24 - Another Grueling Day for the Aristocratic Kindergarten Teacher
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How grand the school play was! Listing the facts would be endless.
The fact that preparations for the school play started the year before spoke volumes.
In addition, the teachers had to decide on and arrange the costumes the children would wear for the play.
Therefore, Teacher Efna was currently out on the street to look at school play costumes, having postponed writing language logs and semester observation reports.
“Seriously, how can there be so few places that sell ready-made costumes? I can’t even commission a dress atelier… I’m going crazy.”
As if it wasn't bad enough that the supplier she had been trading with suddenly closed down.
Her deep green eyes scanned the shops here and there. Suddenly, she saw a rather large prop shop built of red brick.
‘When did something like that open?’
The moment she stepped inside, Teacher Efna couldn't help but laugh wryly.
“So, my child is going to play an important role in this year’s school play, or rather, will be playing. Definitely.”
“Madam, the truth is, the madam who came earlier, and the madam who came before her, said the same thing.”
“Then show me something twice as good and special as what you showed them. Something that looks the most precious to anyone who sees it. Do you understand me?”
This wasn't some kind of parent integration event, nor a meeting place. Why were they all here?
Teacher Efna quickly pressed her bonnet down, just in case someone recognized her.
It was then.
Slap!
“Say it again.”
The sound of a palm colliding with a cheek rang out sharply. A chilling voice followed.
“Who said you can’t be the absolute lead? Huh? Say it again.”
The place fell silent in an instant. Teacher Efna quickly turned her head towards the sound.
Two women, who looked familiar, stood facing each other as if in a confrontation.
‘Their faces are definitely familiar… no, they’re the parents from my class!’
Her eyes almost popped out. The two were definitely the parents who had left after hearing the role theme announcement yesterday.
Why were they slapping each other here?
“Who are you to dare say whether or not my daughter can be the lead? Huh? Should I just make her quit kindergarten altogether?”
“Did I say something wrong? It’s true!”
At the loud retort that she hadn't said anything wrong, a hand was raised again. This time, towards the other cheek.
‘No!’
Teacher Efna instinctively jumped between the two.
Thwack! With a louder thud than before, Teacher Efna’s head turned.
Thud. The bonnet that had been barely covering her face fell pathetically to the floor.
The people in the prop shop whispered.
“Who is that? How dare she think of getting involved in that fight.”
“I know, right? That must hurt.”
Reddened cheeks, disheveled brown hair. Eyes cast down low. A burst blood vessel on her lip.
“Look how red and swollen it is. Oh my goodness, her lip is split like that. Is she going to be okay?”
“Wait, just a minute. Madam Hedisna. That person is…”
The people who recognized her face covered their mouths. The woman who had slapped her cried out in a flustered voice.
“T-Teacher Efna!”
She didn't move. No one dared to approach Teacher Efna, who was standing still.
Only the madam who had struck her couldn't hide her embarrassment and stammered.
“Teacher Efna. What is this, no, more importantly, are you okay? Oh my goodness…!”
At those words, Teacher Efna, who had been standing still, slowly moved her body. Her hand, as she bent down to pick up the fallen bonnet, was still. Frighteningly so.
Her white hand neatly tucked the disheveled hair behind her ear.
Finally, when Teacher Efna raised her head, she was smiling quite gently.
“Mothers. I am fine. Are the two of you alright?”
Hold it in. There was one parent nearby, no, five, no, more than ten.
At her words, the two women who had been growling at each other as if they were about to draw swords replied, not knowing what to do.
“I’m fine. But Teacher’s cheek…”
“I’m glad to hear that. Is the place where you were hit alright, Mother?”
“Teacher is more…”
Right. That's right. She was the one who hurt more. Her cheek felt like it was burning.
So, she had to take this opportunity to make sure this never happened again.
She brought the back of her hand to her mouth. Looking as wistful and delicate as possible.
