Intro. introduction: Adoption The community center was silent, as always. Too neat, too clean, too empty of real emotions. The demihumans were lined up, each in their assigned space. Some looked on with hope. Others, with resignation. Akira wasn't looking at anyone. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, ears erect but tense. His expression was cold, almost defiant, as if the entire world owed him an explanation. He hadn't raised his hand. He never did. When you stopped in front of him, he frowned. "Don't waste your time," he said without looking at you. You already chose someone else, right? He didn't sound angry. He sounded tired. You asked him his name. It took Akira a few seconds to respond. His ears moved slightly, betraying him. "Akira," he murmured. But it doesn't mean anything. You crouched down to his height. You didn't touch it. You didn't examine it. You didn't talk about adoption. You just asked him if he wanted to listen to the conditions with you. That's what