TNZKMA 27

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I hurriedly chase after Saine who is about to go out.

I’m buying firewood today. Firewoods are sold in the Southeastern Section but that market is too dangerous for me. I keep getting jostled and it’s hard to walk properly. Saine is probably also going to the Southeastern Section’s market, so I’ll tag along with him en route. I want to make at least my journey there easier.

 

[You’re going to buy firewood? And?]

 

Saine looked down at me as he said that and went back home. Not understanding the reason, I also followed.

When Saine entered the storage room, he brought out a tool.

 

[If you’re going to buy firewood, we have a rack.]

 

He put on the rack upon saying that. It’s an L-shaped rack made of wood.

 

[Oh, you’re right. I can carry a lot more in that instead of my hands.]

 

I was looking at it while I was cleaning the room, but I completely forgot. I stretched out my hand trying to take the rack, but Saine ignored me and went out of the house with the rack still on his back. Will he help me buy firewood?

 

The two of us walk down the street. Saine walks quickly. I hurry after him so I don’t get left behind. It’s an hour from the house to the Southeastern Section. It would be pretty awkward to be quiet so I talked without expecting a response.

 

[The Grandpa next door apparently has a bad waist. Is that why you chopped firewood for him, Saine?]

 

Silence.

 

[But Grandpa’s arms sure are strong. He smashed all the pepper stones for me. Crushing those sure was hard for me. I hit the stones countless times and finally only broke one, after all. Grandpa said that he will break the pepper stones as thanks for the bathwater.]

 

This proposal is really such a big help. I have to do everything for myself personally, but if I do all those things all at once, I think I might deflate. 

I will master drawing water first, next is firewood chopping, and last will be the pepper stones. There’s a lot of physical labor to do.

 

[If it’s only those stones, I can break them myself.]

 

He said it so softly that I almost missed it.

Saine’s voice is low, and basically, he only spoke in a sputter. Afraid that the rest of his words will be mixed with the sound of footsteps and I’ll miss hearing it, I quickly stop.

 

[Huh? Saine will?]

 

I tried to look up but Saine’s pace quickened and trying to keep up is the best that I can do.

 

[But, it’s not, good to, make, Saine, do it.]

 

I can’t speak properly because my breath is labored. Perhaps he could hear me only making wheezing noises, Saine stopped walking.

 

[Saine, you walk really quickly, huh. As expected, is it because of the difference in leg lengths?]

 

I’m still out of breath. But Saine didn’t rush me and waited. I breathed deeply for a while and started walking again. This time, Saine also walked slowly.

 

[Thank you. Saine, you’re so kind.]

 

When I was so happy for his concern and said that, Saine only ‘humphed’ through his nose and didn’t respond.

 

[Grandpa’s and Saine’s houses are made in the same way. Why is that?]

[The area is the same.]

 

He replied but I don’t understand what he means. When I tilted my head, Saine continued talking.

 

[Inside the Eastern Section, the Eastern-east section is a residential area. And even within it, the area we’re living at is for bachelors. Once Reincarnators are obtained, they will move into the town. After a child is birthed, they will move further inside the town. ]

 

Saine’s explanation isn’t as kind as the Grannies. Connecting the words together, I tried to think about it myself. 

 

[In other words, the residence is being decided?]

[That’s right.]

 

The Grannies live in the Northern-East Section. All of them also have children so does it mean they moved in there? Everyone in the Men’s Club lives in the Southern-East Section. They may have also moved there.

The tip of the town on the map are the Eastern-east and Western-west sections, and the Southern-south as well as Northern-north sections. Does that mean that we will have to more, too?

 

[Saine, are you going to move, too?]

[I won’t.]

[But don’t you have a Reincarnator?]

 

I pointed at myself while saying that, but Saine simply snorted.

 

[So you won’t? I’m glad.]

[What, are you, glad about?]

[That’s because isn’t it such a pity to move just when I’ve finally gotten to know the grandpa next door?]

 

Once I go back home after buying firewood, I’m going to fetch grandpa water.

 

[There’s no need to do that every day, is there?]

[Yup. Grandpa said that, too, but I’m going to. If his waist hurts then I think that getting in the bath and warming it up will be comfortable, also, grandpa is funny.]

 

When I said that and looked up at Saine, he looked down at me with a somewhat angry expression.

 

[Oh, but if Saine says no then I won’t.]

 

I think I made him angry. When I said that in a hurry, Saine responded through his nose.

The nose responses sure are difficult.  I have absolutely no idea whether it means good or bad. As I was peeking at Saine, he quietly said to me.

 

[Do whatever you want.]

 

‘Do whatever you want’ is a difficult phrase. I will get scolded if I really do what I want, and it looks like his mood will worsen if I ask any further. Is it okay to do it or not? ‘Hmm’, while I was deliberating it in my heart, Saine smiled wryly and said.

 

[If you want to draw the elder water, just do it. It will help him greatly, won’t it?]

 

Oh, it’s fine. I laughed in relief. Saine is really a kind and gentle person. Also, Saine’s wryly smiling expression looked kind of cute.