I Pray That You Forget Me - Chapter 80
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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I relayed exactly what the child had said to me.
In the meantime, embarrassed, the child had run back to his spot to grab his bag and hurried out the door. The mother did not attempt to stop him.
“Unbelievable…”
Tears welled up in her eyes, perhaps blurring her view as she watched the child run away. After confirming what the child said several times and struggling to find words….
“Thank you. Truly, thank you. Mr. Renner must be the savior sent by God for our Thomas. And you, madam, you are just as gracious and kind-hearted as your husband. It’s wonderful that such like-minded souls found each other. I’m grateful to you both.”
She lavished praise on both Johann and me in one breath. From her words, it seemed that Johann had somehow helped Thomas begin to speak.
“Mr. Renner, now I cannot give up even more. Thomas’s father feels the same way. Please reconsider whatever you have decided.”
She pleaded earnestly with Johann. What exactly she was asking him to reconsider wasn’t clear, and a troubled look crossed Johann’s face.
As I stood there puzzled, she smiled warmly at me before turning back to Johann.
“And don’t forget that we are ready to help in any way we can.”
After pleading once more, she left the classroom with the principal. Thomas, who hadn’t run far and had hidden behind the door, peeked into the classroom and bowed silently to Johann.
“Take care, see you tomorrow, Thomas.”
“See you, brave captain of Mr. Renner’s guard.”
I also waved goodbye to the boy, who hesitated for a moment before dashing off.
“My love.”
Once we were alone, Johann immediately grabbed my cheeks and kissed them.
“Sorry, did you wait long?”
“Not too long. About eight hours?”
Johann chuckled softly at my teasing remark and pulled me into a hug, sighing as if he was unloading a heavy burden.
“Thomas’s mother suddenly requested a consultation; that’s why I was delayed. Let’s go home now.”
As Johann gathered his coat and belongings, I went to close the classroom windows that had been left wide open for ventilation. Just as I was about to shut the last window, I noticed something.
“Uh?”
In the distance, by a parked car where the principal was talking seriously with Thomas’s mother, the boy who was standing behind caught my eye. I expected him to hide again, but instead, he ran towards me.
“…I’m sorry.”
He reached the window and whispered an apology. Surprised, I almost called out for Johann.
No, that would scare him off. He’s like a skittish squirrel, and any loud reaction from me might make him bolt.
I leaned out the window slightly and whispered back as softly as a child, accepting his apology.
“It’s okay, Thomas. You’re a very brave and kind boy. Keep following Mr. Renner in the future, okay?”
Thomas nodded and then dashed off again, quick as a squirrel.
“How can he be so adorable?”
On our way home, I walked hand in hand with Johann and talked nonstop about Thomas. Johann teased me.
“It seems you’ve taken quite a liking to Thomas.”
“How could I not?”
I have a soft spot for all of Johann’s students, but Thomas was particularly memorable. Initially, he seemed like a rebel, but he’s shy yet brave, seemingly bold yet well-behaved.
“You wouldn’t believe how shocked I was today. You told me he doesn’t talk outside the home.”
I knew he was gradually improving from what Johann had told me.
The boy would speak a little when his mother was around. That’s why Johann would sometimes keep his mother in the classroom or let her sit separately while giving him extra lessons.
Thomas was also becoming quite proficient at writing and showed a knack for drawing, so Johann communicated with him through writings and drawings. Eventually, the boy began to talk to Johann.
Johann had even managed to pair him up with a buddy in class who made him feel more at ease. I heard that lately, he’s been adapting well enough to the school environment to not run away even when his mother isn’t there during classes.
“I was really surprised he even spoke so clearly to a stranger.”
“Actually, I was surprised too.”
“Really?”
“He’s improved a lot, but so far, he’s only comfortable talking with me. While he does speak fairly well to women and children, he never initiates conversations. He doesn’t even respond when strangers, even women, speak to him first.”
“Ah… That explains why Mrs. Hildebrandt was so moved when Thomas spoke to me…”
“It seems Thomas must have been so anxious when he saw you in my chair that he forgot his shyness. Perhaps it’s because you’re beautiful enough to make a boy talk when he normally can’t find his voice…”
I laughed off Johann’s embarrassingly sweet comment. It was definitely more about Johann than me.
“That’s Mr. Renner’s chair.”
Because it’s the chair of a teacher he adores.
“Oh my, he’s so adorable I could just pinch him.”
While I found his childlike charm adorable, I could deeply empathize with Thomas’s feelings. I too would fiercely defend this man’s place if anyone tried to take it.
In such moments, I’d do things I normally wouldn’t, even if it meant going to extremes.
