I Need Sponsorship - Chapter 9
Rather than feeling like the death flag is gradually disappearing, the fact that the wounded child is starting to open her heart to me itself made me happy.
I guess that’s why I smiled without even realizing it.
Ren’s pink eyes shook as she looked at me.
I said to her, “I want to change.”
“……”
“I’ve hurt you guys so much so far, and I don’t know if the wounds I caused can heal, but I want to be a guardian who you can trust and tell that it hurts when you are sick and when you are hungry without hesitation.”
Ren was quiet when she heard me.
I didn’t want to hear her answer either because I knew the reason.
The carriage with just the two of us on our was on the way to the orphanage where the children were waiting.
“Thank you, for the ride.”
“No, please call me right away if you ever need to rent a carriage again.”
After dropping Ren off, I thanked the coachman and he blushed. Then he looked at me with a serious face and suddenly bowed his head.
“And I am sorry lady!”
I asked back with a perplexed look at his sudden apology.
“Huh what are you apologizing for?”
Then he said, slightly looking at me.
“About when I stared at the lady for a while when we first met…… When ever I think about it, my behaviour was wrong at that time…… I’ve never seen such a beautiful lady like lady in my life, so I wasn’t acting normally! I sincerely apologize if I offended you!”
“Ah…….”
He meant it by the first time when I rented a carriage and when he stared at me.
I forgot about it because I was feeling grateful towards him, but he must have felt guilty.
My boiling anger was all gone, but I was thankful that he apologized like this. Without hiding the emotions of my heart I answered with a smile.
“It’s alright. And I’m thankful for a lot of things you did for”
“Ah, thank you lady!”
“But please be careful next time. Even if it wasn’t intentional, the person who gets the attention can feel offended about it.”
“Yes! I’ll keep that in mind, lady!”
The coachman replied loudly.
As the carriage left, I opened the door of the orphanage. The squeak of rusty metal rang loudly.
I think this needs some oiling in this place, too. Would it be better to call someone professional to do it? Well, no I can do this much myself.
While I was thinking, the front door of the orphanage opened and the children came out. Everyone ran towards Ren.
“Ren! Are you feeling alright now? Does it still hurt?”
Chloran asked First, checking Ren’s body.
At the same time, he seemed to doubt me ‘Did the director harass you?’ by glancing at me.
Ren shook her head.
“I am feeling alright now. I slept well at the clinic. So It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“That’s a relief……”
At Ren’s calm voice Chloran hugged Ren in relief.
I think that they were abandoned in front of the orphanage on the same day.
Usually the possibility of this happening was very low, but I suppose it can happen because it’s the male lead and the female lead?
It started with that special relationship and became like this. So it was natural that they are this affectionate to each other.
Next was Rodi who walked up to Ren. Ren hugged Rodi.
“Sister, are you feeling better now?”
“Yeah, it doesn’t hurt anymore. Rodi, you didn’t cry because I wasn’t there, did you?”
“Yes! I didn’t cry! Hehe.”
“Good girl.”
Ren stroked Rodi’s hair.
As much as Chloran and Ren, Rodi and Ren’s relationship was also very special. It was Ren who picked up Rodi who was dying in the slums of the streets.
……in the future Ren recalled this place {Sielra’s Orphanage} and apologized to Rodi with tears.
She was sorry for bringing her from that hell to this hell like place.
Wait what did Rodi say then? Oh, I remember now.
Whenever she is with her, she said that it was like paradise for her.
Ren and Rodi’s relationship was deeper than Cloan’s in terms of the of affection. It was Rodi who stood by Ren after breaking up with Chloran.
“But now don’t overdo it, Ren. Because there might be some weakness in your body because of the fever.”
Jack said in a calm tone, restraining Chloran from constantly running to Ren. Ren nodded.
“Yes, brother.”
“And Chloran, don’t bother Ren. Ren is a patient right now.”
“Huh?”
