Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: 3. The Peaceful Daily Life of the Orphanage
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Milton, the manager of Leaf Bakery, nodded at Yujin's words.
‘To think that running an orphanage at such a young age would mean someone like this—an upright young man.’
When the director had suddenly shown up at first, saying he wanted his orphanage kids to work part-time here, Milton had thought he was some lunatic. He'd assumed it was the usual shady orphanage forcing kids to work and pocketing all their pay.
But after the director's persistent requests led to letting Eric try baking just once, he'd realized it right away.
Eric had a talent for baking, and the director had known it, which was why he'd come knocking in person.
‘And Eric looked so happy about it.’
It was nothing like the orphanage kids Milton occasionally saw. They were clean, smiled a lot, seemed happy, and were well-fed. It was hard to believe they were really from an orphanage.
That Yujin guy was the type of person who made it all possible. A true orphanage director, rare in these times. That's why he'd laid out those special conditions just for Eric.
‘How much can you do for Eric, huh.’
Well, that was easy.
“Let's talk first. I plan to treat Eric as the successor to our Leaf Bakery.”
“Successor...?”
“Of course, not just the simple chores or assisting he's been doing, but learning proper baking techniques.”
“R-Really!?”
“That's right, Eric.”
Learning proper baking techniques wasn't just about picking up skills. It meant learning not just ordinary bread-making, but the bakery's secret recipes and dessert techniques too.
It meant Eric had earned the right to inherit Leaf Bakery, and if he became Milton's adopted son, that claim would be ironclad.
A true successor—in other words, handing over the shop itself. Even in a small town like Luton, it was the top bakery.
Having worked there himself, Eric knew just how amazing Leaf Bakery was, so his eyes sparkled at Milton's bold declaration. The orphanage director, Yujin, was nodding too.
Anyway, becoming an adopted son and inheriting Leaf Bakery were different things.
‘No loss for me.’
Milton straightened his shoulders and glanced to the side. There, the owner of Hope Bakery fidgeted nervously.
It was only natural that Milton, owner of Luton's premier bakery, could offer more than some ordinary bakery owner. It already seemed plenty, but to make it crystal clear, Milton continued confidently.
“On top of that, I'll pay him five times his usual wage. Once he's my adopted son, he'll inherit my assets anyway.”
“Five times...!”
“Our bakery's desserts are so good that the lord occasionally sends servants to buy them! Do well, and you might even forge a connection with the lord!”
“W-With the lord!”
The more Milton spoke, the more confident he grew, while the Hope Bakery owner shrank further. It had never been a fair fight to begin with.
Above all, Milton was desperate too. He'd focused solely on baking and never married, so his lifelong bakery was at risk of vanishing. He had no successor to pass his dessert techniques to.
Then he'd spotted Eric, an orphanage kid with baking talent. And not just talent—he was bright, polite, and kind. No reason not to adopt him.
“Plus, I'll pay a generous adoption fee and donation to the orphanage. What do you expect from Luton's top bakery? It won't disappoint!”
“Hmm.”
This was tempting for both Eric and the director. Yujin didn't seem materialistic, but running an orphanage required money—that was reality.
On top of the standard adoption fee, a donation too. That sealed it.
Milton leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed, wearing a victorious smile.
“Um, uh. Mr. Milton?”
“Eric? What's up?”
“Uh... nothing.”
Seeing Eric hesitate sparked a faint unease in Milton. What was wrong? Had something he said been off?
Just as anxious Milton opened his mouth, the silent Hope Bakery owner finally spoke.
“Sorry, Eric. Our bakery... it's ordinary, and not that profitable, so becoming successor there wouldn't mean much. Leaf Bakery, on the other hand—I've heard the name plenty. It's a great place. I'd go there too.”
“Mister...?”
“And Director Yujin, I'm sorry. I have some savings, but barely enough for the adoption fee—no way I can add a donation. My baking skills, connections to the lord, assets... they don't compare to that bakery owner.”
Still.
“I... can feed you well.”
“As if I wouldn't feed him properly. That's offensive—”
“If it offended you, sorry. But what I provide isn't just for Eric.”
“What?”
“The other kids in this orphanage. Laila, Brook, Damian, Mina, Tricksy, Karen... Not fancy bread, but I can give plenty for them too. As much bread as you want, if you ask.”
“R-Really?”
“Of course. All I can do is bring bread like always.”
