~Time skip: 1 week~

Children ran around outside excitedly, playing a game of freeze tag. Corliss happily watched then was approached by two little girls.

"Ms. Steinbeck, Honjo hurt himself but won't let us help." one whined, pointing off to the side.

Corliss followed them and saw Honjo curled up into himself. She knelt down and softly called out to him.

"Ms. Steinbeck..." he weeped, wanting to be comforted it. "It hurts..."

"Nothing a little kiss won't fix." she said with a smile.

She helped him to his feet so she could treat his small cut. Honjo looked at his caregiver, wondering how she was so kind. He held her hand tighter, hoping she'd never leave him.

"Honjo, I'm going to need you to be a big boy while I take care of your cut, okay?" Corliss said, smiling.

Honjo nodded then winced as the disinfectant came in contact with his cut. The sound of the door alarm rang in her ears as she finished putting on his bandaid.

"Go play with the others while I go welcome our guest." she said before walking off.

Honjo followed. He grabbed hold of her dress and gained her attention. She didn't say anything and kept walking.

"Welcome to Sunny Side! This is one of our many children, Honjo." she said, pushing him forward a bit.

The woman waved at Honjo, causing him to hide behind Corliss.

"He's not usually shy. The children are outside playing. Follow me." she said, leading the way.

Honjo looked at the stranger, noticing she looked pretty. Her prettiness didn't compare to Ms. Steinbeck's in his opinion. He clung tighter to Corliss, making her wonder if he was feeling uncomfortable. She announced the woman's presence to the playing kids who happily rushed over to greet her. Honjo stayed by Corliss's side.

"You don't want to talk to her?" Corliss asked, squatting down to his height.

"I don't need her, I only need you." he replied.

"Don't you want to be adopted into a loving family? Maybe have siblings or a pet?" she asked, finding his behavior as of late peculiar.

"I... I want..." he stuttered, feeling embarrassed. "I want to be your family..."

He gave Corliss a hug, burying his face in her chest. He had long since decided that he wouldn't let himself be adopted by anyone other than Ms. Steinbeck. There were many things he and others loved about her, but there were times he felt he was the only one who saw a lonely look on her face.

"Honjo..." she whispered, giving his head a few pats. "I'm really flattered, but as of right now, I don't think I could care for a child your age..."

"I'll work hard. I'll get a job and-" he said, only to be cut off by her laughter.

"You're much too young, Honjo. I appreciate the sentiment, really." said Corliss with a smile. Honjo looked down at ground, feeling utterly defeated. "Do you really not want to be adopted by someone else?"

Honjo nodded, wiping stray tears that left his eyes. Corliss sighed, knowing she was just barely making a living for herself. To add a child into the fray wouldn't look good for the child mostly.

"One day, when I can afford to raise a child." she said, ruffling his hair. "Okay?"

Honjo agreed happily, seeing his dream of becoming her son move a bit closer than before. Corliss was approached by the visitor who was ready to leave.

"Everyone, say goodbye." said Corliss.

They happily said their farewells as Corliss led her out. She thanked Corliss then said she'd come back again in the future.

"Ms. Steinbeck, what does an adult have to do in order to adopt us?" Honjo asked from her side.

"It's a lot of complicated stuff you don't need to know." she replied, walking him back to the room. "Everyone, do you know what time it is?"

"Story time!" they said in unison.

"Today, we'll have you all take turns in reading aloud." said Corliss, handing the book to Honjo. "Honjo will start off and read a few sentences before handing it off to someone else and we'll continue like that."

A child raised their hand. Corliss allowed them to speak.

"What if we don't know how to read?" she asked, worried for her friend.

"This would be a good time to practice. I'll gladly help you through it." said Corliss.

The young girl looked at her friend who seemed relieved. Corliss handed Honjo the book and quietly listened, giving input when necessary.

____

Corliss had given them small activities to do together when the door alarm sounded. Once more she was joined by Honjo.

"Hello! Welcome to-" she said, only to clam up at the sight before her. "You..."

"I hope I'm not too late." he said, beaming.

"You actually came..." she muttered, thinking he wouldn't have. "We- Welcome to Sunny Side!"

Honjo looked at her, never having seen her flustered before. Who was this man?

"I never properly introduced myself. I'm Illumi Zoldyck, the eldest of five." he said, extending his hand to her.

"Corliss, Corliss Steinbeck. I left my family back home to earn money and send back. I get by." she said then covered her mouth. "I'm sorry, I over shared..."

"Nonsense. So I take it this is an orphanage...?" he asked as she led him back to the room.

"Yes, but I don't like using that word around the kids... It makes it sound like no one loves them." said Corliss, looking at Honjo.

Illumi nodded. He had never been to an orphanage before, but he didn't think it'd look nice. Though, his idea of an orphanage was based upon what he saw in movies.

"Everyone, we have another guest. Say hi to Mr. Zoldyck." she said.

They greeted him in unison. Some abandoned their activities to interact with him. Honjo took his seat and went back to coloring. Illumi quietly watched Corliss as she sat with the child who desperately clung to her.

"Mr. Zoldyck, why are you staring at Ms. Steinbeck?" a boy asked. "Do you like her too?"

"Huh? Oh, of course not. What do you mean by 'too'?" asked Illumi.

"Honjo likes Ms. Steinbeck. He's always staring at her and wants things done for him by her. It's hard to approach him." he said, the others nodding in agreement.

"Have you told Ms. Steinbeck about it?" Illumi asked.

"No..." a girl said. "Should we?"

"I think doing so would help you all grow closer." said Illumi then watched them run over to Corliss.

____

A few hours passed and Corliss was now off the clock. She walked out of the room and was spooked by Illumi's silhouette.

"You haven't left yet? I'd like to talk more, but I have to get to my next job." she said.

"I can take you there." he offered.

"I appreciate the offer, but I can manage." she said, wary of going anywhere with a guy alone, especially when it was getting dark.

"I promise I'm not trying to do anything shady." Illumi explained, seeing she was misunderstand his intentions.

"Really, it's okay. See you!" she said then had her hand grabbed. "Mr. Zoldyck...?"

"Then, at least let me give you my number, if you change your mind." said Illumi, handing her a business card.

She quietly thanked him then hurried down the block. He knew he seemed pushy, but after what he saw today, there was no way he was going to let such a person out of his life.