In the morning, after the dew that had formed at dawn had dried under the morning sun, as soon as I entered the orphanage, Maria, the director, greeted me naturally.
"Oh, Miss Scarlett, you're here earlier than usual today?"
"I woke up a bit earlier this morning. Even after some training, it's still this time."
"I see. Phew... Thanks to you coming so early, I can finally take a breather. The children are so full of energy that they've been waking up early and pestering me to play with them, so I was feeling a bit overwhelmed today."
It seems that after Sylvia and I started volunteering here, I've been coming to the orphanage almost every day, and Director Maria now treats me more casually.
Seeing her heave a sigh of relief, I felt a bit embarrassed, but I was glad I came early.
Originally, she was only responsible for educating the children, and other staff members would play with them. However, due to an incident recently, some of the staff members had family issues and had to take a leave, so now she has to play with the children as well.
That's why she seems so grateful for my help, making me feel even more fulfilled with my volunteer work.
Just as I was thinking this, Director Maria said hesitantly with a look of apology.
"Still, I'm really grateful, but I'm worried that I'm troubling you by coming to help every day... If it's a burden, you don't have to help..."
"Don't worry about it. I don't have much to do during the academy's break anyway. Besides, I promised Leon I'd come again. I always keep my promises."
"How can you say such nice things... Miss Scarlett, you're an angel. If you ever need my help in the future, please let me know. I'll definitely repay this kindness."
"Ahaha... It's not that big of a deal... Just take a break. I'll play with the kids."
I don't really have anything to do except for training, so I don't need her to be so grateful, but seeing her so moved made me a bit embarrassed.
Anyway, to give Director Maria a break, I headed to the playroom, where the children, who were now quite familiar with me, greeted me.
"Wow! It's the robot sister! Hello!"
"Hey, hey, have you all been good?"
"Yes!"
While I was exchanging greetings with the children, Leon, who had been drawing at a distance, ran over and grabbed my collar, asking,
"Big sister, did you come to see Leon today?"
"Of course. I promised I'd come again, didn't I? I always keep my promises."
"......Hehe, big sister, you're the best......"
As I patted his head, Leon smiled and hugged my leg.
When we first met, he hardly showed any expression, but as time went on, he became more cheerful, making me smile too.
Leon looked up at me and said,
"Big sister, let's draw a picture together."
"Together? Okay, I'll draw Leon."
Just as I was answering, the children suddenly became noisy.
"Wow! Wowww!"
"Really, it's Yun Siwoo! "
"Can you show us the shining sword?"
"Can we hold your hand once?"
"Yun Siwoo! Yun Siwoo!"
"Whoa! Okay, kids, one at a time!"
Yun Siwoo was caught up in the numerous requests for handshakes from the children who had rushed over from all directions.
All the children, except for Leon who was still clinging to me, swarmed around Yun Siwoo.
I was a bit taken aback, but Director Maria, who had sat down next to me, whispered,
"I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, but Siwoo said he would drop by today since he's on leave."
Thinking about it, he was a former orphan from this place.
Still, hearing that he's on leave made me realize he's officially a hero now.
It seems they're really pushing him in Astrapae, praising him as the youngest recruit and a holy knight...
Although Yun Siwoo joined Astrapae earlier than in the original story, it's fortunate that he still has the energy for a break, unlike the last incident.
In the original story, when he joined, the shortage of personnel meant they worked non-stop.
I'm not sure if I should be relieved, but at least the situation isn't the worst.
As I was drawing with Leon, I glanced at Yun Siwoo, who was entertaining the children. Director Maria smiled and said,
"Hehe, the kids must have woken up early, excited about Siwoo's visit. He's really popular. Since the kids are occupied with him, I'll take a break. Miss Scarlett, you can relax too."
With that, Director Maria went to rest.
After she left, I quietly asked Yun Siwoo about his recent work while Leon and I continued drawing.
"Anyway, how's your new job?"
I asked in a low voice, careful not to wake Leon.
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Yun Siwoo hesitated for a moment before answering in the same low tone,
"It's nothing much. Just rotating guard duty in the morning and evening. I get a day off once a week. It's simpler than I thought."
Though he makes it sound easy, this place is actually terrifying, with enemies attacking several times a day.
Despite his words, the intensity of his work is obvious.
Of course, it's not a problem for Yun Siwoo...
"Any difficulties?"
"......Not really."
He hesitated for a moment before answering.
From that brief pause, I could tell there were indeed some difficulties.
It's understandable, given that he's a first-year student who graduated early and was specially recruited into a unit that all heroes dream of joining.
I felt responsible since my advice played a part in his joining.
But this stubborn protagonist isn't the type to complain, so I tried to give him a break.
"Are you tired? You've been working non-stop and now you're playing with the kids on your leave. The kids are all asleep, so you should get some rest too."
"No, I'm really fine."
"Just go to sleep. When else will you get a chance to rest?"
Despite his stubbornness, Yun Siwoo nodded and lay down on the floor.
Seeing him lie down like that, I knew it would be uncomfortable, so I silently pulled his head and placed it on my lap.
With one side occupied by Leon, I could only offer the other side, but this was the best I could do for him.
What's the big deal about giving a knee pillow to a poor guy who had to give up his school life?
I positioned him so his face was facing outward and whispered in his ear,
"Sleep like this. Don't refuse."
"......"
I said this in case he might refuse, but Yun Siwoo, who had claimed he was fine, must have been very tired, as he fell asleep almost immediately, resting his head on my lap.
Seeing him sleep on my lap, I was reminded of my junior in the old unit.
He had the worst sleeping habits, always using my lap as a pillow in the cramped A-frame tent during training...
I recalled the times I suffered from leg cramps every morning because I couldn't wake him up easily, but fortunately, my body is quite sturdy, so I didn't have to worry about that.
As I reminisced, time passed quickly.
After lying on my lap for a while, Yun Siwoo woke up, bowed deeply, and ran off without a word.
*
Martina, who had changed her hairstyle during her leave, was brimming with confidence.
She had received high praise from a famous hair stylist, who said she looked completely like a student, so she was confident that Yun Siwoo would notice her.
When she spotted him returning from his leave, she called out,
"Hey, new guy! How was your leave? By the way, do you notice anything different about me?"
Yun Siwoo replied enthusiastically,
"Ah, Captain Martina! Yes, I had a great leave. You look even prettier than usual after your leave!"
Martina should have been pleased by the compliment, but she noticed a difference in his tone and asked him suspiciously,
"......What's up? Did something good happen during your leave? You seem really energetic."
"Good... good things? No! Nothing happened. Ahaha..."
Seeing him stammer and blush, Martina was skeptical and whispered to Captain Kanna, who was nearby,
"Hey, why is he acting like that?"
Kanna sighed and replied,
"Ugh, can't you tell? Damn, some people have no one to meet even on leave..."
......So he met someone who made him this energetic in just one day.
Martina felt her insides boiling.
Is it really impossible to catch up with a young kid?
Martina clenched her teeth and asked Yun Siwoo,
"......So, you must have met that girl you promised to see, right?"
Yun Siwoo looked at her strangely and said,
"Captain, the person I promised to see is older than you, so calling her a girl is a bit..."
Hearing this, Martina felt as if the sky had fallen.
Could it be... he prefers someone older?
Martina swallowed her tears and resolved to come back next leave looking more mature.