Thrown Into Conflict [Brothers Conflict x Reader]

Chapter 3 ~ New family, some familiar faces

[edited]

At that point, she was already resigned to her fate.

"By who...?" she asked, trailing off as she stared at Hanako with defeat.

Hanako only smiled, hands squeezing her shoulders. "The couple who visited last time."

Y/n knew it was futile to say she was against it since, by technicalities, she was still a minor at the wee age of 17. She had not aged out of the system yet so her true opinions hold no weight in this. Still, it wouldn't hurt to try and convince Hanako otherwise.

"What if I wanna stay?" she asked. "Do I have a say in this?"

Hanako sighed and stared right into Y/n's e/c ones, the older woman's gaze a bit sharp. "L/n Y/n."

If Y/n bristled at how Hanako called her, it was for good reason. The only time the woman called her - or any of the other children - their name, it means that she was serious and borderline disappointed.

"N/n-chan, dearest, being independent is good. But it gets lonely sometimes, don't you think?"

Y/n pouted, a feat that she would never do outside the walls of the orphanage.

"But I like being independent," she said, her voice small and whiny. It was truly unlike her to act like this.

Hanako's serious look melted and she gave the young girl a gentle smile. "I know. But I still think that you need someone to lean on to when things get tough. Life is not easy to go through alone."

Y/n opened her mouth to protest but Hanako had resumed speaking before she could say anything.

"I know you like it here. I like having you here, too. But neither I nor the younger ones could give you the support you truly deserve, N/n. You deserve a family, just like everyone else."

The younger girl was silent as she took in her soon-to-be previous caretaker's words. She knew that what Hanako was saying held some truth in them. As much as she hated to admit that. It was true that she could not confide or tell her problems to the children who were too young, or Hanako who was busy taking care of the orphanage.

"Did they tell you they are sure of the adoption?" she asked the older woman curiously. She wanted to find out how much time she had before the inevitable move out of the orphanage.

"Your adoption papers and other legal paperwork are already signed by the couple."

Y/n let out a small 'huh' and nodded.

"They both came here last night," Hanako said, finally leading Y/n away from the front and towards her room. "They wanted to see how you were before they made their decision."

"...They saw me?"

Hanako nodded. "Yes. They saw you when you were playing cadets and sharing candy with the children. It was a quick yet concrete decision after they saw how loving you were towards the kids."

Y/n sighed and nodded. She had to get used to the idea of being adopted now.

"...When am I leaving?"

An apologetic look settled on Hanako's face and Y/n had an inkling on when she had to leave.

"Tomorrow."

See?

"I'm sorry that this is moving so fast, Y/n. But they told me that their daughter had already moved into their family home and they want someone to be with her as soon as possible."

Y/n nodded and smiled at Hanako to show her that it was okay, and that she will be okay.

Hanako nodded at Y/n, smiling gently one more, before nudging her to her room.