Instead of lodging, I helped with chores and housework.
After dinner, I continued to help Jack with his farm work. He quietly cultivated the vast fields and harvested crops. He also took care of the farming tools and stored the harvest in the warehouse; he was an incredibly diligent worker.
“Hey, why do you live alone, Jack? I mean, it’s okay if you don’t want to say,” I asked.
The work finally ended as the sun began to set.
“Because I prefer being alone,” he replied with nothing more. When we returned home, Philiana greeted us again, this time in an apron. Of course, she smelled wonderful. Not only that, but the humble house was spotlessly clean. The floors and shelves were polished to a shine, and colorful flowers were arranged in a vase on the table.
“Wow, that’s amazing! Did everyone clean together?”
“Fufu, that’s right. Since you’re letting us stay, it’s only natural that we do this much,” Philiana said, flexing her arm with a smile. Pauline emerged from the back of the room, wiping her hands.
“The bath is ready too. Come on, let’s eat quickly.”
With that, she began preparing dinner with quick, efficient movements. Jack froze at the sight.
“Wh-what are you doing!”
His exclamation brought everyone to a halt. Had I gone too far in someone else’s house?
“I’m so sorry, I got carried away.”
“G-get out of here, woman! What are you doing bothering me!!”
Jack, huffing and puffing with anger, sat down and began to eat in silence. His single remark silenced everyone. Perhaps he didn’t like women much. He probably didn’t want his territory intruded upon. But he had let us stay last night, though… Just then, a knock echoed at the door.
“Hehe, good evening. Oh, you’re all still here. That’s wonderful, I baked an apple pie. Please, have some.”
It was the girl from earlier. However, Jack approached her aggressively and told her to leave.
“Women shouldn’t be out this late. Go home!”
“But, you have guests over…”
“I said go home!!”
The girl bit her lip tightly, left the apple pie she had brought, and departed. Jack didn’t say another word after that. Once dinner was over, he went outside.
“My, why would he say such things? I’m sure she likes him,” Philiana mused.
“Tch, does he think little of us just because we’re women? Why don’t you just punch him?” Nina suggested.
After he left, Philiana and Nina were talking. I thought he was a good person at heart, but why did he speak like that? Perhaps he was just shy for his age. With such thoughts, I slept outside again that night.
The next morning, Jack descended to the town with a large quantity of produce. We should have gone with him, but if we could stay for free, it was cheaper to save money. Our funds weren’t infinite. In the meantime, I was ordered to do farm work and clean the chicken coop, collecting eggs and scattering feed. I was already accustomed to the physical labor.
With the work winding down, I encountered the girl again on my way back to the house. Unlike yesterday, she seemed hesitant to approach the house.
“Oh, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, hello. Uhm…”
I realized I hadn’t introduced myself.
“You’re Arisugawa, right? I’m Suya. Is Jack not here today?”
“Yeah, he went to town. He hasn’t returned yet, so maybe we should wait a bit?”
Suya tilted her head. I wondered what kind of presence she was to Jack.
“Are you Jack’s friend?”
“Well, I’d like to be. I come here, but he always chases me away, so we don’t talk much.”
Was he always like this with women? She then told me about Jack. His family lived on the outskirts of town and were Onocentaurs. Apparently, he started living alone because he hated being teased as a donkey by those around him. He was a hard worker, and when the town fell into famine, he saved her family. Suya, it turned out, was Jack’s neighbor and a childhood friend. I began to understand why she kept coming back, despite being driven away.
