Memoirs of the Returnee - Chapter 6



Only Krnovel

＃Returner’s Notepad Episode 6

Young Heart (3)

When I opened my eyes again, it was Tuesday.

The game was on Monday, so I was knocked out for a day.

“… … “Is it fun?”

This is the public health center inside the orphanage. While I was in the hospital, I asked the guys who were bopping in the bed on the other side.

“Yes… … .”

“… … Ugh!”

Berry and Belle. The two are sitting with their heads together and playing a game on their smartphones.

It’s been like that since I woke up.

It seems as if the smartphone was explored on its own while the owner was away, and it has steadily developed from U-TV to mobile games.

—Game over.

“eye patch!”

“crying.”

“Berry is dying… … .”

I smiled bitterly. Then Barry and Belle turned to me. I was somewhat embarrassed by the children’s very innocent eyes.

I said, scratching the back of my neck.

“I’m sorry.”

I had pretty good form, but I lost.

To be honest, I had no choice. Who knew such a monster would come?

“Still. Promises are meant to be broken. Lying is meant to be told. “This is the way of the world-”

“Zion is so cool.”

“What a mess.”

Barry and Belle smiled, showing their teeth. There was no sadness or disappointment in that smile directed at me.

Thanks to you, I froze for a moment.

“Well, a bad person just came in, bang! phut!”

Barry waved his arms around with a needlessly expressive expression.

“As soon as I finish!”

Bell also helped.

“… … hmm.”

I felt embarrassed for no reason. She shrugged her shoulders and ran a hand through her hair.

“But I couldn’t keep my promise.”

He pointed to the smartphones in Bell and Berry’s hands.

“I’ll give you that.”

At that moment, the two children’s eyes widened. Paba Park – The current surged. Her hair stood up as if it had become human static electricity.

“Woah, wow-”

“… … .”

Belle’s cheeks were swollen with anticipation, but Berry actually bit her lip.

“No.”

Then he shook his head resolutely. I put my smartphone back.

“are you okay.”

“… … why?”

“I’m going to take it out. “Once we get out of our house.”

It was a very practical reason. It’s too much to contain in a child’s mind.

You may be at an age where you can just fill yourself with what you want without worrying about what will be taken away from you.

“… … .”

Barry saw my expression and laughed.

“Berry are you okay? “It’s not much fun anymore.”

“you. “I thought wrong.”

I pushed his forehead with my finger. I forced the smartphone into the guy’s palm.

“It’s not that I don’t have it because I’m afraid it will be taken away, but I have to become strong so that it doesn’t get taken away. “Why give up without even trying?”

“… … to?”

Suddenly Barry’s eyes narrowed. The guy looked up at me quietly. I said as if holding his gaze.

“Hold it. closely.”

Then Berry’s little fingers gained strength.

A smartphone that is too big for him to hold with both hands is wrapped around his chubby fingers.

“You may still be weak, but if you gain strength, you won’t be taken away.”

“… … .”

Barry bit his lip in silence. It seemed like she was trying to stop crying, but her cheeks were swollen like buns. Her eyes became water droplets, and her expression became very distorted.

I’m on the verge of crying.

“If you understand, take it now. “I have work to do.”

As soon as Barry nodded, he ran out. Belle followed her older sister without knowing why.

Looking at those guys, I sighed.

“… … “I became attached to it for no reason.”

Uselessly.

But anyway, we will soon break up.

I lay down on the bed.

“ah… … “It fucking hurts.”

My physical condition is a lot worse than I thought. Because the side effects of Perion were as serious as expected, no, more serious than that.

“I shouldn’t use this under any circumstances.”

It feels almost instinctive.

If you use it more than twice a week, you will definitely die… … .

I quickly fell asleep again.

* * *

next day.

When I woke up late and went out into the hallway, the dormitory of the orphanage youth group had turned into some kind of party hall.

“… … “What?”

I stood there blankly and looked around.

Is it a closing party? If the store goes bankrupt, all the remaining items are thrown away or something like that.

But the housemaster, Dent, and even the youth group guys are all strange. Each person has a smile on their face.

“Oh, Zion!”

Then Telun called me. Everyone in the lobby turned to look this way.

I asked him.

“What kind of party is this?”

Telun said with a grin.

“We are celebrating because the orphanage has moved to a regional area.”

“… … province?”

My eyes widened slightly.

“okay. “It’s not a complete abolition.”

“… … .”

Local transfer.

This is a story that never happened in the future.

Not only was it completely abolished, but the orphans here were scattered all over the continent.

“Instead, they say the scale will be much smaller. At most, it seems like only kids under 9 to 10 years old will go… … “We are independent as is.”

