Chapter 5

(Jintetsu’s P.O.V.)

Ah~ The Smithy, one of the best places where a youth, such as myself, spends his energy with joy.

Well, at least that‘s what I think…

I’ve already spent 5 years in this place and I still love everything about it. The heat of the fire, the spark of ore and metal clashing into each other and finally, the grand and amazing forms they make once they’re done.

Goes to show that there are amazing amount of possibilities a single ore can have!

As I watch my Tatara-Jii-san create things, I just couldn’t take my eyes off of his amazing skills.

Nothing will be able to make me stop watching, nothing!

[Tatara] “Boy, hurry up with the coal, the fire is getting weaker!”

Except for that.

When it comes to smithy, Jii-san tends to get very upset if one would hinder his work.

That is why when Jii-san tells me to put coals in, then I would do so, no question asked.

Following Jii-san, I quickly run out of the smithy and head to the back, where Jii-san’s shack is located.

Since I’ve spent a lot of my time here, I could easily tell where the box of coal is, even if his shack is a mess.

[Jintetsu] “Now then, just how much of coal will he need?”

Seeing a conveniently placed crate full of coal, I slowly bend down and grab it, but before I even got ahold of it…

[Jintetsu] “Whoa!? Who is thi—Aletta?”

I got hugged by Aletta from behind.

[Jintetsu] “Uh…Aletta? What’s this about?”

Though I asked, she wouldn’t answer me and kept her face pressed onto my back.

I haven’t seen her doing this before, it’s kind of worrying me.

I won’t be able to ask what’s wrong if she keeps on doing this, so I gently grab her left arm to loosen her hold on me and I slowly turn to face her.

[Jintetsu] “Hey Aletta, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”

[Aletta] “My Mother, she…she’s…”

Mother? Mother…oh right, that’s Okaa-san in Aletta’s language.

So wait a minute, does that mean there is something wrong with Aletta’s Okaa-san!?

[Jintetsu] “What happened to Sofia-san!?”

[Aletta] “Mother…she’s…”

A few minutes have passed and Aletta is able to explain everything that I need to hear.

Though Aletta’s intelligence and strategy smarts impresses me, right now I’m more impressed that she is able to explain situation so well.

But let’s forget about that for now and keep our wits about Sofia-san’s condition.

If my guess is right, Aletta won’t talk to anyone about this because they would just stop her from going.

If only the weather of Eien Yuki isn’t acting up, then Obaa-sama would ask someone to go there or even go there herself and pick the herb.

But there is no way that Aletta is giving up, most likely the reason why she is here right now is because…

[Aletta] “Jin, I want you to come with me.”

Thought so.

[Aletta] “Look, I know what I’m asking you to do something dangerous is too much...”

Let’s see, as I recall there are really thick coats somewhere inside Jii-san’s shack…oh, there they are.

[Aletta] “But you’re the only one I can rely on…”

And I’m not sure what might stand in our way, so having something to defend ourselves would be great…Ah, the old swords Jii-san is hiding, and they’re still in good condition too.

[Aletta] “You’ve been there with Shiranue-sama a few times right? So if you can…”

[Jintetsu] “Alright, I guess this is everything we’re going to need.”

[Aletta] “Please help me…huh? Jin?”

[Jintetsu] “If Sofia-san’s condition is really that bad, then we better get going.”

I’ve gone with Obaa-sama to Eien Yuki a few times, She even told me where most of that certain herb is usually growing.

While I continue to look through my memory for things that could help us, Aletta once again hugs me, but this time, she’s hugging me from the front.

She rests her chin on my shoulder and I could feel her sobbing has lessening.

Seeing a friend relieved is a good thing.

I‘m about to pat her on the back, but I quickly stop because I just thought of something.

[Jintetsu] “What should we do about Jii-san?”

When I said that, Aletta loosen her hug and looks at me.

Guess with her expression, she must have realized the same thing I did.

But like I said before, Aletta is smart when it comes to finding ways to get what she needs.

Just like the wild boar we caught today, if Yuina and I are the only ones that tried to hunt it, we would most likely spend half a day taking it down.

It’s all thanks to Aletta’s quick thinking.

[Aletta] “Wait a minute, today is the day when the west side of the town goes fishing, right?”

[Jintetsu] “Hmm, now that you mentioned it, I guess so.”

[Aletta] “Then we could use that as an excuse, with Eien Yuki’s weather, we could use it and tell Tatara-sama that a few boats got damaged.”

