Orphanage (3)
"Sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have assumed you were looking down on us just because you’re a noble.”
Lou said, scratching his head as he apologized.
"I’m sorry too… for trying to sneak up on you. That was cowardly.”
Dennis added.
"I forgive you both. But from now on, don’t jump to conclusions or believe everything you hear from others. And no more sneaky tricks, okay?"
""Got it.""
"So, are you two my friends now?"
"""""Huh!?"""""
"Little Joan!? Why does it always come to that?"
Megan asked, surprised.
"Huh? Is that a no?"
I tilted my head, looking at Lou.
"Uh, no, it’s not that… but we just picked a fight with you, you know?"
"Yeah, and since I won, I have the right to decide what happens next."
"""What!?"""
Megan, Tani, and Koa all exclaimed in unison.
"Huh? The right to be friends? Wait…"
Oh dear, even I’m not sure what I’m saying anymore…
"Pfft!! You’re something else. Ahahaha—!"
Lou burst out laughing again.
"Ugh! You’re laughing at me again!… Oh well. So? Will you be my friend?"
"Yeah! If you’re okay with me, then sure."
"Great! Then we’re friends."
"Um… can I be your friend too?"
Dennis asked.
"Of course! Friends it is. Oh, let me reintroduce myself. I’m Joan, the eldest daughter of the Lampail family. I’m five years old. Nice to meet you."
"Right, I’m Lou. I’m eight. Wait, I just picked a fight with a five-year-old… and got talked back to… and even tried to grab her… I’m really sorry."
"I’m Dennis. I’m eight too. I had no idea you were only five… I’m really sorry."
"It’s okay. Now you know, right? Assumptions can be wrong."
"Yeah, I get it. From now on, I’ll only believe what I see and hear for myself.… So, what’s this training you do?"
"Right now, I train with the private soldiers. Running, practicing swings, stuff like that."
"Does that make you stronger?"
"Do you want to get stronger, Little Lou?"
"Yeah, I want to get stronger… wait, Little Lou feels weird. Just Lou is fine."
"Got it. Why do you want to get stronger, Lou?"
"I want to be an adventurer! I want to earn money to help with the orphanage’s expenses. Then we can all eat as much as we want!"
"How old do you have to be to become an adventurer?"
"Ten. So I want to be strong enough to join a Guild in two years!"
"Are there tests to join a Guild?"
"Yeah. If you can beat a senior adventurer, your rank gets decided. You get a plate based on your rank, and it also works as your ID. That’s why most of the boys here aim to become adventurers."
Dennis explained.
"Then I’ll become an adventurer too!"
"""""What!?"""""
"Huh? Why are you all so surprised?"
"But you’ve got your status, and… you’re a girl, right?"
"There are female adventurers, aren’t there? If I become one, I can go everywhere, and it’s cool!!"
I’d heard that Arthur and Master were former adventurers, so I’ve been really interested.
It’s so fantasy-like, isn’t it? If anyone can do it, I’d regret not trying at least once.
"Well, it’s up to you… but different guilds have different reputations."
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, even among guilds, there are ranks. So depending on where you register, your level as an adventurer changes… or so I’ve heard. I don’t know the details, though."
"I see~ Maybe I can ask a former adventurer for more details?"
"Do you know any?"
Dennis asked.
"Yeah, two of our cooks. I’ll ask them next time. Oh, do you and Lou want to come listen too?"
""Yes, please!!""
"Then come over to my house sometime~"
""Huh!?""
Lou and Dennis were shocked. They hadn’t expected to be invited to the lord’s mansion.
"Little Megan and the others are planning to come too… though it’ll probably be after New Year’s since things are so busy right now."
"If we can hear about it, we’d love to come."
"… By the way, you mentioned selling hair ties and lunch bags. How do you sell them?"
"Well, the a company buys them from us, and then they sell them in their stores.”
Megan explained.
"Wow, so there’s a store like that."
"Yeah, it’s called the Jo Company. They sell popular snacks and sauces right now."
"The Jo Company!?"
Huh? Could the "Jo” in Jo Company be from my name? No way…
As I thought that, I glanced at Margaret, who was smiling and waving at me. Next to her, Lindsey and Nancy were also grinning.
Ah, I’ve been had…
There’s no doubt the name Jo Company came from my nickname… And since they’re watching from a distance, Nancy must have used Body Enhancement to eavesdrop.
"Little Joan, what’s wrong?"
Tani asked.
"Nothing, it’s fine."
And so, Joan made five new friends at the orphanage.
When she returned home and told everyone, they were surprised but happy for her, which put her at ease.
But Joan didn’t know at the time…
That the five friends’ backgrounds were thoroughly investigated to ensure they posed no harm to her.
In the end, since they were harmless, Stanley and the others finally relaxed and permitted Joan to invite the five to the mansion after New Year’s.
As for the Jo Company, as expected, the name was indeed taken from Joan’s nickname. It turned out they were selling all the things Joan had thought up and made so far.
However, selling dried fruits openly had its complications, so they weren’t available in stores. But through Margaret’s connections, they were sold through a backchannel, and it was no surprise to hear they were the most popular item. Joan was, of course, shocked when she found out.
What do you think about this chapter?
