Three days later.
"We've arrived, sir."
With a smooth glide, the ticulously designed limousine ca to a gradual halt at the intended destination before I even realised it.
As stated by the frankly overpriced watch adorning my wrist, the ti was approaching 4 o'clock.
"Good."
Glancing at the chauffeur in the front seat who declared our arrival, I replied with a nod and, without delay, had the door opened for .
Without a word, Sana and Sona got out just after wearing their pristine navy blue school uniforms.
Exiting the luxurious branded car donning a freshly-ironed black suit, I opened my mouth to the chauffeur from the open front window as I felt the slight breeze brush against my face and fashionably slicked hair.
"Wait here for my return. I will not be long."
"Understood."
Turning away, my gaze naturally rested upon the institution in front of which I stood.
Sacchim Girls' Private School.
Needless to say, this was the school Sana and Sona were enrolled in. My presence here is thus for none other than the twins' parent-teacher conference.
Today, I am here not as the Concept of Truth Cipher; not as the livestrear and known terrorist Truthseeker; and not even as the exemplary student Oscar Itou, but as the legal father and guardian of Sana and Sona, as well as the acclaid business associate of Minami Mochizuki.
Leander Herington.
A man who doesn't exist in reality, but who is yet another of my false identities initially fabricated for the sole purpose of signing the agreent with Minami.
Nonetheless, he is a man of status, of pride, and of power. Despite not being a real person, there is a need to show that I, Leander Herington, am nothing less than excellent.
Today, I must present myself as such a flawless person.
My reason for getting the maids of the mansion to dress up all professionally and even style my hair is for this purpose.
Going so far as to take lessons from the asurent of Truth to fully muster and realise this noble character in my actions, behaviours and words down to the smallest detail.
I will not just evoke, but beco such a person.
The large tal gate that blocked my view bore the institution's symbol, a noble pine tree with embellishing sparkles as if to symbolise the enrolling students' high-class status and beautified pride.
Waiting just by this gate, the twins just behind , a well-dressed woman appearing in her thirties stood.
"Welco. My na is Stella Larson. You must be Mr Herington? It is a pleasure to et you."
The teacher of my, Leander Herington's children.
For the first ti, I ca face-to-face with her, who bowed politely and introduced herself with a smile
I responded in kind and the heavy iron gate opened with a sort of grating bellow.
"The pleasure is mine, Ms Larson. Feel free to call Leander. I apologise for making you wait."
"Much obliged. Don't mind it at all, Mr Leander. It is the duty of the summoner to provide a welcoming environnt to the invitee, after all. Please, follow ."
"Of course."
After our mutual introduction concluded, Stella Larson, evidently a renowned and long-ti tutor at this grand establishnt, led through the vast campus schoolyard while making idle small talk.
"Do you hire many gardeners here, Ms Larson?"
The lush greenery spread out around the place with all sorts of exotic flowers, berry bushes and the like making it almost screamingly obvious.
"Yes. As you can see, the gardens are well-kept and regularly maintained by not only two alternating teams of professional gardeners but also the students themselves who enjoy taking part in caring for their local environnt.
That was sothing I didn't expect.
The noble and rich students of this prestigious school enjoy ssing around with dirt and flowers?
How amusing.
"How wonderful."
Of course, I didn't let my thoughts be known. After all, that would be unbecoming of .
For the man known as Leander Herington, he was a man of culture and of sophistication, and so I must show an exterior presenting as much.
"Do you think so?"
I do not.
"I do. Is it not true that even small things like this can ignite the cinders of passion and love within students? The sense of accomplishnt derived when a tiny bud blossoms into a fragile yet precious bloom should not be obscured from the children."
My gaze scanned the whole area around us, my view unable to escape the rather picturesque scene of all these bunches of vivid flowers.
Pausing my steps, Stella Larson and the twins stopped with and watched curiously as I bent my knees to pluck a single flower.
Crimson amaryllis.
"Taking care of the environnt around them; it is sothing that gives the students pride, no? It is a matter of curating a peaceful atmosphere, and not just that, but one of growth and positivity."
Standing up while holding such a flower grown by the students' own hands, I gazed wistfully at the flowery field beside us.
"I believe so, Mr Leander... It brings more joy than you can realise to know that such a respected man like yourself understands the perhaps understated importance behind these commonly frowned-upon acts."
