Chapter 140: Gifts
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“Sig-san, I will hold the paperbag for you.”
I said so to Sig-san as soon as we left the parlor.
“Hm? It’s fine.”
Right now Sig-san was holding Conny in one hand and the paper bag which contained the gifts we had prepared that Balth-san had asked him to bring in another hand.
Sig-san said he was fine but both of my hands were free so…
There was no need to go out of the way to put that paper bag in a magic bag since the distance wasn’t that long. I was thinking I could help him carry the paper bag but Sig-san said he was fine.
“I will hold it for you then~ Sig, you just hold that boy tight in your arm, okay?~”
“Ah, thanks.”
I was wondering what I should do since Sig-san refused my offer but then, Chris-san quickly took the paper bag from Sig-san.
Yeah, that’s a smart move. If only I could do it like Chris-san too…
“Sig, am I not heavy?”
Sig-san adjusted his hold on Conny-kun, from one hand to holding the boy with both of his hands. Conny-kun then asked Sig-san that. His fluffy blonde hair was fluttering as he inclined his head to the side.
Uwah… Now that I take a closer look at him, this boy is really, really adorable… His eyes are round and his cheeks so pudgy. I can’t wait to see what he looks like when he’s all grown up.
“Hm? Now that you mentioned it… I like to workout so I’m fine but I think you’ve grown bigger than the last time I saw you, huh?”
“Yeah! I’ve become big, right? But Doris said I’m still small!”
What’s that? Didn’t Sig-san say the last time he visited was 2 months ago? Saying you’ve become big in just the span of 2 months… Isn’t that too adorable?! I guess another kid called Doris-chan teased him because of that?
“I see, I see. Doris is a bit older than you after all. But don’t worry, Conny. I’m sure you will become big in no time.”
“You think so?”
Conny-kun tilted his head to the side at Sig-san’s words again.
From the looks of it, Conny-kun must be around 3 or 4 years old. I guess it must be hard for him to imagine himself becoming bigger.
“Of course? Besides, if you become big too fast, I won’t be able to hold you, you know? Are you fine with it?”
“No! I want Sig to keep holding me!”
When Sig-san said he wouldn’t be able to hold Conny-kun when he became big, Conny-kun shook his head vehemently at the thought.
“Well if that’s the case then… You need to take your time to grow big slowly, okay?”
Sig-san said so while stroking Conny-kun’s head tenderly.
“Yeah! I got it!”
Conny-kun then nodded his head at Sig-san’s words. Seeing the exchange between the two of them, I could see they were really close.
It seems like Sig-san is going to be a good father.
“You’re quite familiar with things like this, huh.”
Fer-san said so, looking impressed. He must be feeling the same way as me.
“Well that’s because… I stayed here until I was 15 and even after I left the orphanage, I still show my face here once a month or every two months. The longest I didn’t visit this place is maybe, about 6 months? Well, I guess I won’t be able to visit this place as frequently as before from now on though.”
Does that mean Sig-san is here for about 6 to 7 years? Since he’s here until he was 15 and he was first admitted here when he was 9. Even after he left, he still comes back once a month or 2? Well, no wonder he’s used to handling small children. I wonder if Sig-san said he won’t be able to visit as much because we’re going to become a family and will make Pedrell as our main base?
“You’ve been here that much?”
“Yeah. These brats are pretty cute after all. I also like to unconsciously buy some gifts for them but since Ren has prepared quite a lot for them, I didn’t bring any this time.”
When we were talking about the children, Sig-san had a very gentle expression on his face.
This orphanage must be very precious to him. Fufu~ Now I’m certain he’s going to be a good father.
“Ah! Conny! That’s not fair!”
“That’s right! Even though the rest of us had to hold back!”
“Hey, hey. Don’t look so scary like that, okay? Now Sig is here anyway so you guys can play with him too.”
As we were talking while walking, we arrived at the same dining hall from before but now the tables had been pushed to the side except for one table, leaving a big space in the hall that they had covered with a rug.
I see. So in this way, they can generally have a wide space to play.
