Chapter 151 Meeting the Parents (Part )
There was still some free time in the morning, and the director was used to taking a walk. Matsumae Shinchun was a guest, and it was her first time visiting the welfare home, so the three of them followed the director and walked around the welfare home together.

The first thing the group encountered was the nearly century-old red pine tree in the courtyard.

The swing that Fujii Itsuki had made for Chitose was still hanging there.

“The swing.”

"I made this for Chitose. Do you want to hear the story of my past with Chitose?"

"Of course!"

Fujii Itsuki gave Matsumae a brief account of the origin of the swing.

Chitose ran slower than other children because she was weak since childhood. One of the children took an extra snack and ate it, resulting in Chitose not having her snack. The girl was very sad. Later, Fujii Itsuki gave her his snack and made this swing for her to cheer her up.

"To Chitose, Mr. Fujii was like the sky at that time!"

"It's still the same now, actually." Fujii Itsuki replied with a smile.

"so good"

Next is the play area, vegetable garden, bedroom, canteen, and classroom.
The director likes to chat, and it's rare for people to listen to him talk about old times. When visiting the welfare home, the director told Matsumae Shinchun many of Fujii Itsuki's embarrassing childhood stories.

When Shinchun Matsumae heard something, he smiled and said:

"Is this still Mr. Fujii?"

Akai Muzi nodded in agreement and said yes repeatedly.

Fujii Itsuki is thick-skinned. After all, Xinchun is his junior sister, so it doesn't matter whether her image collapses or not. It's just some mischief when they were children, nothing serious.

When they walked into the classroom and saw the blackboard, Matsumae Shinchun couldn't help but lower her voice and asked Fujii Itsuki curiously:
"Is there a teacher at the welfare home?"

"Yes." Fujii Itsuki replied.

"Where are you from? A volunteer?"

"It's the dean."

"Dean?" Matsumae Shinchun looked forward. The dean noticed that there were a few books on the bookshelf that were not arranged neatly and was sorting them out.

"The director of an orphanage usually doesn't come into contact with children because it's an administrative position. But our orphanage is special because we have few employees. So it's natural for the director to give lessons to those children who haven't even started primary school yet. This tradition has been around for a long time."

"Teacher Fujii when he was a child."

"Yes," Fujii Itsuki replied, "I was also taught by the dean when I was a child."

"The director has to take care of all the affairs of the orphanage, as well as the children's studies. Wouldn't that be tiring?" Matsumae Shinchun asked again.

"That's not all," Fujii Itsuki sighed, "The director even has to help with the laundry. In her words, she can't rest."

"I see." Matsumae Shinchun thought thoughtfully.

Akai Muzi added: "Ashu has always wanted the dean to retire and enjoy his old age, but he is afraid that the dean's health will not be able to bear it."

"What does the dean mean?"

Fujii Itsuki shook his head. "How could the director be at ease with the children in the orphanage? She personally adopted all the children here and brought them to the orphanage. She taught them and took care of their daily lives. She has a deep affection for them."

"Let's go see the kids."

The dean had packed up the bookshelf at this time. Several people immediately walked out of the classroom and came to the door of the building.

The most valuable assets of the orphanage are the children living there.

It's time to play now.

Seeing these children skateboarding, jumping rope, chasing and playing under the huge canopy of the red pine, Fujii Itsuki couldn't help but feel warm in his heart.

It reminded him of his past self.

I also grew up under the shade of this century-old red pine tree.

"Are these sports equipment distributed by the welfare home?" Matsumae Shinchun asked curiously.

“They were all bought with Shu’s money,” the dean replied.

"It's all Mr. Fujii. Why doesn't the government give more money?"

“Because Otaru is poor.”

Fujii Itsuki shook his head. "The welfare house is always short of funds. The city government can only afford everyone's living expenses. Books, supplies, clothes, etc., all still rely on donations from citizens and the Red Cross."

"I see."

Matsumae Shinchun lowered her head and pinched her chin.

After a short break, it was noon. The welfare home would give the children small benefits such as milk and snacks on Sundays, so they needed to move boxes to the classroom.

"Dean, leave this matter to me." Akai Muzi volunteered.

"Muzi, you came here to visit me, right? How can I have the nerve to ask a guest to come back for help?" Dean Huadai sighed.

