The director looked at Ellie. It didn’t take long to make up her mind. She decided the girl was just taking care of another child in a situation similar to her own. In any case, Damian belonged to her creditor. She’d eventually have to give him back, so she wasn’t going to let him get involved in some kids’ feud.

“Malene.”

“Yes, Madam Director.”

“Take those boys away. I don’t want to hear them screaming anymore.”

“Yes, Madam Director.”

“And do not give work to that boy, he’s an exception.” She pointed at Damian.

“Madam Director?”

“Don’t give him any work. As for the others, nothing changes.”

She had said what she needed to say, so she left the kitchen. The teacher and the kids were staring at Damian, looking a little bewildered by the director’s last words.

Ellie immediately dropped the serious look on her face and turned to him. “Damian, you should go back for now.”

“But... What about you?”

“I have work to do here.”

He bit his lip and held onto her sleeve tightly, clearly unhappy about being split up. She appreciated him opening up to her more, but... The situation didn’t look good, so they had to be careful. The director had made him an exception only because he wasn’t hers, but the other kids didn’t know that. To them, it might look like preferential treatment.

“Damian, I’ll be with you soon. This will only take a minute.”

He looked at her pleadingly with those clear blue eyes. Ellie’s coaxing voice betrayed a hint of consternation. I don’t want to be alone. But even more than that, he didn’t want Ellie to dislike him. He slowly let go of her sleeve.

“Um... Damian? Why don’t you come with me?” said the teacher, leading him out of the kitchen.

“Is he going to be punished?”

“He must be scared. That teacher hits really hard...”

Thankfully, the kids didn’t seem to think Damian was being favored. Ellie let out a sigh of relief, but in her mind, she could still see the boy’s disappointed face.

* * *

I ran out as soon as I finished my work. Damian was crouched in a corner of the dining hall, all alone.

“Damian.”

He looked up at once. The kids were watching us, curious about the new boy. They hadn’t dared get close so far, but they clearly wanted to get to know him. Damian just slowly dropped his head again. The stubborn set of his mouth showed his dissatisfaction.

“You can eat next to me, come on.”

His head jerked up. “Next to you?”

“Yes. Come on. The food is good today.” I managed to convince him. He nodded and came over to me.

“Huh?” Then Tommy, who was bringing utensils, pointed at Damian and said, “The seat next to Ellie’s is mine!” Tommy’s voice was louder than usual, as if in high spirits that Carsen wasn’t around to bully him.

I gently stroked his hair. “Sweet Tommy, why don’t you let him sit in your spot, just for one day? You know he’s new here.”

“But I don’t want to...”

“A gracious man knows how to be kind to others, you know.”

“Really?” Tommy blinked up at me trustingly. “Okay! But it’s just for today.”

Tommy was a cute kid who easily changed his mind with a little bit of coaxing. He sat down across the table from me with a proud smile.

“Enjoy your meal, Damian. I know that’s not enough food, but still,” I told him.

“You too.”

We started to eat, but for some reason, he didn’t seem to be enjoying his meal.

“Damian, what is it? Don’t you feel like eating?”

“Why did you do that?” he asked after a moment of hesitation.

I knew what he was asking. He wants to know why I lied to the director. Damian was a child used to violence, but one who didn’t know how to lie. He’d always had to tell the truth, to give up before he had the chance to learn any other way.

I put my spoon down and turned to him. “I told you before, if you’re going to get revenge, you should do it properly. We’d have been punished alongside them if I’d told the truth.”

He went back to his usual silence.

“I did lie, but that’s better than getting played for a sucker.”

He looked at me uncertainly.

“Don’t let them get their way. It’s okay to lie when necessary.”

He blinked slowly, as if he’d never heard anything like that before.

“So next time, don’t just take it. Fight back. Okay?”

He pondered what I’d said and then nodded.

“Good thinking.” I patted his cute head. He was such a nice, innocent kid. I could see that after spending a few days with him. How could they mistreat such a gentle boy so harshly? I was getting mad again, but then—

“Nooo!” someone wailed. I looked around and saw Betty crying with a stuffed bunny in her hands. The doll was wet with soup. That bunny had been a birthday gift her parents gave her before they passed away. She must have dropped it in her soup by accident.

I jumped to my feet. “Damian, finish your meal. I’ll be right back.” I didn’t wait for his reply and went straight to Betty.

“Ellie...” She looked up at me. Her eyes were full of tears.

“It’s okay. We can wash it. See? Only this side is wet, the other side is clean.”

“B-but...”

“I’ll wash it clean for you. It’s okay.”

She nodded with a sniff.

“I’ll be right back. Just keep eating,” I told the rest of the kids, then left the dining hall with Betty.

* * *

Damian stared at Ellie and the little girl. They were talking about something, and then they left together. He looked at the door and then turned to his bowl.

The other kids who’d been whispering about what had just happened were now starting to steal glances at him. Although Ellie herself didn’t seem to realize it, the kids loved her, especially the younger ones. She was more mature than the others her age, and she didn’t even bat an eye at Carsen and his gang. So they were curious about Damian as well, as Ellie seemed unusually caring toward him.

One by one, they turned to Tommy. The boy next to him nudged him with an elbow to prompt him to talk to Damian. Okay, okay. I’ll try, he signaled with a glare and cleared his throat.

“Hey,” he said to Damian, lowering his voice a little, but Damian kept his eyes on his bowl like he couldn’t hear him.

“Hey!” It took a real shout to make him look up. “I was talking to you, didn’t you hear me?”

Damian didn’t say anything, just gave Tommy a questioning look as if to ask what he wanted.

“Well, it’s just that... It looks like you’re close to Ellie now.”

Damian remained silent.

“Maybe we can be friends too.” Tommy offered a hand, but Damian just stared at it. Maybe he’s shy? Trying to make things less awkward, Tommy added, “I’m Ellie’s friend, too.”

“Friend?” Damian finally looked straight at Tommy. His blue eyes shone through his long hair at hearing Ellie’s name.

“Yes. I’m her best friend,” Tommy said, glad to finally get a reaction.

Unfortunately, that was enough for Damian to make up his mind. He turned his head away in a clear rejection.

“Huh?” Tommy blinked, puzzled at the instantly changed mood. He didn’t know what to say.

Then Ellie returned with Betty. She gently wiped the little girl’s eyes and came back to her seat. “Damian, is everything okay?”

“I’m fine.” Damian nodded shyly. The growling beast was gone, replaced by a puppy happily wagging its tail.

“Ha!” Tommy let out a sound of disbelief.

“Huh? What are you doing?” Ellie asked, noticing his hand hovering in the air and his stunned expression.

“Huh? Oh, I was just, stretching my hand.” Tommy smiled awkwardly and looked away.