Children grow up frighteningly fast. Just like other people's kids, my own child is growing up in a flash.
Two years have passed since I brought Mizukume (a name given to her by Old Man Sato) down from the mountain.
Every time I return home, I get a strange feeling.
"You're home?"
As I opened the door, a brightly smiling Mizukume greeted me.
"...Yeah. Work ended early today."
"I'm happy you're home early, Father. Oh, I'll hang up the plow for you."
"Thanks."
My child seems a little different.
Other families are always on edge because their kids are constantly causing trouble, but I have none of that.
I haven't taught her much as a parent, yet she learns all sorts of things on her own just by wandering around the village.
When she told me she learned how to make string figures, I just thought, "I see," and moved on. But then, all of a sudden, she tells me she's learned how to cook.
And she's good at it, too.
Even with a simple diet of rice and wild greens, her cooking is far more delicious than mine.
"I gathered some greens from the mountain and made a new side dish. The table is bountiful today!"
"This is a meal the Emperor himself would envy. Aren't you going to eat?"
"I ate before you came home, Father."
Mizukume is good at everything, but she has no talent for lying.
Last year's harvest was poor, so we have little rice at home. She noticed this and is skipping her meal.
She's a thoughtful child who considers our household's situation despite her age, but as the head of the family, my pride won't allow her to skip meals.
"Children need to eat a lot to grow up big and strong. Here, I'll give you half of mine, so eat up."
"...Yes."
So this is what it feels like to be full just by watching someone eat. I've been feeling that a lot lately.
It was so cute watching her munch away, swallowing the rice with that tiny mouth of hers.
Even when I'm farming, the thought of Mizukume gives me strength.
When I leave the house, her words of encouragement make me feel like I can take on the world.
"Have a good day."
"Alright. You watch the house."
"Yes! Don't you worry!"
She is such a dear child.
"My friend. It's good to see you smiling more these days, but would you please stop grinning to yourself all of a sudden while you're working? A lot of people find it creepy."
"Do I do that?"
"Even my wife knows about it. I understand you're happy now that you've brought home a future bride, but… isn't there a limit to things?"
Future bride? Does this old geezer think I'm some kind of pervert?
"Mizukume is beautiful, so she can marry a man of high standing and live in luxury. Being tied to a farmer like me for her whole life would be a punishment."
"Well, I don't think so…"
Just then, I heard someone's voice.
"Father! Where are you?!"
"Mizukume? What's wrong?"
"Father!"
Why would the child who should be at home come all the way to the fields?
I held Mizukume as she ran desperately into my arms. She sobbed for a long while.
"What happened?"
"I was at home waiting for you… when some kids suddenly came… they threw rocks, and they were tormenting me… *sob sob*…"
By "kids," she meant the trio of little rascals who always stuck together.
It seemed Mizukume's beauty was attracting the attention of the village brats.
Kids that age often express their interest through teasing.
I wanted to dismiss it as child's play, but the fact that they came all the way to my house to bully Mizukume while I was away was something I couldn't laugh off.
"...I'll need to have a word with their parents."
I asked for Old Man Sato's leave and left early. With Mizukume in tow, I visited each of their houses one by one.
"Friend, this sort of behavior is a bit troubling."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Lee! His mother left home, and I think the boy is having a hard time. It won't happen again."
The conversation went very smoothly.
By the standards of old Japan, I was quite tall.
In the modern era, 178 cm is just disappointingly short of 180 cm, but here, I was practically a giant.
The average height here is around 160 cm, so if I so much as glare at them, they're too scared to speak.
I was reminded once again that in a small country village, the law of the strong is supreme.
"Ma'am, I won't mince words."
"I'm so sorry. I don't know who my child takes after… I'll have a good talk with him, so don't you worry. Mizukume, dear? I apologize on my son's behalf."
"...It's okay."
The second house was also handled easily.
The problem was the last house. It belonged to the ringleader of the little gang, and his family was on the wealthier side.
It had three rooms and was located in the center of the village.
My house is on the outskirts and has only one room.
"Is anyone home?"
But there was no reason to be intimidated.
A rich family in a backwater village doesn't own a 100-story building, do they?
This scale of wealth was barely worth a yawn.
I squeezed Mizukume's trembling hand.
As I entered the yard, I saw the little ringleader playing with a mutt.
"Well met. You're the one who made my daughter cry?"
"*Eek!* …D-Daddy!"
The moment the brat saw me, he scurried inside the house.
I waited outside in silence. I came for an apology, not a fight.
"What brings Mr. Lee all the way here?"