[Jintetsu] “True, it would be a lot easier to trick him if you mention the storm in Eien Yuki. But will that be enough?”

[Aletta] “Have you forgotten about a certain old fisherman?”

[Jintetsu] “Ah!”

[Aletta] “That’s right; Gaoro-Jii-san is very reckless when it comes to fishing. He always gets his Boat wrecked whenever he goes fishing.”

Oh right, I didn’t think of that.

The old man Aletta just mentioned just now is a Kappa named Gaoro-Jii-san.

I feel bad for saying this, but even though Gaoro-Jii-san is a Kappa, he couldn’t catch a fish to save his life.

He did catch one before, but heard that the fish grew tired of being chased for 3 hours straight and most likely gave up.

Honestly, I really wanted to ask him why he wants to be a fisherman. But if I did, he might get angry and depressed.

I don’t want to do that to an old man.

[Aletta] “You should go back on what you’re doing just now or Tatara-sama might suspect something.”

[Jintetsu] “Ah, I almost forgot.”

Thinking about all of that made me forget about the coal.

[Jintetsu] “I’ll be going then.”

[Aletta] “Alright…Oh, Jin…”

Already carrying the two crates, I walk pass Aletta and is now heading out the door, but I’m once again stop by Aletta whom call out to me.

[Jintetsu] “Yeah, what is it?”

[Aletta] “Thank you, for doing this for me.”

Huh? What a silly girl. Why would she say something like that? Being thanked for something as small as this…oh well, I guess I could just accept it.

Deciding on accepting her gratitude, I turn my head over my left shoulder and give her a big grin.

[Jintetsu] “No problem.”

[Tatara] “Boy, where’s the coal!?”

Hearing the loud rough voice of Jii-san, I give Aletta another look and give her a nod.

Now then, let’s get Aletta’s plan into action.

Fast! That was too fast!

I thought Tatara-Jii-san would at least wonder about what Aletta has just said, but as soon as he hear Gaoro-Jii-san’s name, he quickly grabs his carpentry tool and dashes out of the shop.

Well, I guess that’s fine, it does make it easier.

But now we have another thing we need to take care of...

[Yuina] “Please let me come with you!”

[Aletta] “You can’t, you have to stay here.”

[Yuina] “Why can’t I go with you and Jin-kun!?”

Right now, Yuina is trying to persuade Aletta to let her come with us to Eien Yuki. While me on the on other hand, is packing up the things I gathered in the shed, as well as some tools in the shop and putting them in a big leather bag.

Tatara-Jii-san, if you find out about this, please don’t get mad at me.

As I try to erase the thought of what kind of punishment I will get from when I pick up the bag from the floor.

But before I get to put the bag on my back, I suddenly got a hug from behind…again…

But really, I’m getting hugged a lot today. Not that I don’t like it though.

[Yuina] “No, I’ll come along with you and Jin-kun whether you like it or not!”

Correction, this might not actually be a hug after all.

Though Yuina’s arms are around my neck, her feet are also wrapped around my waist.

Aletta then walks closer to us, having her face right next to my cheeks.

[Aletta] “Yuina, you have to understand, this isn’t like our usual hunting. It’s going to be dangerous there; Jin and I won’t be able to protect you if something really bad happens.”

[Yuina] “Then you don’t have to, I—I can protect myself!”

[Aletta] “Yuina!”

[Yuina] “No, I’m coming with you and that’s that!”

[Jintetsu] “Stop screaming so close to my ears!!!”

Seriously, if both of you are going to argue, then do it somewhere further away from my ears, please!

[Jintetsu] “Listen, we are going somewhere very dangerous Yuina, are you still willing to come with us?”

[Yuina] “Yes, I’ll come with you two, even if you say NO.”

[Jintetsu] “…………………………………………”

[Yuina] “……………………………………………”

[Jintetsu] “……………………………Ha~ fine, but you better stay close to either me or Aletta, got it?”

Hearing my words made Yuina smile brightly, she then loosens her legs while still having her arms around my neck.

But as for Aletta…

[Aletta] “Jin! What are you saying!? We can’t take Yuina with us, she’s—”

[Jintetsu] “Do you seriously think Yuina won’t follow us once we’re making our way there?”

[Aletta] “W—well, maybe we cou—“

[Jintetsu] “Aletta, Listen! You and I both know how stubborn she gets when she’s like this. So just give up Aletta!”

