Child Rearing Journal of the Strongest Wiseman～About My Daughter Being the Cutest in the World( Saikyou Kenja no Kosodate Nikki ～Uchi no Musume ga Sekaiichi Kawaii Ken ni Tsuite～) - Chapter 22

“Otou-san, what does NEET mean?”

One day, my beloved daughter asked me with an innocent look in her eyes.

Hearing those words, I gave a reproachful glance towards the mechanical doll in her maid’s uniform.

She returns my gaze with a look of injustice.

“It’s unfair to assume that Chloe is the source of every bad word she learned.”

“But then again, about 60% of the bad words Fiona’s learned so far have come through you.”

“But on the contrary, 40 % of them were through other people, no? Did you not consider that it was from those 40% this time?”

Chloe took a pause there and continued.

“Moreover, Fiona-sama is now a student at a magic school. She is surrounded by children of her own age. Considering her informational influence, don’t you think it’s more likely that she heard those words from that side?”

“So, in short, you believe you’re innocent?”

Chloe nodded her head.

Seeing that, I had to give Chloe credit. In addition, I turned to Fiona and stroked her head and said.

“The word “NEET” refers to those Gokutsubushi who have neither the will to work nor the desire to study.” T/N: 穀潰し(Gokutsubushi) means: ‘Grain crushing’ a.k.a ‘good-for-nothing’

It’s not a particularly pleasant thing to say, but since she asked me, I should answer honestly.

Having been convinced by my answer, Fiona asked me one more question.

“Okay. But what does it mean to be a Gokutsubushi?”

“It means a person who has no value in life. They don’t contribute anything to the productivity of society, they just consume grain in vain, that’s why they’re called Gokutsubushi”.

“So, is NEET a bad thing?

I clearly disagree with that question.

“No, it’s not a bad thing. The world is going around because there are NEETs.”

I said in defense.

The girl in the maid’s uniform giggled when she heard my words.

“I mean, Aruji-sama did earn the title of hikikomori wiseman not too long ago, didn’t he?”

“Shut up. Toxic maid, don’t interrupt me!”

When I said that, Chloe pretended to zipper up her mouth.

“Being a hikikomori and being a NEET are two very different things. They’re as different as oranges and citrus fruit. It’s true that I was a hikikomori, but I also had a good job as an alchemist, and I lived off the money I earned. So I’m not a NEET.”

“So, NEETs and hikikomoris are different, right?”

“Yep, not even close. s, so Fiona. Where’d you learn that word, anyway?”

“Heard it at school.”

My daughter does not hide the source of the outbreak. She answered me with an honest smile.

“As expected, she grows up fast when she is surrounded by children her age. She’s learning a lot of new words.”

“That’s true. But I don’t need her to learn the words “NEET” and “hikikomori” since those words have nothing to do with my daughter.”

Then, putting his hand on his daughter’s head, he added,

“That’s why. You can erase that word because it has nothing to do with you.”

Although I tried to convince Fiona of this, she refused to do so with a smile.

“It’s not irrelevant. No, it’s actually a word that has a lot to do with me.

Fiona affirmed.

“It doesn’t matter. You are going on the right path, you know that.”

“But even if I don’t become a NEET, it would be terrible if my Otou-san became one.”

Fiona said nonchalantly.

It was so casual that I almost missed it, but I managed not to.

“…… I’m going to be a NEET?”

I’m so baffled by it, that even Chloe tries to defend me.

“Fiona-sama, Aruji-sama is not going to be a NEET. He was a hikikomori wiseman until a while ago, but he still had a job, and now he’s a teacher at a magic school. It’s a bit pitiful to call him a NEET, isn’t it?”

“I didn’t say anything like that. It was my classmates who said it.”

“Your classmates? You mean my students?”

“Un, I’m Otou-san’s daughter, so I won’t tell you directly, but a girl I made friends with the other day told me secretly. She said that Otou-san was being bad-mouthed behind his back.”

Fiona then mimicked her friend as she said the words.

“Fiona, I’m your friend, so I’ll tell you right now that your father has a bad reputation. He never gave a proper lesson and only worked on his own research. I’ve given up on him, but some of the kids are really upset about your father’s lack of motivation.”

I’ve heard that kind of speech before. It was probably an imitation of the girl who had tried to scold me on the first day. Her name was Harmonia, I think.

Yesterday, she became a friend of my daughter Fiona.

My daughter added.

“Harmonia has given up, but apparently some of the students are upset with Otou-san for not teaching them properly. They say he’s a NEET teacher and a salary thief.”

“NEET teacher……, salary thief……”

“That’s a great way to put it.”

“Is that what they’re calling me behind my back?……”

“Were you shocked? Aruji-sama.”

“No, not really.”

“Oh, I guess there’s no helping it.”

“To be honest, it’s not in my nature to teach magic to children.”

“That’s quite frank, isn’t it? Then why did you take up teaching?”

“Because it was the only option.”

“Then why don’t you give up half your salary?”

“That would be bad for the family finances. I’m not stopping my research.”

“By all means, please continue to be a salary thief.”

Chloe assures him. The only thing she can rely on is my income as she is in charge of the family budget.

“But to be honest, I feel that the problem could be solved if Aruji-sama were to change his mind and give serious lectures and classes.”

“That’s true, but I don’t want to teach the children magic.”

“Why not?”

“…………”

I couldn’t help but fall silent. Her words were short, but straight to the point.

However, both Chloe and Fiona would not back down until they heard the reason. They looked at me like that, so I told them exactly why.

“Because magic exists to hurt people.”

“Does magic really hurt people?”

Fiona asked back anxiously.

I knew she would give me that look, so I kept quiet until now, but I continued. I thought it was a good opportunity.

Even if I don’t continue to teach her the truth of magic, she will eventually come to know that side of it. That’s what entering the magic school was all about.

Then, as her father, it would be better for her if I was the one to teach her.

I made up my mind and promised my daughter that I would give a proper lesson tomorrow.

Seeing this, Chloe walked away from the scene.

Eventually, she came back with a handful of laundry.

“What’s going on?” I ask, and she gives me a mischievous reply.

“No, I just thought it would rain if Aruji-sama were to work diligently.”

“……What a rude fellow.”

That’s how I described Chloe, but to my displeasure, her prediction came true.

After that, the rain began to fall in torrents.

And It didn’t stop raining until midnight.