We Took The Girl To The Orphanage
“Th-that was a shock…”
“Wu-wuff! Kuun… Kuun…”
“Ah… Now she’ll really need to take a bath.”
“Indeed… I suppose one should not pet Lep on the nose too much…”
Leo looked at the girl apologetically and then started to lick her face.
…That seemed a little questionable…but I suppose that was Leo’s way of showing that she was sorry.
Mr. Ekenhart and I chuckled and approached them.
“By the way, what is your name?”
“Liza. And how old are you?”
“Hmm. Seven…I think.”
“You think? You’re not sure about your own age?”
While we were headed to the orphanage, I talked to Liza as she rode on top of Leo’s back.
She had been so frightened at first, but now she was used to Leo. She even had her arms around Leo’s neck as she held on.
Apparently, this was partly due to how sorry Leo looked after sneezing.
…After that, Liza had laughed and hugged Leo.
Perhaps she did not care as much about things because she was part beast herself… But that sounded like a slightly prejudiced way of thinking, so I pushed it out of my mind.
“I don’t know where or when I was born… I only remember my grandfather… And he said he found me when I was still a baby…”
“…Found… So it’s been about seven years since then. …It is a common enough story in the slums. That is why there is an orphanage… Hmmm…”
Upon hearing our conversation, Mr. Ekenhart nodded and seemed to be deep in thought.
I suppose as the lord of these lands, this problem was very serious for him.
“…And what happened to your grandfather?”
“…He died not long ago…”
“I’m sorry for asking. It’s probably not a good memory?”
“No. It’s fine. He was very kind… So I do not want to forget.”
“…I see. You’re very strong.”
However, Liza’s eyes were still filled with tears.
She must have really liked this grandfather who had raised her.
But even if it was painful, she did not want to forget as she moved forward. It was impressive.
“But, why were those children hurting you?”
“It started happening after my grandfather died… Because…I am a beastkin…”
“I suppose he was the one who protected you from them… This wouldn’t have happened if we noticed it sooner…”
“…They really bullied you just because you are a beastkin?”
So the old man was protecting her… But why would anyone want to hurt such a young child…
Just because she was a beastkin. I could not understand it.
If anything, you would think people would be taken in by how cute she was.
She had a tail and ears, after all.
“Well, I will explain it to you later. Right now, we have to get her washed up.”
Said Mr. Ekenhart, who still had a stern expression. And so we hurried on to the orphanage.
Liza did not seem to care about being dirty, but we could not just leave her .
…Especially after Leo had sneezed on her.
Though, strangely enough, it had washed away some of the dirt and grime…
“…Still, I’m surprised that you didn’t cry at all.”
“…It hurt and I wanted to cry… But I already cried so much after my grandfather died. So I thought that for him, I have to be strong.”
“…I see… That’s very commendable.”
Even now, though her eyes were moist, she would not shed any tears.
She must be trying very hard to not cry.
But to put a child through such a thing… I became angry at the people who bullied her again. But I didn’t let it show.
I would praise her and pat her on the head later.
“It’s nice to see you again. Is Ms. Anna here?”
“Oh? Mr. Takumi!? It has been so long! Yes, I will call her right away!”
After arriving at the orphanage, I talked to the woman who was cleaning.
She was the same person who had been cleaning last time… Was she always out here ?
I suppose it was her job.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. What brings you here today, Mr. Takumi?”
“It’s good to see you, Ms. Anna. Well… There is someone who needs to borrow your bath…”
“Our bath? Oh, that child!?”
“Yes. Would that be alright?”
After being called by the woman who was cleaning, Ms. Anna came out to greet us.
I then told her why we were here and showed her Liza, who was clutching onto Leo.
Upon seeing her, Ms. Anna understood perfectly.
However, Liza looked a little confused to be in a strange place.
Still, she was not scared, which showed that she at least knew that these people were not hostile.
“Where did this child… And she is a beastkin… Well, I understand. I will have some hot water prepared at once.”
“Not at all. Go and prepare the bath.”
“Hmm? Ah, that’s right. Ms. Anne. How are the children?”
“Oh, yes. Just fine. They are playing in the garden right now.”
“Leo wants to play with them… Will that be alright?”
“Yes, of course! I’m sure they will be overjoyed!”
Ms. Anne knew what Liza was at once, and though she looked a little troubled, she quickly said that a bath would be prepared.
She then gave orders to the woman who was sweeping, and she ran into the orphanage.
After seeing this, Leo seemed to be wondering where the children were, and so I asked Ms. Anna if Leo could play with them.
Since she had played with them last time, it seemed that they would be happy to see her again.