"It’s been a while!"
"Glad you could make it~"
"Oh, is that a guest?"
"Welcome back, Mom."
While I was in my assigned room organizing my luggage, Kai-san and his younger brother Kei-san arrived, along with their mother, who had apparently just returned home.
"Thank you for having me. My name is Ryoma Takebayashi."
"Ah, so you're the one who looked after my foolish sons and their friends back in the spring. You're much younger than I expected... Oh? Wait, were you supposed to arrive today? I thought it was next month."
"Come on, Mom, he's here to help protect the village's haul, so it has to be this month. The fishing season will be over by next month."
"Well, that’s a problem... I haven’t prepared a proper feast for a guest."
"Wait, do you only have enough for us?"
"I have plenty of ingredients, but not much in the way of variety."
It sounded like they had been planning to prepare something special for me.
"Um, please don't go to any trouble on my account."
I was already grateful just to have a bed to sleep in. If they were providing meals as well, I was more than satisfied. I certainly wasn't going to complain about eating the same food as the rest of the family.
"Is that so? But today’s plan was..."
"Listen... just leave dinner to us. More importantly, Kai, Kei. Ryoma-kun is staying for a while, right? Why don't you show him around the village while you have the chance? And since he’s friends with you two, he must know the other three as well. Be useful and go tell them he’s arrived."
"Oh! Good point!"
"Is there anywhere in particular you want to see, Ryoma-kun?"
"In that case—"
Since I wanted to start hunting Mad Salamanders first thing tomorrow, I took them up on the offer. I asked to see the site where the hunt would take place and to be introduced to the senior adventurers already on the job. If possible, I also wanted to see where I could train during my stay.
"That’ll basically take us on a full loop of the village. If we head to the beach, then the outskirts, and stop by the assembly hall, it should be just about dinner time."
"Then Kei, you lead the way. I'll go round up Sein and the others. I want to talk to them anyway, so we might as well all eat together. We can catch up then."
The two of them, having grown up here, quickly mapped out the route.
"Alright, I’m off to get the guys. See you later."
"Thank you. See you later."
"We’re going this way."
I parted with Kai-san at the front door and followed Kei-san.
Outside, the village was as peaceful as ever, but the sun was beginning to dip while I had been unpacking. The children and the village wives had already retreated indoors, so the streets were quiet.
...Or so I thought, until I spotted a group of young men gathered together, performing what looked like rhythmic calisthenics. Kei-san noticed them at the same time and called out a greeting. As we kept walking, I asked him about the routine. He explained it was a pre-fishing ritual.
"Fishermen have been doing that as soon as they wake up for as long as anyone can remember. If your body isn’t moving right on a boat, you’re a danger to yourself and everyone else on board. I was taught that doing the exercises together lets us check each other's physical condition before we set sail."
"I see. That makes sense."
"Well, you’d probably notice if someone was off even without the exercises. To be honest, it’s mostly just a habit for a lot of people now. But if I said that to my old man or the stricter elders, they’d have my head."
Kei-san spoke with the grin of a mischievous child.
Every few minutes, someone would call out to him from a distance.
"Hey!"
"Ah, hello!"
He would exchange a quick greeting and move on, only for someone else to call out seconds later. Every time we passed a person, the cycle repeated.
"You seem to know everyone here."
"It’s a small village; you can't really help it. Most of the men are fishermen, so you know them as 'so-and-so’s wife' or 'so-and-so’s third son.' You recognize everyone’s face. Conversely, if you aren't from around here, you stick out like a sore thumb. Newcomers are always the talk of the town, so people remember them instantly. You’ll probably be a local celebrity by tomorrow, Ryoma-kun."
Ah, the classic small-town dynamic. I’d have to be careful not to make a bad impression.
"How many people actually live in this village?"
"Less than five hundred. It would be more if you counted the people who left for the city or married into other villages, but... ah, look. There it is."
He pointed ahead, and I saw light shimmering between the houses. I realized it was the lake I had glimpsed upon entering the village. We walked a bit further, passing the final row of buildings.
"!!"
Once the buildings no longer blocked my view, I was struck by how beautiful it was.