"It's okay. I'm happy to be with the kids."

"I can help too!" Matsumae Shinharu interrupted.

Fujii Itsuki thought that the dean would not agree to anything, but unexpectedly, she just nodded and watched the two of them walk out of the office.

this.
"Tree."

"Dean, do you have anything to say to me alone?"

The dean watched the two people leave. Two seconds later, he turned his gaze to Fujii Itsuki's face and said, "Shu, please talk to the dean. What is your relationship with this girl?"

Did the dean see through this?

"I am old, but I am not confused. When this kid Songqian came to visit me, he gave me so many things, including tea, fruit, and various supplements. We had never even met before."

The dean has an easy-going attitude and a steady tone.

This eased Fujii Itsuki's embarrassment a lot.

".Is it possible that Xinchun is taking care of you so much because of your relationship?"

"Oh? Xinchun? You even called out my name."

Fujii Itsuki's pressure doubled. "She is my junior sister, my junior sister, my teacher's daughter!"

"You two usually have a good relationship."

"I'm her teacher. Haha~~"

"I have known Muzi for a long time. She is so kindhearted. But that little girl named Matsumae."

"Dean! I think I can go and help them, too."

Fujii Hanayo took a deep breath and exhaled, replying, "Shu, the dean is not going to beat around the bush with you. Does that kid like you a little bit?"

".yes."

"Are you aware of this?"

“Felt something.”

"What do you think about this?"

"."

Fujii Itsuki took a deep breath and remained silent for a second.

He told the dean all his thoughts.
The dean fell silent after hearing this, because after she knew the background of the child Matsumae, she could understand the environment she was in.

My mother died in a car accident.

A friend passed away in a car accident.
She was alone in such a large family like the Matsumae family, and lacked family companionship.

To be honest, there is no difference between this child of noble birth and some abandoned children in the welfare home in some aspects.

As for Fujii Itsuki's feelings towards her.
"Xinchun has some feelings for me, but aren't all kids of this age like this? I think it's understandable. When she graduates from high school, she will sooner or later join the huge Matsumae family. I visited her home during the Jade Fox Festival, and I know that it's a family with a strong tradition. Xinchun doesn't have the right to decide her own life."

The dean had no objection to this.

“It’s just a tree.”

"What's wrong, Dean, why are you sighing suddenly?"

"You and Muzi."

The dean didn't finish his words, but Fujii Itsuki already understood what he meant.

"I'll watch it with her."

The dean took Fujii Itsuki's hand in his own and said, "It's not that the dean is urging you, but good opportunities don't wait for anyone. Muzi has been coming to the hospital to help since you gave gifts to the children during the last Chinese New Year."

"Muzi comes here often?" "You don't know?"

Fujii Itsuki remained silent and whispered, "I really don't know about this."

"How is she and you doing at work lately."

"Work." Fujii Itsuki answered truthfully, "I will be taking many days off recently due to some things. Muzi is taking care of the school's substitute teaching and the affairs of the wind band for me."

"Did she ask you for any reward?"

"No."

"Then you don't owe them anything, do you?"

".Indeed." Fujii Itsuki couldn't refute it.

Although Muzi has been using the excuse that he owed her because of the past breakup, saying that this is repayment to herself.

But Fujii Itsuki is not the kind of person who holds on to the past.

Muzi was willing to do so much for him, and even went out drinking with him every day and listen to him complain about work.
Indeed, it feels very companionable.

"I ran into her mother on the street a while ago. She looked much better than before, and she even talked to me about you two."

Fujii Itsuki knew what Aunt Akai was thinking.

".What do you think, Dean?"

"I definitely support you two getting back together."

"Is it."

"But the final decision is still up to you. If you don't want to, Shu, I can't say anything. I'm just afraid that I'm old now and might die in the office one day without seeing you get married and have a family of your own."

Fujii Itsuki interrupted quickly, "Dean! What are you talking about!"

"Don't worry too much, it's just a little high blood pressure."

"You have severe high blood pressure, too. Have you been to the hospital?"

"I went. I didn't want to go at first, but Muzi kept urging me to go, so I went. I got some blood pressure-lowering medicine."

Is it Muzi again?
Fujii Itsuki was somewhat moved.

