There were a lot of good products at the morning market today, huh, Hakumei?
We bought too much.
And I wanted to hurry back home and continue working, but...
Speaking of, what do you use that stuff to make?
Oh, that's gunpowder that Sen shared with me.
BLACK GUNPOWDER Caution Danger EXPLOSIVE
I'm going to use it to make fireworks-
Hakumei...
Huh?
Episode 6 Starlit Sky
and Ponkan
It's a burning lens...
Put simply, it's when something like a glass marble or a vase acts as a lens and sparks a fire.
Which means you have to be careful around the window to prevent this sort of thing,
and even more so since you're using gunpowder.
It's a bit late for that.
It is.
Yes.
Well, leave the repairs to me.
I brought a powerful elite unit along with me.
That's big...
We'll finish in around a day, so is there a place you can stay the night?
Hmm, where will we stay...? Konju's home seems pretty small.
Hey, Mikochi!
Let's hurry and go!
We're camping!
Camping?!
I wonder if there's a good place here...
By the way, why camping?
Because I did that a lot in the days when I was homeless.
It's fun!
I like a place with a roof.
Here it is. It's the ponkan tree.
Note: Ponkan is a hybrid citrus that is a cross between a mandarin and a pomelo.
Hup.
We'll set up camp here.
Why below a ponkan tree?
Citrus trees are short and have a relatively large amount of leaves, so it can endure wind and rain.
We've decided on the place, so next is...
This ponkan is delicious.
Can I have a few of those persimmon leaves?
Sure. How's this one?
Bugs have eaten these!
What are the persimmon leaves for?
These are for a tent.
Make a hole at the places with the marks on them.
Okay.
Then, pass a bristle grass stem through the hole.
And stand it up!
Wow, it's a tent!
Tie some key points up with a rope,
and secure the excess rope to the stone outside to anchor it.
Should I do the other side?
Um, no, you need strength, so I'll do it.
This is for you, Mikochi.
Pass!
Wild onion root?
I found them earlier.
Use it in our dinner. Like in a whole roast or a parchment roast...
Aren't those practically the same?
Ah, jeez! Drawing the first bucket of water and this is what happens?
And there's no kitchen... How will I start a fire?
Hey, Mikochi.
I made you a cooking stove.
The kindling for fuel is...
Huh? Mikochi?
Okay, this should do it.
Hey, Mikochi, how's it going over there?
Isn't the fire too strong?
Since we had an endless supply, I accidentally...
Persimmon leaf tea, huh?
It smells kind of grassy, but it's delicious.
That's because there wasn't time to steam it.
First, mince the wild onion, and add the dried meat,
pine nuts, and ostrich fern buds we bought to the shiitake mushrooms...
Hey Hakumei, you help too.
Oh?
I think this soup will do.
Did you hull the rice?
This is very exhausting!
Yeah, this much is probably enough. Thanks.
I'm hungry...
Leave the rest to me and just wait!
Give me about an hour!
One hour...
Amazing!
Yummy, yummy!
It's wild vegetable and dried meat risotto.
That's something you can make pretty well even outside.
Your cooking is delicious no matter where we are, Mikochi.
Oh hey, I have whole roast and a parchment roast, too.
Haven't you made too much?
Hm? You'll eat it, right?
I can't eat anymore...
Sorry. Turns out I did make too much.
But camping out is fine too, right?
I suppose so.
Since it's a tent, it also has a roof.
Keep still!
What?!
Don't drag me!
What's inside will come out...
All of this is a roof.
I see.
This is enchanting.
Isn't it?
Oh, welcome back.
We're back...
Here's a souvenir.
There's a nice citrus aroma... coming from your bodies...
We had too much of our fill of nature...
Well, I've finished the repairs, so will you give the inside a look?
Yeah! You work as fast as expected!
Thank you, Sen.
The entranceway is reserved for last, so we'll go in through the back.
I tried to keep the room in the tree hollow as it is.
I think it's fairly sturdy.
This looks good.
It's like the place I used to live a long time ago.
Is there a room back there, too?
Yes.
There was a cavern surrounding the root, so I just had to make one.
It's a glass greenhouse-cum-laboratory!
Laboratory?
Researcher's recommendation I thought it was necessary!
And now, the entryway, which I'm rather proud of.
To the front.
I kind of...
...have a bad feeling about this...
HAKUMEI AND MIKOCHI
The entryway!
I attempted a daring use of the rib cage! Isn't it cool?!
Um... Thanks.
But...
It was surprisingly comfortable.
Excuse me.
What's a li'l thing like you want?
Starting today, I'm going to start working here. I'm Hakumei.
Looking forward to working with you, Old Man.
Ah, so you're the helper that I been hearin' about?
Can a li'l thing like you really do carpentry?
I voluntarily repaired the rain gutter on the other side and replaced the bricks, though.
Was that okay?
Well, it's good.
