As Cain entered the shop, the old man lifted his teacup in greeting.
“You’re here?”
Without answering, Cain looked around. Heather was nowhere to be seen. Could she have run away after only a few days? Cain frowned, and the old man chuckled.
“Sent her on an errand.”
“How is she? Useful?”
“How can I tell after only a few days? I need to watch her longer.”
Even as he said this, he looked quite pleased. Cain didn’t know what Heather’s personality was like, but if she got along with the old man, that was enough.
“Leaving already?”
The old man looked puzzled as Cain immediately turned around.
“Didn’t you come here for something?”
“Nope.”
“My, you’re a dull one.”
Leaving the old man’s shop, Cain stopped by a nearby bakery. It was a shop he had discovered when returning after introducing Heather to the old man. They fried and sold small, round dough, which Satin would probably like.
If he hadn’t declined the umbrella the old man offered, he would have bought some that day. He deliberately stayed out in the rain, wanting to see Satin’s worried face, so he couldn’t buy any.
Today, thankfully, the weather was clear. He bought a bag of freshly fried bread.
Cradling the warm bag, Cain weaved through the alleys, a shortcut home.
At other times, he wouldn’t have paid attention to his surroundings, but these days, Cain carefully observed the faces of the people he encountered. He hoped he might accidentally run into another familiar face like Heather.
‘It’s strange.’
These were children he thought he didn’t care about. He believed their lives were their own fate, and Cain had no reason to interfere.
Introducing Heather to the old man was merely to ease Satin’s mind. He felt no personal pity or sympathy for Heather.
However, now that he had done it, he felt different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.
‘It’s not a difficult thing.’
If he found someone else, he might be able to lend a hand.
He arrived home with a subtly uplifted feeling.
“You’re home early?”
Satin, who had opened the door, tilted his head when Cain held out the bag.
“What’s this?”
“A present.”
“Wow, donuts?”
Satin looked into the bag and smiled brightly. He reached into the bag but then quickly withdrew his hand.
“I should eat this after dinner.”
Cain chuckled, finding it endearing that Satin was saving such a small snack. His chest felt ticklish.
Holding the bag carefully, Satin went into the living room and said,
“I’m going out tomorrow.”
The reason he was mentioning it was probably because he was going somewhere he didn’t usually go. Cain immediately asked,
“Where to?”
“I’m going to the brewery.”
“A brewery? Why?”
Satin didn’t drink alcohol. Cain had never seen him drink before. So why was he suddenly going to a brewery?
“Jack works there. I’m going to see him with Rogers.”
“Hmm.”
“If I just go to see his face, Jack might feel awkward, so I’m going to buy something. They say I can buy alcohol that they don’t put out in stores.”
“Hmm.”
“Actually, it would be nice to meet when he’s resting, but Rogers is working too, so it seems difficult to match their days off.”
“Hmm.”
Satin was a little late in noticing that Cain’s reaction wasn’t his usual.
“Why?”
“No, keep talking.”
“Yes, you were.”
Satin narrowed his eyes and looked at Cain’s face. Cain met his gaze as if nothing was wrong.
After a moment, Satin carefully asked,
“Do you want to come with me?”
“Maybe I will. I happen to have the day off tomorrow anyway.”
That was a lie. He planned to sneak out later to cancel his schedule.
Naturally, Satin knew Cain was lying. However, he didn’t press the issue, just looked at him steadily and then smiled.
“Okay.”
It was a wise choice. Even if he hadn’t suggested going together, he knew they would end up going anyway.
The brief silence ended with a voice from the kitchen.
—Sir Hero! The soup is overflowing! Just like your spouse’s shameless desires!
***
Rogers, who had been approaching from afar, spotted Satin and waved happily. However, as he got closer, the smile on his face disappeared. It was because he noticed Cain standing next to Satin.
“You two came together.”
Satin smiled awkwardly at Rogers’ words as he looked at Cain with a strange expression.
“Cain said he had the day off.”
Just in case Rogers was unwilling, Satin subtly watched his reaction. Fortunately, there was no sign of displeasure on Rogers’ face.
“If that’s the case, then so be it.”
However, he clearly didn’t believe it, just like Satin.
Feeling inexplicably awkward, Satin cleared his throat and nudged Cain in the side.
“What are you doing? Say hello.”
“I already saw his face.”
“Is that your way of saying hello?”
As Satin glared at him, Cain finally said with a sulky expression, “Hi.” Rogers chuckled and shook his head.
The three of them moved to catch the stagecoach. The brewery was said to be outside the north gate, in the direction of Daisyland, which Satin and Cain had traveled before.
Before long, the carriage arrived. Luckily, there was no one else riding. They could talk privately as much as they wanted on the way to the north gate.
“What kind of work does Jack do?”
