The Descendants of Ardwall

5. Of Students in Listing Academy

When Hajime got to bed on the night he learned about Raiden and the Larter family, he naturally began thinking about his own.

Of course, it wasn't the first time. He thought about his real parents like any orphan did. The thoughts were never really tinged with anything more than mere curiosity. Wondering what they did for a living, what they looked like – even what their last names were, as Hajime had grown up to be a Massimo his whole life. But this time, that same curiosity, which usually felt like a meek candlelight, seemed to grow into a large flame. With the things he was learning – and had yet to learn – about the Larters, it was hard not to wonder.

Some of Hajime's newly-washed laundry still lay untouched in a hamper by the corner of his room. He made a mental note to put them away before Arthur could inspect his room and give him an earful about chores. Not that Arthur even had time to check Hajime's room, of course. He was so busy with Council work lately.

Were his birthparents David and Hana this busy in their world? He wondered if, should he still live with them today, they'd be out as often as his stepfather. While he was certain his birthparents didn't have any big secrets like Raiden's family, Hajime found himself yet again wondering where they could possibly have been. Where did they stay in the Median realm? Did they have other kids besides him? Heck – did they even remember him?

Arthur had been secretive about Hajime's mortal parents his whole life. The only thing he'd ever told him about them was their names, and even that had taken years of pleading. Hajime never really knew what happened after his parents gave him up.

Gave him up. He wasn't stupid. Arthur had never said it that way, but the moment Hajime was told he'd awakened his spark at the tender age of one, he knew that his Median parents must have wanted nothing to do with him because of it. Did they even remember they had a son who had these special powers? Or did the Council use that secret skill to take away any memory they had of him?

The latter brought a slight stabbing pain to Hajime's chest, though he tried to ignore it.

Hajime sat on his bed, kicking his shoes off absentmindedly and adding to the mess that was currently his room. On his desk beside the mattress, there were photographs of him and Arthur throughout the years. He plucked one frame from its spot to examine the photo inside it. A toddler Hajime sat on the shoulders of his stepfather, both grinning widely, while a huge circus tent loomed above them from behind. This was one of his favorite memories. Arthur had taken him to a traveling circus that evening. Looking back at the memory fondly, Hajime felt himself smile.

At first glance, you definitely would not have thought they were father and son. Arthur with his then-black hair and his hazel eyes. Hajime had dark brown hair, almost black, and chocolate brown eyes. His stepfather obviously had thicker hair, wavy whenever it got a little too long. Hajime's hair only knew how to stay stark straight.

Hajime's eyes skimmed the other photos. No proof he'd ever been with Median parents here. He didn't know anything about them to begin with.

But he was turning fourteen in a couple months. He couldn't live the rest of his life not knowing – especially when his stepfather had all the answers, right?

Well, it wasn't as if Arthur could tell him right now anyway. He said he'd be at a meeting until late.

Just as Hajime was about to draw the bright curtains that flapped against his open window, a dark thought crossed his mind. He didn't know why he'd never thought of doing this before. It seemed like such an obvious thing to do.