落とし穴７掘：学校問題
Pitfall 7: School Problems
School Problems
Side: Labyris
The school has become even livelier since the migration from Litea began.
Surprisingly, there are even Beastman and Elf children among them.
These children actually came from an orphanage that Crack had been funding.
As for why they were moved here despite being in an orphanage…
"They have no future there. Beastman and Elf children, in particular, are treated as nothing more than spectacles or pets. So, although I feel a bit guilty about it, I prioritized bringing them here. In exchange, I’ve brought along several people who worked at that orphanage, so I hope you can put them to good use at the school."
That was his reasoning. Crack has really been through a lot, hasn't he?
Most of the children who arrived were severely malnourished; some required hospitalization, and some, unfortunately, passed away.
Yuki’s expression at that time was indescribable.
He was expressionless, shedding no tears, yet he held the small, lifeless bodies with such care as he built graves for them in the cemetery.
I don’t know if they were acquaintances or friends of the deceased, but the other children wept as they thanked Yuki and bowed their heads, moved by his diligent funeral rites.
Seeing that, Yuki wore a very complicated look on his face.
Perhaps Yuki is… no, that’s not my place to say.
Regarding the child who passed away, Lady Elju was terribly distraught at the time.
She was left speechless upon seeing a child with a bloated belly and a skeletal frame due to starvation, and when she realized the child couldn't be saved, she desperately cast healing magic over and over again.
Lady Seraria, who was attending to Lady Elju, tried to soothe her as she refused to stop even after the child had passed. Then, at the worst possible moment, a civilian who had come to the clinic caught a glimpse of the child, mistook part of their body for that of a monster, and let out a laugh. That was when Lady Elju…
"Don't laugh!! Stop it!! This child fought so hard to live until today, and this body is proof of that… don't you dare laugh!!"
Lady Elju screamed at the civilian at the top of her lungs, glaring with such intensity.
Once the civilian realized it was a child, they apologized honestly and left.
Afterward, Lady Seraria scolded Lady Elju, who was still holding the child and crying, and brought her back to her senses.
"That is enough!! The child has passed. Leave the rest to Yuki!!"
"I don't want to!! I have to be the one to lay them to rest…"
"Are you going to abandon other children just like them?"
"…!? That’s not what I…"
"Then, Elju, your duty is not to hold that child and weep!! Leave the rest to us and go save the lives that can still be saved!! I heard it from everyone. You decided to live with the same resolve as us. If that’s the case, then act like it!! Don't be just a figurehead!!"
"Sniff… Yuki-san. Please, take care of this child. I’m going to treat the next patient!!"
With those words, Lady Elju entrusted the child's remains to Yuki and immediately ran off.
"You've grown strong… Elju."
Lady Seraria watched her go with eyes that looked both happy and sad.
But I’ve digressed.
There is a problem happening at school right now.
Ah, it’s much more manageable than the problems occurring at the training grounds or among the residents.
Because…
"Boys, eat your vegetables properly!"
"No way!! Vegetables don't taste good!!"
It’s just a matter of picky eating.
There are virtually no conflicts between the races.
Why, you ask?
"There are Elf boys here too, aren't there!! Elves are vegetarians, right!!"
"How shameful to be of the same race!! You're the worst!!"
"Shut up!! We're just *basically* vegetarians!! Do you think I'd hate meat after eating the food here? It tastes better than vegetables, so I eat it! What’s the problem?! You herbivore!"
"That's right!! Well said!! You guys leave meat on your plates too, don't you!! Eat it properly!"
Like this, the boys and girls are split up, complaining to each other.
"Quiet down!! You carnivores!"
"Hey, Teacher, you think it's better to eat vegetables too, right?"
When they ask questions like that, they look to my Yuki.
And everyone’s gaze converges on him.
"Well, it's better to eat your vegetables."
"See!! Don't trouble the teacher!"
"Guh!! Teacher, then can we leave the meat?!"
"Naturally, it's better to eat your meat, too."
"See!! You guys shouldn't trouble the teacher either!"
"Shut up!"
They started bickering again.
What are you going to do, Yuki?
When I gave him a look, Yuki sighed and began to speak.
"In short, if you eat everything served to you, your teacher will be very happy. So, for those who finished everything—Aslin, Firia, Labyris, Vilia, and Hiiro—I'll give you chocolate ice cream later."
" " "Ehhhhhh—!!" " "
"Of course, those who finish their meals from now on will get ice cream too."
" " "Yay—!!!" " "
By dangling that bait, the children finished their meals without any further fuss.
In exchange, Yuki looks exhausted.
Yeah, being a teacher is tough.
"…And that’s what happened."
"Well, that's only natural for children~"
"I suppose so."
After having dinner at the inn, we were chatting over tea, talking about what happened at school.
"Well, wouldn't it be fine to just mix the vegetables and meat into the curry or stew that you make, Brother?"
Ratz offered a solution.
Yeah, I think that’s a great idea.
"So, you're saying I should make curry or stew every day?"
"Oh, no, I wouldn't want that."
Yeah, I wouldn't want that either.
"Indeed. The goal is to get them to eat properly, so perhaps we should avoid dishes that hide the ingredients?"
Eris suggested that we should just get them used to it steadily.
"I think it's fine to just leave them be? Usually, they'll be able to eat everything once they grow up. Children are sensitive, so they dislike vegetables because they have a unique flavor. I don't think there's a need to force them to get used to it."
Riel seems to think we should just ignore it.
Hmm, I understand what she's saying, but it's also for the children's health.
"Everything works out if there's a trigger. It started for me when I picked up a sword and wandered onto the battlefield."
Lady Seraria said that, but…
" " "That's different." " "
Everyone denied it in unison.
"But still… a trigger, huh. If there were some kind of event… but…"
"See, you understand what I meant, right?"
"No, I don't mean like your 'if someone can't swim, just throw them in the sea' logic, Seraria. I mean, if we all go harvest vegetables together or butcher meat and cook it, wouldn't they stop refusing to eat?"
"I think that's a good idea."
"…If we're harvesting vegetables, I have a good spot under my management."
"Are we going to hunt the meat?"
"How are you going to make the children hunt?"
"I used to hunt often, though?"
"Don't compare them to yourself, Riel…"
And so, the conversation heated up.
"Well, we have to experiment at least once. Let's try it with Vilia and Hiiro. Those two are the only ones who always finish their meals without leaving anything."
…Those two actually hate vegetables.
But they always force themselves to eat them because they want to be praised by someone.
I'm looking forward to seeing them next time.
Well, the first half was a bit of a heavy story, but the second half was peaceful.
School life is calm.