Konbini Ossan Volume 4 Chapter 30 — The Old Man Becomes a Dad (~ddy♡)
When I brought the children back to the orphanage, Isabella looked visibly relieved. She must have been worried sick, wondering if they’d return safely.
“Isabella-san. The children have grown strong. They’ve learned how terrifying and difficult adventuring can be, and they’ve come to understand what real battle means.
…
Their levels are rising steadily, too. I doubt they’ll recklessly throw themselves into danger again out of mere curiosity.”
“Yes, I can see how much they’ve changed. But even so… I can’t get used to the idea of them going into dungeons.”
Her concern was understandable. After all, I was the one putting them through this training for my own goals.
From her perspective as their caretaker, no amount of safety precautions could erase that fear.
“I’m truly sorry. But I promise, this experience will benefit them in the future. Please try to understand that.”
“I do. For orphans, the ‘strongest delivery worker’ you speak of is an ideal path. The magic tools you’ve lent us are incredible as well.
…
I understand that what you’re doing is, in truth, good for the children.”
“But even so, your worries are valid.”
I didn’t deny her feelings.
“Even if it’s for their future, there’s always risk involved. As their guardian—and as their mother—it’s only natural for you to worry.”
Hearing that, Isabella smiled softly.
“Hehe. Then that makes you their papa, doesn’t it? The one giving them trials so they can grow.”
“Ah, I see. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
We both smiled at that.
Afterward, I sat down with the children to discuss their training. So far there hadn’t been any problems, but I couldn’t afford to be careless.
I needed to confirm that the adventurers instructing them were teaching properly, not irresponsibly.
That meant hearing from both the adventurers and a few neutral observers—people who weren’t part of the program but could see how things were going inside the orphanage.
Isabella was one, but I also wanted to hear from someone on the children’s side.
So I went to speak with Rosa, who’d been working on making robes and wasn’t participating in the “Strongest Delivery Worker” project.
“There weren’t any problems at all! The adventurers did everything just like you said, Ojichan!”
“I see. That’s good to hear.”
I reached out and patted Rosa’s head.
“Was there anything else? Something strange, maybe something that bothered you?”
“Hmm… oh, right! Joan was acting kinda weird today.”
At the mention of Joan, I froze for a moment.
“Huh? Ojichan, do you know something?”
“Yes, actually.”
There was no point hiding it—Joan would probably tell her anyway.
So I explained honestly: how he’d confessed to me in the dungeon, said he wanted to marry me, and how I’d somehow managed to postpone my answer until he became an adult.
When I finished, Rosa puffed her cheeks and frowned.
“He said that?”
“Yes, he did.”
“That’s not fair!”
Oh? That wasn’t quite the reaction I expected.
“I want to be with Ojichan forever too!”
“I… see. May I ask why?”
“Because you smell like a papa. When I’m with you, I feel safe and warm inside.”
“I see.”
It seemed her affection wasn’t romantic. That was a relief.
“I can’t marry you, but I can be your papa.”
Isabella had already called me a father figure, after all. This much seemed harmless enough.
“R-really? Ojichan, you’ll be my papa?”
“Of course. I don’t mind.”
“Yay!”
Overjoyed, Rosa threw herself into my arms. As her stand-in father, it was only right to accept her affection properly.
I hugged her back and even lifted her up. She wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Hehehe. Papa, I love you!”
“Yes, and I love you too, Rosa.”
“Yay! I love you lots, Papa! Papa~ Papa!”
She rubbed her cheek against mine, absolutely delighted. When I rubbed back, she giggled even louder.
“Ahaha! Papa, it tickles!”
“Yes, Papa’s beard is a little prickly.”
We spent about an hour like that, just enjoying each other’s company. When I finally tried to head back to the workshop, she nearly cried begging me to stay.
I managed to calm her down and promise I’d see her soon.
A father, huh…
It’s a different kind of affection than I’m used to, but this sort of bond—it feels good in its own way.
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E/N:
Papa here, Daddy there, what a CHAD, Ossan! Stay tuned!
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