Chapter 7

Let me start with the conclusion: I was cried at by the director, and even more by my little sister.

At first, I didn’t show up even when it was evening, and the whole orphanage searched for me and worried, for which I was scolded. Then, when asked where I had been, I told them I had been in Dragon Forest, and was scolded with tears. Even though it can be considered relatively safe, it’s not a place for a three-year-old to go. After that, when I explained why I went to Dragon Forest, I was thanked with tears.

In truth, I went because the orphanage was poor, but I lied and said I went to look for food because I was hungry. Either way, the fact that I went to Dragon Forest is true, so the reason doesn’t really matter.

Normally, a three-year-old wouldn’t do such a thing. If my mind was that of a three-year-old, I probably wouldn’t have thought of doing this. However, my mind is that of a grown adult, though I can’t quite determine how old it is. I couldn’t just stand by when kind people like the gentle director and the honest children were in trouble. I’m originally Japanese, after all (laughs).

Well, maybe I did such a reckless thing because I didn’t know the fear of monsters yet…

My little sister has been clinging to me and crying ever since I came back. She has been with me ever since she came to the orphanage, and it seems she was lonely being apart from me for half a day.

That day, my little sister didn’t let me go until we went to sleep.

Incidentally, everything I brought back was appreciated. The firewood, of course, and it seems the herbs can be sold. The sweet potatoes and yams were appreciated by the director and the other adults, but the children, especially the girls, were delighted with the fruits. They all asked for seconds. Sweet treats are rarely served at the orphanage, and fruits are scarce. It seems that in this world, sugar is precious. It’s not that they can’t afford it, right? I’ve never been to town, so it’s hard to judge…

From the next day, I was under surveillance to prevent me from leaving the orphanage.

To be precise, my little sister didn’t leave my side.

The director told me as a punishment to spend the day with my little sister, so today I’ll take care of her. I had something I wanted to do anyway.

I got permission from the director to make a garden at the edge of the grounds. I plan to plant the smaller sweet potatoes from what I brought back yesterday.

The orphanage already has a small vegetable garden, but they only grow herbs.

Sweet potatoes should grow better than other vegetables.

I started making the garden with my little sister. She seems to be having a great time doing something with me.

As we continued working, all the children came over, and in the end, the whole orphanage joined in making the garden.

I hope we can grow a lot of sweet potatoes.

For the next few days, I behaved myself in the orphanage. Some of the children were staring at the garden. The steamed sweet potatoes served for dinner were apparently delicious. Maybe it’s the difference between store-bought and natural ones?

I used a little magic to help them grow faster. With my and my little sister’s examples, they should grow strong if everything goes well.

It’s been about a week since I went to Dragon Forest. The fruits I picked then are gone. Since fruits haven’t been served in meals, the children in the orphanage have been looking at me.

Yeah, they probably want to eat fruits again, but they also think it’s not right to send family to a dangerous place like Dragon Forest.

It seems the item box doesn’t age the items, as there were a few fruits inside, but I want to keep them for emergencies.

I consulted with the director. The director had noticed the children’s behavior but didn’t say anything because they didn’t want me to go to Dragon Forest. After further discussion, when they realized I was planning to go out again, they reluctantly gave me permission.

In return, I had to make various promises:

- Go only once a week

- Don’t go deep into the forest

- Run away immediately if I see a monster

- Come back before it gets dark, even if I don’t get anything

Also, I was given a small knife for self-defense, which was very helpful. It’s useful to have a blade for gathering.

Since it’s already past noon today, I decided to leave tomorrow.

Well, can I trick my little sister tomorrow?

Thanks to everyone, my work "Orphanage Tamer" has won the "HJ Net Novel Award 2018." As a result, it will be published in book form in 2019. Thank you for your support!

Friday, May 24, 2019

"Orphanage Tamer"

Decided to be published by HJ Novels.

Thank you all for your support.