Altair squinted up at the bright sky, the sun hanging high like a nosy observer as he walked briskly toward the town's central marketplace. The place was still empty, dirty, and damp.
His first destination was the Registration Area. He had failed to register earlier due to the mess involving Lero's aunt and uncle. This time, he intended to finish it quickly and apply for a transfer so he could leave this town as soon as possible.
But just as he turned the corner and saw the wide, two-story government building, a thought tapped at the back of his mind.
Right… the orphanage.
He had planned to adopt through official channels—to get it done the "normal" way. It would be less suspicious and would ensure people didn't bother him in the future. Since it was still early in the day, he figured he had time to look into it before nightfall.
After asking a rather bored-looking guard, he was directed to the east wing of the building. The air inside smelled faintly of ink, old paper, and resignation. He passed a few cramped desks and an old filing cabinet that looked like it had retired years ago but still showed up to work out of habit. Eventually, he spotted a handwritten sign above a desk that read "Adoption Center," barely clinging to a string like it had given up on life.
Behind the desk sat a slightly plump woman with curly chestnut hair, warm eyes, and a thick, floral-patterned robe jacket. She looked up from the papers she was sorting and blinked in mild curiosity.
"Good afternoon. My name is Altair Camis, by the way," Altair introduced politely, putting on his best attempt at a normal, friendly smile and showing his household registration.
She accepted the paper, read it, and then returned it with ease. "Afternoon, dear. Name's Min Dewey. You go on and sit," she gestured toward the bench in front of the table.
Altair immediately sat down and mouthed a thank you.
Min nodded. "I'm the consultant here for child adoption and guardianship placement. Are you here to register a child for placement?"
Altair blinked. "Oh—no. I mean, not exactly. I'm actually here because I wanted to adopt a child. Are there currently any children available for adoption?"
Min's smile froze. "Adopt? You want to adopt?"
"Yes," he nodded. "I was wondering what the requirements are?"
She stared at him, genuinely shocked. Is there something wrong with adopting a child? he wondered.
"Well," she said slowly, "I apologize. I was just surprised. It's just that the adoptions are... unusual. Most folks come here to drop children off, not pick them up. Adoptions are pretty rare these days."
"I see." Altair offered a small, harmless smile. "Still, I'd like to try."
So that's the case… Indeed, people are already having a hard time feeding themselves. Adding more mouths would only make it worse. Maybe I really am the only one in this entire region willing to adopt…
Min adjusted her glasses and leaned forward slightly. "Well, if that's so, it'll be a great help for the children. May I ask… where's your wife?"
Altair stared at her, blinking. "Wife?" Do I need a wife for adoption?
"Yes. Your wife," she repeated, with calm patience.
He rubbed the back of his neck and awkwardly answered, "Ah… I don't have one….Yet."
Min leaned back, her brows rising so far they nearly escaped her forehead. "You're still single?"
For a moment, Altair felt both offended and embarrassed. Does adoption really require a wife? Should I just leave now then?
"...Yes. Sorry for my ignorance, but is being married a requirement for adoption?" he asked awkwardly.
Min also thought for a moment before answering. "Actually, yes. For normal times… but, well, we haven't handled adoption since the government announced the evacuation. So… I guess the rules can be stretched a bit. Do you have any experience raising children?"
Altair froze. Do I? It took him a few moments before answering,"Well… no," he answered guiltily.
He thought about lying, but if she asked for specifics, he'd be exposed instantly.
Min frowned and gave him a strange look. "Then what do you do for a living?"
Altair paused and mentally cursed. Right—he should've known. If he was going to adopt, he needed to show he had enough resources to raise a child. But he couldn't really disclose the source of those resources. In his mind, as long as he had what was necessary, he could raise a child. That's why he came here with confidence. He didn't realize they'd require proof.
He is now fifty percent sure that this transaction would be a failure.
He forced a nervous chuckle and lied. "I used to be a hunter and medicine gatherer. I don't have a job right now… but I have enough savings and resources to raise a child."
"I see," she replied flatly, eyeing him closely. He had changed his clothes and looked neater now, but her expression remained unreadable.
"Don't worry… I'm planning to enter the military once I reach the capital," he added quickly, trying to sound more convincing.
Min now looked at him like he was either an idiot. Her warm face disappeared, replaced with scrutiny. She folded her arms, her tone more formal now.
"And what kind of child are you looking to adopt? Do you have any preference?"
Altair blinked. Oh. Right. I should've thought about that, too...
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. His purpose was to earn trust points. The best strategy was to find someone like Verda—young, innocent, easy to win over. Lero's age was also fine, children his age are actually still innocent. Lero was different from most children because of the abuse he suffered.
In regards to gender, Altair's opinions are based on the children in their village.
Girls were more clingy and affectionate at a young age. Boys tend to be more reserved and like to act like an adult. So the conclusion should be...
"I'd prefer a girl," he said. "Preferably under five years old."
Silence.
Min stared at him suspiciously, "Why do you choose a girl over boys?"
"I think girls are easier to interact with, and they're much sweeter than boys."
Altair tilted his head. Why is she looking at me weirdly?
Min's eyes narrowed. "Sir, I understand that you may genuinely want to adopt, but unfortunately, I don't believe you're qualified to be a guardian. The government may be short on resources and struggling to keep up, but that doesn't mean we'll hand over children to just anyone." Her tone was sharp, and the disgust in her voice was unmistakable.
Altair blinked. "Wait—what? What did I—?"
But Min had already turned her back on him. With a firm gesture, she pointed toward the exit. Another woman stepped out from a door behind the counter, and the two immediately began speaking in low, hushed tones. Realizing the conversation was over, Altair reluctantly turned and walked toward the entrance.
As he passed the threshold, their voices floated through the open doorway.
"...Yes. He was incredibly suspicious. He has no wife, no experience and no job. And he specifically asked for a young girl. Isn't that exactly how those child bride cases start?."
Altair froze mid-step.
His mouth slowly fell open as the full horror dawned on him.
"She thinks I'm—?!" he croaked, his voice cracking. But he couldn't even finish the thought as Min's words sank in.
From her perspective… it was indeed suspicious. He was a single grown man with no clear background and no source of income—asking to adopt a young girl.
He nearly facepalmed on the spot.
He stumbled into the sunlight like a man freshly booted from heaven.
"I was just trying to earn trust points..." he mumbled, staring blankly at the sky.
His legs nearly gave out. His eyes went wide, and a horrified laugh burst out of him.
Despite the sheer mortification, a small part of him wanted to laugh. Because really—how did things spiral that quickly?
He hadn't even been in town that long… and now, thanks to a poorly phrased sentence and suspicious circumstances, he was probably blacklisted from every adoption agency in the region.