Maverick (Blank)
Chapter 23: Kaelan (10)
[My name... is Leonardo Corona]
Blank's heartbeat seemed to stop for a moment. His head hurt, but he forced himself not to appear weak. Blank smiled and said, "Oh, really? That's a nice name. Are you alone?"
The little boy seemed a bit nervous, as if he carried some trauma within him. "I-I have an older brother..."
Blank stroked his hair. (I understand how you feel.)
"Alright, get well soon. I'll take you home later."
The little boy answered with hesitation. "B-but I-I don't have a family anymore..."
Blank jolted and turned. His eyes watched the little boy sitting, looking at the blanket beneath him. One sentence reminded him once again.
[I will help children in difficulty so they can rise and strive]
Blank remembered that childhood promise clearly, and now he was once again faced with the world he wanted to change. Blank approached.
"It's okay. There are still many families who will welcome you."
The boy turned and fell silent for a moment. Blank calmed him with a gentle tone.
"Sit down or rest for a bit. When you're better, I'll take you to a family who will stay by your side."
Blank stayed with him until little Leonardo fell asleep. After a while, he went back outside the room.
Soon after, Blank was met by the nurse who had treated Leonardo Corona's bruises. "Brother Kaelan, young Leonardo needs to rest until at least tomorrow." Blank nodded. "That's fine."
Blank took out his phone and called someone. "Hello, sir. Can you come here?"
Blank told the person about Leonardo Corona, who was currently resting in his room. He spoke for dozens of minutes, and within 40 minutes, a man in a police uniform came to meet him.
"Hello, good afternoon, Brother El."
Blank waved. "Hello, officer. Thank you for coming. He's inside." Blank and Officer entered to check on him. The two discussed.
Blank sighed. "Lately, the name Leonardo has become the victim in many cases, even this child."
Blank was actually a bit uncomfortable with that topic, but it was the truth of what was happening now.
The officer folded his arms. "If he doesn't have protection, it could be very dangerous."
Blank glanced. "Maybe his name could be hidden?"
The officer felt it was a bit heavy because they couldn't just casually hide a child's name. But the child had no family and could become a target again if it turned out he was still alive. "You said he has an older brother? What happened to his brother?"
Blank shook his head. "He made an expression as if there was trauma in his memory, so I haven't pursued the story further until sometime later."
The officer understood. After seeing the sleeping Leonardo Corona, the officer and Blank sat outside the room, chatting briefly.
"Sir, how is Lucky doing? I planned to visit him today, but I think I'll postpone it until tomorrow."
The officer answered while removing his hat with both hands. "In the first few days, he caused a lot of trouble, and they say many cried because of him."
Blank lowered his head. "Turns out he's a troublesome child—"
"But in the last meeting, all the children laughed and were happy when with Lucky."
Blank looked back. The officer smiled toward Blank and took a long breath. Blank watched him briefly. "Sir, you... um... aren't you still young?"
"Yeah... I'm 28... just haven't found a partner yet, haha..."
Blank chuckled softly. "Your name... Officer Larry, right?" The officer tilted his head slightly. "Yes, that's my name."
Blank tried to find another topic. One sentence crossed his mind. "Officer Larry, what kind of girl do you like?"
Larry was startled. "Whoa... suddenly asking about girls."
Blank crossed his legs. "Who knows, maybe I can find one for you, sir. You're still young; many would want to."
Larry patted Blank's shoulder lightly. "Haha, good joke." Blank's teeth showed. "Haha, who knows, sir."
His chin was held. "Hmm... Maybe a caretaker. Doesn't that seem mature?"
Blank fell silent for a moment, mouth agape. "Haha, Officer Larry really has a type, huh."
Larry pinched Blank's shoulder. "Are you making fun of me?" Blank held back the pain. "Well... not really, sir, haha..."
The warm atmosphere with light banter helped relieve the fatigue from work, and time kept passing. After 10 minutes of chatting together.
"I'll go now, Brother El. If the answer is clear, I'll contact an orphanage to take him there."
"Yes, Officer Larry, right after this child can reveal it."
The officer squinted his eyes with a small laugh. "If only all young people were as good as you, Brother El."
That made Blank smile and feel that the small appreciation could make him more confident and stronger now. Officer Larry left Blank.
Blank went back into the room and saw that Leonardo Corona had woken up and suddenly lowered his head. (Huh? He's awake?)
