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CHAPTER 6 - THE FORMER CHEMISTRY TEACHER SEEMS TO BREATHE FRESH AIR IN THE NARCOTICS VILLAGE
"So, that being said, I'm in your care."
"Um, well, I apologize..."
Once again, the two faced each other and bowed their heads while remaining seated.
"Apologize? Well, let's see... Have there been any problems up until now?"
Sota Souta drank the water from his cup quickly. Asugi immediately refilled it from a pitcher.
"N-No, everything's fine."
"More importantly, let's talk about what to do from here on out. What kind of work could I do? I can handle various teaching roles as an educator. Back when I was a student, I even taught subjects like math, physics, and foreign languages."
Part-time private tutor or academy instructor.
"Well...! In that case, would you consider becoming my daughter's teacher? She's quite fond of human culture. I'm sure she'd be delighted."
"Fond of human culture?"
"Yes, isn't that unusual?"
――Certainly is strange.
As far as Sota Souta could see, there was a divide between humans and elves.
"Perhaps it's about learning and preparing precisely because she dislikes it... Is that the idea?"
"It seems to be quite the opposite. She says that when she grows up, she wants to become a minstrel in the capital city. She doesn't even listen when I tell her that us elves cannot leave the forest."
"She can't leave?"
"Our village isn't on any maps, you see."
――Ah, I see. If it's a nationwide endeavor, they can hide it on a nationwide scale.
Asugi takes a sip of water. Sota Souta follows suit.
"We don't have schools here, no future, no escape. There's nothing. It's a bleak future. When my father was a child, forest-dwelling elves like us could still attend schools in town. Nowadays, even if we mention 'school,' children don't quite grasp the concept."
"...That sounds pretty dire."
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――Education opportunities are being taken away. For the sake of belittling the elves. And to keep them as targets of persecution.
――This seems to be happening on a societal level, right?
Sota Souta takes another sip of water with a bitter expression.
"Yes, it's dire. If things continue like this, we will become even more ignorant and be at the mercy of humans."
"Even me, a human?"
"Yes, as far as I can see, I think you're a good influence."
Sota Souta ponders over those words.
Seeing him deep in thought, Asugi smiles.
"Teacher, it's just... you don't seem quite like a human. Do you understand? Talking to you feels like conversing with another elf, in a strange sort of way."
"Is that so? Well, I am a rather unusual human, I suppose."
Sota Souta was suddenly reminded of an unpleasant memory.
――Even looking back, it still makes me angry. The professors, the family, the students, the colleagues. Treated as incompetent. Treated as a teacher. Treated like a dead person. Treated as someone incapable. Being subjected to undesired treatment is just irritating. The ones imposing it are irritating.
――In that sense, those humans are also annoying. They've been gradually imposing foolishness onto the elves over time. That's what annoys me the most.
"Did I upset you?"
Asugi had a worried expression.
"Huh? Was I making that kind of face?"
"Well, it's just... Souta-san, you were angry earlier, right? It was so sudden, and with such intensity, so I thought... maybe you're still angry deep down, even though you're hiding it..."
――She's right. Just as Asugi-san said.
Realizing that his deep-seated aversion to humans hasn't changed no matter where he is, Sota Souta found it strangely amusing and started laughing. He found himself enjoying the moment, and laughter bubbled up.
"That's true. You've got a point. I feel embarrassed."
"Oh, no, I'm sorry! I'm an idiot, and my father says the same thing! That I easily make people mad! Please forget what I said!"
Asugi turned pale and bowed her head. Sota Souta had frightened her again.
"No, it's fine. I am angry. You're right. Just as you said," Sota replied.
――I like the elves. They treat me with suspicion. They don't seem to understand who I am.
――They even called me an alchemist. That's not bad. Alchemist, if you think of it as a synonym for scientist, doesn't sound too bad. After all, I wanted to be a scientist as a profession.
――Here, I can be a scientist. Not bad at all.
Sota Souta felt a sense of enjoyment.
"I-I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Oh, of course, right? Considering what we've done, being angry is only natural!"
"No, I'm not angry at you. You're not at fault. It's me."
The villagers, the environment of this village that drove them, the oppressive society that forced them into this, and the humans who created it.
"I just thought it was unjust."
――If there's a way for me to channel my anger against this injustice, then it is this.
――If there's a place where I can direct the frustrations I couldn't fulfill before, then it is this.
"I got angry, but I don't hold grudges. So, Asugi-san, please allow me to be a teacher here."
With that, he lowered his head. The atmosphere felt refreshing.
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