kscans

Chapter 137 - A Blessing in Disguise

It has been about ten years since I got my childcare license and started working. At first, I was so overwhelmed just trying to get by, doing whatever it took to manage. After a few years, I finally learned to relax. I felt my perspective widen as I naturally picked up the knack for watching over the children. And as I continued to watch them with this new perspective, I noticed something.

Toddlers are surprisingly precocious.

Of course, this does not really apply to babies or kids up to about three years old. I am talking about the four and five year olds. What was I like when I was four or five? To be honest, I do not remember, but I have a feeling I was just running around with a snotty nose, not a care in the world.

"Hey, teacherrr, are you listening to me?"

Kanon-chan puffed out her cheeks in protest. How adorable. It makes my heart go kyun kyun. It is not just Kanon-chan either. All children, boys or girls, are cute. I think they are angels. I do, I really do, but.

"Sorry, sorry. So, what was it again?"

"I was sayinggg! I don't know how to ask Haruto-kun out on a date!"

The topic of her consultation... I get a lot of this kind of love advice. Every time, I cannot help but think these kids are way too precocious. Considering how often it happens, my way of thinking is probably just old fashioned, but I just cannot get used to it. I mean, it is not like their dates are a big deal. They just hold hands and get all clingy in the nursery or play together. But to think they recognize that as a date... it leaves me with a strange feeling.

"Whenever I try to ask him, he always runs away. Oh, but it’s not like he hates me, okay?"

"I know. It's because Haruto-kun is just shy, right?"

"Yup! Teacher, you get it!"

Her mischievous smile made my heart skip a beat again. Be that as it may, I really do not know what to do with these kinds of consultations. I could probably talk my way out of it with some platitudes. But children are surprisingly observant of adults. If I were to brush her off like that, she would get hurt, and I would lose her trust. So I have to face her with sincerity, but.

I have never had a boyfriend in my entire life.

Or a girlfriend, for that matter. Even back when I was a man, I never had a single romantic rumor about me.

‘You're so stuck up! Acting like you’re not interested is what makes you so popular, and that's what pisses me off the most!’

That is what Satou used to say, but I really was not interested. I think that was it. My emotional development was a bit stunted. Even when I got chocolates on Valentine’s Day, I always acted aloof.

Thinking back on it now, I wish I had put a little more effort into that side of things.

If I had, I would have been able to give a definitive answer to a child's love problem.

"How should I appro... ah!!"

"? What's wrong, Kanon-chan?"

"Teacher, there! Over there!"

She pulled on my arm, and I followed her gaze. A little ways off, another child, Ayano-chan, had taken a huge tumble. That looked like the kind of fall that might be a bit bad.

"Teacher! Don't worry about me, go help her!"

"Okay. Thank you."

I hurried over with a tata sound, and as soon as Ayano-chan saw my face, she burst into tears. There is a way to fall that makes you cry and a way that does not. I guess this was the former. I picked her up and carried her to the nurse's office, cooing to soothe her. To a child, this is a major incident, but for us, it is just another day at the office. A nursery school teacher’s job is to spend each day skillfully resolving these frequent troubles, which are minor for adults but major for children.

"...Fuu."

After a flurry of running around, I could finally take a breath. It was nap time now, so I returned to the staff room and opened my bento box. I am not in charge of a class this year, so this is about all the time I get for a lunch break. If I were a homeroom teacher, I could eat lunch with the children, but I am a floater. I spend their mealtimes helping the homeroom teachers with the kids’ food, so I do not really have the time, you know?

"Senpai, good work today."

"You too."

We exchanged words of appreciation, put our hands together, and said our thanks for the meal. You have to do it properly, even when the children are not watching.

"By the way, Senpai."

"Hm?"

"I've been wondering for a while now, but ever since that trip to the beach... has something changed?"

...Was it that obvious?

"I wonder."

"Oh no, you're not getting away with that."

I tried to play dumb, but she shot me down instantly.

"You're in a blatantly good mood. I mean, you've always been friendly, but you've powered up."

She said she had been curious but had not found the right time to ask. And according to my junior colleague, it was not just her who noticed. The other staff members felt the same way.

"We came back empty handed that time, but... Senpai, did you catch a man?"

I could see a hint of accusation for her betrayal, but it was overwhelmed by the sheer curiosity in her eyes. At this rate, she was not going to let me go until I told her the truth. I let out a small sigh and decided to be honest.

"He's a man, but it's not a romantic story."

"Then what is it?"

"...I ran into a friend from high school, someone I had a falling out with."

If I were to explain it while hiding all the other details, that was the only way to put it.

"We both felt so guilty that we never contacted each other. Honestly, I thought I'd never see him again in my life."

"That's, well, what should I say..."

"You don't have to be so considerate. You said I seemed happy, right?"

"W, well, yes... But there's also the possibility that you forced yourself to move on after a clean break..."

"Don't worry. We were able to make up properly."

Satou cried when I forgave him, but I was the one who wanted to cry. I betrayed him so terribly, yet he never blamed me and only blamed himself. ...He really is an idiot.

"And then, this guy... his name is Satou, you know? After I made up with Satou, I was also able to mend my relationship with another girl I'd fought with, Suzuki."

The thorn that had been stuck in my heart for so many years was finally gone. That must be why I seemed so cheerful.

"...So that was the reason."

"I told you it wasn't a romantic story, didn't I?"

"No, no, but this Satou person is a man, right? Could it be...?"

"No way."

That is what I wanted to say, but... what is the real story? Satou is my best friend. That has not changed. I have always cared for him, now and back then. It is just that, now that I am a woman, I feel like other feelings besides friendship might be... starting to bud... Hmm, an incoming call? The lamp on my phone, which was on the desk, was blinking. I checked it and saw a message from Satou.

...Jeez, what a guy.

Apparently, he was supposed to help the kids with their training today but would likely have to work overtime. He was asking me to be his pinch hitter.

"See! That face! That's the face! You just got a message from that Satou-san, didn't you!?"

"...Yeah, I did."

"I'm not letting you escape. I'm going to hear every last detail!"

...This was going to be a pain.