Romeo meets Alfredo en route to Lugnano and after an initially cordial beginning, the two become fast friends. Although Alfredo tells Romeo never to ask of his past, he later voluntarily tells Romeo of his life with his sister Bianca and how his only goal is to become and adult so he can protect her. He can read, which makes Romeo look up to him, as Romeo cannot. Alfredo is a strong and quiet individual, and is fiercely loyal to his friends. When they are sold to different men in Milan, he and Romeo swear a special oath that their friendship will outlast everything.

(Source: ex.org) 

Romeo, a young boy living in the Alps of Italian Switzerland, signs a contract with a shady individual to pay for his sick father's doctor, who will take him across the mountains to Italy, to Milan, where he will be sold as a chimney sweep's helper. Thus begins Romeo's journey, amidst abuse and violence, during which he will form lasting and deep bonds with other child chimney sweeps, coming to form a fraternity called "The Black Brothers," who will all learn to help each other in times of need.




[Wiki (jp)](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/藤田淑子)

Alfredo Martini