1 The spar

The room was a small, one of the many dimly lit space in the orphanage . A faded orange glow seeped through the cracked window shutters, casting eerie shadows on the peeling wall. The air was chilled, and the rickety bunk bed, which took up most of the room, had seen better days.

Haru stirred from his sleep, his blond hair tousled as he blinked away the remnants of a dream. He sensed that Sou was awake too, a subtle awareness that had grown between them over the years. With a gentle knock on the wooden frame just above where Sou slept, Haru asked softly, "Are you awake, Sou?"

Sou lay still for a moment, his silver hair gleaming faintly in the dim light, a striking contrast to his surroundings. He was lost in his thoughts, haunted by the recurring nightmare that had plagued him for years. But Haru's concern drew a response.

"That nightmare again?" Haru continued, his voice filled with empathy. He knew Sou's dreams often took him to dark and unsettling places. "Just think about good things this time. You'll be alright."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Sou's lips, softened by the purple glow of his eyes. He had always been a study in contrasts, his feeble appearance belying an inner strength. "Or you can come join me down here; it's warm," Haru suggested, his voice warm and inviting.

Just before Sou could respond, Haru's words having lulled him back toward sleep, he chuckled and added, "And who knows, maybe I won't drool all over you this time."

Their shared laughter echoed in the room, dispelling the lingering traces of Sou's unsettling dream. It was a sound that defied the harsh reality of their surroundings, a testament to the bond that had grown between them in the orphanage they called home.

Haru shifted his position on the bunk bed, nestling deeper into the worn blankets. The room's poor living conditions were all too apparent, with peeling paint on the walls and a drafty window covered by tattered curtains that barely kept out the chill. The door, a weathered piece of wood, creaked in its frame, barely closing properly.

"Alright then," Haru said with a yawn, his breaths becoming steady as he drifted back to sleep. "But try to get some more sleep. We've got work in the morning."

Haru's clothes, like Sou's, were simple and well-worn, hand-me-downs from the orphanage's meager supply. The room, though far from comfortable, had become a sanctuary of sorts, a place where they faced each day with resilience and the hope that better days were on the horizon.

Sou, still awake, turned over to lay on his back, his gaze fixed on the cracked ceiling. The room's darkness enveloped him, and he tried to push aside the lingering unease from his dream. Just as he felt sleep starting to claim him, a flick to his forehead roused him from the edge of dreams.

Opening his eyes, Sou saw Haru hanging from the stairs of their bed, his silhouette outlined by the faint light filtering through the curtains. Haru's playful spirit always managed to break through the most somber moments. Sou couldn't help but smile as he looked at his best friend, the person who had become his anchor in this unpredictable world.

With a chuckle, Haru swung down from the bed, landing beside Sou with a soft thud. "It's morning already? But I just closed my eyes a second ago " Sou muttered tiredly, pulling the sheets over his face to continue sleeping.

Haru grinned, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not a chance. Now, get up Sou. We don't want to be punished like the other time "

He pulled away the sheets from sou's face.

Sou groaned as the sheets were pulled away from his face, revealing his drowsy expression. With a reluctant sigh, Sou pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The memory of their last punishment hung in the air, a reminder of the consequences of oversleeping.

Haru, always the morning person, had already gathered their worn-out clothes from the corner of the room. He tossed a shirt and trousers to Sou. "Hurry up and get dressed. You know how Mr. Kuroda gets if we're late."

Sou nodded, and they moved with practiced efficiency, donning their threadbare outfits. As they got ready, the room slowly filled with the faint light of dawn, casting a dim glow on the cracked walls and weathered floor.

As they made their way to the door, they could hear the sounds of the orphanage coming to life. The distant chatter of other children echoed through the narrow hallways, and the scent of a meager breakfast wafted in from the communal kitchen.

The orphanage itself was a sprawling, aging building in the heart of the city's slums. It had seen better days, with peeling paint, creaking floors, and a general air of neglect. But it was the only home they knew, and despite its shortcomings, it had brought Haru and Sou together as family.

They descended the narrow staircase, their footsteps echoing on the worn wooden steps. The morning light filtered through the grimy windows, casting long shadows on the staircase. At the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in the common area, a place filled with worn-out furniture and mismatched chairs.

Mr. Kuroda, the stern caretaker of the orphanage, stood near the entrance, a scowl on his face as he checked his pocket watch. "Late again, Haru and Sou?" he grumbled, his disapproval evident.

Haru flashed an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Mr. Kuroda. We'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"See that you do. Now, off to your positions."

With that, Haru and Sou rushed to join the other children in the morning head count routine.

Mr. Kuroda was a formidable figure in the orphanage, his presence demanding respect and discipline. He stood in stark contrast to the children he counted each morning. While they often appeared poorly fed and dressed in shabby hand-me-downs, Mr. Kuroda maintained a well-fed and well-dressed appearance.

He was a middle-aged man, his face etched with lines that spoke of years of responsibility and hardship. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed, giving him an air of authority. Unlike the children, his clothes were of high quality and perfectly tailored, showcasing his well-nourished physique.

His sharp, steel-gray eyes seemed to miss nothing, always vigilant and watchful. Despite the meager meals that the children were provided, Mr. Kuroda's appearance hinted at a life of relative comfort. His suit, despite its age, was impeccably clean, a testament to his meticulous nature.

A well-trimmed mustache adorned his upper lip, adding to his stern demeanor. He didn't interact much with the children beyond the morning headcount, and there was no sense of compassion in his demeanor. To the children, he was a strict but indifferent figure, someone they looked up to simply because they had no other choice.

One morning, as Mr. Kuroda went about his usual routine of counting the children, another imposing figure stood beside him. Goro, at the age of 17, was the former leader of a gang of orphaned children who now lived with him in the orphanage. He had a rough appearance, dressed in tattered clothing that hinted at a life on the streets. His jet-black hair was unkempt, and he bore the scars of a troubled past on his hands and face.

Haru and Sou exchanged curious glances as they noticed Goro's presence. It was unusual to see someone with such a background now in a position of authority within the orphanage.

As Goro observed the children, he couldn't help but feel a sense of indifference toward Sou. Sou's cold demeanor and lack of interaction with the others had made him somewhat of an enigma within the orphanage. Goro had heard whispers among the children about Sou's unique abilities, and had always wanted to spar with him.

Haru, ever the friendly one, approached Goro with a polite nod. "Good morning," he greeted, introducing himself and his friend.

Goro acknowledged their greetings with a curt nod, his gaze momentarily fixing on Sou who didn't look up at him before returning to the task at hand, taking note of the number of children present.

Mr. Kuroda observed the interaction with a faint hint of inquisitiveness in his eyes but said nothing.

The morning continued with a palpable tension in the air. Haru hushed whispers speculating about Goro's role as the new supervisor and how his past might influence his approach to managing the orphanage. The other children watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, unsure of what to make of the former gang leader's presence in their lives.