea again while they went upstairs.
Soon enough, "Hey! I got presents!" Kappei checked each of them and it appears that Ron, Jane, Burton, Berecca, Genryusai and a few others have sent him the gifts. It also applies to Emma as she found them in her room and started opening them.
Gumchi too got presents and wasting no time, he and Kappei opened them and wow, these are really great gifts as, "Only one left and..." It was from Emma as he opened it. "Neat!" Inside is a new baseball cap with the colours dark blue and pink. Wearing it, "It fits me well! I'm gonna wear it from now on and treasure it! Thank you Emma..." He spoke to himself.
At the same time, Emma noticed Kappei's gift and upon opening it, "Wow...they're so beautiful..." Turns out to be a pair of diamond earrings and it's no wonder Kappei with the help from Chantelle was able to get something expensive for her. "I'm gonna treasure it. Thank you Kappei..." She spoke to herself.
One can say that many Christmas miracles have occurred and they brought plenty of joy to all.
And that concludes the holiday! And wow, 20 chapters already and I'm like past the halfway point of the First Year Arc! Sugoi!
Boom! Now let's get hyped for the Ninjala Tournament! But I also plan to do the Sports Festival Event first. Yes...I am tingling in excitement as I write on the story!
Okay, see you in the next chapter!