When the children noticed Sig-san was coming, they approached us with a big smile on their face but once they realized he was holding onto Conny-kun in his arms, the children started to voice their disapproval simultaneously.
Well I guess for them it’s not fair for stealing the march, huh.
When we were wondering what we should do, Hanna-san came to our rescue and she calmed the situation down just like that.
As expected from an expert.
“Once again, nice to meet you guys. I’m Hanna. If the children are being unreasonable, it’s alright to clearly tell them ‘no’, okay?”
She then turned her head to us and said so.
Yeah… It seems like it’s going to be dangerous if I can’t say no to them since there are a lot of children and they seem to have a lot of energy. I guess we need to do our best, huh…
“Yes. Chris-san, thank you for holding onto that paper bag. Hanna-san, these are for the children. Feel free to give it to them as an afternoon snack or you can also give it to them after they finish dinner.”
“My oh my… Thank you. Everyone is going to be delighted.”
I took the paper bag from Chris-san and then handed it over to Hanna-san. Hanna-san then happily accepted the bag, she smiled so beautifully as if flowers were blooming around her.
When I see her feeling this happy, it makes me glad I’ve bought it for them.
“Whoa! Big brother, thanks!”
“Hanna-sensei, can we eat them now?”
“No. We’ve already decided on the snack for you guys today so I will give it to you after dinner.”
“Okay….”
The children around excitedly peeked at the bag and then they asked Hanna-san if they could eat it right away but Hanna-san was standing firm on her decision. She firmly reminded the children. Although the children looked dejected, they still nodded their heads obediently.
As I thought, Hanna-san is the mother figure in this orphanage, huh?
“Oh, we also have some picture books and stationery there, can you share them between the childrens later?’
“Yes! We will share them properly later! The children are going to get bored if we keep reading them the same picture books and having a new stationery always helps us greatly.”
I handed her another paper bag I had been carrying and told her the content of that paper bag. I bought the picture books while confirming with Sig-san so I wouldn’t be buying the picture books they already had and as for stationery, stationery was a practical stuff so it would be great as a gift for childrens. Something practical was better than something strange and it would be much appreciated by the receiver too.
Apparently I hit the mark because the older children, they didn’t seem all that interested in the snacks before but now they were looking in our direction.
“And then these are for all of the staff here. These are handkerchiefs.”
Lastly, I handed her another paper bag that was smaller than the others. This paper bag was much lighter than the other since there were only 10 handkerchiefs in here although I already had each handkerchief wrapped individually.
“Sig! You’ve brought a very good kid here! Some people that visit this place like to bring something for the children but to think he’d bring something for the staff too! Thank you, Ren.”
After I explained the content of it to Hanna-san, she who had been keeping the same tender smile on her face, opened her eyes and turned to Sig-san, talking with him excitedly.
“I know, right?”
I see. So people often bring something for the children but they rarely bring anything for the staff, huh?
Hanna-san then put the paper bag on the nearby table and hugged me tightly. She was wearing a pair of shoes with small heels on them so her breast was pressed directly into my face, making me suffocate for a bit. But this gesture of hers made warm, soft feelings blossom in my heart.
I have the same feeling when I’m with Eva-san too. I guess this is what a mother feels like?
I was a bit uncomfortable because Eva-san’s outward appearance looked very young despite her actual age but Hanna-san, her actual age fit her outward appearance too so I guess that made her feel more motherly to me.
“Hanna-san…”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Although I didn’t hate it, it was uncomfortable to stay like this so I let out a little troubled voice and Hanna-san immediately noticed the state I was in. She then gently released me from her hold.
“No, I’m glad you’re happy with the gifts.”
“Fufu~ I will give the gifts from Ren to the teachers here, okay?”
She said so as she went to the other room that I assumed was the room for the other staff members. She also took one handkerchief from the bag and put it into the pocket of her apron.
“…….. Ren-oniisan.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Picture book… You bring them for us, right? Will you read it to us….?”
A young girl who seemed to be 5 years old, she had been hiding behind Hanna-san but now she peeked her face from behind Hanna-san’s skirt, asking me for a favor while fidgeting. She was really adorable.
