2. One who Opposes
Sheto put down the prey that he had been carrying over his shoulder, and entered the crude hut.
“Ma, I’m back.”
“Ah, welcome back.”
His mother had fallen ill about two years ago, and often had to stay in bed. But while her expression was hidden in the shadows, she seemed well today. She was currently sewing something with cloth made from tree bark.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“Ah, more importantly. Here.”
She said while offering the thing he had been preparing.
The shirt had been dyed with grass and grape juice, and he could still smell it. He accepted it, and she urged him to put it on.
It was a little large, but quite comfortable.
“Oh, it suits you.”
“…You really didn’t have to, ma.”
The old dog-like face smiled. And then she sighed and lay down in her bed.
“It was for you. A little recklessness is nothing.”
“Ahhh! Older brother! You’re wearing something new!”
“I want something new too!”
“No. This is special for him!”
His two younger brothers rushed through the door. With wagging tails, they jumped around and shouted happily.
“Hey, ma is going to sleep now. Let’s go outside.”
“Yes!”
While taking the rowdy bunch with him, Sheto walked through the village.
The sun was pleasantly warm, and people were working busily outside. He saw a house that was hanging bug repelling herbs out to dry. A craftsman was making new arrows with water fowl feathers, and in the distance, he heard the echoes of swords clashing.
“How was the hunt?”
While walking, he saw Kai sitting in front of his house.
He was peeling acorns that had been soaked in water. After that, they would be turned into powder and cooked.
“Yes, I got a big one.”
“I see. And the other thing as well?”
“…Yes.”
He took out the stone from the bag and passed it to Kai, who nodded. He then took some string from his belt and started to tie it around the stone.
He was no good at hunting, but when it came to crafting, there was none better than his old friend. Shortly after, the stone was now part of a necklace.
“You should hurry. Lu is waiting.”
“Yes.”
Before he knew it, the others in the village had started to gather around him.
There was the aunt who had helped him after his mother got sick. The hunter who taught him to use a bow. His other friends and their younger siblings.
At the plaza, the rather shriveled looking chief was waiting with his granddaughter.
Like him, Lu was also wearing a shirt that had been dyed.
“Welcome back, Sheto.”
“…I’m back.”
Sheto slowly walked toward Lu and thrust out his right hand.
There was a piercing pain.
“Ah…”
His hand stopped in midair.
The augite caught the light of the sun and shone.
Sheto realized that everyone was staring at him.
“What is it?”
“Lu…”
His hand hurt.
If he gave her this stone, he would be happy.
I had been his dream for so long. Being together with Lu.
“Lu…”
“What?”
He should accept that. There was no need to hesitate.
Put the stone around her neck, and live happily.
“Ah…”
His eyes welled up with tears.
And they poured down without stopping.
“Are you that happy? Being with me?”
Yes. They would be together as one.
If that was reality. How wonderful it would have been.
“No…”
He was fooling himself. Desperately.
It was a dream. A bad dream. This is real.
“No?”
“No…”
His vision blurred from the tears. But no matter how he tried to believe, Sheto knew the truth.”
“Lu…you are..”
His right hand fell down to his side limply.
“Already dead…”
And then the world around him burned.
Aww it’s a split