When he said those words, Zain's expression was indecipherable. He looked both sad and angry. But his face remained calm, and his eyes seemed to yearn for something. Zidane, seeing this, tried to change the subject.
"Ah, it's been a long time since I've been here. How's Mrs. Charlotte?"
"Why don't you visit her? She probably misses you too."
"Is that so? Well, she's like a mother figure to me."
"How about we visit her together?"
"I can't today."
Zidane looked at the bouquet of white lilies Zain was carrying. Without asking why, he left.
"Then just follow me tomorrow. Maybe I'll be there for a few days."
Zidane waved goodbye to Zain and headed towards Aria Village.
"Knock!" "Knock!" Zidane knocked on a door he hadn't seen in a long time.
"This place hasn't changed much." Zidane looked around. The sound of a door opening was heard.
"Yes, how can I help you?" A middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her late forties opened the door.
"Good afternoon, long time no see, Mrs. Charlotte." Zidane smiled kindly at her.
The woman paused for a moment and then reached out to reach his face. Zidane lowered his face so she could reach hers.
"Oh my, you've changed so much."
Tears began to fall from Charlotte's eyes. The boy who was once as tall as her had now grown much taller than her.
"I look great, don't I?"
"Yes, you're great."
Charlotte hugged Zidane and caressed him longingly. Zidane smiled and shed a tear. Charlotte's motherly aura had never changed. Her eyes showed genuine affection.
Charlotte had been the caretaker of this orphanage since its inception. Although she didn't have children of her own, she sincerely cared for the children here as if they were her own.
"Come inside, it's quite hot outside."
As he entered the house, several children stood still, watching him. Some of them hid.
"Do I look scary?" Zidane scratched his head.
"No, no, they're probably just shy."
Charlotte called the children over and introduced Zidane to them. The children began to approach Zidane and ask him many questions.
"Are you a soldier?"
"Wow, look, this badge is really cool."
"Did you fight those monsters?"
"They say that soldiers rarely sleep at night."
"..... .... ....."
And so many questions that Zidane was overwhelmed.
"If soldiers rarely sleep at night, is Mr. Zain also a soldier?" One child suddenly asked an unexpected question.
"How did you know that Mr. Zain doesn't sleep at night?" Zidane felt a little surprised.
"Uhh, I... see him often."
"Do you always go out at night without telling me?!" Charlotte looked angry.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. But I never go out at night anymore."
"Because that day Mr. Zain found me and brought me back here."
"Thank goodness. I was so worried when I found out about this." Charlotte felt a little relieved.
"And Mr. Zain also told me something, so I don't go out alone at night anymore."
"What did Mr. Zain tell you?" Zidane was curious.
"It's... a secret between us." The child smiled brightly.
Zidane only smiled slightly at that. He wasn't surprised anymore, because Zain was indeed full of secrets.
"But... sometimes Mr. Zain seems a little scary." Another child spoke up.
Well, Zidane couldn't deny that. Just as Zidane was about to say something, another child answered first.
"But even so, Mr. Zain is a very kind person."
"Yes, you're right. Although he seems intimidating at first, he's really a good person."
There's no one here who dislikes Zain.
"He even gave me beautiful flowers."
Although he seems cold, that's only on the surface.
"Yes, Mr. Zain is a truly kind person." Zidane joined in on the children's conversation.
Charlotte smiled as she listened. They chatted engrossedly for a long time. Charlotte served the food and called the children to eat together. Since it was almost dusk, after dinner, the children returned to their rooms.
"Uncle Zidane, let's play together tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, Uncle, let's go." The children urged Zidane.
"Hmm, what should I do..."
"Children, don't push Uncle like that. He's probably still tired from the long journey."
"Well..."
"Enough, don't whine like that." An older child flicked his finger on the younger children's foreheads.
"Uncle must be tired, let him rest."
"But..."
"Tomorrow we'll go to Uncle Henry's garden and ask for his melons. Then we can share them with Uncle Zidane."
"If it's Uncle Henry, we'll have to work first."
"Don't complain." The child pinched his cheek.
"Okay, have a good rest, Uncle." The children greeted Zidane.
Only Charlotte and Zidane were left. Charlotte cleared the dirty dishes from the table.
"Let me help you, madam." Zidane helped her.
"No, you don't have to..."
"It's okay, madam, just sit down." Zidane washed the dirty dishes.
"Then I'll make you some tea."
"Okay."
Once everything was done, they sat across from each other and chatted again over a cup of warm tea.
"You've come all the way here, and you have to help me wash the dishes," Charlotte began.
"No, it's okay. It reminds me of old times." Zidane smiled.
"How are you, ma'am? The kids haven't been giving you much trouble, have they?"
"I'm very well. Of course they haven't."
"They're good kids. They even do chores like cleaning without being asked."
"That's good to hear."
"How are you? Eleven years have passed so quickly. Being a soldier isn't easy."
"I'm fine. Being a soldier is quite hard work. But I don't see it as a burden, because this is what I chose."
"Is that so? I'm glad you're happy."
"Yes..." Zidane's face looked gloomy.
"Is there something worrying you?"
"No, nothing."
"But your face says something is bothering you." Charlotte held Zidane's hand.
"Just tell me, it's okay." Zidane saw the sincere gaze of someone he had considered like his own mother.