Aletta gives me a shocked look once I increased the volume of my voice, she then looks down and finally approves on Yuina coming with us.

Making a one final sigh, I told Yuina to let go of me, I then grab 2 thick coats and other winter wears in the bag and threw them towards Yuina and Aletta.

[Jintetsu] “Come on, we don’t know when Jii-san will come back, so we better get going.”

As the two ready themselves, I took a deep breath and put the big lather bag on my back.

The color of white spreads throughout the surrounding area. I could no longer see a single blue color on the sky due to the thick clouds that cover it.

I, along with Yuina and Aletta continue to march on with a slow pace.

We could have gone faster, but since the snow reaches half of our legs, we could barely walk.

We’ve already been here in this mountain for 3 hours now, but we still couldn’t reach the area where the herbs grow.

Since I’ve been here a few times, I’m in the lead while Yuina is in the middle and Aletta is at the back.

But even though I said that I’ve been here a few times, it still doesn’t help due to my vision getting distracted by the snowstorm.

[Jintetsu] “Yuina, Aletta, are you guys doing alright!?”

[Yuina] “We’re fine Jin-kun...but…”

[Jintetsu] “What is it?”

[Aletta] “What do you mean ’What is it?’ why aren’t you wearing anything!?”

[Jintetsu] “Huh?”

Aletta gave me a dumbfounded look, and she’s not the only one who’s giving a concerned look. Yuina is giving me a very worried look as if I’m doing something crazy stupid.

[Jintetsu] “What are you talking about? I’m wearing my usual clothes.”

Why would I be naked in the middle of a mountain? That’s just crazy.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, what we meant is that, why aren’t you wearing any winter clothes?”

[Jintetsu] “Winter clothes? Oh! I guess I didn’t explain it to you guys yet.”

[Aletta] “Explain what?’

[Jintetsu] “The body of an Oni adapts to the cold weather, so even if I wore thin clothes, the cold snow won’t affect me. See?”

I then held out my left arm to show Yuina and Aletta what I’m talking about.

[Yuina & Aletta] ““Huh!?””

The snow that lands on my arm quickly melts away and drops to the ground.

Honestly, I have no idea how that works. But my Obaa-sama said that we were born with it and we can’t switch it ON or OFF, and it’s got nothing to do with Reiki so we don’t need to concentrate to use it.

[Aletta] “So let me get this straight, does that mean you’re very warm right now?”

[Jintetsu] “Hmm…guess so.”

After hearing my words, Yuina and Aletta turn their heads, looking at each other for a few seconds and then look back at me.

I got a weird feeling about this.

[Aletta] “Hold still Jin.”

[Jintetsu] “Eh, why?”

Ignoring my question, Yuina and Aletta came closer to me and then locked their hands around both my arms.

[Jintetsu] “It’s kind of hard to walk like this Aletta.”

[Aletta] “Deal with it, we need your warmth.”

I’m guessing my kindness isn’t needed then.

[Yuina] “You do feel very warm Jin-kun, we really appreciate this.”

[Jintetsu] “Well, if you say so, then I guess this is fine.”

[Aletta] “Wait a minute, why does Yuina get an OK and all I get is a complaint……It’s because Yuina has bigger breasts than I do, isn’t it?”

[Yuina] “A—Aletta, what are you saying!?”

[Aletta] “Your reason of being nice to her because of that, isn’t it?”

This is getting a bit weird.

Though I have to admit, I do feel a bit of soft lumps on my left arm right now. Not going to say that out loud though.

But like I said, I need to change the topic.

[Jintetsu] “Anyway, back when Obaa-sama and I went up here to get that herb, she said they mostly grow in higher places.”

[Aletta] “So we should go higher then?”

[Yuina] “Well, we haven’t found anything remotely close to a plant yet.”

So true, we’ve been here for an hour now and all we see is dried up dead trees or some dead bushes.

Since we decided to go higher, Yuina, Aletta and I made our way upwards while carefully placing our feet on a stable ground.

As we slowly walk higher and higher, we eventually found an area where a few plants grow. I then give Yuina and Aletta some small bags.

[Jintetsu] “Alright, this area looks good.”

[Aletta] “Hey Jin, what does the herb look like?”

[Jintetsu] “Hmm…it…should look…Ah, there you are. It should look something like this.”

I’ve been here with Obaa-sama gathering this specific herb so I’m not mistaken about this.

