Arisugawa felt anger at Karubene’s slovenly behavior.
There was no point in just standing around, so for the time being, I decided to go outside and help Remi and her family. Doing some work might distract me. Besides, if I became even more disliked, I wouldn’t be able to stay here.
I greeted her and her family as if nothing had happened. I carried the fish that had been brought in first thing in the morning, sorting them by size and type. But it wasn’t that simple. While working, my stomach felt uneasy and it wouldn’t leave my mind.
It was an indescribable feeling. I could even say it was a feeling I had never experienced in my life. It was different from when I fought with friends as a child; it was a feeling of anger, of impatience, and yet of loneliness. I didn’t know why I was feeling this way myself.
Could I continue my journey with Karubene? Perhaps she didn’t care about us from the start at all. Maybe I was the only one who considered her a companion. If so, there was no need to bother with her any further or to stop her. Perhaps it was because I had never had such strong feelings for a companion before that I felt this way now.
As I was thinking about such things, the work was over in no time. Remi and her family seemed impressed by my work. They told me to rest until noon, but honestly, I didn’t want to go back to everyone else. I somehow didn’t want to see anyone.
I walked blankly to the edge of the floating island. The energetic laughter of the children could be heard in the distance. I sat down on a suitable piece of wood nearby and gazed at the water’s surface. My reflection appeared in the murky water. If I didn’t come back, everyone would probably worry. But only heavy sighs came out.
“Hey, Brother, why the long face?”
A familiar voice fell from overhead. I stood up, thinking, “No way,” and saw Karubene behind me. She waved her hand with her usual cheerful face.
“What do you mean, why…”
Then she pressed a bag into my hand. It was heavy, and there were some gold coins inside. Did she get this money from somewhere?!
“I didn’t steal it! Don’t make that face. This is my hidden treasure. I sold the gold I brought with me when we came here. A merchant happened to come to this village earlier, and although he bought it cheap, it should cover the damage, right?”
Hidden treasure…? Karubene continued speaking to me, who didn’t understand what she meant.
“I was planning to use this if I wanted to go back partway. But now I can’t go back with this. Um… I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. It’s true. I’m blaming it on the fact that no one stopped me, but I knew it myself.”
“Ah, um, I’m sorry too, for hitting you.”
Does this mean she will still travel with us? I thought it was a troublesome situation, but it felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest.