“Of course. I have several picture books with me so you can choose which one you like and then I will read it to you, okay?”
There was no way I could refuse her when she asked me so adorably like that. I had bought 15 picture books for the small and the slightly older children so I asked her to choose which one she’d like me to read for her.
“Okay!”
By the way, when I bought the picture books, I already checked if the automatic translation could work with picture books and it worked perfectly so I could read it just fine for the children.
How convenient~
“Sig-ani! And the other big brothers over there! Let’s go play outside!”
A little further away from me, there was a group of older boys, about 10 years old. They asked for Sig-san and the others to play with them. Apparently there was a pretty big playground on the backside of the building. Although you wouldn’t be able to see the playground from the front.
“You can just call me Chris~”
“And you can call me Fer.”
“Okay! Chris-ani and Fer-ani!”
“Fufu~ It feels somewhat refreshing~”
“You’re right. I don’t think I’ve ever been called like that before.”
Being called in the same way as Sig-san, the other two felt it was a somewhat refreshing and new experience. They had an embarrassed grin on their face but they looked happy about it.
“Ren, we’re going outside. If there’s something you need, just call Hanna-sensei or another adult here.”
“I understand. Please be careful so no one will get hurt.”
I was looking at the previous girl and the other children peering into the paper bag with picture books inside as they were selecting which picture book they wanted me to read when Sig-san approached me and said that.
Am I that unreliable…? I think I can handle some things to a certain extent myself though… Well it’s not something worth arguing about so it’s better if I just nod my head along.
“Yeah. Also Ren, don’t let yourself be swept along by those brat’s selfish whim, okay?”
Sig-san added as he lightly stroked my head.
“I will be fine. Have fun there, Sig-san.”
I assured him I would be fine and sent him off while laughing.
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Additional information for Conny
Name: Conny
Age: 3 years old
Height: 100cm
He has blonde, curly hair and round, big, blue eyes. He’s very fond of Sig who comes over occasionally.
Chapter 140: Gifts
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
“Sig-san, I will hold the paperbag for you.”
I said so to Sig-san as soon as we left the parlor.
“Hm? It’s fine.”
Right now Sig-san was holding Conny in one hand and the paper bag which contained the gifts we had prepared that Balth-san had asked him to bring in another hand.
Sig-san said he was fine but both of my hands were free so…
There was no need to go out of the way to put that paper bag in a magic bag since the distance wasn’t that long. I was thinking I could help him carry the paper bag but Sig-san said he was fine.
“I will hold it for you then~ Sig, you just hold that boy tight in your arm, okay?~”
“Ah, thanks.”
I was wondering what I should do since Sig-san refused my offer but then, Chris-san quickly took the paper bag from Sig-san.
Yeah, that’s a smart move. If only I could do it like Chris-san too…
“Sig, am I not heavy?”
Sig-san adjusted his hold on Conny-kun, from one hand to holding the boy with both of his hands. Conny-kun then asked Sig-san that. His fluffy blonde hair was fluttering as he inclined his head to the side.
Uwah… Now that I take a closer look at him, this boy is really, really adorable… His eyes are round and his cheeks so pudgy. I can’t wait to see what he looks like when he’s all grown up.
“Hm? Now that you mentioned it… I like to workout so I’m fine but I think you’ve grown bigger than the last time I saw you, huh?”
“Yeah! I’ve become big, right? But Doris said I’m still small!”
What’s that? Didn’t Sig-san say the last time he visited was 2 months ago? Saying you’ve become big in just the span of 2 months… Isn’t that too adorable?! I guess another kid called Doris-chan teased him because of that?
“I see, I see. Doris is a bit older than you after all. But don’t worry, Conny. I’m sure you will become big in no time.”
“You think so?”
Conny-kun tilted his head to the side at Sig-san’s words again.
From the looks of it, Conny-kun must be around 3 or 4 years old. I guess it must be hard for him to imagine himself becoming bigger.
“Of course? Besides, if you become big too fast, I won’t be able to hold you, you know? Are you fine with it?”
