Inside the house, a rustling sound of something moving could be heard. Once the fire was extinguished, the surrounding became completely dark.
ā So tiredā¦
His body felt completely exhausted, but the days when Eiji braced himself in activities gave him lots of motivation. Just after finishing his meal and thinking that the day is over, Eijiās body felt as heavy as a ship. In fact, even moving a single finger was a big hassle for him.
Such a situation made him understand that giving his best with the knowledge he possessed will not be an easy task. Usually, some light movements would be enough to wake up ones brain, however, because of the fatigue, his perception became dull, limiting his thoughts to simple activities. If thereās a need for some deep thinking, then he will probably have to finish it throughout the morning. While feeling the drowsiness which doesnāt seem to fade away, Eiji looked at the wall. From the dark view inside, one could see the outside here and there.
The old walls were bent and lots of holes could be seen. From there, a sky full of stars appeared. The moon was bright, but looking down from the holes, an overwhelming darkness stretched over. Not even a ray of light was to be seen. One could only depend on the light coming from the stars and the moon itself. The neighborhood which was covered in darkness, revealed its silhouette once the stars were interrupted. And yet one could stare at the walls absentmindedly. The ability to see in the darkness is what a human being was capable of.
Eiji used his hand in a searching manner, so as to find the wall holes. However, because the mud walls are granular, if not concentrated, it could be misleading. If there are small holes, then thereĀ are big ones as well. Now itās still considerably warm, but once it becomes winter, the holes through which the wind blows will cause lots of problems. Therefore, Eiji decided to use the clay which he made at noon.
ā Eiji?
ā Aa, sorry, did I wake you up?
ā No,Ā itās fine.
ā Iām fixing the walls at the moment, so it will soon be done. please go back to sleep.
ā Yes.
Tanya seemed to be weak at night. Once her body was thought to have fallen with a thud, the sound of regular breathing could be heard.
Even though Eiji felt sorry for waking up Tanya, he wouldnāt stop his job. His body felt tired, but for some reason, he couldnāt sleep despite feeling the drowsiness. Once it gets a little bit later, he will be able to fall asleep naturally. It felt as though his body was accustomed to sleeping in the later hours.
Who am I?
Tanya claimed to have never seen the Senbago, and the orthodox method of threshing was primitive and took a lot of time.
And thatās not all.
The field work was harsh. Not being used to doing this kind of work would make oneās joints and muscles scream with pain the next day. However, after seeing the villagers cultivating fields, one wouldnāt be able to complain about anything.
Furthermore, there was something strange about not feeling content with oneās meal. It was not because of the amount, but rather, because one could remember having a more delicious meal.
Then, after seeing the field, you could[1]Ā feel the need of improvement in various areas, popping up naturally in oneās mind. Despite not having any memories from doing field work, who am I?
While repeating this question again inside his heart, Eiji washed his hands and layĀ down on his bedding. In addition to the straw he laid, he put down a woven mat made of straw. Because of the woven mat, the bed felt rather hard, making him unable to fall asleep. I want a frame bed ā thought Eiji.
And the feeling of numbness and warmness slowly wrapped his body. Thatās right, I wonder if Tanya also had aĀ strange feeling about this way of sleeping. ā he thought.
Inside the darkness, human shadows emerged.[2]Ā It seems like Tanya fell into a sound sleep, for not even her breathing could be heard. While smiling bitterly, Eiji finally fell asleep.
A farmerās morning usually comes early. As the sun began to rise, Eiji headed toward the stove in which the firewood had burnt completely, leaving only ashes behind. After putting them into a small vase, Eiji took out a basket and went quickly to the backyard field. Once the plants start photosynthesis, they will use the nutrition they gathered. While digging up beans and potatoes, Eiji puts them into a basket which would be enough for 4 people. In case thereās extra, it would be usually used for exchanging with neighboring villagers.
ā Oh, so today itās beans and potatoes?
ā Good morning.
When Eiji turned toward the sound behind his back, there was a man. The muscular man appears to be in his early thirties, and his name is Mike. Heās a hunter in Shion Village[3]Ā with good archery skills, therefore, he often catches lots of deer. In this village, heās considered to be a man whose words carry weight.
