Dumped by One, Chased by Another? My Ex's Sister Is a Gal and She's Coming for Me - Episode 42

As I mentioned earlier, the children’s cafeteria we’re visiting today is set up in a former elementary school that was shut down. We’re using one of the classrooms on the first floor.

The great thing about classrooms is that they’re naturally designed with children in mind.

From the height of the doorknobs to the lockers for storing bags, everything is made for kids to use easily.

That’s not the case in other types of facilities.

The steps are often too high, making it hard for children to get around.

In that sense, there’s probably no better venue for a children’s cafeteria than a former elementary or kindergarten building.

________________________________________

“Alright, everyone! Today, some big brothers and sisters from the university have come to visit you!”

“””Okaaay!”””

________________________________________

Around twenty kids are sitting at tables, gathered for a meal.

Each child who comes to the cafeteria has their own circumstances.

Most come from households where both parents work and can’t look after them in the evenings.

Some children, unfortunately, are struggling with poverty or neglect, and sometimes even lack food for the next day.

According to Ms. Oe, cases of neglect are reported to the child welfare office, but she says the system often doesn’t work as it should.

________________________________________

“Today’s menu is curry! Come up one at a time to get your portion!”

________________________________________

The kids line up with trays in hand to get their curry.

The process is a lot like a school lunch distribution.

The main difference is that we’re the ones serving the curry and rice.

________________________________________

“Alright, eat up, everyone!”

“Make sure you get plenty!”

________________________________________

Marco and Honoka are serving the curry.

There are two pots, so Marco handles the 1st, 3rd, and other odd-numbered kids in line, while Honoka serves the even-numbered ones.

Despite Marco’s intimidating appearance, he’s actually cheerful and well-liked by the kids.

That’s something I really admire about him.

Ms. Oe scoops the rice while we ladle the curry on top.

Honestly, it looks pretty delicious.

________________________________________

“After you get your curry, make sure you grab this too!”

“One for each person!”

________________________________________

Haruki and I are in charge of handing out the milk and spoons.

To be honest, it’s a pretty easy job.

________________________________________

“Everyone, make sure to say thank you to the big brothers and sisters!”

“Okay!”

“Thank you, big brother!”

“Thank yooou!”

________________________________________

One by one, the kids thank us and return to their seats.

________________________________________
“They’re such good kids… And Ms. Oe seems like a really kind person too.”

Haruki smiles warmly as she watches the children.

________________________________________

“Yeah, although… there are a few little rascals in the mix.”

Just then, one kid tries to sneak off somewhere and gets caught in a bear hug by Ms. Oe.

The kid, however, seems to be enjoying it. So innocent.

________________________________________

“Ms. Oe’s actually a former elementary school teacher.”

“Really? That totally makes sense.”

________________________________________

Ms. Oe became a teacher because she genuinely loves children.

But while working, she started noticing many students who were dealing with serious family issues.
Some couldn’t even afford school lunch. Others fainted from skipping breakfast.

Seeing so many cases like that, she came to believe that simply being a teacher wasn’t enough to support these kids.

________________________________________

“She’s been doing volunteer work for almost ten years now, apparently. Our student club has partnered with her from the very beginning.”

“Wow… that’s amazing.”

________________________________________

Haruki looked genuinely impressed.

It brought back memories.

That was exactly how I reacted the first time I heard the story.

________________________________________

“Honestly, I didn’t know there were kids out there who couldn’t afford school lunch until I met Ms. Oe. I’d heard rumors, sure, but this was my first time seeing it up close.”

“…Yeah. Same here.”

________________________________________

And even now, there are still children facing real hardship. Ms. Oe wants to help them, and she’s turned that desire into action.

What else can you call that but noble?

As we watch Ms. Oe scolding one child for sneaking a bite of curry early—and another for doing it with their hands—we continue serving meals.

________________________________________

“I’m still just a student, but… I want to do what I can to help others. Even just a little.”

“Yeah… and also…”

________________________________________

Haruki pauses for a moment.

________________________________________

“…Someday, when I have a child of my own, I want to love them with everything I have.”

“……”

________________________________________

Huh. That kind of hit me.

It’s a bit embarrassing.

________________________________________

“Ah—sorry! That was too much, huh? Just forget I said anything!”

“No, I don’t think it was too much. In fact… I think it’s something worth thinking about.”

“…Huh?”

“Wait—never mind. Forget I said that.”

________________________________________

Total self-destruction.

Then we noticed a pair of eyes watching us.

A little elementary schooler with a tray in hand was staring up at us.
________________________________________

“Are you two married?”

“”No, we’re not!!””

________________________________________

We both answered in unison, flustered.

Whether or not that cleared things up for the kids… who knows.

To be honest, I’m not even sure we believe it ourselves.