Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Chapter 87

Before long, it was time.

We headed out to welcome the children.

“Hello, Oe-sensei!”

“Hi there! Hello!”

Technically, Ms. Oe isn’t a teacher.

But here at the children’s cafeteria, all staff members are called “sensei.”

Maybe it’s because Ms. Oe used to work as a schoolteacher?

Either way, we’re all “sensei” here.

Don’t ask me what subject we’d teach, though.

If I had to pick, I guess it would be home economics.

“Sensei! Serve me some too!”

“All right, all right—hang on just a second.”

“Sensei, come sit here! Eat with me!”

“Sure, I’d love to.”

While chatting with the kids, we start serving the meals.

“Um, would it be all right if we had some as well?”

“Of course, please do. That is, if it’s not a bother.”

We’d prepared meals for the two TV crew members too.

After all, this whole activity is centered around food education.

And that doesn’t just mean eating a well-balanced meal.

We also want the kids to learn proper table manners, and that means the adults join in for meals, too.

“Thank you very much. It’s no bother at all.”

“Wow, this looks delicious. Oh—do you mind if we film this as well?”

“Go right ahead.”

“Hey, hey! Are you guys from the TV station?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s right.”

“What do you usually do?”

“What’s that camera?”

“Uh, well.”

The TV crew looked overwhelmed as they were swarmed by curious children.

I could sympathize.

I felt the same way the first time I came here.

“It’s hard to know what to do when you’re suddenly surrounded by kids, huh? I totally get it.”

“Yeah, it’s a bit overwhelming, but also kind of fun.”

Spring stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold with a gentle smile.

It was, admittedly, a heartwarming sight—but not just that.

The reporters, though clearly flustered by the barrage of questions, were engaging with the children enthusiastically and doing their best to explain their work.

I hoped—sincerely—that the most important message was getting across.

That is:

“We’re not the ones giving to the kids. If anything, they’re the ones giving to us.”

“How do you mean? Giving what?”

“Energy.”

People might scoff at that, thinking “Just because they’re kids?”

But the truth is—just by being there, children have a way of healing you.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just thinking you’re the same, Spring.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

It’s not just kids.

There are people whose presence alone can give you strength.

As I thought that, I turned my eyes away from Spring—and from the cameraman, who was now filming us with a knowing smile.