“No! Mister, Laila loves your honey bread! She'd be thrilled to eat it as much as she wants!”
“...Ah.”
At the Hope Bakery owner's words and Eric's beaming smile.
Milton finally realized.
‘I only saw that kid as...’
Just an ordinary orphan, an adopted son—nothing more? Had he really only cared about ‘Eric alone’?
Eric was the only one he wanted. He'd never spared a thought for the other orphanage kids.
He'd thought it was natural, but...
‘Th-Those are... all new names to me.’
Laila, Brook, Damian, Mina. He'd heard Eric mention them once, from his alley days. But he'd never cared. Milton only cared about Eric.
Had he even visited the orphanage once before remembering their names? Wasn't this his first time here for adoption talks?
‘Whereas that bakery owner...’
He looked like he'd visited the orphanage multiple times already. Even before deciding to adopt Eric.
Bringing loads of bread, without expecting money.
That's when Milton figured out what Eric had been about to say. Probably asking if he could share the bread with his orphanage friends.
Of course it was fine. For his successor and adopted son, no issue at all.
‘But I didn't offer it first.’
It would amount to admitting he only cared about Eric, with zero interest in his friends or the other kids. Offering bread now would mean nothing.
With a hollow laugh, Milton stood.
“Looks like I'm not qualified.”
“You...?”
“The one who can truly make Eric happy isn't a materialistic guy like me—it's someone like you. A neighborhood bakery owner over Luton's top one.”
“.........”
“Maybe I took adopting lightly. Felt more like hiring an employee than gaining a son... I lack a father's qualifications.”
“Mr. Milton...”
“Be happy, Eric. Well then...”
“W-Wait!”
“Director?”
Milton, about to leave the office in embarrassment, stopped at Yujin's call.
His voice sounded incredibly urgent and flustered.
“Isn't it a waste to give up Eric just like that, Mr. Milton? Where else would you find a kid like him?”
“True, but... I'm not qualified.”
Milton shook his head, still deeming himself unworthy, but the flustered director grinned as if struck by a great idea.
“How about this? You become Eric's godfather.”
“Godfather...?”
“Yeah, that's brilliant!”
At the director's sudden proposal, the Hope Bakery owner shot to his feet. He reached out to Milton, fully on board.
“I was worried about my means anyway. I'll do my best for Eric, but if he eats or lives worse than at the orphanage, it'd be a joke.”
“Well...”
“So please, be his godfather. We'll both be his fathers. For Eric's future!”
“Eric's... future.”
“I-I like both you guys too! Hope Bakery mister is always kind, and Mr. Milton is strict sometimes but really cares about me!”
“But Eric, having two fathers...”
“It's fine! The more family, the better! Back in the alleys, struggling to survive... I wanted parents too.”
Eric stood before the two bakers.
Fidgeting shyly, he finally spoke.
“So please... Dads.”
“Haha, Dads. Dads.”
“What a... sweet word.”
Milton looked back and forth between Eric and the Hope Bakery owner.
His life had been all about baking. He'd become Luton's top bakery owner, but ended up alone.
But now, he had two family members.
“I should be the one asking—take care of me, Eric. You too.”
“Yes!”
“Let's raise him right.”
“Of course! Director, I'll send the adoption fee and donation right away. You're the real winner here.”
“Haha! Tell me about it. Adoption fee, donation, and all my bread to take as he pleases!”
“Dads! The director didn't plan it that way!”
Of course not. Director Yujin was pure-hearted, genuinely caring for orphans, as proven by raising Eric so well.
The director's triumphant look was because he'd secured Eric's best future.
“We're deeply grateful for your decision. Our orphanage will always remember you both.”
“Aw, embarrassing.”
“Yeah.”
Was it joy at Eric's proper adoption? Seeing the director's genuine broad smile, Milton smiled sincerely too.
A pure smile, after so long.
*
‘Phew, close call.’
Setting up the competition had been good, but when that Milton guy suddenly tried to bow out, it startled him.
For reputation or village ties, selling to Hope Bakery would've been fine, but with no real bidding war, it'd gone for peanuts. He'd overestimated the Hope Bakery owner's wealth.
In a panic, he'd suggested godfather, and luckily Hope Bakery agreed, so he got Milton's money and free bread from Hope Bakery.
Combined, it exceeded his expected price for a 2-Star Orphan.
‘Anyway, with this.’
2-Star Orphan, product name ‘Eric’.
Sold Out.