Ways to Bring a Smile
"Alright, next, let's try moving our bodies a bit. That way, you'll get an idea of how much stamina you have."
Arthur said this as he led the way back to the training grounds.
"Okay, let's start with a light run."
With that, Arthur took off running.
The three of us followed behind him. Partway through the second lap, Dennis dropped out. Then, as we entered the third lap, Lou also fell behind, prompting Arthur to stop running.
"Are you both okay?"
Saying this, he pulled sports drinks from storage and handed them out, of course including himself and Ben.
"Phew... I feel alive again."
Lou took a drink and then flopped onto the ground.
"Hehe, you're being dramatic."
" Joan, aren't you tired at all?"
Dennis asked.
"Nope, I'm still fine. Normally, after the warm-up I mentioned earlier, I also do practice swings and sparring."
"Sparring... with adults?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Are you really younger than us?"
After that, Ben and the others taught Lou and Dennis how to do push-ups and sit-ups while I left the training grounds ahead of them.
＊＊＊＊＊
When I arrived at the greenhouse, I found Old Tom, Koa, and Mike chatting while working on something.
"Koa, how is it? Are you having fun?"
"Yeah! This place is really amazing. I learned so much. I almost want to live here!"
Koa, who was usually shy and didn't talk much, responded cheerfully.
"Ahaha! Is that so? I'm glad you like it here. You're a quick learner, which is a big help."
"Grandpa, isn’t that great? Koa follows instructions properly when he's taught."
Mike ruffled his hair, and with both of them praising him, Koa's face turned bright red, though he looked very happy.
Koa really looked delighted.
Honestly, I wish he could become Old Tom's grandson. I wonder if adopting an orphan is difficult...?
＊＊＊＊＊
I left the greenhouse and returned to the mansion, heading to the parlor.
Knock, knock, knock.
"It's Joan. Megan, Tani, how's it going?"
I peeked my head through the door and called out.
"Ah, Joan! Look, look! Miss Mito taught me, and I made this!"
She showed me a freshly made apron.
"Huh? You made this in such a short time?"
"Indeed, Young lady. Young lady Megan's focus and sewing skills were truly impressive.”
Mito praised her highly.
"Oh my, Tani is quite skilled too. Even though this was your first time doing lace knitting, you picked it up so quickly. Look, she made this in no time!"
Mother showed me the lacework.
"It's beautiful... Wait, whoa, it's huge! Isn't that way too fast?"
It was about the size of a lap blanket.
"Hehe. When Madam Lampail taught me, it was so fun that before I knew it, it ended up this big."
Tani said with a smile.
"If Megan, who's good at sewing, and Tani, who's good at lace knitting, worked together on a joint project, they could make something to sell."
“”””Joint project?"”””
" Joan, tell us more about that."
"Ah, sure."
Uh-oh, did I just ignite my mother's business instincts again?
"Um, for example, with pouches... If you combine lace knitting with regular fabric, wouldn't it look more elegant than just using regular fabric alone? Pairing white lace with black fabric would make the lace stand out, and using silk or shiny fabric would give it a stylish touch."
"That sounds wonderful. Let's go with that. Megan, Tani, would you two like to try it together?"
"”Huh?”"
Mother's suggestion shocked the two of them.
"Oh? But you're both so talented. I wouldn't want someone else to take you away."
"Mother, do you mean making them exclusive tailors for the Lampail family?"
"Yes, exactly. If the two of you are willing, I would like to take you in as household staff."
"”Eh!?”"
"Mother!? Seriously?"
"Of course, your feelings come first. If you'd prefer to make things at the orphanage and sell them through a Trade Guild, that's fine too. However, you would have to promise not to disclose any designs or methods elsewhere. Take your time to think it over... Now then, Nancy, Mito, it's time for tea."
"”Understood.”"
With that, Mother left the parlor with the two maids.
The two girls were still frozen in shock from Mother's surprising proposal.
"Uh, are you two okay?"
"Ah, yeah. I was so surprised I couldn't speak."
"Yeah, me too."
"I think you should take your time thinking about it. You don’t have to answer right away. And, Tani, you have Koa to consider too."
"Yeah. I need to talk to Koa about it. But... I'm happy. It felt like Madam Lampail—like an adult—acknowledged me. Koa and I were abandoned by our parents. Our father would get drunk and hit my mother, me, and Koa all the time. My mother left because she couldn't take it anymore... but she didn't take us with her. Father got even worse after that, drank even more, and eventually dumped us in an orphanage. I have no idea where either of them are now. Koa is probably shy because he had to constantly watch Father's mood... And if I leave the orphanage too, then... I have to protect him. But I also want to be a seamstress."
Tani hung her head as tears soaked her skirt.
"I see... Don't cry, Tani. Let's think about it together. There has to be a way for both you and Koa to smile. We'll find it, okay?"
"Thank you, Joan."
Lou, Dennis, and Koa returned to the mansion, and we all had tea together. I thought cookies and pound cake alone wouldn't be enough, so I also prepared bite-sized sandwiches and fried chicken.
"This is amazing. So good."
"A sandwich? I've never had one before."
"Mmm, the cookies are delicious."
"The tea is really good too."
"Yeah, yeah."
Everyone was delighted, making the effort worthwhile.
Lou held fried chicken in both hands, Dennis was focused on sandwiches, Megan nibbled on cookies, and Tani, possibly thirsty from crying earlier, kept refilling her tea. Meanwhile, Koa stayed quiet, stuffing his cheeks with pound cake... Hehe, just like a hamster.
"Joan, seriously, thanks."
"Hm? For the fried chicken?"
"No, well, I mean, yeah, the fried chicken too... but also for inviting us to the mansion, letting us hear Mr. Arthur and Mr. Ben's stories... I really appreciate it."
"Thank you."
Lou and Dennis expressed their gratitude.
"I'm also glad Miss Mito taught me how to sew. Next time, I'll make something for you as thanks, Joan."
Megan said.
"I'm also really happy Madam Lampail taught me lace knitting. And... thank you for listening to me earlier."
Tani said shyly.
"I-I was happy to see the greenhouse, too. Mr. Tom and Mr. Mike were really kind to me. Thank you so much."
Koa said with a smile.
"I'm glad everyone had fun."
After enjoying tea, the five of them received plenty of sweets as souvenirs and returned to the orphanage.
What do you think about this chapter?