“No! I want Sig to keep holding me!”
When Sig-san said he wouldn’t be able to hold Conny-kun when he became big, Conny-kun shook his head vehemently at the thought.
“Well if that’s the case then… You need to take your time to grow big slowly, okay?”
Sig-san said so while stroking Conny-kun’s head tenderly.
“Yeah! I got it!”
Conny-kun then nodded his head at Sig-san’s words. Seeing the exchange between the two of them, I could see they were really close.
It seems like Sig-san is going to be a good father.
“You’re quite familiar with things like this, huh.”
Fer-san said so, looking impressed. He must be feeling the same way as me.
“Well that’s because… I stayed here until I was 15 and even after I left the orphanage, I still show my face here once a month or every two months. The longest I didn’t visit this place is maybe, about 6 months? Well, I guess I won’t be able to visit this place as frequently as before from now on though.”
Does that mean Sig-san is here for about 6 to 7 years? Since he’s here until he was 15 and he was first admitted here when he was 9. Even after he left, he still comes back once a month or 2? Well, no wonder he’s used to handling small children. I wonder if Sig-san said he won’t be able to visit as much because we’re going to become a family and will make Pedrell as our main base?
“You’ve been here that much?”
“Yeah. These brats are pretty cute after all. I also like to unconsciously buy some gifts for them but since Ren has prepared quite a lot for them, I didn’t bring any this time.”
When we were talking about the children, Sig-san had a very gentle expression on his face.
This orphanage must be very precious to him. Fufu~ Now I’m certain he’s going to be a good father.
“Ah! Conny! That’s not fair!”
“That’s right! Even though the rest of us had to hold back!”
“Hey, hey. Don’t look so scary like that, okay? Now Sig is here anyway so you guys can play with him too.”
As we were talking while walking, we arrived at the same dining hall from before but now the tables had been pushed to the side except for one table, leaving a big space in the hall that they had covered with a rug.
I see. So in this way, they can generally have a wide space to play.
When the children noticed Sig-san was coming, they approached us with a big smile on their face but once they realized he was holding onto Conny-kun in his arms, the children started to voice their disapproval simultaneously.
Well I guess for them it’s not fair for stealing the march, huh.
When we were wondering what we should do, Hanna-san came to our rescue and she calmed the situation down just like that.
As expected from an expert.
“Once again, nice to meet you guys. I’m Hanna. If the children are being unreasonable, it’s alright to clearly tell them ‘no’, okay?”
She then turned her head to us and said so.
Yeah… It seems like it’s going to be dangerous if I can’t say no to them since there are a lot of children and they seem to have a lot of energy. I guess we need to do our best, huh…
“Yes. Chris-san, thank you for holding onto that paper bag. Hanna-san, these are for the children. Feel free to give it to them as an afternoon snack or you can also give it to them after they finish dinner.”
“My oh my… Thank you. Everyone is going to be delighted.”
I took the paper bag from Chris-san and then handed it over to Hanna-san. Hanna-san then happily accepted the bag, she smiled so beautifully as if flowers were blooming around her.
When I see her feeling this happy, it makes me glad I’ve bought it for them.
“Whoa! Big brother, thanks!”
“Hanna-sensei, can we eat them now?”
“No. We’ve already decided on the snack for you guys today so I will give it to you after dinner.”
“Okay….”
The children around excitedly peeked at the bag and then they asked Hanna-san if they could eat it right away but Hanna-san was standing firm on her decision. She firmly reminded the children. Although the children looked dejected, they still nodded their heads obediently.
As I thought, Hanna-san is the mother figure in this orphanage, huh?
“Oh, we also have some picture books and stationery there, can you share them between the childrens later?’
“Yes! We will share them properly later! The children are going to get bored if we keep reading them the same picture books and having a new stationery always helps us greatly.”
I handed her another paper bag I had been carrying and told her the content of that paper bag. I bought the picture books while confirming with Sig-san so I wouldn’t be buying the picture books they already had and as for stationery, stationery was a practical stuff so it would be great as a gift for childrens. Something practical was better than something strange and it would be much appreciated by the receiver too.
