Serephina sat in the library along, a book on her lap as she read through it. The book wasn't new, she had read it a couple of times already, to the point where she managed to memorize its contents.

But even reading the book didn't calm the brunette down from her anxiety.

Today was the day Emma and Norman would investigate what was beyond the walls. Which meant, Ray also had to hold Mama back.

But for some reason, there was this overwhelming feeling of unease. Serephina couldn't just ignore it. She was sure something had happened.

And with that, she stood up, closed the book and placed it on the shelf, and then headed out.

She wasn't planning on going to wherever Ray or Mama was in, that would make the situation worse. She was planning on searching through the whole orphanage.

Searching for what, or who? Well, Serephina was trying to look for Sister Krone.

It was strange how the woman didn't show up earlier. Ever since then, Serephina didn't feel so great. So now, she decided to go and check the places she was in.

She wasn't in the dining hall, nor was she in the storage room or the fields. Serephina decided to take her searching to the second floor.

Before Serephina could even go a step up, footsteps started descending from the second floor. Serephina raised a brow as she looked at Mama. The woman held the tracking device in her hand. It was obvious that Mama was gonna go and search for Norman and Emma.

"Mama?" It's best to stall time then. "Have you seen where Sister Krone is?" Serephina asked, trying to make sure she doesn't seem suspicious. "I've been looking for her, but I haven't found her at all..."

"Ah, yes." Mama smiled as she crouched down to level with Serephina's height. "Sister Krone is going to be a Mama at some other orphanage. She's been promoted."

"That's great!" Serephina forced out a grin. Well, it wasn't so hard. "Shouldn't we celebrate? Maybe I can help make a cake! Well, she isn't here— but she was still one of the people who took care of us! So we should still—"

"Serephina."

The girl instantly stopped talking. Mama's voice wasn't so sweet as it used to be, not only that, she looked like she was glaring at her.

"Maybe we can discuss about this later, after all, someone is getting adopted too."

What? Serephina forced out a smile once again. But I thought there weren't going to be any shipments for this month? Did Mama already know our plan since the start?

"That's great!" Serephina cheered. "Then we should make the cake double!"

"Of course." Mama stood up before patting the girl on the head and looking at the tracking device once again. "I'll get going. I still have work to do."

Was that enough time though? Serephina watched as Mama left the orphanage and headed out to the fields. Emma and Norman? Did they see what was beyond the wall?

Serephina's eyes widened when she realized. Wait.. Ray!

She then rushed to the second floor. She then heard a banging from Sister Krone's room. That must be him, she thought before trying to open it.

"Ray?! How are you locked in?!" Serephina twisted the door knob. And as expected, it didn't budge a bit.

Before she could even go infront of it, the door in different directions, but as expected, the door didn't open.

"Wait, Phi! Move aside!" Ray's muffled voice exclaimed. Serephina raised a brow before moving aside from the doorway. In the corner of her eyes, she saw Don rushing up the stairs.

The door slammed open. Maybe a little too open, to the point where it even came unhinged.

"Wha—?!" Serephina, Ray, and Don all looked at the door below Ray, all in shock that he basically destroyed a thick door which seemed impossible for a boy his size.

"My bad...!" Serephina held back her laughter, this was no time to be laughing, Mama was probably out to get Emma and Norman!

"We're talking about this later!" Serephina looked at Ray. "We need to catch up with Mama! She's gonna get to both Emma and Norman at this rate!"

The three of them all ran out the house. Don called Gilda along, a few moments later, the four kids ran to the other side of the forest.

"Goodness! We can't catch up!" Serephina ran ahead everyone else, she was using her full speed. They needed to stop Mama from interfering with the investigation!

Don't mind Mama! Just keep going!

I can already see Mama up ahead. Serephina then looked at the two kids infront of the woman. Emma and Norman.. wait— suddenly, the ginger head ran up to the woman while Norman ran towards the wall with the ropes in hand.

Wait— Emma can't— Serephina then pulled Mama from Emma, trying to make sure the ginger head doesn't get hurt from trying to stop the woman from catching Norman.

Crack!

Serephina's breath hitched as Emma looked at the brunette with both her eyes wide as ever. Emma pushed Mama away as she tried to pull Serephina away from her.

"H-Huh..." Serephina looked at Emma's expression. It was a mix of horror, worry, and anger. On the other hand, Norman.. Norman's expression looked so... Furious..

"My.. still a strange one, Serephina." Mama smiled as she hugged the girl, stroking her hair as she tried to ease the pain from her leg. "I'm surprised.. I didn't think you'd be part of their plan, after all, I've never seen you as someone suspicious."

Mama then looked at Emma and Norman, who stood infront of her with a dark look. "This is why I told you to give up already!" She hugged Serephina tighter. "But I must admit, it does feel great to be able to hug you like this again!"

Infront of the two kids was an injured Serephina. Her eyes glistened in the light, they were sure, she was trying to hold back her tears from falling down. She was in pain, it was evident.

"And Norman, I'm very impressed that you managed to figure out this situation!" Mama smiled as she took out some gauze from her pocket. "That's right. My job... Is to simply hold you back."

Mama took a stick and placed it on Serephina's leg, wrapping it around with the gauze to make sure it would stay in place. "That's just how indispensable you all are! A special offering reserved for a special someone! The most high quality produce I've ever raised!"

"Then why...?"

"And that's why I'll do whatever it takes to protect all of you." Mama faced Serephina. "I didn't expect you to join them, Serephina. If you weren't going to listen to me, then this was the only option I had left." She smiled at the brunette, who held back herself from screaming in pain. "She won't be able to move for a while."

Mama then caressed the girl's cheeks, trying to calm the girl down. "Now things will go smoothly until tomorrow!"

"T-Tomorrow?" Emma mumbled out as the three looked at Mama confused. Their brows all furrowed, trying so hard to believe that it wasn't what they think it would be.

"Yes, tomorrow." Mama smiled at Emma. "Now don't you make a ruckus, Emma. I want you to celebrate like a good girl would." Mama then sighed. "It's a shame that Serephina can't help me prepare the desserts though."

"The headquarters just contacted me."

"Congratulations, Norman." After those few words, Serephina's eyes widened as she looked at Mama in horror.

She didn't even know who it was anymore.

"Your shipping date has been decided."

Everyone heard it. Norman heard it, Emma heard it, Ray heard it, Don heard it, Gilda heard it, Serephina heard it.

And they didn't want to hear it ever again.

Serephina felt herself going limp on Mama's arms. She fiddled with her fingers to try and keep herself composed.

Reality is cruel.

Fact Fifteen
Having her leg broken
was the most painful experience
Serephina had.

TPN's manga hits differently. Like, the anime is beautiful and amazing but the manga is like— a whole masterpiece.