Morning came, and Levi made sure his mother was handling the tea shop before slipping out. He had something to do. Something important.

Furlan was already waiting outside, arms crossed, eyes squinting in suspicion. "So what's up?"

Levi didn't waste time. "I'm adopting a kid."

Furlan blinked. Once. Twice. Then—

"What the fuck?"

Levi ignored him and kept walking.

On the way to the orphanage, Furlan was still reeling, half-jogging to keep up with Levi's steady stride. "You do realize you're talking like you're picking up a stray cat, right? 'Oh yeah, just gonna grab a brat, be back by noon.'"

Levi barely glanced at him. "It's not that complicated."

Furlan groaned, rubbing his face. "You do know kids aren't like pets, right? You can't just leave them at home with food and water while you go to work."

Levi didn't answer. He'd figure it out.

The orphanage was old but well-kept, the kind of place that smelled faintly of disinfectant and worn-out childhoods. A woman greeted them at the front, leading them into the first section—teenagers.

Levi regretted it immediately.

They had barely walked in when a girl nearby overheard his conversation with the director.

Her eyes lit up. Dangerous.

"Oh my god, misters," she gasped, practically vibrating. "Are you two here to adopt a kid?"

Before Levi could respond, another girl chimed in. "Wow, a real-life gay couple coming to adopt a child!"

"My fanfictions came true!"

Furlan looked horrified. "We're not gay!"

Levi, resisting the urge to strangle a minor, snapped, "Shut the hell up."

Immediate exit. Teenagers—crossed off.

The next section held kids aged ten and under. They were loud. So loud. Acting like they knew everything, running around like gravity was optional. One was climbing a shelf, another was arguing about some superhero nonsense, and there was a chaotic game of tag happening right next to them.

Levi took one step in, then one step back.

No.

The last section: five and under.

The second Levi stepped inside, dread settled deep in his bones. The room was a battlefield—tiny humans crawling, crying, spilling things, and wreaking absolute havoc. One kid was inexplicably shirtless. Another was chewing on a plastic toy with the focus of someone solving the mysteries of the universe. Sticky hands. Runny noses. The air reeked of baby powder and chaos.

Furlan nudged him. "You sure about this?"

Levi exhaled sharply.

No, he wasn't. But he was already here.

Levi crossed his arms, glancing around the chaotic room with a deep frown. "I want a quiet and peaceful kid," he stated flatly.

The director hummed in thought before nodding. "Well... there is one. But she's not exactly quiet. More like—she repeats whatever we say and do. Like a little echo."

Levi's eyes narrowed. "A parrot?"

The director smiled awkwardly. "She's still very young—about one and a half. Can't do much by herself yet, which is probably why she mimics people. Still, she's the closest to what you're looking for."

Furlan snickered. "So, you're adopting a copycat?"

Levi scowled. "Shut up."

But before he could say anything else—

"Shut up."

Levi froze.

Furlan froze.

Both of them slowly turned toward the source of the voice.

A tiny, pale toddler with mismatched eyes stared up at them, barely standing on wobbly legs. Her long black hair was slightly messy, and she clutched a raggedy stuffed toy in her arms.

Furlan choked back a laugh. "Oh my god."

Levi stared at the kid, expression unreadable.

The toddler blinked. And then—

She clicked her tongue. Exactly like him.

Furlan lost it. He had to physically turn away, shaking with silent laughter. "Levi... I think she is your kid."

Levi looked down at the little brat, who looked right back at him.

He exhaled slowly. "...Tch."

And the kid—

"Tch."

Oh, hell.

Levi stared at the kid. The brat didn't just repeat things—she responded. Her mismatched eyes were sharp, curious, taking in everything. She wasn't just copying sounds; she was listening, understanding.

Then the director spoke again. "She doesn't have a name yet. She was recently brought in. No records, no family."

Levi tensed. No name? That was... unsettling. A child so young, already belonging to no one.

He glanced back down at her. She was still looking at him.

Then, without hesitation, she lifted her tiny arms.

A silent request.

Levi didn't move at first. He wasn't the type to hesitate, but this—this was different. Should he really do this? Was he ready?

No, of course not. He wasn't made for this. He didn't have a father growing up, so what the hell did he know about being one?

But... she was waiting. Arms raised, trusting.

And that did it.

"Damn it."

Without another word, he crouched down and picked her up.

She settled against him, small and warm, like she belonged there.

Furlan whistled. "Well, shit. You're actually doing this."

Levi adjusted his grip on the brat, exhaling. "Tch."

The kid, now settled in his arms, mimicked him again. "Tch."

Furlan snorted. "Oh yeah, she's definitely yours."

Levi ignored him. His decision was made.

Chapter completed.