The vast lake rippled under the wind, dancing with reflected light. The water was remarkably transparent; the bottom looked relatively shallow. Even from a distance, I could see green waterweeds swaying beneath the surface. The breeze blowing off the water was chilly, yet the scenery held a certain warmth. In front of the lake lay a pristine white beach, where small boats and fishing gear were neatly lined up—the first real sign that this was a fishing village.
"What do you think of the view?"
The forest on the way here had reminded me of Okinawa, but this was something else.
"It’s beautiful. Truly. It feels like nature has been left exactly as it should be, yet the view is good enough to be a resort."
"I’m glad you like it."
According to Kei-san, Lake Latoin was a vital lifeline that provided daily sustenance for the people of the surrounding villages. They considered it their duty and their pride to protect the lake’s environment in exchange for its bounty.
"I imagine that comes with a lot of rules."
"Since you aren’t a fisherman, Ryoma-kun, there aren't too many you need to worry about, but there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, anyone can take from the lake’s bounty, but if you aren't a registered fisherman, you’re limited to skin diving or pole fishing. Using nets or baskets is strictly prohibited. Also, do you see those islands on the lake?"
"Hmm... are you talking about those things that look like rafts made of branches? There’s something small on top of them."
It was quite far away, and the glare of the sun made it difficult to see, but I could make out furry creatures that looked like a cross between a sea otter and a beaver.
"Those islands are nests built by monsters we call 'Nest Rats' to survive the winter. In the spring, they serve as nurseries for small fish and markers for fishermen to find good spots. It’s a strict rule never to harm the Nest Rats or their nests. If you see them on the beach or in the village, please don't chase them away. They’re monsters, but they aren't dangerous."
"Understood. I'll be careful."
He went on to explain other rules, like not littering and using the designated toilets near the beach. As he walked me through the basic manners and precautions, we continued along the shore.
Since Shikumu was located on the southeast shore of Lake Latoin, the "beach" where I would be working tomorrow was on the northwest side of the village. Kei-san’s house was closer to the western side, so as we headed north along the water, I saw the piers where the boats were moored and the buildings used for processing the catch. I was able to get a solid handle on the local geography.
"Think you can find your way around the work site tomorrow?"
"I should be fine."
"Good. Next up is the training ground."
We chatted as we walked another quarter-loop around the village. We arrived at the eastern edge, which served as the boundary for the mangrove-like forest. Many of the trees had been pruned, and there were several clearings with stumps.
"This is where we gather firewood and timber for the village. Because of that, it’s spacious, and it doesn't matter if you make a bit of noise. What do you think?"
"It’s close to the village but has plenty of room. I shouldn't have any trouble bringing out my Tamed Monsters here."
"Oh, speaking of monsters, you're the one who collects Slimes, right? You can occasionally find Mad Slimes around here."
"—That’s perfect!"
A Mad Slime. As in, a slime made of mud. It was perfectly suited to this terrain.
"How often do they show up?"
"Uh, well... I’ve seen them a few times while gathering wood. I bet you could find one if you really looked."
Alright, I was definitely going to look for them during my morning runs. No doubt about it.
"Your eyes just lit up... well, I’m glad you like the spot. The sun’s almost down; we should head to the assembly hall."
The thought that an undiscovered slime might be right nearby made it hard to leave, but I pulled myself away.
After that, we visited the assembly hall and a few private homes to greet the senior adventurers. I handed out some small souvenirs and asked for their guidance starting tomorrow. Perhaps it was because I was in a new place, but I found myself acting like a nervous new hire at a company. Fortunately, the veterans seemed to appreciate the humble attitude.
By the time we returned to the house, I could hear loud voices coming from behind the door.
It sounded like things were already getting lively. When I stepped inside, I found the adults had already started drinking.
"Big sister, why is Dad already drinking...?"
"It couldn't be helped. As soon as he got back, he started calling for booze. You know he’s quiet and unsociable normally, right? It’s better to let him drink a little so he makes a better impression for his first meeting with the guest."
"Mei! Kei! Don't just keep the guest standing there! Get him a seat!"
