[: 3rd POV :]
"Sigh...even then those were difficult times."
The man let out a weary sigh before gently placing his hand atop Maiya's head.
His fingers slowly brushed through her long pink hair with surprising tenderness.
Maiya continued pouting, her cheeks puffed as she looked away.
"I am still not convinced."
Cain chuckled softly.
"Of course you are not."
"You never are."
Maiya crossed her arms.
"I am innocent."
Cain smiled helplessly.
"I have heard that sentence more times than I can count."
He continued patting her head before speaking in a much gentler voice.
"But honestly..."
"Who could blame you, Maiya?"
Maiya blinked before looking up at him.
"Huh?"
Cain's smile became warmer.
"Our faction has always been different from everyone else."
"We are not bound together by blood."
"We are not bound by race."
"We are not even bound by the same origin."
"What binds us together..."
"...is the fact that every single one of us is an Anomaly."
