NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17.2
Stage 1-17. Nice Timing
The time I spent praying alone was far shorter than I expected.
Of course, I never doubted their victory, but for them to return so soon…
“The threat to the orphanage has been eliminated. You can rest easy now. There’s no one left to disrupt your daily life.”
“I see…”
I sighed in relief at Alice’s report.
“Thank you all so very much…!”
“Hehe… It’s kind of embarrassing.”
“You don’t need to thank me. Make sure to thank Ouga-sama, who granted your wish.”
“Yes… Vellet-sama.”
When I called out to him, Vellet-sama, who had been standing behind the others, visibly flinched.
He must have been trying to stay out of sight so as not to make me worry, but there was no need for such restraint.
We are undoubtedly in his debt for saving us.
“Truly, I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”
“As I’ve said before, no need to thank me. I did it because I wanted to.”
“If only the whole world possessed the kindness that you do, Vellet-sama… What a wonderful world that would be.”
Yes… If only someone like Velett-sama, who gives love equally to everyone, had been my parent… I might not have suffered so much.
I can’t help but think like that.
“And now, Mio… about the promise I made before we left…”
Ah… He’s finally going to give me an answer.
No matter what it is, I’ll accept it.
After all, it’s the love bestowed by someone as noble as Velett-sama.
“My answer is that—”
“Wait, Ouga-niichan!”
“Huh?”
Just as Vellet-sama began to speak, the children, who should have been asleep, burst into the room, interrupting him.
They quickly surrounded Vellet-sama, raising their voices one after another.
“Onii-chan! If it’s about payment, we’ll work to earn it!”
“That’s what we agreed on!”
“Don’t take money from Mio-neechan!”
“Keep your promise!”
…What is going on?
Confused, I turned to Vellet-sama for clarification.
“Heh… Nice timing, kids.”
Vellet-sama laughed, wrapping his arms around the children and facing me.
“Alright, remind me. What was it you asked me before bed?”
“We told you not to take payment from big sis ’cause we’d work for it!”
“We said we’d pay properly if you gave us jobs!”
“Working’s tough, you know. You sure you’re up for it?”
“Yeah! ‘Cause we love Mio-neechan!”
“Eh…?”
Vellet-sama smirked at my reaction.
“This is how we’re repaying our debt!”
“We want big sis to be even happier!”
“I see, I see. So, you all want to work hard for Mio, huh?”
“””Yeah!!!”””
The children answered with bright smiles.
Tears started streaming down my face.
As my vision blurred, Vellet-sama approached and gently patted my head.
“Looks like you’re plenty loved, don’t you?”
“Ah… Ahh…”
Joy overflowed from deep within me.
Yes… I had truly loved these children.
And they had given me their love in return.
So this feeling… This is what love is…
“Mio-nee-chan!”
“We’ll work hard, so don’t worry!”
“Let’s stay together forever, okay?”
“Yes… Yes…! Thank you… I’ll always be with you… with all of you…”
I hugged the children as they rushed into my arms, feeling the warmth, and the love surrounding me.