Chapter 4

The day after fetching water, I took action to improve my living conditions.

First, I needed to make my bed more comfortable. My bed was just a thin layer of dried grass scattered on the bare ground, which was almost as hard as the ground itself—a sad reality. So, I decided to cut more grass and lay it on my bed, believing this would free me from the hard ground.

To cut the grass, I needed a scythe. This was a refugee camp, and even tools like scythes were precious items, all stored and managed in one place. These important tools were distributed, and of course, there was a different person watching over them each day.

After finishing the noon ration, I made my way to the makeshift shed where the tools were stored. An old man was sitting on the ground there.

"Excuse me, can I borrow a scythe?"

When I called out, he finally looked up at me. However, the old man, who was on watch, gave me a puzzled look.

"It's you, Riru... I'm sorry, but I can't lend it to you."

"Huh? Is it because of my parents?"

"Yes. The fact that Riru's parents don't help is a big problem for the camp. We can't lend anything to such a family."

"I see..."

Here, the issue of my parents came up again. It seemed they had stopped helping a long time ago, and the resentment had built up more than I thought.

Feeling frustrated that I couldn't do anything, I clenched my fists. At that moment,

"But, I started helping yesterday. If you lend me the scythe, I'll help fetch water for a week."

"...So, it's not impossible. Thank you. I'll do my best."

I clung to these words of hope. I listened to the old man seriously and nodded firmly.

"We are watching you closely. Both the good and the bad."

"I understand. My parents have caused trouble."

I bowed deeply and left the scene. My next destination was the women by the stove. I needed to explain the situation and start fetching water.

◇

Regaining lost trust is difficult. Without trust, I couldn't borrow tools, and without tools, improving my living conditions was a pipe dream. I finally understood the situation I and my family were in.

It's frustrating that things don't go as planned. You bastards, my parents... I'll make you eat your words someday. For now, I need to be strong and not give up.

I endured hunger and fatigue for a week, fetching water. When I fetched water among adults, the gaze inevitably focused on me, a child. There were no words of encouragement. Instead, I was looked at with cold, indifferent eyes, as if this was the expected result.

If I hadn't started helping, I might have been brought before the camp meeting and expelled. Even in this camp, there are essential things needed to survive, and the thought of being expelled was terrifying.

If I hadn't remembered my past life, it would have been truly dangerous.

However, after a week of fetching water, the unpleasant gazes disappeared and became more relaxed. The old man's advice was correct; doing good things reduced the bad.

I realized that I needed to not only take care of myself but also help others. I'm not living alone here; I need to do something for others.

After a week of fetching water as promised, I returned to the shed. The same old man was sitting there. When he noticed me, his expression softened slightly.

"Riru, I've heard about you."

"Yes. So..."

"Ah, right, the scythe. Wait a moment."

Without me saying anything, the old man got up and opened the shed door, going inside. After a while, he came out with a scythe in one hand.

"To be clear, you need to continue helping. This camp can only survive if everyone cooperates. Since your parents won't, you need to step up. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

"You might be anxious, but do what you can."

His serious words made me feel more determined. Fetching water was tough, but thanks to the old man, the gazes in the camp were no longer painful.

I carefully took the scythe, bowed deeply, and left the scene.

◇

Finally, finally, I got the scythe!

Fetching water was really hard, and the hardest part was going to bed hungry every night. I managed to endure by picking fruits during water-fetching, which helped me get through it.

I realized that trust is more important than anything. I noticed that life is much harder without trust. I felt like I was being watched all the time while fetching water. I'll write in my life notes: trust first.

I need to be careful not to damage the borrowed scythe. It's an important tool for the village, and I need to handle it gently.

"Alright, let's do this."

I went to the back of the house, where weeds about 30 cm tall spread out. Cutting these would make my bed much more comfortable tonight.

Honestly, I wanted to use dried grass, but my body was too tired to wait. I'm going to sleep on a fluffy bed of grass tonight!

"Hmm"

I rolled up my sleeves and crouched down. I grabbed the grass, placed the scythe blade at the root, and pulled. The grass cut cleanly.

"Ah, that feels good."

I couldn't help but let out a silly sound. But it was involuntary. I didn't know cutting grass could feel so good.

I grabbed the grass, placed the blade, and cut. Hmm, it's really good.

I grabbed the grass, placed the blade, and cut. I grabbed the grass, placed the blade, and cut. I grabbed the grass, placed the blade, and cut.

I silently cut the weeds, piling the cut grass in one place. As time passed, a small mountain of grass began to form. But it wasn't enough. I wanted more, more.

So, I kept cutting the grass.

"Ha, I'm tired. How much have I cut... Wow!"

The pile of grass was as tall as my head when I crouched, and I was surprised. I hadn't realized I had cut so much. No wonder my arms and hands were sore.

I cautiously pressed my hand against the pile of grass—Fusa.

"Wow, amazing!"

Fusa, fusa. The softness was so surprising that I couldn't stop pressing my hand. Oh, what is this, it feels so good. It smells like grass, but...

I was pressing the pile of grass in a daze when I suddenly came to my senses.

"Oh, I need to return the scythe."

Dangerous, if I return it late, I'll lose the trust I've gained. I left the grass as it was and ran to return the scythe.

◇

After returning the scythe, I went back to the pile of grass. By then, it was sunset, and the surroundings were dyed red.

"All I need to do now is lay the grass on my bed."

I tried to lift the pile of grass with both hands but could only manage half of it. I had no choice but to carry it to the entrance of the house and go inside. My parents weren't home, and I was glad I wouldn't be scolded. I wanted to finish laying the grass before they returned. I went to the next room and spread the grass on my bed.

After repeating this process three times, I finally finished. I sat on the ground, spread the grass to fit my body, and adjusted its shape. Spread and pat, spread and pat.

Finally, a bed of grass about 5 cm thick was complete.

"Phew"

I can lie on this, right? Right, I'm going to lie on it.

"Hey!"

I dove onto the grass bed. The soft, fluffy feeling enveloped my body, and I couldn't feel the hardness of the ground at all... It was a huge success!

"Hehe~"

It smells like grass, but this softness is addictive. Next, I'll try to get some food... Ah, I'll just sleep like this—sigh.