Well, of course they would be upset.
What middle-aged rich man is going to be pleased to hear that his daughter has been playing with dirt and growing flowers?
It's not exactly sothing anyone would call 'prestigious behaviour'.
Apologising for taking a flower without warning as I gave it to the twins, Stella Larson assured it was alright and we continued.
While we walked, I noticed a surprising amount of students bashfully observing us from the windows, curiosity bare in their eyes.
"There appear to be many curious spectators."
It seems I wasn't the only one, as Stella Larson chuckled at my comnt.
"Yes. Many parents and guardians are constantly engrossed in business affairs that take up much of their ti. That is one of the reasons we have a decent portion who choose to entrust their children with us. Additionally, we can provide 24/7 services of all kinds for those who live in on-site accommodations such as healthcare, education and security, to na a few. This is how our wonderful student dormitories may allow for the best of both worlds, so to speak."
I see.
In other words, there are a load of rich and neglectful parents who just place their young in student dormitories and forget about them.
Stella Larson seed to take pride in the school facilities, but that was the truth of it.
The dormitories' purpose is to house the kids of negligent parents, yes, but it's not like that is all it's good for.
Professional 24/7 security, healthcare, education, and more for the children of parents willing to pay. Of course, it's a heaven's blessing for not just those who aren't that interested in their children, but those who genuinely wish the best for them too.
It may in fact be better for many of the enrolling kids' well-being and future if they live in the student dormitories.
A place where they are free to enjoy all of these benefits and more, and even where they can talk all day with their friends.
Rather than biding their ti alone in a uselessly grand and bleak household where even their own parents are 'too busy' to take proper care of them.
A terribly boring place like that, or a place with anything they could want or need, including friends?
Wouldn't it be far inferior?
Envisioning what kinds of people are the caretakers of such children, only butlers, maids and nannies could co to mind.
"Although I agree that it is overall a positive, necessary thing..."
Dragging out my words, I happened to et eyes with one of the students observing from beyond the glass of the dormitory window.
Just like the others perhaps, an older girl with golden hair and athyst eyes sparkling with curiosity was watching us.
Initially, I was surprised to see soone who appeared to be my age living in the student dormitories, but I then recalled the fact that this prestigious all-girls private school was one that taught from ages 5 all the way to 18.
Rather embarrassingly, I belatedly recalled this fact despite it being one of the main reasons I chose this school for the twins in the first place―so that I would not have to go through the trouble of enrolling them in another school after they graduate.
In any case, might that girl be such neglected offspring as well?
If so, it was living proof of the lacking parenting skills common among rich folk.
"I can only pity the children that have the fate and suffering of growing up with such parents forced upon them."
In the end, whether or not that girl was one of those children did not matter.
Spoken with a hint of coldness in my voice, Stella Larson could only lower her head at my words.
It may be a private school for nobody but the children of the rich and well-established.
But it is simultaneously a place for the sad, unloved children of such powerful families.
"...Indeed."
Of course, there would be plenty of kids who live in the dormitories and don't belong in such a category, but it cannot be denied that the purpose for many of the children being housed here is so that the parents can box that concern up and shove it to the back of their minds as they return to their work.
Either way, it is none of my concern, and quite frankly I do not feel for those children who may be nothing more than a status piece for those in power.
"I apologise if this cos off the wrong way, Mr Leander, but on the contrary, I think your ability to achieve what you have while also taking care of your children is quite comndable."
Achievents.
What Stella Larson is talking about is the fabricated feats the man known as Leander Herington is said to have accomplished.
For example, donating hordes of wealth to a great many foundations and institutions as well as establishing various things that give a good look to the public eye such as orphanages, schools, and hospitals.
In fact, this Sacchim Girls' Private School is one such institution to which I have donated money.
All to boost the reputation of Leander Herington, such things are necessary even if I find them pointless.
Even though it isn't exactly who is donating, but rather Minami, who has been entrusted with such matters on behalf of my na.
"Although it may not be my place to judge, and I would prefer to keep this a secret between the two of us, Mr Leander, but the attitude many parents hold towards their childrens' education and future, who will be the ones to lead the next generation, does tend to leave an unfortunately bitter taste in my mouth."
What Stella Larson's words ant was that she probably resonated sowhat with my words.
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