[Jintetsu] “Splitting up would be more efficient, but…Yuina, you stay with Aletta.”

[Yuina] “A—alright, but are you going to be fine on your own?”

[Jintetsu] “Don’t worry about me. Here, make sure you guys get more, just in case.”

Handing them the sample I found, Aletta decided to search on the other side of the cliff, while I search the opposite side.

Never would have thought that we’d so lucky though, I heard from Obaa-sama that those very herbs are mostly eaten by the animals.

As soon as I turn at the next corner, I instantly find the very herbs we needed.

[Jintetsu] “At this rate, we’ll be able to get more than enough.”

Though I’m happy for an easy find, something about it still bothered me.

Obaa-sama herself told me that the herbs are few and hard to find due to being eaten by animals. So if it were true, then why would the number of the herbs out of the norm?

I’m having mixed feelings about this…

[Yuina] “Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

[Aletta] “Yuina!”

Just as I was about grab the next herb, the two screams echo through the windy snow.

And without thinking anything else, I quickly rush towards Yuina and Aletta.

[Jintetsu] “Yuina! Aletta! What’s wrong!?”

[Aletta] “Jin, it’s Yuina, she fell off the cliff and—”

She what!?

Sh—she fell off…she fell the cliff!?

[Jintetsu] “Yuina!”

My head went blank as soon as I heard those words, and once again without thinking, my body reacts.

To follow Yuina, I jump off the cliff and—

[Jintetsu] “Yuin—ughff…”

My whole body landed on a thick layer of snow.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, are you alright?”

Yuina is kneeling down right next to me without a scratch. She only fell of 10 to 11 feet to a ground full of soft snow.

[Jintetsu] “Aletta, why didn’t you tell me she was fine!?”

[Aletta] “I tried to, but you jumped off without listening to the rest of my explanation!”

Urk~ now that I think about it, I guess I did rush into things, so this is my Bad.

[Jintetsu] “Umm…you’re right, sorry about that.”

After saying my apology to Aletta, I face Yuina and ask…

[Jintetsu] “Yuina, are you hurt anywhere?”

[Yuina] “No, I only sprained my ankle a bit.”

Thinking that she needed to be carried, I walk closer to her. But before I even get to make a single step, I felt something.

I was once told by Obaa-sama that an Oni doesn’t sweat from heat, so even if I sit next to a fireplace with very thick layered clothes, I will not sweat a drop other than working or training.

But right now, I am sweating.

And this isn’t the kind of sweat you get in hot places; after all I’m standing here on a snowstorm while wearing thin clothes.

It’s the kind of sweat that one would get from feeling the sense of fear filling through your whole body.

I wasn’t able to notice due to thinking about Yuina’s well being, but as I slowly turn my head, I notice a giant cave.

And within that cave is the presence that I feel.

Now I know why there are so many herbs growing there.

I was once told by Otoo-san about superior warriors sensing the presence of oncoming enemies and incoming danger.

When Otoo-san told me this, I wished so hard to have the same skill…

But right now, I wish—no, I beg to get rid of this ability at this very moment. Make this presence I feel a lie!

[Aletta] “Jin, what’s the problem!? Is Yuina hurt!?”

I wasn’t able to respond Aletta because of this overwhelming feeling I’m getting, so Aletta spreads her wings, that are growing out from her waist and glides down to us.

But as soon as she step foot in front of me, her body quickly twitches and then freezes in place.

So she could feel it too.

Maybe because of her training with Natsume-san, her senses had gotten sharper.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun? Aletta?”

I guess Yuina can’t feel what Aletta and I are feeling right now. But I guess it’s for the best for her not to know, at least for now.

Though my body continues to tremble, I slow grab Aletta’s wrist and slowly pull her behind me.

And with a whisper…

[Jintetsu] “Aletta, help Yuina get up and we’ll slowly walk out of here.”

[Aletta] “A—alright…”

While Aletta helps Yuina get up, I keep my eyes on the cave.

I can feel it…its stare…

Whatever it is inside the cave, it has its eyes on us.

Just watching…

We need to get out of here safely, but in order to do that; we must not make any sudden movements.

But unfortunately for us, luck isn’t on our side.

The bag full of herbs that Yuina was just carrying is now on the edge of the cliff where she fell from and is now slowly sliding down due to the snow.

I continue to look at the bag, hoping that it wouldn’t fall, but…

THUD!

[???] “ROOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!”

Please, please let this be a bad dream…