Side: Villia
"Hey, Aslin, Filia. Is Yuki-sensei... is Onii-sama not coming today?"
When I asked about Yuki-oniisama, everyone around me looked over with interest.
Of course they did. It was strange for Onii-sama not to be at the school. We all love him dearly.
"He said today is for self-study. Onii-chan and the others have a meeting as representatives starting this morning. He mentioned some important person is coming."
Aslin replied.
"Yes, Onii-sama said he'd be busy with various meetings today, so we should just relax."
Filia added.
The moment they answered, everyone's faces darkened in unison.
"hic... Why... were we abandoned...? Waaaaah!"
"Eh!? No... I don't want that... hic..."
Once one person started crying, it spread like wildfire, and nearly half the class burst into tears.
"Awawa!? Please stop crying! Onii-chan would never do that! He just has to work today, he couldn't help it!"
"That's right! He's just a little busy today, he'll definitely be here tomorrow. So please, stop crying!?"
The two of them scrambled to calm everyone down, but it wasn't working.
Well, it couldn't be helped.
Usually, Yuki-oniisama is the one who keeps everyone steady. Other representatives visit occasionally, but Onii-sama usually manages this school all by himself—though Seraria-sama, his wife, drops by every other day.
Anyway, if I know for sure that Onii-sama is coming back, there's no point in me moping around. I have to help Aslin and Filia.
"Hey!! Everyone, stop crying!! If you keep this up, Yuki-sensei will dislike you!"
When I shouted that at the top of my lungs, everyone went dead silent instantly.
"Aslin told you, right? He has important work today. So, let's study hard so we can be praised tomorrow. If Yuki-sensei hears you spent all day crying, he'll be troubled."
"...If I work hard, will he praise me?"
"Of course. Sensei is kind, don't you know that?"
"I know!"
"Then you have to do your best."
"Yeah!"
Once one person nodded, everyone went back to their desks at once, opened their textbooks, and began to study.
"Villia-chan!? Everyone suddenly started studying!?"
"Eh, is that bad?"
"The 'relaxing' Nii-sama talked about isn't studying! It means playing! He says studying is only for when he's actually teaching us."
"I wonder why?"
"I don't really understand what Onii-chan says, but he told me, 'There are a lot of things you can only do right now. Like playing with friends or doing stupid stuff...'" Aslin explained.
"He said just studying isn't enough. He said doing lots and lots of different things will surely be good for our future!" Filia added.
"Hmm. Then what should we do? What do you guys think?"
I thought about the meaning of Onii-sama's words, but I didn't really get it, so I asked the others...
"I don't really know."
"Let's play soccer!"
"We just did that yesterday... actually, you do that every day!!"
"Ehh, but soccer is fun."
Everyone's opinions were all over the place.
"...Villia-oneechan. Let's use the teleportation circles to look around different places. I don't really know much about this... dungeon?"
One of the children suggested.
"That's it! That's a great idea. We still don't know anything about this dungeon. We got a map in dungeon class the other day, didn't we? Let's take that and go on a field trip!"
"""Ohhhh!!"""
"Wow, Villia-chan is so dependable!"
"Yeah, just like Nii-sama."
Aslin and Filia praised me.
"Being told I'm like Onii-sama makes me happy. I'm definitely going to become a fine lady who can be useful to him in the future! Anyway, Aslin or Filia, can you contact one of the representatives?"
"Sure, but why?"
"Because if they come to check on us and we aren't here, it'll be a huge scene. Also, we need to ask about lunch and things like that."
"I see, true. Wait a second."
Aslin used a 'Call' to contact someone.
Apparently, you can use that skill once you become a representative. Of course, Onii-sama can use it too. I'm a little jealous of Aslin and Filia. Those two have been with him since long before I met him.
Ah, more importantly, I have to get everyone ready to go out.
"Everyone, make sure you put your water bottle, name tag, and ID card in the backpacks we got the other day. Also, we might stop by Super Ratz, so bring your money too."
When I said that, everyone scurried back to their rooms to get ready.
Every single child looked happy. It was like the time before we came here was a lie.
"It's truly like a dream..."
* * *
I am Vilia.
I am a child who lived in the slums of the capital of Roshure.
I only faintly remember my parents. ut they were kind. My father and mother were warm.
...But before I knew it, I was all alone.
I was kicked out of my house, and we ended up living together, huddling for warmth.
Every day was a struggle. Searching for food, begging... I lived my life in my own way.
There are groups even among slum children. There are children who try to survive even if they turn to crime like theft, and children who desperately try to live within the bounds of common decency.
But most of them couldn't endure the hunger, turned to crime, and most of them never came back alive.
"...Hey. Villia-oneechan. Onii... isn't moving."
Hiiro, who was clutching my hand, asked me.
She was looking at the boy we called our big brother.
He wasn't our real brother—he was just the leader of our group.
We had no blood relation. But that was enough.
Every day he desperately gathered food and shared it with us... He was a wonderful big brother.
That brother was now motionless, tightly clutching a large amount of bread that overflowed from both hands.
No... he was already dead.
There was a small bloodstain on the wall...
"Big brother is just a little tired. Let's let him sleep. Hiiro, I put bread in this basket, can you take it to the others?"
"Yeah. Okay."
Hiiro hurried away with the bread. At the vibration, our brother rolled over. The wall was smeared with blood.
