One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One Day I Picked Up a Mother – Episode 81

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Temporary closure due to Institute schedule.

The sign hanging on the firmly closed main gate was removed and the large iron doors opened with a heavy sound.

The carriage that had briefly stopped soon slowly crossed between the long line of bowing caretakers.

I glanced sideways at Ludrio.

He stared out the window with an expressionless face, looking very accustomed to this kind of situation. Unlike me, who felt terribly uncomfortable just sitting still.

I looked out the carriage window then quickly lowered my gaze.

‘Just how much money would you need to pay to make something like this possible…’

Excluding the welcoming staff, we really were the only visitors in the vast zoo.

‘Even in a class-based society, they must have paid a fair price, right?’

As various curiosities kept arising in this strange and awkward situation, the carriage came to a smooth stop.

“Wow, I can see it over there. Mother, over there.”

“I see it too. Let’s go look right away.”

Iban tapped the window and whispered quietly.

Conscious of the people outside the carriage, I quickly answered while taking the child’s hand and carefully getting out.

For a moment my eyes met Ludrio’s and I smiled slightly for no reason.

I hoped not to show even the slightest sign of discomfort to him who had thoughtfully arranged this place.

Ludrio, who had been quietly staring at me, casually turned his gaze away.

Soon the carriage door opened, and Ludrio, who got out first, silently extended his hand to help us disembark.

Just as his hand was slowly moving away, an elderly gentleman who had been waiting nearby approached, removing his silk hat and bowing.

“I greet Count Roderich.”

Ludrio’s gaze turned toward the elderly gentleman.

“Thank you for taking the trouble to come. I am Director Nosidda of the Institute.”

“It must have been a bothersome request, but thank you for your cooperation.”

“Not at all, Count. Thanks to the sponsorship you sent, we were able to continue research that was about to be suspended, so this much is naturally our duty.”

When Ludrio gave a brief reply, the Director instead waved his hands as if moved.

“If it wouldn’t be presumptuous, may I personally accompany and guide you?”

Then a benevolent smile spread across his face.

At his suggestion, Ludrio looked at me and Iban.

His quiet gaze rested on me as if asking what I wanted to do.

“I promise you an experience beyond simple sightseeing. Wild records you couldn’t hear anywhere else in the Empire, detailed explanations of the animals’ characteristics and secret habits.”

The Director smiled at me and Iban once more as he added these words.

His eyes sparkled when they met mine.

Not just showing courtesy, but as if he wanted to introduce this place, which was both his workplace and his pride, in the most perfect way.

“Count, having the Director personally guide us seems like something to be truly grateful for.”

I nodded slightly toward Ludrio as I spoke.

Getting detailed guidance from an expert wasn’t a common opportunity.

But when I looked at Iban belatedly, he was frowning slightly as if not very enthusiastic.

“Then I’ll ask you to do so.”

When Ludrio’s permission was given, the Director gestured energetically.

“First, this way. Let’s start with our zoo’s pride, the large Tropical Bird Aviary. They’re precious birds from beyond the continent.”

The Director took the lead and started walking.

As I was about to follow him, Iban quietly tugged at my hand.

The child’s expression I looked down at was noticeably sulky.

“Iban, what’s wrong?”

“…We agreed to see the tigers first.”

Disappointment was evident in the child’s voice.

He seemed upset that his eagerly awaited plan might be twisted.

“Ah, that’s right. Iban, go tell the Director. I’m sure he’ll do as you want.”

Those who had been walking ahead stopped as if waiting for us who had fallen behind.

Ludrio and the Director’s gazes turned toward us, but Iban just kicked at the innocent ground with his toes and pursed his lips.

“Tch. I wanted to look around just by ourselves. Just me and Mother and Father.”

At the quietly muttering voice, I, who had been bending over, knelt down to meet the child’s eye level.

Iban still held my hand tightly with his head hung low.

It seemed the child preferred our time as just the three of us, like in the carriage, over the Director’s learned explanations.

“Our Iban has become a complete baby.”

“Huh?”

“I mean it’s cute.”

I gently cupped Iban’s pouting cheeks with both hands.

“The Director is a very busy person anyway. So he can’t stay with us the whole time.”

Iban’s eyes, forced to meet mine, wavered.

“Soon it’ll be just the three of us.”

I whispered even more quietly.

“…Really?”

“Of course. Besides, what the Director teaches us will be more interesting than the books we saw in the library, won’t it?”

“…”

“Mother is really looking forward to it?”

The child seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.

Though there was a somewhat reluctant feeling, I lightly arranged the child’s hair and hurriedly stood up.

“What’s the matter?”

Ludrio, whose eyes met mine, approached us and asked.

“Iban, try asking the Director.”

I said while gently pushing Iban’s shoulder.

The child hesitated at the gazes suddenly focused on him, then approached the Director who had been walking in front and spoke.

“I want to see the tiger cubs first.”

“Oh my. I almost missed the young master’s greatest interest.”

The Director burst into hearty laughter at the child’s request.

He bent down to match Iban’s eye level and pointed west with his finger.

“But young master, unfortunately right now the baby tigers have just finished eating and fallen into deep afternoon naps. Baby predators have very sharp and sensitive hearing, so if we wake them forcibly, they’ll be in a bad mood all day. So we can’t go right now.”

Just as disappointment was about to flash in Iban’s eyes, the Director hurriedly added.

“However, if we look around at other animals with me first and then go see the tigers, we’ll be able to see the cubs waking up energetically at just the right time. Of course, you’ll be able to hold them in your arms too.”

“…I can hold tigers?”

Iban’s eyes instantly widened.

His shoulders, which had been drooping as if he’d lost the whole world just moments before, straightened and the child’s head lifted toward the Director.

“Of course. If it’s when they wake up in a good mood, they’ll be gentle even in the young master’s arms. If you follow my explanations well, I’ll also prepare an opportunity for you to personally give them their favorite treats with your own hands.”

“Wow…”

A small sigh flowed from Iban’s half-open mouth.

“Well then, shall we hurry and move before those little ones wake up?”

“Yes!”

Iban, who answered energetically, nodded toward me. Then he immediately began following the Director who was starting to walk.

Even though just before he said he wanted to go around with just the three of us.

“Young master, did you know? What we’re going to see now…”

A helpless chuckle escaped at the sight of him following as if ready to grab onto the Director’s coat tails.

“…”

Unlike those walking ahead, I hurriedly started walking toward Ludrio who was waiting for me, stopped in that spot.

He only began walking slowly after I had reached his side.

“…”

“…”

Over the sound of only our quiet footsteps, the Director’s explanations continued incessantly from a few steps ahead.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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