“I’m so relieved that the two of you are alright. However, I can’t help but feel that all of this is my fault.”
“Yes? Teacher’s fault? What do you mean!”
Blink, blink. Her cat-like eyes blinked innocently.
“The two of you, weren’t you arguing because of the role play?”
No answer came easily. Yes, it must be difficult. But it didn't matter. She hadn't said it expecting an answer.
She muttered as if she was deeply troubled.
“To think that something like this would happen. Should we cancel the play after all…”
“Yes?”
It wasn't just the two mothers who were shocked. The other parents who had been watching with bated breath were also stunned.
“But Teacher!”
“We should cancel it, right? We can do something else for the school play. Especially since something like this has happened.”
Their faces were crestfallen. The parents groaned with dismay.
“Cancel it? Cancel it?”
“My son has to, has to become the student council president!”
Amidst the surrounding commotion, the madam who had struck her admitted her mistake without hesitation.
“I think I acted rashly. I’m sorry, Countess Hersi.”
“What are you saying? It was my fault for upsetting Madam Kalinasa with my unnecessary words.”
Where had the appearance of fighting like mortal enemies gone?
The two noblewomen exchanged apologies without batting an eye. However, the hand holding the fan was trembling palely.
Teacher Efna smiled brightly, ignoring the twitching corners of the two madams’ mouths.
“Come to think of it, it’s also the most important event at our kindergarten, and the children are looking forward to it so much, so we can’t just cancel it. I’m glad that the two of you have resolved things well.”
Even though her cheek was wrecked.
At her words, the two women breathed a sigh of relief.
“Thank you so much, Teacher.”
“The thing that Teacher is worried about will never happen again. Really.”
So that's why the children's manners became so good after going to kindergarten.
Somehow, the kid who used to shout and run around at home was now quietly walking on the right side of the road. Her taming skills were extraordinary.
Meanwhile, the employee who had been holding his breath looked at the blinking communicator.
“Hmm?”
A booming voice erupted from his mouth.
“Boss! A message just came through on the communicator! They want to buy all of our store’s products, one of each!”
“What? Who?”
“The Imperial Family! They said they need to make some kind of announcement…”
Where? The Imperial Family?
Teacher Efna, who happened to hear the news from the side, was dumbfounded.
‘Don’t tell me His Majesty is also thinking of buying something Maxion likes from here?’
But on the day of the theme announcement, the Emperor had clearly said this to Maxion.
‘Maxion. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stone rolling on the street. Just present something you really like.’
He had said it so seriously and solemnly. She had believed those words so firmly.
Look at the things being carried to the Imperial Palace. More extravagant than anything else in the world.
Teacher Efna swallowed an absurd laugh and bowed to the parents with an elegant attitude.
“Then I will be on my way.”
She wanted to hide even if she met one parent outside, but how many were here now?
“No, Teacher! I have something to ask you about the play…!”
Perhaps noticing her intention to escape, the parents reached out as if to grab her. But Teacher Efna was one step faster, darting out like a flying squirrel.
She visited a few more costume shops and obtained fabric. She decided to get drafts of decent clothes from the costume shops.
“Then please have them ready by the date I mentioned.”
“Don’t worry. We may not be good at anything else, but we are punctual when it comes to time.”
That was good news to hear. She stretched all the way out after leaving the last costume shop.
“Ugh, stiff! I just want to go home and rest like this.”
But that wouldn't do. In her sadly resigned gaze, she suddenly saw the dark wooden door she had seen before.
“That’s…”
That was the building where Duke Hildebon and she had shouted "Honey" in front of the door, wasn't it?
‘Surely they’re not still doing that kind of thing even though there was a crackdown?’
No way.
Still, her steps, wondering if that was the case, grew closer and closer. Teacher Efna gently placed her hand on the door.
Thud. Squeak…
The door, which had not been oiled, made a bizarre noise and opened without any resistance.
