Despite my words, I never laid a hand on the children.

“N-no point in talking. Let’s go back.”

The frightened children from the other side didn't dare to attack again and retreated.

Thus, I was able to claim the food basket that had fallen from the sky.

“This is mine now.”

“...Hmph.”

Fron’s shoulders trembled as she watched me.

Even she wouldn't argue about ownership now.

However, the children behind her began to cry one by one.

They must be like this because they have been starving for a long time.

I could understand them.

But that didn't mean I was going to give away my hard-earned food for free.

It might earn the children’s favor, but what I wanted was to remain on equal footing with Fron.

That’s why I was acting this way.

“I have a decent proposal. Just one thing and everything will be settled.”

“A request?”

Fron frowned at me.

I approached her and spoke.

“I’ll share the food.”

“And what is the price you seek, demon?”

“Simple.”

I raised my index finger to indicate I only wanted one thing.

“All I want is to be accepted as a member of this place.”

“...If that’s all you wanted, you should have just shared it in the first place.”

“Ha, do you really think so?”

A faint smile played on my lips, laced with clear mockery.

Fron suggested I would have been accepted if I had shared from the start, but I saw things differently.

Would they really accept me that easily?

Of course, they would gladly accept the bread.

But what would happen after the food was gone?

I would still be an unknown outsider, and the children would be wary of me.

If I were Fron, I would be cautious and suspicious no matter how much kindness I received.

In other words, it was more advantageous for me to be recognized as an equal to Fron, a member of their group, rather than bowing my head to her.

“...I don't like it.”

“Well, it doesn't matter if you don't like it. As things stand, it would be a bit inconvenient for me to join that other group.”

A subtle threat was mixed into my words.

If she continued to be stubborn, I could always join the group I had just seen.

Fron's shoulders trembled at my words, and she glared at me.

“Fine. I accept your proposal.”

“Good choice.”

I smiled brightly.

Turning around, I addressed the children who were staring at the food basket with drooling mouths.

“You can eat.”

“Yeah!”

The children nodded and began to take food from the basket.

I noticed Rem awkwardly walking towards the basket.

she took out two loaves of bread, ate one, and then looked at me.

Then she approached.

Wondering what she had to say, I tilted my head.

Rem held out one of the loaves to me.

“Here, eat.”

“You’re giving yours to me?”

“It was yours to begin with, Adel.”

Well, that's true.

I heard the children had been starving for a while.

If they were that hungry, I would have understood even if they ate everything.

The fact that they were offering me food meant they weren't entirely bad kids.

Still.

That didn't mean I would forgive them easily.

The wicked group who bullied and beat me.

I would make them pay for what they did.

I accepted Rem's bread, my heart burning with anger.

Thus began our mealtime.

There was enough bread in the basket for each child to have one loaf.

However, the children didn't finish all the bread.

About a third of it remained in the basket.

Why did they leave some?

“Are you sure you don't want to eat anymore? You must be hungry.”

“...We are not pigs who eat everything just because there is food.”

“So you're saying you'll let the rest rot?”

Fron hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Do you mind if I take care of the rest?”

“Do as you please.”

It’s not like we could sell the leftover bread.

If it were reality, I would have fed it to Sijo, but Sijo wasn't here.

With a grateful nod, Fron picked up the basket and walked away.

she was headed towards the children on the other side of the still-open wall.

After a brief exchange of words, Fron returned empty-handed.

I didn't say a word at the sight.

I simply stared at her with a curious gaze.

Perhaps my gaze felt burdensome because Fron spoke up.

“W-What are you looking at? I just felt like giving it to those beggars since we had some bread left over.”

“Ah, okay.”

Sure.

I didn't have any particular ill feelings towards the children on the other side.

I was just curious because I had heard there was bad blood between the children here and those over there.

Perhaps Fron wasn't even aware that those children were innocent.

The real culprit was whoever put them in this situation in the first place.

With that, the meager feast came to an end, and the children returned to their original area.

Thud—

The door closed again with a heavy sound.

I blinked at the sight.

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