Finally, the parent came out. Stroking his beard and speaking arrogantly, he likely already knew the whole story.
"I heard that your son was tormenting my daughter. I'd like to receive an apology."
"Hmm… I know nothing of the sort. My son says he doesn't know anything either."
Lying through his teeth. A dry laugh escaped me.
"What is it? What's the meaning of that laugh?"
"Listen here, mister. Do you take me for a fool?"
I grabbed his shoulder, which flinched slightly.
"Wh-What is the meaning of this! Have you come to another man's home to threaten its master?"
I've had enough of seeing people pretend to be calm.
"Why don't you just call your kid out to apologize while I'm asking nicely? You don't want to see things get ugly, do you?"
"So the man from another land finally shows his true colors! It was a mistake for the village to accept the likes of you in the first place!"
"Curious to see what a man from another land is capable of?"
I squeezed my hand. His face contorted in pain.
I've lived here for over seven years, and these people never change.
I don't know how much longer I'm supposed to smile and let things slide for the sake of peace.
When you confront them, they pretend to listen and let it pass. The moment you turn your back, they clam up.
"I dug the land for the village, and when you asked me to hunt beasts, I did. It's a problem when you react like this. Did you think I'd just keep smiling forever?"
"Everyone, look! The outsider is finally showing his true colors! Someone, save me… *Gak!*"
I sent a fist flying into his jaw. He collapsed pathetically onto the ground.
Crawling on the ground, desperately calling for help, he was a miserable sight.
Hearing the commotion, people started to gather one by one.
"Mr. Lee. What is all this?"
"Elder."
"Oh, Elder Sato! Please, listen to me! This outsider suddenly came to my house, making up some ridiculous reason, and started throwing punches! This is so unjust!"
Elder Sato looked at me with an expression of disappointment.
The faces of the people who followed were grim. They didn't meet my gaze, but the air was thick with hostility.
"Is this true?"
The elder asked, looking at me.
"I don't think you'd believe me no matter what I say. I'm talking to you lot in the back."
*Flinch.* Their bodies trembled. But not a single one of them stepped forward.
They all just watched from behind the old man.
"A bunch of spineless cowards."
I was about to spit on the ground but stopped myself.
Mizukume was looking up at me with trembling eyes.
Throwing punches and cursing in front of your child is something a poor parent does.
"*Sigh*…"
But I had gone too far. The accumulated anger had finally exploded, using Mizukume as the pretext.
I was sick of this village. I was proud of myself for lasting seven long years.
"I'm leaving."
"...Do as you wish. In consideration of your efforts over the years, I'll lend you a small cart. Put the child on it and go."
"Elder Sato! What are you saying! This man is a criminal! He raised his fist!"
"You, be quiet!"
At the elder's sharp command, the man shut his mouth as if he were mute.
I took Mizukume and pushed through the crowd.
I told a frightened Mizukume that everything was okay.
"...I'm sorry, Father. Because of me…"
"No. I was planning to leave anyway. I'm the one who works the hardest at farming, yet I grew tired long ago of watching them devour all the rice among themselves."
Even though they knew full well I had a child, they never increased my share of rice.
Back at home, I packed our rice and bowls. We had so few possessions that it didn't take long to pack.
After a short wait, Old Man Sato arrived, pulling a small cart.
"It's a shame we have to part like this."
"Indeed, it is."
"...If you're leaving, go to the capital. It will be better for the child."
The elder left. I put Mizukume on the cart and loaded our belongings.
Mizukume's face showed no sign of brightening. She seemed to be weighed down by guilt.
I just hope this incident doesn't become a trauma for her.
I slowly pulled the cart and moved forward.
"...Where do you plan on going?"
"To the capital, I suppose… The only paved road leads there, and if we go to another village, we'll just get the same treatment."
I forced the corners of my mouth up into a smile.
"Don't worry. Are you afraid I might abandon you?"
"...No. It's just. I'm worried about you, Father."
"Don't worry about me. As long as you grow up well, that's all I need."
I ruffled Mizukume's hair. She's a good kid.
"On second thought, I do have one worry."
"...Yes? What is it?"
Mizukume seemed a bit flustered. This time, a genuine smile appeared on my face.
"Who will our cute Mizukume marry? That's what this father is most worried about. I'm afraid some good-for-nothing punk will snatch her away."
"I… I…"
Mizukume blushed and averted her gaze.
She kept stealing glances at me, but I couldn't figure out why.
Perhaps I had touched upon the delicate heart of a young girl. That was the only guess I could make.