ā Hey look, Iāve some rapeseed and cucumbers
ā And this is all thatĀ I haveā¦
ā Nice. You came here 2 weeks ago, didnāt you? Maybe Tanya is softhearted, but for me Iāve not accepted you yet.
ā ā¦ā¦ā¦.
As Mike raised his thick eyebrows, he stared at Eiji without even hiding his thirst for blood, theĀ thirst forĀ bloodĀ of a warrior who has killed numerous wild animals. Eiji felt goosebumps.
For someone to have this sort of attitude toward an outsider would be the right reaction, nevertheless, it was troublesome. Whatās the matter? ā As Eiji was at loss of words, theĀ presence of a girl sneaking behind Mike could be felt. And once that girl clenched her fistā¦
ā You moron!
ā Awwie! Aww! Please stop! Honey, Iām sorry!
ā Even though Tanya already gave herĀ permission, you just keep saying unnecessary things. Where does a bird-brain like you come from? Do you intend to badmouth him?
-S-sorry, Iām really sorry, forgive me, aw! That was my fault.
Bang, bang ā every time the sound of the fist could be heard, Mikeās face bent in pain. From the corners of his eyes tears started to flow, as his head was in aĀ downward position. The silhouette of somebody bowing down towards Eiji could be noticed. However, It wasnāt aĀ matter of dignity. The fact that Eiji doesnāt hold any grudge toward Mike is because heās used to dealing withĀ troublesome situations like this.
ā I apologize for that blockhead. If you could, please forgive us.
ā N-no, I donāt mind at all.
ā I-Iā¦
ā Didnāt I tellĀ you to be silent? Once you open that mouth of yours, you cause nothing but problems. Hey, go and prepare the fire.
Once he got kicked hard in back, Mike breaks into a run as if running away. Because preparing a fire is a tough job, in this case, dividing the labor would be considered normal. The girlās name is Jane. While she has a rather big body, her arms would be a match for those of a manās. She has a lively personality and is good at looking after others. On top of that, sheās a manager of girls in this village. Jane is a cute girl who has a pleasant smiling face, suitable for her age. Even in times like this, sheās gently smiling at Eiji.
ā So you are an engineer? It seems like Tanyaās labor has become much more pleasant,Ā sheās more cheerful too.
ā It isnāt something to be praised for.
ā I wonder where had you been working, before you lost your memory.
ā I donāt quite get it, but I have a dim feeling like I was creating something.
ā You donāt have to remember it straight away, just take it easy. Whoever you are, I donāt really mind.
ā Thank you.
For someone like Jane to openly accept a total stranger, sheās indeed a person of great magnitude. Eiji felt at ease in his heart thanks to theseĀ words.
ā So how is your disposition, after having spent here 2 weeks already? If you can move, then after finishing your meal, you may go meet the tribal chief and have a talk.
ā Apart from my muscle pain, I feel good. What kind of talk?
ā If you plan to stay here, then you ought to find some sort of activity, donāt cha think? Thatās what the talk would concern. Well, but it seems that the residents of your house have no need to worry about that.
fufufu ā a smile of profound meaning appeared on Janeās face whose intention was still strange to Eiji.
ā To think that a virtuous person like Tanya would shelter a total stranger. So, how far have you both gone?
ā How farā¦you mean?
Janeās face became sternly awesome as Eiji was trying to answer the question.
ā Ugh, you mean to say that you havenāt laidĀ a finger on her? Even though that girl was sending ok signs with her body?
ā I wouldnāt dare to l-lay a fingerā¦
ā You gotta pay more attention. Iāll be waiting till then.
Seeing how puzzled Eijiās face became, Jane smiled cheekilyĀ and waved with her hand as if to shoo him away.
ā Ok, so now go quickly back. You will recognize the tribe chiefās house, because, itās the biggest here. Sorry for taking you so long.
Eiji went back as if being shooed away. Because he was way too confused, he even forgot to spread the ash.
ā Welcome back.
ā W-welcome back. This will be for our dinner today. Please use it.
-ā¦? Iāll do it right away, so please wait.
After throwing some firewood on the fire in the stove, the pot which was set on top started to warm up. Slowly simmering the wheat gluten, the oatmeal became ready.