Then since I'm going to help you over here, I'll be changing my clothes.
Okay.
I'm Master Iwashidani.
So even though you're an itachi your name is Iwashi?
Note: combining "itachi" (weasel) and "iwashi" (sardine)
Shuddup.
Episode 7
Work Day
Newspaper fee collection!
Coming!
Hakumei-san, hello.
Oh, hi.
I apologize for keeping you waiting.
Oh, it's fine.
Mikochi-san, I have an awkward question, but...
Yes?
Did you have a fight with Hakumei-san or something?
Huh?
Well... She seemed to be in a bad mood.
Oh, she just looks menacing. She's in work mode.
East Kusuno Nutria Bus
What kind of job does she do?
She does repairs.
After she sharpens her blades, she's going to do a routine check on the windmill.
Morning, Iwashi!
How many times do I gotta tell ya... Call me 'Master Iwashidani'!
Now, now...
Even if I call you 'master' you won't teach me anything.
I ain't an instructor.
But you don't have any henchmen either, right?
Then what the hell're YOU?!
So, where am I examining?
Hm?
Today is a bit dangerous. A brake wheel.
It's the cog at the very top.
Oh.
Looks like one o' the pins is damaged. Wobbles a bit.
Gotta clean that up, put a new pin, and yer done.
As ya know, 'sides the inside bein' complicated and narrow, it's high.
Since it's dangerous, I'm gonna take apart the roof and clean it up.
Forecast says it's gonna rain startin' this evenin'.
Hakumei, I'm not gonna say it's impossible, but yer goin' inside-
Yer all ready?!
You okay?
I'll make it work.
First of all, I'll assemble the foothold.
Hey.
I lowered the sail.
Okay.
Uh, Iwashi. Can you come to the roof for a little while?
What do I do?
Oh. I'm gonna throw the rope, so keep clear!
There!
Oh, it's out here.
I want to lift this post, but it's heavy. Pull it.
Right. Leave it to me.
Heave!
Fast!
You're a huge help, Iwashi!
Uh... Yeah!
I made a foothold, so I'm going to start on the cog.
Be careful.
Okay.
When I fall, I'll ring the bell, okay?
If it rings, what should I do?
H-hey!
You haven't eaten lunch yet, right? Want some too?
Quit messin' around!
How's it comin' along?
Well, it's getting there...
Oh, no... I'm talkin' 'bout the repair trade.
Oh...
I fixed some sandals right before this.
Whose?
Mine.
You're not gettin' anywhere, huh...
Leave me alone.
Well, Mikochi's workin' too so it's okay.
Don't say ridiculous things like that.
She's free because I'm doing a good job.
Ha! That can't be right.
By the way, Iwashi, Mikochi said this, but...
Do I look menacing while I'm working?
Don't laugh.
More than normal, I s'pose.
I see.
Clouds look like they're threatenin' rain now.
I'll hurry it up and finish.
But the pin's tough, ya know.
If the measurements are even a li'l bit off...
How's this?
Yer done already?!
Hmph... Ya really are skilled, aren't ya...
I know, right?
Phew... Repairs are done.
I'm finished!
Yeah, good job! Looks like the storm is here!
And... there.
Hakumei! What happened?!
Sorry! I screwed up!
And the foothold?!
It collapsed!
But I'm hanging on... to the bell cord...
Damn it!
Master!
Master...
Ya ain't hurt, right, Hakumei?
Y-yeah.
The window's broken.
Well, guess we'll fix it tomorrow.
Your sandal...
Oh, the strap broke?
Ah, well.
Master...
Huh?
I'm sorry.
Fix that for me, and collect yer pay tomorrow.
Master, I can't accept pay f-
Stop callin' me that.
Hurry on home.
I wonder if the rope was slack.
Extra material for sandals... I'm sure Mikochi has some.
I'm ba-
Wel-come BACK!
Even though you couldn't do anything about forgetting an umbrella,
at least run a little bit!
What will you do if you catch cold?!
Sorry.
Huh? What's that?
A sandal.
I'm gonna fix it now.
Before that...
please get into the tub!
Uh... Wait...
Mikochi, about the extra fabric to fix that...
It's fine, just hurry up!
Get in up to your shoulders.
Okay.
Here.
Hm? This scent...
It's tea with jam I made from that ponkan.
It'll warm you up.
Want me to help you with that?
Huh? Oh, no, it's okay.
Thanks.
I see.
"The Goliath Beetle"
The Goliath beetle is the world's heaviest insect, with a body length exceeding 100 millimeters.
There are many of these large-bodied and powerful bugs that are exclusively part the transit business. Generally, they do not work in association with anyone, but function as sole proprietors.
The cost for transit ranges, however payment in kind is a possibility,
and if you treat them to a delicious meal they will readily accept.
In the same trade, there are also Japanese horned beetles and the like geared towards
small transport and solo travel.