#05 – What was Lost
“Ms. Sumia.”
‘So you came,’ she said as she rushed to him happily.
Sumia Marion. She was Gileus Marion’s younger sister, and he had met her on the train and again at a party.
“Huh? But why are you with the director?”
“Actually…”
The director, who was the priest, then explained the situation to her.
“A donation? And so much!?”
Ms. Sumia’s hand went to her mouth, and her eyes widened.
“…Are you sure? Mr. Yukito.”
“It was easy money.”
She looked at him puzzledly.
“…Well, thank you. So much.”
“Not at all.”
At first, he did not understand why she was thanking him.
She was just someone who had volunteered to help here with the food. She was not part of the church.
“Now the fears of the children will be alleviated a little…”
“Fears?”
She nodded.
According to her, as the church managed the orphanage, they had enough for the most part, in terms of food, clothing, and a roof over their heads. The church even taught them. In fact, the church taught most civilian children as well.
However, they would not stay at the orphanage forever. They would become adults and have to go out into society.
And without parents, finding work was often difficult. Especially in the imperial capital.
Rents were high, and everything required money.
“We are very grateful.”
“Yes, father.”
The two smiled. It was clear how they were worried about the children.
“I am just glad that I was able to be of use.”
It did not feel good to accept the money. And so he had merely wanted to get rid of it.
However, he truly was glad now.
◆ ◇ ◆
“Ah…!”
After a short tour of the place, he united with Ms. Iria and the others, after they arrived. Arnela Dilmont lit up when she saw Ms. Sumia.
“It’s been a while.” She said with a bow.
“Thank you for coming to help.”
“It’s nothing!”
Fae laughed and then asked about what they could do.
“The girls can help with the cooking. And the boys…”
“Me and them will do the heavy labor.”
Yukito said, and the others laughed.
Obviously, for elite students of an officer school, it would feel like light work. Carrying ingredients, setting the table, carrying the dishes. It was finished in no time.
“Mister! Can I touch your sword!?”
“Hey, could you teach me!”
“No! He’s going to draw with me!”
“Is it true that you saw the Sword Saint!?”
And then now.
Yukito was surrounded by the children.
He wished they would stop pulling his hair, though. What if he became bald later on?
“Hah! Bald!”
“You want to fight then!”
They shouted as they ran away.
And like that, a game of hide and seek began. As for how it ended, it was difficult for him to hold back too much.
“How did you know?”
“Too bad, kid. It’s a hundred years too early for you to challenge me.”
He chuckled at the bow who looked disgruntled, even as he rode on top of Yukito’s shoulders.
These children had too much energy it seemed, and none of them looked sad.
Was it because this orphanage was that great? Or was it something else related to this world?
Though, it was also just that they didn’t show it on the surface. Deep in their eyes, all seemed to harbor a sadness.
“Mr. Yukito!”
When he returned to the church, Ms. Sumia was waiting.
“I’m sorry. You didn’t have to play with the children…”
“Not at all…”
He began, and then smiled.
She was now dressed as a nun. Surprisingly, it suited her quite well.
“Um…is there a problem?”
“Uh, nothing.”
He averted his eyes, and then someone yanked on his hair.
“Mister. Are you sister Sumia’s boyfriend?”
“Huh?”
“B-bo-boyfriend…!?”
As Ms. Sumia looked embarrassed, he heard the boy grumble on his shoulders, and then smack him on the head.
“Well, you can’t have her!”
What the hell was this kid saying?
…And so Yukito tickled him back as revenge.