Chapter 26

The girl, unable to grasp the situation, looked surprised at the children eating with smiles.

"Big sister is awake!!"

The children eating also gathered around the girl.

"What's going on... and even a meal..."

Leor began to explain in response to the girl's question.

"I... went to the Adventurer's Guild to ask for help to heal big sister. Then... big brother came to help."

"---No way... the Adventurer's Guild... we don't have the means for that..."

"But you got better right away! Big brother cast 'High Heel' and 'Cure' on you. He even made the meal."

"High Heel... we don't have the means to pay for that... and this meal too...?"

Surprised, the girl stood up, and I began to explain.

"I did receive a fee from Leor. I was also hungry, so I joined in for the meal. We had plenty of ingredients."

"That's right! I paid three copper coins from the savings I had!"

The girl was shocked by the amount. Normally, no adventurer would take a job for just three copper coins. She came in front of me and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for accommodating Leor's whims. And for the healing magic, I'm sorry... As you can see, we don't have the means..."

With teary eyes, the girl sincerely thanked me. I stood up with a smile.

"Let's start with introductions. My name is Touya. I'm an adventurer from the town of Fender, and I'm here on guard duty. I happened to run into Leor at the guild. Since I had some free time, I took the job."

Realizing she hadn't introduced herself, the girl blushed and introduced herself.

"I'm sorry... My name is Saya. I take care of the children here at the orphanage. Thank you very much."

"Shall we eat? There's still some in the pot, and we have bread too."

As if drawn by the smell, Saya's stomach growled. She blushed even more at the sound.

"---Then, I will..."

I ladled soup into a bowl and placed it in front of her with some bread. Saya was surprised by the hearty soup.

"So many ingredients..."

She took a spoonful and put it in her mouth, and her cheeks immediately relaxed.

"Delicious..."

I smiled and continued my meal. The children quickly finished eating and started serving themselves seconds. By the time they were done and looked satisfied, the pot was empty.

"「「「「Satisfied~~!!」」」」

I smiled at the children who were happily full. Saya also looked satisfied. After the meal, we did the dishes with the children. They were happy to help with the water magic. Then the children started playing in the courtyard. As I sat watching them, Saya sat next to me.

"Thank you so much today... I feel bad that I can't repay you for such a delicious meal..."

"It's fine. The children were happy. Children's smiles are the best..."

"Really... seeing these children smile is what keeps me going..."

"By the way, you run this orphanage alone..."

"Yes... I ran it with my mother, but she fell ill and..."

"I see..."

"Ah! Big brother and big sister are so in love!!"

"「「「「Oh!!」」」」

At the children's voices, I scratched my head and looked to the side to see Saya blushing.

"Stop it! Don't say that!!"

Saya stood up and started chasing the children.

"Big sister's face is so red! In love!!"

As I watched Saya chase the children, the sun began to set. The exhausted children fell asleep, so I told Saya and Leor, who was still awake, that I was going back to the inn. They looked a bit sad.

"Big brother, will you come back?"

"Um, I came this time for guard duty, but I'll be back in Fender tomorrow. I'll visit when I come back to this town."

"Okay! I'll be waiting. Big sister wants you to come too!"

"Leor!!!"

As Saya tried to catch him, Leor dodged and ran again.

"See you later. I'll leave this here. Give it to the children later."

I took out a pot from my dimensional storage, surprising everyone. It was the soup I had made in Fender.

"---Touya, thank you so much."

"I have more, so it's fine. See you."

As I left the orphanage, they waved until I was out of sight.

I walked through the slums toward the inn. The area wasn't very good, and people's gazes followed me. Ignoring them, I continued walking when a voice suddenly called out.

"Finally found you..."

I turned around to see the adventurers who had hassled me at the guild, grinning. I sighed deeply.