kscans

Chapter 117 - Request

"I've decided not to set any rules after all. You're free to do as you please. As Rika-chan and the others said, it's probably an adult's role to deliberately restrict children to prevent them from making mistakes. I don't think I'm wrong about that either. But I also think this, that failures and mistakes are also experiences."

The night after receiving those wise words from Morishita-sensei, I visited Saki's house for a three-way discussion. During that conversation, I honestly shared the conclusion I had reached after thinking it through myself.

"I'm not telling you to fail or make mistakes, you know? It's better if you don't. But even if you do fail, I think that's still a valuable experience."

I didn't have a smooth sailing youth myself. The biggest wound among them was my separation from Takahashi and Suzuki. Though it was sad, even that became nourishment for me.

"When you become an adult, you carry more baggage. One failure can have quite an impact, but when you're a kid, it's not like that. You can cover minor failures well enough. So... what I think my role as an adult is, is to clean up after children if they fail, so they don't break down."

That's why I won't set any restrictions. Complete freedom. How she interprets that is up to Saku-chan. Whether she'll be happy thinking she's lucky, or whether she'll take it seriously as freedom given under trust.

"Saku-chan can do whatever she thinks is right. Even if something happens, Hero Uncle will take care of everything."

When I told her that, Saku-chan smiled happily.

"I understand. I'll do my best in my own way so I don't betray Hero Uncle's trust."

"Yeah."

Those words really made me happy. And I was reminded once again of Morishita-sensei's greatness.

"It's true there are some crappy teachers out there, but when they exist, there really are genuine teachers too."

"Hehe, that's good."

After work, I was chatting with Suzuki at a fast food restaurant near Takahashi's workplace. We were waiting for Takahashi now, but it wasn't like we had plans to go drinking today. During lunch break, I received a call from the Mutual Aid Society saying they had something to discuss with STS, so we ended up gathering on short notice.

"Still, Satou-kun. Even though you're single, being a parent really suits you, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, Saki told me the same thing."

I cried shamelessly and told her to leave me alone. Seiya-san brought out some good alcohol to comfort me, so... I guess in the end it was my victory.

"...Marriage, have you not thought about it?"

"I don't have anyone."

"What about Saionji-san?"

"Ah... Chika-san, huh. If you ask whether I like or dislike her, I love her. But, how should I put it..."

As Morishita-sensei said, I think my interpersonal skills are quite high. I'm even aware that I operate quite calculatingly.

"With you, Takahashi, and Chika-san... somehow, I can't control my emotions properly."

I can't handle things smoothly. They're probably too special. Because of that, I can't fully utilize my communication skills.

"Even though I like them, I don't really understand if this is that kind of liking..."

If anything, it feels like I've transcended everything already. I think I'm overthinking it, but there's nothing I can do about this.

"So, pathetic as it sounds, I've decided to just let everything flow naturally."

If it seems like we'll have that kind of relationship, then fine. If not, that's fine too. If I think about it too much, I'll fall into a downward spiral... This is probably the right answer for me.

"I see. Well, if that's what you've decided, I won't say anything about it."

"Sorry about that."

"It's fine."

Suzuki cheerfully munched on fries.

"By the way, aren't those fries mine?"

"Mine ran out."

"Order more... honestly."

"Sorry, sorry. By the way, what do you think they want to talk to us about?"

"Who knows?"

I'd understand if it was an emergency request and they only called me. But including Takahashi and Suzuki too...

"Honestly, in terms of fighting power, Satou-kun alone would be enough. I wonder what it means that they want us too."

"Right? Oh, it's from Takahashi. Says it'll take a bit longer."

"I see. Then it should be fine to order more."

Something about trouble at the daycare. Being a childcare worker must be tough.

"Going back to our earlier conversation. You're going to start living with a relative's child from September, right?"

"Yeah."

"And that child will help with housework since they'll be staying with you."

"Yeah. But I'm not going to leave everything to them, of course."

She's already having a hard time being dragged into the supernatural world. I plan to let her handle housework to the extent that it lightens her mood, but I won't dump everything on her. There will be days when I'm late due to overtime on weekdays or when I'm away for personal commitments, but at least on weekends I plan to do it myself.

"In that case, why don't you take this opportunity to seriously learn cooking?"

"Hmm... certainly, it might be a good opportunity."

I had someone teach me for a few days to make lunch boxes, but I haven't done anything special since then. Being easily bored is my bad habit.

"Maybe I'll officially attend the class you run."

"No, no, I can teach you personally."

"Huh? Even if we're friends, I can't make a professional work for free."

Having you cook when you come to visit is safe because I provide the place and pay for ingredients.

"You're being stubborn. We have a special relationship, don't we? Just as you think of me as special, I think of you as special too."

"Suzuki..."

I almost want to cry.

"Call me when you're free at night. If our schedules match, I'll teach you and we'll make what you cook into dinner."

"Sounds good."

Since Saku-chan and I would be making portions for two, it would be good practice.

"Since we have the chance, you'd want to make things that child likes, right? Do you know any of her favorite foods?"

"A few. First, yellowtail and daikon."

"Yellowtail and daikon is delicious."

"Then kinpira gobo."

"That goes well with rice."

"Chikuzenni."

"That also goes with rice."

"Five-ingredient beans."

"..."

"Spinach with sesame dressing..."

"No, that's too refined. Are those really a teenager's favorite foods?"

I think so too. It's not that she dislikes meat. When we go to yakiniku, she eats heartily. It's just that Saku-chan likes the plain, simmered dishes where the flavors soak in.

"I can teach you all of those, but... I'd also like her to experience more diverse foods..."

"What will you do, sensei?"

"Let's go half favorite foods, half things she probably hasn't eaten much. As for likes and dislikes..."

"None."

"I had a feeling."

After coordinating schedules with Suzuki, Takahashi arrived about thirty minutes later.

"Sorry for being late."

"Don't worry about it. The Mutual Aid Society was the one who called us suddenly."

I teleported the two of them to Mutual Aid Society headquarters. Even though they said they'd accommodate our schedule since it was sudden, the fact remains that we went over the initially proposed time. I should burst in with a playful apology as soon as I enter the room. Thinking that, I opened the door to the president's office and was stunned.

"You've come, Hideo."

"...King Enma?"

There was Enma in casual clothes. The president with him was sweating profusely. I don't know why he's here, but... well, anyway.

(Good thing I didn't have to pull off that playful apology)

Seriously.