kscans

Chapter 193 - A Cruel Truth

As I believe I’ve mentioned before, my company is a great place to work. After all, the president founded it so he would have a pleasant place to do his job. The benefits are substantial as well. While many are available to all employees, the president himself is a family man, so the provisions for those with families are especially generous. One of these is a small autumn excursion, or a short trip. It’s for the employees' families, or more accurately, it’s targeted at their children.

Even at a great company, we have busy seasons where things get hectic. There are even times we can't make it home. Autumn is one of them. As the end of the year approaches, it’s inevitably going to get busy. When that happens, time with family dwindles, and the kids start to get frustrated. It’s not a huge problem if middle or high schoolers miss out on an outing, but for the younger ones, it’s a different story. So, in place of their busy moms and dads, the company takes the kids on an excursion or a short trip. It doesn't completely resolve their complaints, since we aren't their parents, but it does let them blow off some steam before we wrap up work for the year. Whether it’s an excursion or a short trip depends on the budget and how many people sign up. If the group is small, it’s a day trip, but if it’s large, we do an overnight trip for two days on a Saturday and Sunday.

Looking after the children are former daycare workers and teachers hired by the president on a short-term basis. He seems to have connections in that area, so we get applications from women who have become homemakers or elderly people who have left the field of education but still want to interact with children. One person from our company is also sent along as a supervisor... and unless it’s a busy period, that’s usually my job. According to the president,

"Since they’re participating, I want them to have fun. I know I can count on you to liven things up for everyone, adults and children alike. Besides, you’re the type who doesn't mind this sort of thing, right?"

And that’s that. Just as the president says, I am the type who doesn't find it a burden, even when it’s work-related, and it adds a little extra to my paycheck, so I have no reason to refuse. I actually enjoy it myself. The little getaways are nice, but I also like seeing the kids. There are times I think, "Oh, you're here again this year, good to see you!" and then there’s the opposite. It’s become a secret pleasure of mine to notice things, like when a child has gotten too old to join in on events like this. And so this year, once again, I found myself serving as supervisor and guide.

(...We got a pretty big turnout this year. About half regulars, half newcomers.)

On the bus, I looked over the children inside while warming up the atmosphere with some conversation. Was this about a full class worth? With this many, we were on a short trip this time.

(The regulars are fine, no problem there.)

Some of them are familiar faces, so they’re all relaxed. The new kids, on the other hand, are clearly a bit tense. But from the looks of it, there don’t seem to be any who are introverted and have trouble interacting with kids they don’t know. At this rate, they should warm up to each other nicely within a few hours. Looks like I won’t have to worry too much about that this year.

"Mister, Mister!!"

"Yeah, what is it, Daiki-kun?"

"Did you finally get a girlfriend this year?"

You little brat... You ask me that every year, don't you?!

"Oh, I know. My mama said you're getting along really well with the president of a client company."

"Looks like I'll have to schedule a meeting with your mama."

If I remember right, that kid is from Izumi-chan in accounting, right? What is she teaching her child?

"Stupid, the mister doesn't need a girlfriend. My dad said so. He said Manager Satou is the king of playboys! He was saying how you’re so popular and he's so jealous!"

It seems I need to have a talk with your dad, too. And did your wife happen to overhear that? Are you sure? Your dad isn't getting beaten up at home?

"Don't be silly. Finding fulfillment in playing around with women only lasts for so long."

"For all we know, he might already be finding himself envious of the warmth of a family in his unguarded moments."

How old are you kids?

(...Setting aside the fact that this stings a little, nice assist, you little brats.)

The precocious kids who spoke up have already participated several times. They were pretty open from the first time, but they must have become certain of it last time. They know I won't get mad over something like this. I'm just some adult from outside their family, not even a relative. It's natural for them to be a little tense even after warming up. But because they were sure it was okay as long as they didn't do anything bad or dangerous, they lost all their reservations.

(The first-timers must feel a bit more relaxed now, too.)

That said, the possibility has now emerged that they'll get carried away and cause trouble. I’ll have to lecture them if that happens, but as long as I follow up properly, it should be fine. It won't just be me, the part-time chaperones and the other kids who’ve had the same experience will probably help out, too.

"Did I hit a nerve? Did I, Mister Satou?"

Might as well let this play out.

"You're damn right you hit a nerve! You know, um. Your moms and dads, right? They brag about how cute their kids are. And in those moments, you know. I find myself trembling with the loneliness of being single and getting super jealous of the warmth of a family."

When I said that,

"No way! My dad's super scary."

"Guys like that are the ones who are all soft and gushy behind the scenes."

"Huh? What's that about? Is he the type who thinks a father's role is to be strict?"

"That kind of thing isn't really popular these days."

So harsh... But I wonder why that is. Not all fathers end up that way, but for some reason, we tend to think like that. Is it their family environment? But in this boy's case, his own father doesn't seem to be like that. Is that it, maybe he's unconsciously trying to create the ideal family he envisions?

"Well, that aside. I feel that sadness in all sorts of other situations, so since we have the time, how about I tell you all about them?"

"Tell us a more cheerful story!!"

"Nope, not happening! You're all stuck listening to Satou Hideo's sad single stories until we reach our destination!!"

A chorus of buu buu and boos went up, but contrary to their words, their faces looked happy. They were just playing along. They must have trusted that I would tell them an entertaining story. And I had no intention of telling any stories that weren't genuinely funny. I would limit myself to anecdotes that a third party could have a good laugh at.

"Do you all like miso soup?"

"I do! I like tofu miso soup!"

"I think I like wakame seaweed."

"Cabbage miso soup!"

"I see, I see. Well, everyone has their preferences, but I love miso soup too. What I like most is the miso soup my mom makes."

It's a miso soup with fried tofu and burdock root. My mom's food is good, but she's not an exceptionally skilled cook, yet sometimes I get an intense craving for it. It's not that I'm unsatisfied with Saku-chan's cooking. It's perfectly good. It is good, but it's somehow different from my mom's. So, I figured I'd try making it myself.

"I started learning to cook around summertime, so I thought, I'll try making it myself, and I did. But it wasn't the same. It was good, but something was missing. As I was wondering what it was, my mom whispered in my head.

'Hideo, it's not because you lack the skill,' she said. Then what is it, I wondered, and my brain-mom continued."

It was a truth that was far too cruel.

"'The most delicious miso soup is one made with sincerity by someone, for someone. That's why, Hideo. You need to find someone who will make miso soup for you, pouring all her love into it.'"

It’s not that Saku-chan's cooking lacks sincerity. But my brain-mom insisted that a wife or a mother is different. Well, that hurt. It really tore my heart to shreds. I never expected my own brain-mom to tell me to go get a wife already...

"That's just you overthinking things and getting hurt all by yourself, isn't it?!"

"Alright, on to the next episode!"

As it turned out, my sad single guy talk was a huge hit.