Telun gave a small smile. The youth group guys whose names I didn’t know also approached me one by one.

They spoke hesitantly and gave awkward glances. There was gratitude for those meaningless actions. There was goodwill. I also felt sorry.

“Thanks to you.”

After saying that, Telun seemed to be reminiscing for a moment and then looked at me.

“It was awesome. I heard you’re quick, you. Honestly, isn’t that the same as winning? “Your opponent is so-”

“When was it decided?”

I interrupted Telun. Then Dent came closer and answered instead.

“The decision was made early this morning at Libra’s headquarters. We found out in the morning. The kids take the bus to lunch, and we stay here until we break down.”

“… … But why is that thanks to me?”

I was in doubt. Honestly, it was ridiculous.

Why is this sudden development because of me?

“The smallest one… … Miss Zia spoke of you directly. “I was impressed by your fighting spirit.”

Zia, me?

My mouth opened blankly. Dent smiled and put his hand on my shoulder.

“Are you moved? but. Didn’t I tell you? If you work hard, you will be rewarded, but where is your baggage? “I have to go now.”

“… … yes?”

“I mean Jim.”

“ah. “Nothing like that.”

I shook my head.

There is no need to take any luggage.

… … No.

Yes, there is.

An Askal treasured sword handed down from generation to generation.

I can take that out of the dormitory later.

Dent said.

“I see. Then, a bus will soon arrive to take the children. “Let’s go to the playground.”

* * *

The playground of the orphanage.

The eldest son, Zedric, was indeed quick. Architects and technicians were already flocking in to discuss blasting methods.

I sat in the stand with Telun and watched them.

“The kids are coming out.”

Small children began to file out of the infant dormitory.

Penguin-like guys with yellow hats on their heads and yellow bags on their backs, each holding their hands tightly and shaking the back of their heads.

The playground they walked out of is now full of laughter. The unique, youthful voices tickle me. Like going on some kind of trip.

-ah!

Among those 200 or so children, there are two who bother to look for me.

Belle and Barry.

The guys came running together.

“Shion~ We won’t break up. “Please go to another house.”

“As soon as I finish.”

Berry Belle quickly approached and smiled, baring her teeth. I looked at Berry’s neck. A smart phone was hanging on her dainty handkerchief.

This is a necklace made by attaching a loop they made to a smartphone and inserting a handkerchief into it.

“Is that so?”

Berry laughed bitterly.

“What are you going to do now, Zion?”

“well. “I will do anything.”

“wow… … Doing anything… … .”

“Wow… … .”

While Berry and Belle were admiring, three large buses pulled in at the entrance to the orphanage.

“The bus is coming. Now go. “I don’t have time.”

“Yes, write!”

I don’t know what cartoon I watched yesterday, but Barry and Belle had a strange attitude of loyalty. Then he tied the handkerchief necklace tightly again.

“Call me.”

The children tapped on the smartphones that were now theirs, smiled, and walked away with small steps – one step or two.

I looked at them quietly.

“I see I’m leaving now.”

Just then, Telun approached.

“Hey, Zion. “This is your cell phone number, right?”

The guy asked, showing me the cell phone number scribbled on a piece of paper.

“uh.”

“I’m glad. “I can contact them.”

Anyway, it seems that Telun plans to continue the relationship here.

“Are you going to do it too?”

“… … .”

I thought for a moment, but then shook my head.

“busy. I also have to go to college. “I don’t have time to contact you or anything like that.”

“… … what? Wow~ Is that so? “There really is no such thing.”

Telun turned around, pouting.

—Okay, everyone, sit down. Be sure to wear your seat belt as soon as you enter.

Barry and Belle happened to be sitting in the back of the bus. The guys turned around in their seats and waved at me through the glass window. He moved his small lips as loud as possible and said something.

“good.”

I also waved. Berry and Belle burst into laughter.

Before long, the bus carrying all the children closed.

The noise and laughter that filled the playground disappeared.

In that silence, the bus started.

Rumbling——

Fortunately, the children do not see ‘our house’ destroyed.

We can’t separate from each other.

So, it might be okay to go somewhere far away.

Because children’s young hearts can find hope and smile at any moment.

“… … that’s interesting.”

A very different story from the past I knew.

Today, Libra has retained very little of her humanity.

Did that change come about from me?

“Sion Ascal.”

As the bus was slowly leaving, Dent called me. He was already shedding tears as he looked at the bus.

“You can become a better person than your father.”

Those words, spoken in a trembling voice, were somewhat of a relief.

Because I’m not ‘like’ my father.