Chapter 2

As the days passed she slowly healed. She went through a physical check-up every day. Her body was put in motion. It was not good for her to lie in bed all the time. She needed to move to get her muscles working. The pain slowly faded. The throb in her head went away with time. Her malnourishment was taken care of. She was fed regularly. Three full-sized meals every day along with snacks in between. She was never hungry. She was never weak. It was new and she was afraid to like it. She knew it wouldn't last. It couldn't last. It never did. As soon as she's fully recovered she would be sent back to the orphanage she came from. Back to the painful life, she wished would end. Back to the people that hated her very guts for one reason or another. She couldn't understand them. Why hate her? What had she done? She had asked these question every day of her life. She was not fed. She was not allowed out like the other children. She was not allowed to be presented for adoption. She would stay in her room every day. Without food or the privilege to visit the bathroom. She always received the worst clothes. She hated it. She did not want to return. But she would have to

"Good morning "

The woman had carefully entered the room. She had learned that her name was Nozomi Sano. She knew that name, but could not place it. Nozomi was very kind. Surprisingly so. She visited every day and would stay for hours. She would bring her treats and books. At first, she used to bring toys, but she noticed that the child only took interest in the books. So she stopped with toys completely and only brought interesting books for her. She seemed to enjoy them. She would even smile sometimes. The child could not talk so it was hard to get to know her. Nozomi was curious so she bought a writing pad and pencil. 

"Here I bought you this so we can communicate better"

She took the offered items. It rested In her lap for a moment. She looked down at it as if it was some oddity. Her hand hovered over the first page as if she was debating whether or not it was worth it. 

"You know how to write, right? "

She nodded. She did. She had to learn on her own though. No one wanted to teach her. 

"What's your name? "

What's her name? That is a basic first question that most would easily answer. Of course, she could not. How could she when she lacked one? She was never named, or at least she was never informed of her name. It was one of the things those at the orphanage found her not deserving. 

Her pencil scratched on the first page as she scribbled down her answer. She turned the pad to the woman. 

"You have none? "The woman frowned. How could she have no name? 

She nodded and started to write something else. 

Nico glared at the words that were presented to her. She wasn't worthy? Who would tell her that? Who would refuse to name her? 

"Who told you that "

She hesitated when she saw fury flash through the woman's eyes. She had never seen her angry. It made her flinch. Angry eyes were always directed at her. Everyday. She would always be subjected to angered stares even when she did nothing. 

Nico noticed the child's nervousness and quickly calmed herself. It was not her intention to frighten the child. She has been through a lot as it is. 

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to frighten you"

The child nodded. She understood. The woman had been so kind to her. Why would she hurt her? She was not angry with her. She was angry at the orphanage and how they treated her. She looked back down on her writing pad and scribbled down her answer. 

"The orphanage. You're an orphan "

She nodded with a dejected look in her eyes. 

Nozomi was angry but she hid it the second time. The orphanage is the place where those unlucky few that lost their parents should feel safe and at home. It didn't matter if they had a handicap. They were supposed to protect and care for the children. Not make them feel less than the dirt they walked on

A tug on her sleeve turned her attention back to the young girl. She had again written on her writing pad. The question made Nico's heartache. 

"Do I have to go back?

"No. Of course not. I'm not sending you back to that hell hole"

She smiled a genuine smile of happiness that made Nozomi very happy. Of course, she was still a bit angry. How could people be so cruel to such a young child? It made her see the word for what it is. Those who have nothing are treated like nothing while those who have everything are on a high they did not deserve. If only she could change the world.

Nozomi smiled gently as she gazed upon the child. She couldn't send her back and she couldn't trust anyone to take care of her, so she'll take her in herself. She's sure her family will be delighted to meet her. 

"Would you like to live with me? "

She nodded. She trusted Nozomi. She was always there for her. She saved her and never left her side. If there's anyone she'd want to live with it would be her. 

"You're going to need a name" Nozomi was thoughtful as she eyed the girl. "Should I name you or would you like to name yourself? "

The young girl scribbled something down on her writing pad and turned it to the woman.

Nozomi smiled. She wanted her to choose her name. And she was smiling an innocent smile. The girl stared at her as she thought of a name. What would fit her? Nozomi took to staring at the child as well. Short curly black hair and icy blue eyes filled with so much emotion.

"How about Kuriko? "

The four-year-old nodded. It seems she accepted her name very easily. She just wanted a name. She didn't care what it was. She didn't care what other people might think of it. She didn't care about how it would sound. She didn't care about its meaning. She just wanted a name. Being without a name was a constant reminder of how worthless she was. It hurt every time they would call her useless. Worthless. She was nothing. She didn't mean enough to be granted a name.

But she had one now.

Kuriko. It made her so happy. She had a name. She was given a name. She was deserving of a name. She mouthed her name and smiled happily. Kuriko. Kuriko. She liked it.

Nozomi watched the newly named Kuriko. She seemed very happy with her name. She couldn't help the mix of emotions she felt as she watched the child. She was doing so much better than a few days ago. She was in so much pain. Physically and emotionally. There was never anyone there for her. She was fragile. She was broken. She was only four. No one saved her. No one noticed.