Chloran, who kept trying to go to Ren, stepped back when Jake said.
Jake was the reason why the children were able to be safe even though there were no guardians.
Jake Purite.
A child who will not appear in the future in the novel.
Jake looked at me with calm brown eyes as if he felt my gaze.
But they say sometimes quiet people are even scarier than any storms. I was more worried about Jake than Chloran, who was openly hostile.
Because of Jake’s personality, he won’t clear his doubts about me until the end.
Finally, I found the girl who didn’t fit with the group.
An unknown character.
The girl was just standing still in the back of the children as if she was hesitating.
She looked somewhat anxious and nervous. After a while the girl folded her hands and turned back to go inside.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her back.
“Ren, go inside and take a rest. Jake, can you come to my office for a moment?”
After the children went inside, I called Jake separately. Jack looked at me suspiciously, but he followed me gently.
When I entered the director’s office, it was emptier than before. There were no more jewels and ornaments on the walls, or dresses that filled the closet.
Jack also looked surprised at the suddenly changed interior, but he didn’t show it.
“Why don’t you take a seat? Sit down, and would you like to have a cup of hot chocolate?”
“……Ah sure.”
“Wait a moment.”
I searched through the shopping bag brought yesterday and took out a container of cocoa powder. After heating the milk and mixing it with the powder, it had a sweet scent.
I said to Jake, holding out the cup of hot chocolate.
“I’ll move other ingredients like cocoa, milk, and etc to the kitchen, so you can have it whenever you want . Oh, and you shouldn’t drink too much of it. It’s not good for your teeth.”
“……”
I was worried that I might have nagged him too much while talking.
But I can’t help but to do it. There are really no rules at all in this orphanage. Too much freedom only ruins health.
“I’m confident about making hot chocolate. Would you like to taste it?”
Jake, who hesitated for a moment as I spoke with a confident face, took a sip of the hot chocolate.
When he took a sip, Jack’s eyes grew big. Looking at it, I said happily.
“Is it good?”
“Yes, it’s delicious. I think Rodi will love it.”
“When you go out later, give the kid some hot chocolate. If I give it to them then they won’t be able to have a taste of it comfortably.”
” Director, may I know why you called me?”
As expected, I try to warm up the atmosphere, but Jake didn’t take it easily.
I sighed inwardly and looked at Jake with nervous eyes. I carefully said.
“I want to know more about you guys.”
Of course, Jake doubted my words. Jake was a very thoughtful and suspicious child so it was expected.
But I also didn’t have much to say either.
It’s true that I’m curious about the children.
There was a silent confrontation for a while. No, should I even call this a confrontation? It would be better to say that I gave Jack enough time to think about my intentions.
I opened my mouth.
“I didn’t know anything about you guys. I was being too careless and indifferent. I hurted you guys a lot. So….”
Jack’s brown eyes felt somewhat heavy. I gulped down my saliva, feeling the burden and guilt, even the 14-year-old child sitting in front me could hardly feel it.
“I don’t think my efforts will heal your wounds.”
“……”
“But I still want to be better and create a different future than before. I want to at least try to make you guys believe that this is a safe place. So, can you guys please give me a second chance?”
Now my hopes were a pea for their trust.
‘I said everything I had to say.’
If Jake refused it, then I would have to start without basic knowledge of the children in order to improve my relationship with them.
Not only to avoid my death, but to raise them well, I needed to know about them.
And about the girl I saw who wasn’t even in the novel, I know nothing about her at all.
That’s why I need Jake’s help for the first step to improve my relationship with the child.
Suddenly Jake’s eyes glanced at mine. I followed Jake’s gaze. There was a bag containing medicine.
Jake opened his mouth.
“Honestly, director, you are acting differently today, I never thought you would get these.”
“…….”
Jake’s gaze shifted from the medicine bag to me. He continued, looking straight at me.
“Even so, I don’t want to give up the chance to make the other children happy.”