Chapter 11: What in the World is a Pureblood Orphan?!

“Mm…”

The pillow is soft.

The sunlight is warm.

As I slowly awakened, I felt the pleasant scent of the morning sun.

– Wait a minute.

Why was I sleeping?

I distinctly remember bringing the beastkin who had collapsed on the forest path back home, laying them on the bed, wiping off their sweat, and nursing them…

Huh?

As my thoughts reached that point, I began to notice the strange sensation of the pillow beneath me.

It wasn’t quite like a pillow—it moved subtly up and down, soft and squishy, almost like… someone’s belly.

I slowly lifted my heavy eyelids.

What greeted me was a pair of startled red eyes belonging to a black-haired beastkin.

Their ears, cat-like, twitched slightly.

Their tail, swaying back and forth, looked tempting to grab.

It was the beastkin who had collapsed yesterday.

They had been unconscious for quite a while, and now, it seemed they were finally awake.

“Good morning… You’re awake.”

I yawned deeply, stretching the words as I greeted them.

But for some reason, they just stared at me without saying a word.

They seemed to be quite the shy type.

Still, I did save their life. They could at least say thanks. It’s a little disheartening.

“Are you hungry? Want me to get you some food?”

I smiled warmly as I asked if they were hungry, but they remained silent.

What’s this?

Did they not want to speak?

Or perhaps they couldn’t?

Maybe I should just bring them food and let them decide whether to eat it or not.

After all, I’m rather proud of the dish I had in mind…

It was just then that the fortress-like silence of the girl’s lips finally broke.

“…Why did you save me?”

Of course, the words that came out were rather unexpected.

Her sudden, strange question made me tilt my head to the side in confusion.

What’s she talking about?

“What do you mean, ‘why’? I just… saved you.”

“Tell me the reason.”

“I saved you because I could. Does saving someone need a reason?”

“Don’t lie.”

“No, I—”

“Do you need my magical knowledge? Or my body? Or perhaps… the secrets of the Mage Tower—”

“That’s enough! Enough already! I don’t need any of that!”

Somehow, the conversation seemed to be veering in a strange direction, so I hurriedly stopped the girl from speaking further.

No, seriously—why does she keep making me out to be some kind of bad guy?

“First of all, I think there’s a misunderstanding, so let me clear this up.”

“Yes.”

“You were collapsed in the backyard of our orphanage. I just brought you in because leaving you there might’ve killed you. Was that so wrong?”

I felt unfairly accused.

All I did was save someone who was on the brink of death—why am I being treated like this?

“And for the record, I tore my clothes saving you!”

“…Oh.”

My precious clothes.

I don’t have anything else to wear, you know.

Do you have any idea how cold it is with all those holes letting the wind blow through?

“I-I see…”

“Exactly.”

Silence.

After pouring out my heartfelt grievances, the only thing that came was an oppressive, awkward silence.

An uneasy atmosphere hung between the girl and me.

Ugh, I hate this kind of thing.

It’s starting to feel like I’m the bad guy here.

For a while, I fidgeted in the uncomfortable tension, wiggling my fingers or toes to try and pass the time.

Finally, the girl opened her mouth.

“Um, who are you?”

“Me? I’m the head of this place.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant… But, um, Headmaster? Or should I say… Headmaster-nim?”

“Just ‘Headmaster’ is fine.”

I own this place, after all.

Well, technically, it’s not really mine, but, you know, finders keepers when it comes to abandoned properties.

So yeah, it’s mine now.

“Headmaster, you’re quite peculiar.”

“What is?”

“Even though you’re scolding me, talking to you doesn’t feel unpleasant.”

“…?”

What is she even saying?

From her tone and demeanor, this girl has been giving off an intense vibe like she’s carrying some kind of monumental backstory.

But how am I supposed to know what it is?!

Stop saying things only you understand!

“Stop with the weird obsession, okay?!”

“…Sorry. It’s just that this is the first time I’ve ever received such kindness, so I’m not used to it.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I apologize for being rude.”

I said it like that, but inside, I was feeling something completely different.

I mean, who in the world, after being saved by someone, would say, “Why did you save me?” as their first words?

That’s just impossible. It can’t be!

I’m totally upset about this.

Ahhhhhh!

“Yeah, sure… sure, I guess I can understand…”

“…It doesn’t seem like the Headmaster is in a good mood.”

“I’m just hungry, okay…?”

“Oh, I’m a bit hungry too.”

Now that I think about it…

“Want some food?”

“Yes. Oh, if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask for a little extra?”

“Well…”

That’s… kind of rude, actually.

There’s only enough soup left for one serving.

I’m starving too, but I can’t just give away my portion.