"Come to think of it, the money hasn't been returned to her yet."

The old dean counted out some money from his pocket and gave it to Fujii Itsuki.

"Shu, find a chance and pass it on to Muzi for me, how about that?"

*
On the other side, the welfare home’s warehouse.

Akai Muzi just opened the rolling door with the key.

After she and Matsumae Shinharu decided which boxes to move, they began walking towards the classroom.

Akai Muko was carrying two boxes of snacks, while Matsumae Shinharu was carrying two boxes of milk.

"I can't believe you're so strong, Matsumae-san."

"We used to have martial arts classes at home and exercise from time to time."

"now what?"

“It’s gone now.”

Matsumae Shinharu's tone was rather indifferent, and Akai Muko knew that the child was somewhat hostile towards her.

A smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

how to say
Matsumae Shinharu's hostile look is more like her usual serious appearance in class.

This made her actually kind of cute.

"Akai-sensei likes Fujii-sensei, right?"

Akai Muzi's smile widened, "That's right."

"I heard from the director that Mr. Akai came to the welfare home to visit the director many times. Is it also because of Mr. Fujii?"

"Not entirely. One is to visit the dean, and the other is to gain Shu's favor."

"Teacher Fujii doesn't like women with strong purpose!"

Matsumae Shinchun frowned and stared at Akai Muzi, looking completely angry.

cute.

This is so cute.

Are you jealous?

This is definitely jealousy.

"I'm going to teach you a lesson. It's impossible for people to be aimless in this world. I do these things, don't you think it has any practical benefits for others?"

".But what you do, Mr. Akai, gives people a very utilitarian feeling!"

"Matsumae-san, don't you think that people like this are humble?"

"I do not really understand what you mean."

"It's no use making it clear many times and actively confessing my feelings. In the end, I can only do some things in the corners within my ability to win the other person's favor, so that the other person will look at me more."

Akai Muzi held the cardboard box and looked forward.

"Matsumae-san, you like Shu too, right? How do you think he would respond if you confessed to him?"

".reject."

"Of course I'll reject you. What will you do next?"

after that
Matsumae Shinchun found it hard to imagine what it would be like after being actively alienated.

If even Mr. Fujii leaves me, what should I do then?
mother passed away
Death of a friend
Then her aunt arranged for her to marry a young man from a wealthy family whom she didn't even know.

It seems that once rejected, one will fall into an abyss from which there is no return.
Akai Muzi raised the snack box in her hand, smiled and said to the tangled girl beside her: "It seems that you probably understand this feeling. It is difficult for people to meet someone they really like and who is really worth liking in this life.

“If you don’t take advantage of opportunities, you’ll always regret it.

“I regretted it for four years.

"Matsumae-san, how many years do you think you'll regret this?"

"A lifetime." The girl blurted out.

"Is it that heavy?"

".I hope Akai-sensei doesn't take my words as a joke, I'm serious."

Akai Muzi shook her head, "Unfortunately, in the eyes of Shu and I, your words are just the immature remarks of children."

"So Akai-sensei is very mature?"

"At least I have been in the United States for four years and have met many different kinds of people. None of these people have the same feeling to me as the tree. Naturally, I am much more mature and experienced than you."

Matsumae Shinchun stopped talking.

She didn't want to reply to an opponent who treated her like a child instead of a rival. Akai-sensei didn't respect her enough!
"You're quite arrogant." Akai Muzi looked at her profile and said, "Well, isn't your birthday party going to be held soon, Matsumae-san?"

"What's going on?"

"How about inviting me too? Give me an invitation, and then let the tree see who is the child."

"."

"Don't dare? Afraid that I would steal your limelight at your birthday party."

Matsumae Shinchun's face puffed up with anger, but her good upbringing allowed her to quickly calm down and nod politely:
"Of course, no problem. I was planning to give you an invitation anyway. You have taught me so much, so I should give you one as well."

"."

"what happened again?"

"Nothing," Akai Muzi smiled faintly, "It's just that I suddenly felt that the girls surrounding Ashu were all quite cute."

"I didn't accept your advances, Mr. Akai! Please wait and see at the dance!"

"Really? Okay, I'll wait and see."

Akai Muzi gave the angry girl a rather gentle smile in return.

(End of this chapter)