"M-my brother was killed."
Blank jolted, anxious and worried. It turned out the child had heard Blank's earlier conversation with Larry.
"Eh... calm down, kid. No need to be too hasty—"
"My brother's name is Leonardo Harvazin."
Blank fell silent instantly. The name mentioned was the person from the murder news he had read. Blank rubbed his neck.
"Thank you for being honest... It's okay. Rest first."
The child's fingers kept moving. "The person who killed my brother is the same person who beat me up."
Blank clenched and unclenched his hand. (That's outrageous.) Blank gave the child a warm hug and stroked his hair with one hand.
"It's okay. You're safe here now."
Blank tried to calm the child again so he could rest. The warm hug made the child start to close his eyes.
After a while, little Leonardo had fallen asleep again. Blank carefully placed his head on the pillow. (Poor kid.) Blank went outside and checked his phone.
"Hello, Officer Larry. It seems this child needs to be moved to an orphanage."
Blank explained the incident about little Leonardo to Officer Larry. Everything was explained until finished.
[Alright, Brother El. I'll try to contact an orphanage.]
"Thank you, sir."
Blank leaned his back against the wall. His hair was messy with dark circles under his eyes. Silent, no commotion. Blank grabbed his own hair. "What kind of life is this..."
Within a day, Blank decided to accompany Leonardo until he recovered and could take him tomorrow. Blank also slept on the thin hospital sofa that night.
Time kept passing. Morning began to arrive and illuminate the world. But in a place far from Chean B City, where Blank was, a tall figure entered a gray corridor.
It was Joe, who had arrived at the main Underring, dragging Duck. Several ancient books and maps were displayed on the walls. Candles and some golden objects adorned the long, dark corridor. Joe knocked on the door.
The door opened, revealing an old man with long white hair and scars on his mouth and hand, relaxing on a black sofa. Duck was thrown forward. "Ugh."
"Joe, what did you bring?" Joe looked at Duck. "This is the person who knows the name Davea." The seated man, named Mr. Dos, placed his hand on his cheek. "Hey, you. What name did you mention?"
Duck trembled violently until no sound came out. Joe pressed his body with a footstep. "If you don't speak in 5 seconds, you'll die."
Duck prostrated. "The name is..." His head trembled; his brain couldn't remember clearly. "E-elon... Halan... Davea..." Mr. Dos scratched his cheek. "A strange name."
Joe looked at Mr. Dos. "What now?" Mr. Dos sighed. "You know what happens on January 1st, right?" Joe nodded. "The annual Family Gathering. We have to submit money and stay for 1 week."
Mr. Dos opened his phone and showed something to Joe. "That's quite a coincidence. There's an opportunity when we go."
Mr. Dos clicked his tongue. "So many problems at once. Regarding the event on this phone, tell No. 1 intruder. Regarding the name Davea, use your subordinates."
Joe stood up again. "I'll order Underring No. 4 and No. 5 to go to Chean B City to search for the name Davea." Joe looked at the antique wall clock. "As for intruder No. 1, his mission should be finished in a few days."
Mr. Dos clenched his hand and released it. "Good." His gaze fell on Duck. "Imprison that person." Duck broke out in a cold sweat. He crawled, but his whole body trembled. Joe approached him, making Duck's eyes widen completely and move erratically.
No one knew what was happening now. Everything passed just like that, and the world kept turning no matter the problems.
In Chean B City. The clock showed 10:30 AM. Blank was seen helping a little boy out of the hospital.
Now Leonardo Corona could walk, although there were still unhealed wounds on his body. As they walked out together, Leonardo stopped.
"S-sorry for being a bother, brother..."
Blank stopped and glanced. A small laugh accompanied him. "Haha, it's okay. The important thing is you're healthy now."
"B-but, brother..." Little Leonardo played with his fingers. "What should I do for you, brother..."
Blank bent his knees and held both his shoulders. "No need to think about it."
"B-but why, brother?" Blank paused for a moment. One sentence crossed his mind, a saying belonging to Reynald.
[Not everything needs to be reciprocal. Even when you give something to someone, you don't need to wait for that person to do something for you.]
Blank smiled. "When you grow up, if you want to give help, you don't need to wait or expect anything from the person you've helped."
The meaning was more or less the same, just phrased differently.
