I Pray That You Forget Me - Chapter 61
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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‘Johann, please don’t look out the window.’
I quickly stood up, using the wall for support. I must have looked suspicious even to myself at this point.
“I’m not a strange person, Principal.”
I pressed myself against the wall and moved away from Johann’s classroom, whispering my explanation to the approaching principal.
“I know. You’re Mr. Renner’s wife, right?”
“I’m not some paranoid wife spying on her husband.”
Once I was out of view from Johann’s classroom window, I stopped backtracking and faced the principal.
“I was just passing by and wanted to hear my husband’s voice for a moment. This is the first time, and I don’t do this every day.”
I wanted to do this every day, but now that I got caught on the first day, it seemed unlikely.
Fortunately, the principal didn’t seem to think I was strange. He just asked how long we’d been married and laughed heartily, saying it was natural for us not to want to be apart.
“Please, keep this a secret from Johann.”
“For free?”
I rummaged through my pockets, but all I had was a revolver and my wallet—no snacks.
“Oh dear, I don’t have any bribes today.”
“My office is overflowing with those. How about having a cup of tea with a lonely principal since there are no students to discipline today?”
“I’d be honored.”
It turned out the principal wasn’t exaggerating about having plenty of snacks. Parents and students brought him many treats, which he often shared with others. I listened to his stories while enjoying cookies made with honey instead of the rare sugar.
“Mr. Renner will soon start bringing things home too. The town folks are very generous. Before the war, there were days I went home carrying a basket of apples and three sacks of potatoes, haha.”
The principal smoothly transitioned from talking about the town’s generosity to how we, city folks, were adjusting to life in the rural village.
“I’m proud that you’re considering settling down here permanently, as a native myself. But don’t you miss city life?”
“Ah… well, I can’t remember it at all, so…”
Then, the conversation shifted to my amnesia. Fortunately, the principal was a polite and respectful man. He didn’t pry excessively into my condition and smoothly transitioned to other topics after lightly touching on the subject.
“…So now, as a housewife, I spend four or five days a week cleaning the bunker.”
“Ah, my wife and daughter-in-law also go to the bunker to clean.”
The principal must be aware that I’m frequently summoned by Major Felkner and likely has heard the rumors about me and the major.
“If you see them, please don’t tell them I spent all day lounging in the principal’s warm office. It’s for my peace of mind.”
He skillfully avoided the sensitive topic. He was experienced, perceptive, and kind-hearted.
Feeling at ease, I stayed longer, sipping tea and chatting. One cup turned into two, then three as our conversation flowed.
Screech.
The sound of an engine and wheels rolling came from outside, followed by the screech of brakes.
‘A car at the school?’
The principal, seemingly aware of what was happening, clicked his tongue briefly, set his teacup down, and walked to the window. Following him, I saw a luxurious sedan parked in front of the building.
In this remote mountain village, the only people who traveled by car were the residents of the bunker. The person who quickly got out of the driver’s seat and opened the back door was wearing a military officer’s uniform.
‘If they’re using an officer as a driver, they must be a very high-ranking official.’
However, the person who stepped out of the back seat was a woman in her thirties wearing a fur coat and heavy makeup, accompanied by a boy who looked to be about six or seven. The boy had his hair neatly combed with pomade and was dressed in an exceptionally fine wool suit, far too luxurious for school.
It must be the wife and son of a high-ranking military officer. I’d heard that some government officials and military personnel who sought refuge in the bunker had brought their families.
“I didn’t know the children from the bunker attended this school.”
“The bunker doesn’t have enough children to establish a school. There are only one or two per grade, so we can easily accommodate them here,” the principal explained briefly before turning away from the window.
“Since a parent has arrived, I should go out to greet them.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the tea, and the conversation was delightful.”
“I enjoyed our conversation too, Mrs. Renner. See you again.”
As I left the principal’s office, I saw the woman and the boy entering the building. The woman was dragging the boy by the scruff of his neck like a dog. The principal, seemingly accustomed to this sight, greeted the woman without batting an eye.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hildebrandt.”
“Good morning, Principal.”
The woman returned the greeting with an elegant smile before scolding her son, who was rubbing the back of his neck.
“Thomas, aren’t you going to greet the principal?”
Thomas didn’t greet the principal. He tried to run away but was quickly caught by the officer standing behind him, clearly showing that he wasn’t happy to see the principal.
Feeling awkward, the woman continued to drag her son along, finally stopping in front of Johan’s classroom door.
‘So this is one of Johann’s students.’