“I don’t know exactly. When I went before, I heard he just did all sorts of odd jobs. I suppose it’s probably the same now?”
“I see.”
Having only known that they made alcohol at the brewery, Satin found it difficult to imagine the specifics. He just assumed there would be various tasks.
“What should we do with the alcohol we buy?”
Rogers tilted his head at Satin’s question.
“What do you mean, what should we do?”
“I don’t drink alcohol…”
“Then I’ll take it.”
“What are you going to use it for?”
Rogers tilted his head again, looking like he didn’t understand why Satin was asking such a question. Satin mumbled, slightly flustered.
“No, you’re eighteen.”
“So?”
Rogers still didn’t understand and blinked. Cain chuckled beside him.
“They’re not kids anymore. What’s the big deal about drinking a little?”
“No, still…”
Only after hearing Cain’s words did Rogers realize Satin’s concern.
“You really worry about the strangest things.”
Rogers laughed. Satin scratched his cheek, feeling awkward.
The carriage passed through the north gate. Harvest season was approaching, and the wheat fields were all golden. Satin had only been thinking about meeting Jack and hadn’t considered the scenery, so he was surprised. It felt like receiving a gift.
“It’s over there. Can you see it?”
Rogers pointed out the window. Beyond the wide wheat fields, several large warehouse-like buildings could be seen. Satin pressed against the window in admiration.
“It’s quite big.”
“That’s why they need so many hands.”
“They probably don’t know we’re coming, do they?”
“Yeah, but we’ll still be able to see him. He came out briefly when I visited before.”
While briefly listening to Rogers’ story about his previous visit to the brewery, Satin brought up the story he had heard from Cain yesterday. Cain wouldn’t mention it himself.
“Oh, right, Cain saw Heather.”
“Heather? Where?”
“There’s this old man near the market who introduces people to jobs and homes and stuff. She was working under him.”
“Is she doing well?”
“She seemed okay. Right?”
As Satin asked for confirmation, Cain nodded casually. Given his personality, he probably hadn’t scrutinized Heather’s condition, but since she looked fine on the surface, he likely wouldn’t say anything more.
Rogers nodded and let out a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad she’s doing well. I wasn’t really close to Heather, but I still feel relieved.”
“Me too.”
That’s how most people are. Even if they weren’t close, they don’t wish unhappiness on someone they didn’t hate. They want to believe that person will live well wherever they are.
That’s why in dramas and comics, as the final episode approaches, all the characters become happy. Viewers think it’s cheesy but feel relieved nonetheless. A minor role, a character who hasn’t appeared in a while, but wasn’t a bad person. Strangely, that small part matters.
Sometimes, it’s more distressing when a kind supporting character is unhappy than when a villain goes unpunished.
The carriage stopped at a platform a little ways from the brewery. Cain, who got off first, wordlessly held out his hand. Absentmindedly taking his hand to get off, Satin realized his mistake. Glancing back, he saw Rogers watching with his mouth formed into a triangle, just like Rita.
“This just now…”
As Satin tried to say something, Rogers raised his hand to stop him and gracefully stepped off the carriage.
“You don’t need to explain.”
“…Thanks.”
Embarrassed, Satin rubbed his face roughly.
The three of them checked the timetable posted at the stagecoach stop and headed towards the brewery. The faint sound of people’s voices could be heard.
“Why can I hear people’s voices?”
Rogers answered Satin’s question.
“Apparently, there are people who come to tour the brewery. They do tastings and look at the facilities, or so I heard.”
“Then it wouldn’t be strange if we looked around a bit too.”
The closer they got to the brewery, the louder the sounds became. Cheerful laughter hinted at the atmosphere inside. Someone shouted a toast. It felt like a holiday.
It was when the three of them had just passed the brewery fence. A group of workers poured out of the warehouse inside. The workers, wearing towels on their heads, each found a spot to sit in the shade of a tree. It seemed to be their break time.
Among them, a boy with a flushed face was chattering away. He was big, but his face still looked young. When Satin wondered if it could be him, Rogers raised his hand and called out a name.
“Jack!”
The boy turned towards them. He immediately grinned widely and ran over. He recognized everyone at a glance and greeted them happily.
“Wow, everyone’s doing well?”
It was a cloudless day. Even though it was autumn, the sun was hot during the day. A gentle breeze rustled the wheat fields, creating a faint sound like waves. The lush forest behind the brewery was still green.
Satin recalled the small school in the forest. He still remembered the sight of the children chattering like birds as they opened the door and ran out.
Now, the children no longer spoke in small, bird-like voices. Their voices, shouting towards the world, were firmer, rougher, and sometimes cynical than before. It was the result of living fiercely day by day in their own struggles.
Nevertheless, Satin thought as he looked at the children.
Everyone is still so fresh.
<End>
Thanks for translating this story!