Secrets and the Love? "Ray x Oc"

1

"What's that?" Emma asked us, peering through the bars.
"A gate that connects inside and outside," Norman replied.
"Outside? But we've never been there!" Emma exclaimed.
"We've always been here since our birth," I said.
"Mother told us about that. The gate and the fence deep in the forest are dangerous, and we're not allowed to go there," Emma spoke what Mother had always told us.
"That's nothing but a lie," Ray said.
"Do you think so?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Tell me, Ray. What do you want to do when you get out?"
"No idea. And you, Ayame?" "I just want to stay with you guys. That's all. Emma?" I replied.
„I want to ride a giraffe." Emma directly stated.

I chuckled.
"Well then. Good luck," Ray said.
"But... What are they protecting us from?" Norman wondered, peering through the bars.

"Wake up, Ayame! Come on. Otherwise, you'll miss breakfast. Or do you want me to tell Ray that..."
"Emma! No. I'm already awake." Gilda looked at us strangely. I smiled slightly. Then Gilda was already gone.
"Emma, please don't say anything." "Don't worry. It was just a joke." "Come on, let's help the little one." She nodded. We quickly got her dressed and then went to breakfast.

"Good morning Don, Connv. And also Little Bernie," Emma and I said in unison.
"Good morning, you two," I heard in response. But we were already running ahead. I'll see him soon.
As we entered the room, Emma was almost knocked over.
"You rascals! I'll get you!" she shouted and chased after the two troublemakers.
I couldn't help but laugh. Gilda, standing next to me, did the same.
Then Norman and Ray arrived.
"Morning, Norman, Ray!" Emma said.
"Good morning, Ray. And a good morning to you too, Norman," I greeted them.
"Morning, Emma, Ayame," Norman said with a smile.
"Good morning, Ayame. Good morning, Emma," Ray said. When I looked at him, my cheeks turned slightly pink. Fortunately, I managed to cover it up.

Then Norman turned to Emma. I went to the table with Ray. Mother should be here soon.
I was right. Suddenly Mother appeared.
"Emma, could you help me?" she asked.
I sat next to Ray. On the other side of me sat Emma. Then Norman came.
Mother rang the bell, and it became quiet.
"Good morning, my dear children! Let us be grateful today as well for being able to live happily here with your 38 siblings," she said. We folded our hands together and prayed.
"Enjoy your meal," we all wished each other.
And then we all started eating.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Conny.
She was being fed by Mother. But it was also her special day today. Today Conny would get a new family. It made me a little sad but I was also happy for her.
But my thoughts were interrupted when someone snapped their fingers in front of my face. It was Ray's hand.
"Hey. Don't forget to eat. You need to be able to concentrate when we take the test," he said to me. I smiled briefly at him and then continued eating.
Yes. We had to do these daily tests.
Mother always said they would replace school lessons. But after these tests, we had free time or playtime.

And soon we were sitting in our chairs, working on the task.
"Answer each question in 10 seconds," the voice sounded. I took my pen and started on the tasks. I had completed all of them. They weren't as difficult as I had thought.
When the test was over, Mother stood at the front.
"Well, now I'll announce your results," she said.
"Norman, Ray, Ayame, Emma... Congratulations, you four! Full marks again! Full score! Simply perfect," she congratulated us.
Emma was absolutely thrilled. But I remained quiet.
In general, I'm a bit of a quieter person.
Well, I'm a bit like Ray in that way.
And then the talk started.
"The three of them must be aliens or something." "The genius Norman with his superhuman intellect. Only the brainy Ray and Ayame, who can match him. And Emma, who's right on their heels in terms of reflexes and learning ability. In the history of the orphanage, they're the first at this level."

Don suddenly stood up and challenged Norman to a game of tag. I couldn't help but giggle. Norman accepted the challenge with a smile.
Outside, I sat next to Ray and rested my head on his shoulder. I peeked into the book and read the text along with him. Then Norman came to us. He looked at Ray and took out his watch. Norman nodded and ran off. I watched him catch the other children. I snuggled closer to Ray and continued reading from his book.
"Don't you want to join in?" Ray asked me.
"No. But I could ask you the same thing," I replied with a question of my own.
"Hmm. It's really nice right now. So I don't feel like playing either." I unintentionally blushed.

And almost all of the siblings were already gathered around us. He had caught almost all of them.
"Ray. Only Emma is left. I hope she doesn't get fooled," I said.
"Yeah. You're right. But we'll see soon enough," Ray replied.
Ray looked at his watch. Norman still has time.
Then Norman and Emma came back.
Norman sat down next to me, and Emma flopped down in the grass.
"Aw, caught again! Why? That's unfair!" Emma complained.
"The million-dollar question. What does Norman have that you don't, Emma?" Ray started. I knew what he was getting at. Emma pondered.
"Planning ability? Composure? Incredible intelligence?" she began.
"Emma. He thinks strategically," I explained to her. They both nodded.

"Well, in terms of pure physical strength, you have the upper hand, Emma," Ray explained further.
"But Norman's strength lies here," he continued, tapping his head.
"So, Emma. Seriously. The right strategy is crucial for tag," I reiterated.
"For tag?"
"You use all the skills you have. Like in chess," I said.
"Yes. Norman, you agree, right?" Ray asked.
"Well, but you two are definitely the chief strategists here, Ray, Ayame," Norman said.
"Don't overestimate us," Ray and I said simultaneously.
"Meaning, knowing what the opponent is up to..." Emma said.
"But, compared to Mother, we're still nowhere near," Norman said. I nodded.
"Right. None of us have ever won against Mother in chess," Emma said.
Suddenly, Don returned with another challenge. Now everyone had to catch Norman. Norman jumped up.
"But only if Ayame and Ray join this time." he said. I lifted my head from Ray's shoulder and stood up. Ray stood up too.
Everyone dispersed.

"Come with me," Ray said. He took my hand and we walked off. Suddenly, we stood in front of the fence. Emma was there too. So was Norman.
"We must not get too close," Emma said.
"Yeah. Mother always tells us that the gate and the fence in the forest are dangerous," Norman agreed.
"That's clearly a lie," Ray said.
"Why's that?" Norman asked.
"Well, just look at it. What could be dangerous about this fence? It's for dwarves. I can't find anything dangerous about it," Ray said. I agreed with him.
"But Mother said that," Emma began.
"You really love Mother, don't you?" I said.
"We all do..." Emma said slightly offended. But our conversation was interrupted by Don. Then the other children arrived. We called it a day for now. Ray took my hand again and we walked back to the house. Will we ever get out of here?

~~~~~~~~~~
1338 words
Author's Note: So that's the first chapter. I originally wanted to make it an x Reader story. But I decided to go with an x OC, as it's easier for me to write with a name. So just imagine you're Ayame. I hope you'll enjoy this story. Feel free to give feedback or suggestions, but please, no hate. I'll try to upload a chapter per day. As I said in my information chapter this is the story by my old account but with my new account I want to rewrite it in English and correct some grammar mistakes. Hope you like the chapter ❤️