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“Bweeeh!”
Little Don Quixote heard a cry of distress from a distance. Her heroic instinct told her that someone required her assistance. She searched for the source of the commotion and found a little boy crying on the ground. Don Quixote’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him. He had a round face, shiny blonde hair, and a pretty pair of golden eyes.
“Don't be afraid! The hero is here! What is troubling you?"
Sinclair opened his hand. A little bird was sitting in it.
“I... I heard birds chirping and found a nest. However, a bird fell from the tree. I caught it just in time, but I scraped my knee..."
Little Don Quixote noticed the injury to his knee and nodded. "Hmm, hmm. I see! Wait a minute."
She reached into her pouch. Little Don Quixote took out a water bottle, a handkerchief, and a band-aid. She cleaned and patched up his wound. The little boy wiped his tears away. It stung a bit, but Sinclair could handle it.
“Done! Father told me to bring first aid supplies because I always get injured. Now for the healing spell.” Little Don Quixote stood up and raised both her hands in the air. "Pain, pain, go away!"
Sinclair had a faint red flush on his cheeks. "Thank you. I feel much better. My name is Emil Sinclair. I'm from the Cheery Chick class. What's your name?"
"My name is Don Quixote! I'm from the Perky Penguin class!"
CHIRP, CHIRP, CHIRP!
The little bird disrupted their introduction. The children almost forget about it.
“Oh no, the bird... What should we do?”
Little Don Quixote examined the tree. She could climb it, but it was too risky. Besides, she couldn't climb while holding the bird. “Let’s ask the teacher for help!”
They went to the teacher's lounge. Miss Yuri and Miss Lapis were surprised to see Sinclair and Little Don Quixote together. They were in different classes, after all.
“Teacher, teacher! We need your help!”
Miss Yuri walked closer. "What is it, Sancho?"
Sinclair showed her the bird. Yuri connected the dots on her own. “Oh, my. How pitiful. Where did you find it?"
“It fell from a tree near the playground.”
Miss Lapis stopped licking her lollipop and examined the bird. “Don’t worry. The bird is fine. Let's return it to the nest."
While the teacher searched for the ladder, Sinclair tugged at Little Don Quixote's sleeve. He was confused. “Why did the teacher call you Sancho?”
“Sancho is my real name! But I want to be called Don Quixote, just like my idol."
The teachers helped the students return the bird to its nest. Miss Lapis was nimble enough to climb the tree and gently place the bird back. It safely reunited with its siblings and chirped happily. After that, the teacher headed back to the lounge while the students ran off to the playground.
Sinclair fiddled with his fingers. “Umm... Thank you for helping me."
“You’re welcome! It’s hero duty after all!”
Sinclair kissed Little Don Quixote on the cheek. The little girl was stunned. Sinclair explained his action, covering his face in embarrassment.
“My mom kissed my dad to show her thanks. You’re so nice to me, so I should do the same.”
Little Don Quixote touched his cheek and smiled at him. “I like it!”
The children giggled and held hands. They played together for the rest of the break time. Little Don Quixote helped Sinclair build a sandcastle while he pushed her swings. They returned to their own class when the school bell rang. The two children met again after the lesson ended. Sinclair and Little Don Quixote waited for their parents by playing cards.
Little Don Quixote noticed that her pickup had arrived. "That's father! And Dulcinea!"
Sinclair saw a man holding a little girl with long hair. She wore a fancy dress and spoke like a princess. “It’s time to return home, Sancho.”
“Okay!”
Don Quixote, the Dad, appeared looking dishevelled. His long hair was tied in a low ponytail, and his glasses could not hide the dark circles under his eyes. In his right hand, he held Dulcinea, who was only two years older than Sancho. In his left hand, he pushed a double-bed stroller. Two toddlers, a boy and a girl, slept soundly in it. The man smiled, albeit with an exhausted expression.
“Sancho, did you have a nice time in kindergarten?”
“Yes! I made a new friend!”
Sinclair’s mother greeted him. “Hello, you must be Sancho’s father. Your daughter really takes care of my son."
Don Quixote stared at the cute little boy hiding behind his mother. “Hahaha, you’re welcome. I’m glad my daughter can be a help.”
She was taken aback by the number of kids he had with him. "Is... is that all of your children?"
“Yes.... there was a mistake with the adoption procedure. I felt bad about separating the children after they had already bonded. I’m fortunate that I can afford their needs, but... I'm still looking for babysitters.”
“Oh, my. You must be tired. I have contacts for babysitting services. I hope this may help."
After exchanging contact details, Sancho and Sinclair parted ways. They both waved their hand and followed their parents. Sancho walked alongside Don Quixote. There was nothing childish or heroic about her current behaviour. She was mature, just like Dulcinea.
“Father. Let me assist you with the stroller.”
"Thank you, Sancho. Just be careful, all right? Last time, you fell, and the stroller rolled down the hill."
Sancho was flustered. “It... It was an accident!”
He laughed and stroked her head. "Hahaha. Don't worry. I'm just joking."
“Father? Can I tell you something?"
Don Quixote put Dulcinea down to open the car. "What is it, Sancho?"
Sancho grinned, putting her hands on her hips. "I found my dream! I'm going to make Sinclair my bride!"
Don Quixote's face went from bright to downright gloomy. He stared at his cheerful second adopted daughter. How dare a mere kindergarten boy flirt with her (?). This was unacceptable. He must determine whether the boy was worthy of his daughter.
"Sancho, tell me everything about this Sinclair kid.”
Sancho was perplexed by her father's sudden interest in Sinclair. Meanwhile, Sinclair's Mother stared at her son. He was delighted to make a new friend.
“Are you happy, Sinclair?”
He nodded with a smile. "Yes, I really like Don Quixote! She's so nice and friendly. I want to marry her when I grow up!”
His mother only chuckled at the little boy’s words. She knew it was a childish remark from a kid. The relationship might develop further as long as they remain close. However, only time would tell.
“She was so happy when I kissed her!”
"Wait, what do you mean you kiss her?!”
Sinclair was confused about why his mother was reacting so much. She had to explain that he could not just kiss anyone. Yet neither child understood their parent. All they could think about was meeting each other again at school on Monday.