The little boy looked at the floor. Blank stood up again. "Oh, right, Leonardo. You'll have a new home soon."
Little Leonardo lifted his face again. "A new home?" Blank started walking. "Yes, a new home. There will be many friends too."
Little Leonardo followed his steps while playing with his fingers again. "Friends, huh..." Blank's teeth showed. "Yes, friends... And there's one thing you must keep."
Little Leonardo tilted his head. "What is it, brother?"
"Your name... Use a different name." One nod gave the answer.
The two of them went to the orphanage by taxi. The journey took 15 minutes, and now they had arrived. Officer Larry welcomed them with a nurse beside him.
"Oh, hello, Brother El. This is Miss Yumi, who will take care of Leonardo later." Yumi bowed. "Hello, good afternoon."
Blank waved his hand. "Good afternoon. Thank you for being willing to help." Yumi approached little Leonardo with a soft tone, giving a sense of safety. "Hello. You're a strong child, aren't you? Can I know your name?"
Little Leonardo fell silent for a moment. "Secret." Blank chuckled softly. Yumi patted his head. "Oh dear, it's a secret..."
Larry leaned his mouth close to Yumi's ear and whispered. "He has trauma with a name, so wait for the right time." Yumi was startled. "Ah, sorry-sorry."
Blank waved his hand from top to bottom. "It's okay. Oh, right, I want to meet a certain child here."
Yumi straightened up again. "Wait, I'll call Luc—"
"HOYA!" Everyone was startled. Lucky shouted, "I am a hero!" with a cloth around his neck. Blank giggled and raised his right hand. "Hey, Lucky. How are you?"
Lucky answered by striking a weird pose, as if holding glasses, though he wasn't wearing any. "I am like Detective Conan, who has solved the case."
Blank rubbed his own neck. (He's very healthy now.) Blank continued, "Hey, Lucky. Are you comfortable here?"
Lucky answered with both hands facing up and knees bent. "God has given happiness; it's impossible for me to deny it."
Blank's right eyebrow twitched. (This kid is getting weirder.) A long breath came out of his mouth. "Lucky, I brought a new friend for you. Get along with him."
Lucky approached Leonardo, sniffing him, which made Leonardo uncomfortable. Lucky made an expression. "Ew... smells like medicine."
Blank raised his left eyebrow. "Hey, hey, that's your new friend. Speak properly."
Lucky circled Leonardo, observing him from every side like a detective. "You... you want to be my assistant?"
Blank's mouth hung open. "Oh my—"
"You will be L, the great detective from the Death Note movie." Leonardo didn't move. He looked at Blank, but Lucky pulled the long shirt Leonardo was wearing. Leonardo was taken away. "Ah... Help..."
"Hey!" As Blank shouted, the two of them disappeared down the hallway, leaving everyone else in the original spot.
Larry put an arm around Blank. "Relax. Yumi will help them later." The corners of his lips raised as he looked at the floor. "Haha, yeah, true."
Blank bowed 90 degrees to Larry and Yumi. "Thank you for your help."
Larry was surprised. "Hey, we're also thankful." Yumi continued, "Right. Because of you, children like them can live better." Blank straightened up. His teeth were clearly visible, his eyes closed.
The three of them chatted for a bit. 10 minutes passed, and Blank waved goodbye to them. He took out his phone and started pressing the taxi booking app. (Phew... Finally done with today.) Blank's stomach growled. (I'm hungry. I'll eat after this.) After waiting a while, the taxi finally arrived.
Blank entered the front door and was surprised. The taxi driver glared. "You again!"
Blank greeted him. "Oh, hello, sir." In an annoyed tone, the driver said, "Where to now?" Blank sat down. "Just home, sir."
The taxi driver stepped on the gas. Blank watched the streets beside him. The atmosphere was so calm, not too crowded, and there were still some people walking on the sidewalk.
During the journey, Blank saw a child lying on a cardboard box with a container that looked familiar to him. Blank tapped the driver. "Sir, stop for a moment."
The driver clenched the steering wheel. "Sigh... What now?" Blank opened the taxi door and approached the lying child. The driver's eyes blinked rapidly. "That kid looks like a troublemaker."
Step by step, he approached. Blank felt he had seen the body before. He took out his phone and then went back to the lying child. His hand held his stomach, eyes closed. His hair was curly, and Blank knew exactly who that child was.
[Alexander?]