Chapter 08 Considerations

"What were their names again?" Raiden thought. "Ruvier and Jath? I guess I mixed their names in more sense than one… anyway, I am not their babysitter."

 Raiden thought that Harth, Iri, and Lenore would visit him in the next few days to see if they could convince him to make his decision sooner or influence him somehow to accept it, but they never did. They said what they wanted, told their reasons, and now were calmly accepting his choice.

"While I am not a real kid, refusing them wouldn't make things better," Raiden thought. "Might as well keep acting like usual and let everyone think that I am weird because of my amnesia."

 The more he thought about it, the less inclined to refuse Raiden felt. Perhaps staying there was for the best… On one of his trips around the city, Raiden found a library in an area that he hadn't been to before, and while he went to check some books and scrolls, he couldn't read their titles either.

"I don't know much about this world; I can't read… so I can't study," Raiden thought. "I guess ignoring all this and leaving would be a pretty stupid thing to do."

 In the end, it didn't take long for Raiden to make his choice. So, he found himself with a lot of free time and no useful thoughts in his mind.

"I guess I will deal with another matter to keep my mind busy… I just hope that this won't come to bite me in the ass later," Jason thought while having his lunch and seeing those two alone again.

 Raiden looked at Javier and Ruth and wondered if there was anything on their appearance that made them stand out in a weird way, but he didn't find it. The boy had short brown hair and eyes of the same color. He had recovered from his cough completely already, but he was the type who was always looking down.

 The girl had light blue hair and eyes also of the same color. Raiden didn't recall anything weird happening to her before, but it seemed that she didn't like it when people got closer to her. Whenever someone finished their meal and passed behind her, she would tremble like a leaf while holding her spoon.

"Those sure look like a pair of really troublesome kids," Raiden thought and then shrugged.

Children who struggle with social interactions may have difficulty understanding social cues, initiating conversations, or maintaining friendships. These skills are essential for building connections with others, and when both children lack them, it can create a barrier to forming friendships.

 Some children who are not sociable may be naturally shy or experience social anxiety, which can make it difficult for them to approach others or engage in social situations. When two shy or socially anxious children interact, they may find it challenging to break through their own barriers and initiate friendships.

 Kids like that may develop negative self-perceptions, such as feeling unworthy of friendship or believing that others won't like them. When two children with similar self-perceptions interact, it can reinforce their negative beliefs and hinder the development of a friendship.

 Raiden approached the boy, and then he opened his eyes widely in surprise. Raiden didn't remember how he was when he was a real kid, but he could tell that he probably wouldn't get along with someone who reacted that way. Kids can be pretty stupid, and they find it fun to bully that kind of kid.

"Come with me; let's sit down with her," Raiden declared.

"Hmm… are you speaking with me?" Javier asked.

"... Yes," Raiden said after he decided not to respond with: no, I am talking with the ghost behind you; the boy probably would believe in him.

 As if the boy was an obedient dog, it didn't even try not to disobey Raiden. He could tell that the kid would probably have a hard time learning how to fend for himself or even train with the other kids.

 When those two sat at Ruth's table, she stopped eating her soup. Her filled spoon stopped in front of her mouth as if time had stopped. Then, she began to sweat bullets… Raiden was already regretting his choice.

"Don't try to run off," Raiden declared. "Let's be friends since we are all outsiders here. I am a weirdo with black hair, you are very timid, and you don't like people getting too close to you. Let's bond over our supposed inadequacies."

 It seemed that the last passed far over their heads, but at least they understood the first part. They were a bit surprised, but they didn't dislike the idea.

 Still, Raiden soon found a flaw in his plan since he didn't know what to talk about with the kids. He could tell that the moment he ran out of things to say, things would get silent and awkward.

"Let's finish our meals and then take a walk around the village," Raiden declared. "We can talk while we walk."

 That was the first thing that he thought of, and then he said it. Raiden didn't think that it was a bad idea, but he would need more than that. Perhaps calling them to train in the morning might be a good idea, but Raiden didn't want to tell them anything weird. It was better to just interact with them in that regard once they went to the schools of the village.

 In the end, Raiden didn't talk much with those two, and they didn't try to talk all that much either. Still, at least they didn't try to run away from him the other times he called them to walk around it.

 Raiden decided to take things slowly and then eventually began to talk more. He also tried to make Javier and Ruth talk, but it was hard to do that without asking About their paths. It might cause more problems than it solves.

"... Is there a reason why we have to walk around the village?" Javier asked.

"If you are going to live somewhere, you might as well try to get used to its surroundings," Raiden explained.

 There was also the possibility that something might happen to the village. That way, they would be able to escape faster if they knew the best routes, but they didn't have to know that yet.

"It seems that some of us are already being approached by some families…" Ruth suddenly said.

"Everyone will have their chances; no one will be left behind," Raiden shrugged. "You weren't picked up yet because you two stand out in a negative way."

 Speaking of families, Raiden had to give his answer today to Harth, Iri, and Lenore… he wondered how things would work with them. Even if he isn't an ordinary kid, he should be able to affect their lives positively, and that will make him feel better.

 Although they still had a long way to go before they truly could become friends, Raiden noticed that those two were looking at him with worried eyes; they could tell that under normal circumstances, Raiden would have the worst chance of being picked.

"Stop with the look of pity," Raiden ordered.

 Raiden felt like telling them that he would be adopted by Harth's family, but he decided not to. It was better to reveal who adopted him once they found their new families.

 In the end, Raiden wondered if he should pack his things already or wait for Harth, Iri, and Lenore… while he was thinking about that and having dinner with Javier and Ruth, they showed up as expected.

"I guess it is better if I reveal this already, but Harth wants to adopt me," Raiden declared. "Still, I will keep coming here in the morning and in the afternoon to kill time."

"... Won't you be busy with them?" Javier asked after thinking for a while.

"I won't have to be with them all the time, and they must have their own things to do," Raiden explained, and then he saw Harth calling for him to talk with him outside… maybe he could have kept hidden for long.

 Raiden left the building, and he was surprised to see a bunch of people outside as well, watching the kids eat… he didn't notice that. Still, they had been watching everyone since they had arrived and were thinking of whom they should pick.

"You didn't notice them before?" Harth asked.

"No, but now that I think about it, it is weird that some people contacted some kids already, and it seemed out of nowhere… I was wrong thinking like that," Raiden explained and then saw the look in their eyes. "... I am not sure I will be able to behave or act like you expect, but I decided to accept your offer. I will be in your care from now on."