Before I could even finish my greetings, a drink was placed in my hand, and I was ushered to a spot around the sunken hearth.
Sitting directly across from me was the man introduced as the head of the house and Kai and Kei's father, Hoi-san. His face was a map of wrinkles and beard growth that made him look over fifty, but his body was a different story. Forged by years of manual labor, he was as muscled as a professional bodybuilder, with a deep tan that made him look incredibly youthful from the neck down. I felt a sudden surge of kinship, as he reminded me of my former self.
"I’d heard the stories, but you really are a tiny sprout."
"Dad!"
"Oops, my mistake."
"No, it’s fine. It’s a fact that I’m young."
"Still, I heard you were the one who helped these boys out. These guys... they aren't bad kids, but they’re country bumpkins through and through. They don't know the first thing about the world. Usually, 'traveling far' for them means the town on the other side of the lake. They went running off like they were on a holiday, but—"
The father, who had watched his son and his friends grow up, began to recount their various blunders. He seemed to be in a great mood thanks to the alcohol, but the listeners were clearly uncomfortable. The members of Shikumu's Pier, who had once come to the Tamer Guild in Gimul to sell me Bloody Slimes, all looked like they wanted the floor to swallow them whole.
"It’s been a while. Shin-san, Sein-san, Peiron-san."
"Yeah..."
"Hey..."
"............"
"Dinner’s ready! Make some room!"
The mother's voice finally broke the tension. We cleared a path from the kitchen to the hearth, and she brought out a large pot, bowls for everyone, and several round, woven containers. The containers looked like something had been placed inside and boiled whole. The smell wasn't overpowering, but it was familiar. It was definitely seafood, which was to be expected in a fishing village. I had heard the fish here were far better than anything in Gimul, so my expectations were high.
"Ugh, is this what we’re eating today?"
"? Do you dislike this dish, Kai-san?"
"I like it just fine, but people from outside the village usually hate it."
As she lifted the lid, I peered inside.
"Crab!?"
The container was packed to the brim with palm-sized crabs, boiled to a brilliant red.
"Whoa... talk about nostalgic!"
Crab... since this was a lake, they must be a freshwater variety, perhaps like the sawagani from Earth. Back home, I’d eat them as a luxury now and then, but this was the first time I’d seen them in this world.
"Does the village catch crabs as well as fish?"
"If you sink a trap, you can catch them by the bucketload. So, you’re okay with them, Ryoma?"
"They were a staple back where I come from. They’re one of my favorite foods."
"Oh, is that so? I’m glad to hear it. I’ve prepared fish as well, but we have plenty of these, so eat your fill."
The mother lined up skewered fish around the hearth and began ladling seafood soup into bowls. She looked genuinely pleased as she handed me a bowl overflowing with ingredients.
"Here! Eat up!"
I took a salt-boiled crab, snapped off a leg, and tasted the meat.
...The meat was firm and had a surprisingly satisfying snap for something so small. With every chew, the sweetness of the crab flooded my mouth, perfectly balanced by the salt. It was simple, and that was exactly why it was the best.
"This is amazing!"
Because the crabs were small, even the legs were easy to manage, making them a perfect snack for a child’s body.
"Hah, you’ve got a good appetite! Keep 'em coming. Here, have another. And some soup."
"Thank you, Mei-san... Mm! This soup is incredible too."
It had a sharp, mustard-like kick that blended perfectly with the rich fish stock.
"Here, boy, the next batch is ready."
"Thank you!"
The crab was so addictive that I couldn't stop. One, two, three... my hands were a blur.
"Here you go! Don't be shy!"
The crab was... so good!
Everyone kept looking after me, constantly offering more helpings. I did nothing but eat, focused entirely on the feast.
By the time I was full, the dinner—which had doubled as my welcome party—was winding down. Shin-san, Sein-san, and Peiron-san headed back to their respective homes. Finally, following Mei-san’s advice that I should get some rest since work started early, I crawled into the futon in my guest room.
It was only then that I realized something.
We were supposed to "catch up" during the meal... but I had been so busy eating crab that we hadn't actually talked at all.