Published at 30th of October 2020 06:52:08 PM
Chapter 226.3
Can you elaborate on that?” [Store Owner 5]
“Right… Do you know any alleyways with many boxes? Or stores where supplies or garbage are piled up in front of it? Or perhaps a place where a carriage has stopped . This carriage could have stopped only for some time, but if anyone knew about it, someone could use it for mischief . Anything that can obstruct prying eyes can be used for hiding, and if the things piled up are combustible, they can be used to start a fire . ”
“Now that you mention it, criminals do tend to make conditions favorable to them . ” [Store Owner 6]
“So this safe map of yours means to identify places like these and try to fix them?” [Book Store Representative]
The number of people asking questions have increased . The representative from the book store I frequent has even started to participate . He’s normally so lackadaisical, but look at him now .
“Exactly! And if possible, I’d also like for your children to participate in making this map too . Adults and children have different perspectives . After all, children have places they can enter or consider entering that adults would never even think about . ” [Ryouma]
I used Niki-kun’s secret base and talked about what happened at Fatma Territory .
“As someone with a child of my own, that’s a really scary story . I’m sure there are hidden places in town too . ” [Store Owner 8]
“It would be best to consider places that children can hide in as places where one can hide children in . For example, boxes can be used to hide children without anyone knowing, bigger areas could be used to confine children in, and medicines could be used to knock someone out . In order to minimize danger, parents should know the places their children frequent, and also explain to them the danger of places like those previously mentioned . If you could encourage your children to heed caution too, that would be for the best . While we can’t just keep children locked up inside just because the public order is bad, I believe it’s unwise to simply let them move around without thought . ” [Ryouma]
When I said that, voices of agreement resounded .
“Hear, hear! Alas, that brat of mine keeps playing outside until the very last moment . ” [Store Owner 7]
“Same… I’m glad to have help buying stuff, but he keeps using that road barely frequented by anyone . ” [Store Owner 8]
“At least your kids help… My kids are just—” [Store Owner 9]
…Somehow, this meeting turned into a parent’s competition on who has the worst kids .
But…
“Well, I wasn’t one to listen either when I was a kid . ” [Darson]
When Darson-san said that, the adults all looked at each other .
I’m sure everyone has one or two moments in their lives as a kid when they didn’t listen to their parents .
“In other words, there’s not much point telling kids what to do since they won’t listen, huh . Well, I am a kid myself and I’m doing something like this here . ” [Ryouma]
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When I broke the silence, this time everyone laughed . There were some who tried to keep themselves from laughing, but it was in vain .
“Did I say something strange?” [Ryouma]
“Oh, not at all, Ryouma . It’s just that when you’re the one saying it…” [Hyuzu]
Hyuzu-san said something, but I didn’t really get it, and then the rest of the people in the meeting started speaking as well .
“I beg your pardon, but don’t you think it’s really funny for a child such as yourself to talk about a child’s heart?” [Store Owner 9]
“You act so much like an adult, I’ve actually forgotten you were a child as well . ” [Store Owner 10]
Voices of agreement raised in response to those comments . In that moment, I could feel that the stiff atmosphere that had been permeating the air had finally left .
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After that more questions around my proposals were brought forward . We ran out of time in the end, so we decided to adopt a simple policy for the time being, and then discuss the specifics at a later date .
I saw most of the store owners off, then went back to break room, where Darson-san, Pauline-san, and Zeke-san were waiting . When they noticed me, they greeted me .
“Thank you for coming out here today . And thank you so much for all the help you’ve given me!” [Ryouma]
“W-What is it all of the sudden?” [Darson]
“Today’s meeting was a success, and when everyone went back home, they were all satisfied . What’s more is that they even apologized to me about what happened in the last meeting . ” [Ryouma]
At that time, I was surrounded by unfriendly gazes all around and was really isolated . I didn’t want to be led astray by some vague words, so I took on a firm attitude .
I don’t think I said anything wrong that day, but I was still too tense at the time and was even ready to… No . At that time, I had definitely given up on everybody and was ready to abandon all hopes of cooperating with them . That’s why my words were so harsh .
“I didn’t help you to make you lower your head . ” [Darson]
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“Ryoumkun, you’ve always been thinking about other things as well on top of your store, right? Those feelings have reached everyone today . I think that’s really all there is to it . ” [Zeke]
That’s what Darson-san and Zeke-san says, but I believe a gulf had formed between me and those people because of the recent events . They were the ones who filled that gulf by proactively asking questions .
If my feelings were able to reach them, then it was only because Zeke-san and the others mediated on my behalf . If not for them, I’m sure we wouldn’t have even been able to talk .
“Well, it’s true that it was a bit hard at first, but… You haven’t forgotten, have you? The people who came here today are those who left the meeting midway . They were already people who acknowledged you to some extent . ” [Pauline]
“I think it’s because of that, though . At that time, Ryouma looked just like a wounded monster trying to protect its cubs . ” [Darson]
“…Is that so?…” [Ryouma]
“We may have been the impetus for those guys to come here, but I believe if you just reached out to them many times, they would have eventually lent you an ear . ” [Zeke]
Does that mean that they didn’t see me as someone simply on edge but someone dangerous? I-I suppose I have some reflecting to do then…
Regardless, although it was only some of the store owners, there’s no mistaking that I successfully mended my relationship with them today!
So from here on out, I’m going to do my best to form a good relationship that benefits both sides!
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