Standing at the entrance of the orphanage, Tokai picked up her phone to check the time.
It was 9:58 AM, an hour before the 11:00 AM train.
Thinking of this, Tokai simply raised her hand and knocked on the closed door of the orphanage.
Not long after, the orphanage's main door opened.
Tokai saw a woman around forty years old.
Looking at each other, both fell silent for a moment.
Then, Tokai spoke: "Director Tsurumaru, long time no see."
"Miss Tokai Shizen..."
"I'm here to visit."
Looking up at the other party, Tokai continued: "Also, I've changed my surname, after all, the Tokai Family's decision back then..."
Her unfinished words prevented the other party from pressing further.
Director Tsurumaru just looked at Tokai: "What brings Miss Shizen here?"
"I'm just here to visit. The sanatorium has been assigned to me, so..." At this point, Tokai looked at the other party, then continued: "May I come in and look around?"
"Of course."
Saying this, Tsurumaru Goji turned around: "Miss Shizen, you're here this time because..."
"It's about my daughter."
"Daughter, you say..."
Recalling the infant Tokai had cared for back then, Director Tsurumaru was silent for a second before continuing: "How is her health?"
Because she was afraid of retaliation from the Tokai Family at the time.
So Tokai didn't stay here long.
It was also because of this that Director Tsurumaru was very worried about Tokai's child's condition.
Therefore, she was now also concerned about whether there would be any sequelae or similar issues.
Facing Director Tsurumaru's question, Tokai merely smiled and replied: "She's doing very well, there's basically not much to worry about."
Saying this, Tokai glanced at the children in the orphanage, then continued: "There are quite a few more children here now."
"Yes, mainly because the Symboli Family provided a lot of funding, and the orphanage's location was also changed. Otherwise, it would have been quite difficult."
Listening to the other party's words, Tokai's gaze fell upon the group of children.
Soon, Tokai noticed a rather special presence.
"There's an Uma Musume..."
"Miss Shizen, are you referring to Tsurumaru?"
Looking at the young Uma Musume doing similar things as the surrounding children, Tokai's expression changed slightly, then she continued: "Is that child called Tsurumaru?"
"Tsurumaru Goji. When she was found, she was at the entrance of the orphanage. Her health check report wasn't good either. It's probably because her parents couldn't afford her treatment, so they sent her here."
Director Tsurumaru, who had stated her speculation, was silent for a few seconds before continuing: "However, Tsurumaru Goji has now been reserved for adoption by the Symboli Family, so there's probably not much to worry about regarding her future."
Listening to the director's concern for the young Uma Musume, Tokai didn't respond much.
She just watched the young Uma Musume for a few seconds, then withdrew her gaze: "Being adopted by the Symbol Family is indeed a good thing."
At this point, Tokai was silent for a few seconds, then continued: "By the way, Director."
"Please speak."
"I want to ask the Director something." Saying this, Tokai was silent for a few seconds, then continued: "Director, back then, what were your thoughts when you kept me?"
Tokai's question was so simple.
And so direct.
And Director Tsurumaru's response was also very simple: "I just felt that if I didn't do anything, you might die."
"That simple?"
"Does saving a person need a reason?"
Director Tsurumaru, who countered Tokai's question, finally looked directly at Tokai for the first time.
And Tokai, facing the other party's question, also hesitated, then, she spoke the next words with uncertainty: "I don't know, but maybe it does."
Regarding Tokai's response, Director Tsurumaru didn't say much; she just shifted her gaze from Tokai's face.
"Whether there's a reason or not isn't important. What's important is that a person was saved, and that's enough."
Saying this, Director Tsurumaru was silent for a few seconds, then continued: "Although there was some goodwill, I did have a reason for saving you at the time."
"A reason?"
"Mm."
Turning her head to look at the children in the orphanage, Tsurumaru Goji was silent for about ten seconds, then continued: "The Tokai Family's request. If I say that, will you hate me?"
"Tokai Family..."
"Because you were driven out by the Tokai Family, your death would be related to the Tokai Family, but if you chose to leave yourself..."
At this point, Director Tsurumaru's gaze returned to Tokai's face: "How does the truth taste?"
Director Tsurumaru's words left Tokai speechless for a long time; she just looked at the other party's face.
Thinking about how to face the person who helped her in the beginning.
Because if the facts were as she said... Thinking this, Tokai turned her head to look at the children in the orphanage.
The lives of those children were not good, after all, they were orphans, and although the orphanage received financial support.
But to feed such a group of children, they still had to be frugal.
And looking at the children's situation, Tokai raised a question:
"Did you think about the reason for keeping them when you did?"
"No."
The answer, without even a tenth of a second of hesitation, came from Director Tsurumaru's mouth.
Hearing this, Tokai was silent for about ten seconds, then spoke: "I see. Then I have no thoughts on the matter that you helped me because you were requested by the Tokai Family."
"Really?"
"Whether there's a reason to save someone isn't important, and for what reason one saves someone isn't important either." Saying this, Tokai paused for a second, then continued: "What's important is that a person was saved, isn't it?"
"You..."
"Mochizuki and I would have died back then, so Director, you truly saved me. And at that time, this orphanage was still receiving funding from the Tokai Family, right? If you hadn't complied with the Tokai Family's request, the funding here would have been stopped, wouldn't it?"
Saying the next words, Tokai showed a slight smile to the other party: "Thank you for your kindness and actions at that time."
Saying this, Tokai looked at the other party, then continued: "I'll bring my daughter next time."
"I..."
Looking at Tokai, who so easily overlooked the issue, Director Tsurumaru's words paused for a moment. She had prepared herself to be scolded by Tokai, but instead received such a response.
So,
She should respond:
"No, the orphanage welcomes your return."
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