...I wonder where he stole that bread from.
It couldn't be helped. It's the natural end for a criminal... But it was still sad.
* * *
Alone, I buried big brother's body in the place where our other siblings slept.
Now, I am the leader of this group.
I have to get food somehow, more than ever, or everyone will starve.
At that time, my head was full of nothing but that.
That's why I felt no fear at all even when someone with fine clothes and a sword stood before me.
For the sake of tomorrow's food, I reached out my hand—
"Ara? Trying to steal from me? You've got some guts, don't you?"
That was my encounter with Seraria-sama, which led me to this dungeon.
* * *
I was taken away by Seraria-sama and asked many questions.
Since I couldn't die in a place like that, I answered honestly and tried my best to stay in her good graces.
Then, when the talking was over, Seraria-sama said this:
"Hey, Villia. Would you like to take those children and come with us?"
"Eh?"
"I have a job that requires children. If you come, you'll be able to eat proper meals."
"You'll... give us a job?"
"Yes. If things go well, you'll have a place where orphans like you can live properly. What do you think?"
"Y-Yes!! I'll go tell everyone!!"
"Wait a moment—Someone!"
"Yes!"
"Follow Villia and buy some food with this money. If you give money to a child like this, it'll either be stolen, or they'll be ignored at the store, or they'll just be ripped off. You protect her well."
"Yes! Right away."
* * *
"...Qual, the number of orphans is abnormal. We can't take care of all of them, but this number is impossible..."
"...About that, the nobles under the Loire family were pocketing the money meant for orphan relief..."
"Scum!! Investigate them immediately... no, we're storming in. Come with me. We leave tomorrow, so I'll settle this today. If they resist even slightly, cut them down."
"Wait!? What about the cleanup!?"
"Leave it to Aria-neesama. She'll handle it skillfully."
And so, I ended up following Seraria-sama.
* * *
"Alright, everyone's here? I'm Yuki. I'll be your instructor... no, your teacher starting today. Nice to meet you!"
My first impression was just that he was Seraria-sama's husband and a very important person. So, I remember greeting him politely, not wanting to displease him.
"U-Um. You are Seraria-sama's husband, right!? I-It is an honor to meet you!!"
Since I was the leader of everyone, I squeezed out the words I had desperately prepared.
"Ah—that Seraria. Always causing problems in places like this..."
Yuki-sama expressed dissatisfaction, though I didn't know what was wrong.
"I-I'm sorry!! W-Was there a problem!?"
"Ah, no, no. It's not your fault. So, since you're the one greeting me, I take it you're the leader of these children?"
"Yes!! My name is Vilia!! If there's anything I've done to offend you, please punish me!! Please forgive the others..."
Before I could finish, a hand was placed on my head, and I shrank back.
"Sorry for scaring you. I want to get along with everyone. So I won't punish you."
Yuki-sama bent his knees to match my height. At the same time, the hand on my head moved in a gentle, slow stroke.
"Villia, you are praiseworthy. You did well for everyone. You are far more praiseworthy than someone like me."
"Eh?"
"So, don't try so hard. This place will protect you properly."
"Ah... u..."
Those words soaked into my body, and tears overflowed from my eyes, refusing to stop.
"Uwaaaaah....!!"
"Cry, just cry. Let it all out. You've been working too hard for such a small body. Honestly... you're a world apart from how I was as a brat."
"Every day... every day... there was... no food... Onii... died... and I... had to... do... my... best..."
"I see... I see... Hey, why is everyone else crying too!?"
With me as the trigger, everyone else started crying as well.
After that, Onii-sama desperately comforted us. He told us that there would be many fun things from now on, so we should stop crying and eat some food.
And so, the dreamlike days began.
We were taken to the school and lived together in the dormitory on the grounds. It's a house with a roof, and beds were prepared for everyone, and the food is nothing but delicious things.
And every day we study and play at the school.
Just as Onii-sama said, there are so many, many fun things...
* * *
"Even though it's only been a week... it feels like I've been here forever."
I thought that suddenly after finishing the lunch boxes prepared at Super Ratz with everyone in the park. In the park, everyone who had already finished eating was playing however they liked. Hiiro was among them, and noticing me...
"Villia-nee—ugh!?"
She ran toward me and tripped.
"Are you okay!?"
Before I could reach out, a man who had entered the park at some point helped Hiiro up.
"Are you alright?"
"...Un. Thank you."
"You're praiseworthy for not crying."
"...Un, I'm a strong kid."
"Yes, you are strong."
The man looked at Hiiro and smiled happily.
"Um, thank you for helping Hiiro."
"No, no, it was just after she fell. I didn't do much..."
The man had an expression as if he wanted to say he wasn't very cool. Meanwhile, everyone around was looking over worriedly.
"Even so, thank you. Everyone's okay, so let's play. Well, see you later, Oji-san."
"O-Oji-san!? ...W-Wait a moment, jou-chan. Do you like this city?"
The man asked with a serious expression. But the answer was already decided.
"Yes, I love it!"
When I answered immediately, the man's surprised face quickly turned into a smile...
"...I see. Thank you."
With that, he left the park.
Come to think of it, was there an old man in such fine clothes among the immigrants who came with us?
* * *
"Oh, so this is where you were, Crack. If you wander off just because the meeting is on break, you'll get lost."
"...Yuki-dono. Please, use me to protect this town."
