In preparation for the rainy season, I need modern tools like a dehumidifier, and dryers for clothes and futons.
This house is old, and made of wood. I was wondering how people used to deal with humidity, so I asked pops and Aikawa, and they told me they used charcoal. I think they’re almost at the point of telling me to just google it.
Aikawa repaired a charcoal kiln that was there already. I guess there’s no shortage of wood either.
I also tried asking the old head of the village if there was a charcoal kiln around here, and he told me there is, although it wasn’t used. Pops was interested, so he repaired it, and we managed to make charcoal. It was a lot of trouble, and took over a week, but we managed to make a lot, so I told him to take some for him and his neighbors too. He was really happy with that. Apparently charcoal has loads of uses. I figure I’m going to make more again, since it’s so useful to everyone. (It’s still May)
I have nothing to do outside when it’s raining. I check around the field and patrol a bit, but I mostly hole up indoors. My chickens go out to patrol even when it’s raining, so I go with them once a day.
Today it’s not raining so much, so I’m going to check the nearby river. The water is clearly rising.
“…But the water is still nice around here. Why does it get muddy further down?”
I whisper to myself. The water rising means it drags dirt and rocks along with it, so it turns more into the color of cafe au lait the further down you go.
It’s dangerous, so I check from afar if the dirt is collapsing anywhere, and then go back.
It’s easy for mold to grow in the rainy season, so it’s important to check around the house. Especially in the toilet and the bathing room. I have a dehumidifier going at full power in the Japanese-style room, and charcoal in the toilet and bathing room. And if I see drips or something, I wipe it right away.
Staying inside is more work than I thought. Also, since I can’t hang the clothes out to dry, the drier really comes in handy. Moisture in the mountains is no joke.
Speaking of mountains, I got a mountain of vegetables from pops’ neighbors, as a thank you for the charcoal. I gladly took them.
“But there’s no meat…”
I open my freezer, and my stock leaves me concerned. I need to eat meat, or I can’t use my strength.
“No eggs either…”
I whisper, and look at Yuma, who followed me. It’s still too early for them to lay eggs. And since Pochi is here, they would be fertilized. I don’t really want to eat fertilized eggs. I haven’t gotten to that point.
“Should I go shopping…”
“Shopping.”
Yuma looks raring to go. So cute.
I have three plastic bottles with pit vipers. Maybe it’s because it’s raining, but the pit vipers that weren’t appearing for a while are out again. Pochi even caught a tiger keelback too.
When I told Pochi it could eat it, it devoured it. Those are actually venomous, but I only thought of it after it ate it. Too late, me. It didn’t leave the head or neck, where the poison is, so it probably ate that too. I say probably, because I try not to look when they eat.
But I kept an eye on Pochi for a few days, and it was fine. What’s with my chickens, really?
“I’m going to the village today. Are you home?”
I ask pops on the phone, and he says yes. He says something I ordered has just arrived too. Good timing.
“I need to speak with your chickens too. It doesn’t have to be all of them, but can you bring them?”
That’s rare.
“Speak to them?”
“We’ll talk more here. It’s nothing bad.”
“If it’s about putting them on TV or something, no thanks.”
My chickens are not to be put on display!
But pops laughs.
“Idiot, it’s none of that. They probably won’t get it if it’s just one. Bring ones that can understand me.”
“All right.”
And so, I ask Yuma to go get Pochi and Tama. They’re soaking wet. Aren’t they cold?”
“Pops says he wants to talk to you.”
I say as I dry their wet feathers with towels. I must look like the loneliest guy right now.
Pochi clucks in response. I guess it wants to go. There’s a reliable man right there! You’re great, Pochi!
“Tama?”
Tama turns away. I guess it wants to stay home. Look after the place, please.
Yuma is coming too, apparently. It wanted to go out anyway. My chickens are so cute.
“But what does he want to talk about?”
I hope it’s something nice. I whisper, as Pochi looks at me like it’s exasperated by the fact that I don’t even know that. He told me he’d say it when we got there, okay? I feel like I’ve been able to recognize my chickens’ expressions more lately, so Pochi’s eyes hurt me right now. Sorry for being such a pathetic owner. At this point, I don’t even know who owns who.
I ask Tama to look after the place, and the rest of us head to the foot of the mountain.
Come to think of it, my gift this time is better than usual. I have the usual pit vipers in plastic bottles (I don’t like that it’s the usual), but also an assortment of fruit. Actually, I still need to go get that.
For some reason, all the stuff I order is delivered to pops’ place. And I’m sure what just arrived is that assortment of fruit. I don’t want to just hand it over to him, so I’m going to take it to the mini truck, unpack it, and then give it.
I need to remember to buy meat and eggs on the way back too.
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