“Of course. Here, it’s a little cold, but it should still be good.”

“Thank you.”

Of course, I couldn’t actually say that out loud.

No matter how much I wanted to, I was too much of a coward to do it.

I couldn’t get mad or say anything mean to others—my heart is way too weak for that.

Ah, it’s not that I’m sick or anything.

It’s just that I’m genuinely a coward. Being shy isn’t a crime, right?

“…What is this?”

“ABC Soup.”

“This is… ‘soup’?”

Even though I gave her my entire breakfast out of the goodness of my heart, the girl’s expression was… well, peculiar.

Right, I get it.

It does look more like steamed fruit than soup.

It must seem strange.

But still, it doesn’t taste bad! Seeing her stare at it like it’s some bizarre artifact is kind of hurtful, you know.

“Soup… it’s soup.”

The girl took a bite of the steamed fruit and, suddenly, tears began to well up in her eyes.

Not just a few drops—she was full-on crying, like a tiny flood of tears.

No way…

Even if it doesn’t taste great, is it really bad enough to make someone cry like that?

This is heartbreaking—totally soul-crushing.

“I mean, if it’s that awful, you don’t have to eat it—”

“It’s delicious… It’s so delicious…”

“Oh, that’s what it was!”

Phew, so those tears were tears of joy from the overwhelming deliciousness.

Thank goodness. What a relief.

For a moment there, I thought my cooking was so bad it made her cry, and I almost joined her.

“It’s really good… Wait, are you crying now, Headmaster?”

“…No.”

Who said I was crying?

I’m a member of the Super Manly Club.

There’s no way I’d cry like some fool at the slightest thing.

“Headmaster, it’s okay.”

“What’s okay?”

I’m really not crying.

What’s she even talking about?

Seriously, I wasn’t crying!

“You don’t have to pity me. It’s just that… life’s been a little tough.”

“…?”

“But I’m okay now, so you don’t have to look at me with those sad eyes.”

“Well, I don’t know the details, but I’m glad you’re okay now.”

…Wait, what?

Did I miss something in the middle of the conversation?

Why does it feel like our talk has gone slightly off-track? Maybe it’s just my imagination.

“I really enjoyed it. It was delicious.”

“If you liked it, I’m even more grateful.”

“Really, thank you. Truly.”

She looked down at the soup bowl, now spotless, as if she had scraped it clean.

My breakfast had been there just moments ago, and now only the faint aroma and warmth of the soup remained.

“Well…”

“Um, can I ask you something?”

With my rumbling stomach in tow, I let out a sigh.

The girl cautiously started talking to me.

Her belly, now round and full from the hearty meal, was visibly plump.

Meanwhile, here I was, starving, with my stomach practically caving in. How envious.

“This is an orphanage, right? And you’re the headmaster here?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Orphanages… they’re places that take in children with nowhere else to go and care for them, right?”

“Well, yeah, I guess?”

“Then…”

Wait a second.

Why does this conversation feel like it’s heading in a weird direction?

“Can I stay here for a while? I promise I won’t cause you any trouble. I’ll even help with whatever you need!”

“Of course…”

No.

Why was she building up her question like that?

I’m barely scraping by as it is—I don’t have the capacity to take care of anyone else!

Right now, I was in the middle of chopping firewood to sell in the village.

“Why not?!”

“Can you keep it down for a second? This actually takes a lot of effort, and I need to focus.”

“No, seriously, this doesn’t make any sense!”

I was trying to deal with this while an annoying cat-person followed me around.

“Huff… Huff… There, done. What doesn’t make sense? Your leg’s all healed now. Don’t you think it’s time to move on?”

“How can an orphanage headmaster refuse to take in an orphan?!”

“It’s still a no.”

“So, it’s because I’m a homeless orphan with nowhere else to go, isn’t it?! I’m completely alone—an authentic, pureblood orphan!”

“…What the heck…?”

Pureblood orphan? What is she even saying? Is she from Slytherin or something?

“Just so you know, I graduated top of my class in the Mage Tower entrance exam!”

“Wait, what?”

“That’s impressive.”

“I can also share magical knowledge or incredible information that could shake the world, you know?”

“I just need a ladle to stir my soup, honestly.”

“And, uh… oh, I was briefly an adventurer, so I’m good at defeating monsters, cooking, and even enchanting items with magic!”

Wait. Wait, what?

“…Cooking? You’re good at it?”

“Y-Yes? Eek, too close—uh, Headmaster, your clothes, your gaze, um…”

“What can you cook?”

“Um… basic things like apple pie, cookies, and salad. Stuff like that.”

“Hmm.”

Oh-ho, is that so?

“Then how about you make lunch today?”

“W-What?!”