Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 63

This world is always difficult to live in, and happiness does not come to those who wait for it. Fate is cruel, the world is ruthless, and misfortune comes one after another to those who suffer.

　That is why he heads home with a hoe on his back under the cold and snowy sky. He worked from early in the morning until late in the evening, and went home in silence, feeling tired all over.

　It was inevitable. His father, who was the main pillar of the family, could no longer work in the fields. He could no longer pick firewood or gather wild vegetables. Losing one of his legs, there was no way he could work in the field. So he has no choice but to take his father's place. And...

　"...It's already snowing!"

　The words he mutters are full of resentment. With a poor harvest due to the cool season and the cold wave that came earlier than usual, most of the small harvest went to tribute and crop fees. The harvest of nuts, mushrooms, wild vegetables, and miscellaneous ones in the mountains in early autumn was unsatisfactory. So, the reserves for this winter were too small... That is why he worked so hard with his father in the winter, and continued to work alone after his father became unable to work. He had no choice but to work.

　If he couldn't, he would starve to death. And the question, do people in the rural areas have the warmth that people in the capital city do have? Such a thing is an illusion. At least in this world where people are always afraid of famine, disaster, and youkai, there is rarely anyone who will extend a helping hand to others even if they are starving. Because everyone is struggling to feed himself or herself...

　"......!!"

　He resumes his steps, gritting his teeth in frustration. It is no use being dissatisfied with his current situation. In his previous life, complaining would not have helped in this world. The government only cares about the annual tribute. They don't care what happens to the peasants in the remote villages. They don't care if they cry or scream. So there was nothing else to do but to work...

　"......?"

　Then he resumed his steps to a rice paddy near the entrance to the village and saw it. Three small children were gathered on the bank of the rice paddy, making some kind of noise. Recognizing their back figures and hairstyles, he turns toward them questioningly.

　"H-hey, brother! Catch it properly! It'll run away!"

　"I know! But it's so slimy...!?"

　"Whoa!? It's coming this way!?"

　"What are you doing? You guys?"

　"""Whoaa!!?"""

　At his words, three small children, two boys, and a girl turn around at once. They are surprised. The man knew them well. They were his precious little brothers and sisters.

　"Hey, hey, you're getting your clothes all muddy..."

　"Brother! More importantly, please help!"

　He is a little dismayed at his younger siblings who are covered with mud and their feet in the rice paddies, although it is no problem because the rice harvesting has already been finished, his eyes widen immediately after he hears his sister's call for help. The reason is that his sister was holding a weather-beaten loach in her hand. It was a very fat one, too.