Apparently I hit the mark because the older children, they didn’t seem all that interested in the snacks before but now they were looking in our direction.
“And then these are for all of the staff here. These are handkerchiefs.”
Lastly, I handed her another paper bag that was smaller than the others. This paper bag was much lighter than the other since there were only 10 handkerchiefs in here although I already had each handkerchief wrapped individually.
“Sig! You’ve brought a very good kid here! Some people that visit this place like to bring something for the children but to think he’d bring something for the staff too! Thank you, Ren.”
After I explained the content of it to Hanna-san, she who had been keeping the same tender smile on her face, opened her eyes and turned to Sig-san, talking with him excitedly.
“I know, right?”
I see. So people often bring something for the children but they rarely bring anything for the staff, huh?
Hanna-san then put the paper bag on the nearby table and hugged me tightly. She was wearing a pair of shoes with small heels on them so her breast was pressed directly into my face, making me suffocate for a bit. But this gesture of hers made warm, soft feelings blossom in my heart.
I have the same feeling when I’m with Eva-san too. I guess this is what a mother feels like?
I was a bit uncomfortable because Eva-san’s outward appearance looked very young despite her actual age but Hanna-san, her actual age fit her outward appearance too so I guess that made her feel more motherly to me.
“Hanna-san…”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Although I didn’t hate it, it was uncomfortable to stay like this so I let out a little troubled voice and Hanna-san immediately noticed the state I was in. She then gently released me from her hold.
“No, I’m glad you’re happy with the gifts.”
“Fufu~ I will give the gifts from Ren to the teachers here, okay?”
She said so as she went to the other room that I assumed was the room for the other staff members. She also took one handkerchief from the bag and put it into the pocket of her apron.
“…….. Ren-oniisan.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Picture book… You bring them for us, right? Will you read it to us….?”
A young girl who seemed to be 5 years old, she had been hiding behind Hanna-san but now she peeked her face from behind Hanna-san’s skirt, asking me for a favor while fidgeting. She was really adorable.
“Of course. I have several picture books with me so you can choose which one you like and then I will read it to you, okay?”
There was no way I could refuse her when she asked me so adorably like that. I had bought 15 picture books for the small and the slightly older children so I asked her to choose which one she’d like me to read for her.
“Okay!”
By the way, when I bought the picture books, I already checked if the automatic translation could work with picture books and it worked perfectly so I could read it just fine for the children.
How convenient~
“Sig-ani! And the other big brothers over there! Let’s go play outside!”
A little further away from me, there was a group of older boys, about 10 years old. They asked for Sig-san and the others to play with them. Apparently there was a pretty big playground on the backside of the building. Although you wouldn’t be able to see the playground from the front.
“You can just call me Chris~”
“And you can call me Fer.”
“Okay! Chris-ani and Fer-ani!”
“Fufu~ It feels somewhat refreshing~”
“You’re right. I don’t think I’ve ever been called like that before.”
Being called in the same way as Sig-san, the other two felt it was a somewhat refreshing and new experience. They had an embarrassed grin on their face but they looked happy about it.
“Ren, we’re going outside. If there’s something you need, just call Hanna-sensei or another adult here.”
“I understand. Please be careful so no one will get hurt.”
I was looking at the previous girl and the other children peering into the paper bag with picture books inside as they were selecting which picture book they wanted me to read when Sig-san approached me and said that.
Am I that unreliable…? I think I can handle some things to a certain extent myself though… Well it’s not something worth arguing about so it’s better if I just nod my head along.
“Yeah. Also Ren, don’t let yourself be swept along by those brat’s selfish whim, okay?”
Sig-san added as he lightly stroked my head.
“I will be fine. Have fun there, Sig-san.”
I assured him I would be fine and sent him off while laughing.
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー
Additional information for Conny
Name: Conny
Age: 3 years old
Height: 100cm
He has blonde, curly hair and round, big, blue eyes. He’s very fond of Sig who comes over occasionally.