No one heard.

She stroked Kuriko's messy hair with a tender look in her eyes and a kind smile. She would be there for her. She didn't know the first thing about being a parent and she didn't care. She would take care of this broken child. She'll save her.

She'll listen.

~~~~~~~~~

Kuriko was alone in her room the next day. Nozomi was late. She always came at a specific time and she did not show up. Kuriko was staring at the chair she always sat on. Why wasn't she there? Did she change her mind? Did she not want her anymore? Did she realize that she really was worthless? Did she think she made a mistake? Did she give up on her? So many thoughts ran through the four-year-old's head. So many questions. So many doubts and fear. She didn't want her to leave. She was the only one who cared. What if she didn't care? What if it was all an act? Those thoughts hurt. She shouldn't have trusted her. She shouldn't have enjoyed it. She shouldn't have been happy. Because when it's all gone she shatters.

She's broken.

She felt tears in the back of her eyes and quickly shut them. She couldn't cry. It only made things worst. Crying only made her feel weaker than she already is.

She curled in on herself and pulled her legs up to her chest. She was always alone and always will be alone. She shouldn't have forgotten that. Everything else is an illusion.

If she couldn't be heard she was nothing.

She kept her eyes closed when the door opened. She didn't want to look at anyone. She didn't want anyone to look at her. She would cry the second she met anyone's eyes. The dam would break and she would fall. No one would catch her. No one ever did.

"Kuriko? "

It was Nozomi. She had been running a bit late because she had to take care of a couple of things. She had to see her parents and siblings and tell them about the child she had found. They all wanted to help. She was happy. Her sister from the legal rights department immediately drove them to court to take care of everything. She loved her family.

"Kuriko"

The child refused to respond. What was wrong? Why was she like that? Why was she on the verge of tears? Why did she seem afraid? She reached out and gently tangled her fingers in her hair. The girl flinched away. She frowned and put the bag she was carrying on the floor. She climbed into the sizable hospital bed and carefully pulled the child into her arms. She didn't want to look at her. She was afraid to. Had she done something wrong?

"Kuriko, what's wrong? "

Nothing. She gently turned the child to face her. To meet her eyes. Sadness. Sorrow. Regret. Those blue eyes glimmered with unshed tears. Nozomi realized something. The child was afraid. She hadn't come on time and she must've thought she gave up on her. That wasn't true. It wasn't true at all. She would never give up on her. She wouldn't leave her alone again. Not ever.

"Kuriko, I'm sorry for making you feel alone again" she sincerely apologized as she hugged the fragile child. She was so small. So brittle. She was afraid of harming her. She felt as if the child could break at any moment. "I'm sorry for being late. It's just that I had to go to court to officially adopt you and that took some time"

Officially adopt her?  She was late because she went to adopt her? She didn't give up on her. She came back. She actually adopted her. She would have a parent. One who cared for her.

Nozomi felt the little hands on her shirt tighten considerably. Kuriko buried her face in her shirt and refused to move. She could feel a dampness growing on her chest. She was crying. Nozomi soothingly ran a hand through her hair. She hugged her tighter, trying to comfort her.

She didn't mean to cry. The tears just came. She was so happy. She would have a mother. She would have someone who cared. She sobbed and held onto her tighter. She didn't want to let go. She was afraid that if she did, she would wake up and find that it was all a dream. She didn't want it to be a dream.

This was real. She actually cared.

She was happy.

~~~~~~~

Nico kept glancing at the back seat through the rearview mirror. It had been two days since she officially adopted the mute. She was let out of the hospital after it was decided that she was doing very well. The doctor also told her to keep an eye out and a close eye on her. She's already of the age to develop a quirk and there is a quirk. It'll activate and there was no telling when it would or what it would be.

Kuriko was secured in the car seat she had gotten. She did a lot of research about children. A child must have a car seat until they are six years old. That car seat would remain there for some time. Nozomi kept looking at the child to make sure she was comfortable back there. She had given her a book to read and she was quiet. She was happily reading her book. Nico was relieved.

She looked back to the road with a smile. She would have a kid to look after now. There was a lot of responsibility on her now. There was a lot she would have to do. She'd have to buy her new clothes. She didn't even set up her room yet. She'd take her out to see what she liked. She'd also have to enrol in kindergarten. Would she be ok? She didn't want her to be bullied again. She thought for some time. She'll enrol her in the same kindergarten as her little nephew. They were the same age. Maybe they would get along. She knew for a fact that the little guy wasn't a bully.

When the car came to a stop Kuriko took her eyes off her book. Nozomi had stepped out to strap her out of her seat and take her out of the car. She held onto her book even as she was carried by Nozomi. It was a bit awkward at first, but Nozomi helped her find a comfortable position.

The house she was lead into was a mini-mansion. It looked sophisticated yet fun. Would she be living here? She couldn't believe it.

She was placed on her own two feet when they finally set foot in the house. Nozomi was smiling as she gently lead the four-year-old deeper into the house.

"Welcome home "