946 At the end of the long darkness (IV)

It was the tenth day of the blue moon, when Zei-Sung was twenty-nine and Toor-Sung was ten.

All fate was turned upside down at the usual parents' meeting.

Zei-Sung didn't feel any aura. Anyway, I'm not involved in a parenting meeting, like a branch person. On that day, he confined himself to his house and waited until the next morning for everything to pass without seeing anyone.

However, only one thing happened on this day, something different from the usual year.

The ladies were commanded to cook dinner from high in the sun.

"Today, Asta of Fa's house and the bloody women of Lou will cook a delicious meal for you. Obey the blood of Lou, but only today."

That morning, Yamil Sung, who gathered the people of the branch in front of the main house, said so.

Asta is an exotic man who lives in Fa's house. I heard that the men of the Sun family had made some kind of bad connection, but I had nothing to do with Zei-Sung as to what kind of content it was.

But Thur-Sung is already ten years old. At that age, the Sung family had learned to work hard. In that case, together with the unknown exotic and the enemy Lou's blood clan, Toor-Sung had to do his job.

"... in that case, shouldn't the crowd stand guard?

As Zei-Sung said, Yamil-Sung smiled as cold as a snake.

"If you do that, will it actually stimulate the Lou family? If your family is important, you should try to imitate them."

"No, but...."

"While I'm doing my job, the men over there are in the shrine at the parents' meeting, so there shouldn't be anything dangerous. Asta of Fa's house is a kind young man like the ladies."

"What? Is Asta in Fa's house a crowd even though it's Kamado's turn?

"Yeah, that's right. Wouldn't it suit Fa's house, where the Huntress is the head of the family?

Then Yamil-Sung shook away his supple arms after laughing.

"Come on, it's time to get there. Anyone who doesn't perform his duty, please pull him into his house. If you do anything extra, we'll cut you off later."

The crowd and children under the age of ten dramatically retreated.

Zei-Sung turns back to the next Tur-Sun without releasing himself.

"Hey, it's Tour."

Toor-Sung shrugged his body and lost his sight weakly.

With blunt pain in the back of his chest, Zei-Sung slowly repeats his words.

"Never be alarmed. Everyone in Lou's blood must have a problem with us."

"Uh-huh. Okay....."

With a blurry voice, Toor-Sung lay down.

Zei-Sung can't help but think of putting his hand on his shoulder. Such imitation should have only frightened her.

(What the hell is Yamil-Sung thinking? Besides, calling the Lou's bloody crowd to the settlement... is that Zatsu-Sung's order?

I was separated from my precious Toor-Sung, and Zei-Sung spent his time in agony at home.

Young parents and their youngest sisters, who are ill, are each in their own sleeping quarters. He looked out the hall window, but it seemed that the women of the branch were already headed for the cabin, and no one could see them.

Then, after a while, the front became more noisy.

Zei-Sung, who was waiting silently in the hall, rushed to the window with the momentum of being played.

I saw a lot of people walking sideways in the hall of worship.

The number of hunters is about fifteen, the number of women is about ten - this will undoubtedly be the bloodline of Lou. Originally, there was no reason to bring the crowd to the parents' meeting.

(What mighty hunters... Lou's bloodline has so many hunters)

It was the first time in a few years that Zei-Sung saw him, as he was always confined to his house on the day of the parents' meeting.

And inside, there's a strange person mixed up. I wear clothes around the woods, but I'm a black-haired young man with white hair like a human in town.

That would be an exotic named Asta from Fa's house.

As Yamil-Sung had said, Zei-Sung was able to relieve himself a little by confirming that he had a gentle appearance like the women.

After a little more time, less than ten people approached our house from the main house.

There are three women: Thur-Sung, the partner of the head of the family, and the other branches. Asta of Pharaoh's house, and two women who thought they were the blood of Lou. Everyone is holding a large luggage in their hand. Apparently, it is the math of working in this house's barn.

Zei-Sung was worried about going to see his daughter, but when he remembered Yamil-Sung's words, it didn't work. If something happens because of you, you may be held responsible until Tur-Sung. Only such a situation had to be avoided.

(Even so... what does it mean to have dinner in such a high sun? It won't take long to make up for the parents who gathered at the shrine.)

Zei-Sung thought like this. Too much compassion for my daughter to do this strange deed.

(I'm sure you said it was a delicious cooking experience. What is delicious food? Why should the Sung family have such a thing at their disposal?

It took just a few moments for Zei-Sung to get the answer.

Time passes slowly, and eventually the sun leans west. When the sun completely subsided and the candlestick of the house was lit - finally, Toor-Soon and the parents' partner returned.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Could you call the parents?

They left the house again after placing the wooden planks they were holding in their hands on the edge of the square.

Today's dinner is arranged on a wooden board. The broth was poured into a wooden dish and the meat was grilled on a gonumoki leaf.

Wherever they were headed, Zei-Sung called his parents and younger sister out of bed.

Both names with dead eyes appear silently in the hall. My youngest sister, who was ill, was particularly scarce.

Zei-Sung brings you the wooden planks for dinner.

On the way, I was caught in a mysterious feeling again.

(What is this? Why is the roasted meat so juicy?

The meat on the gonumoki leaves was covered in some soft brown broth.

From there comes a scent of vanilla or vegetables called Myumu, which is sold in the station town. Even the Sung family, which usually desecrated the grace of the forest, were bought such things on the day of the celebration and the parents' meeting.

Regardless, the two wooden boards were brought into the center of the hall, and when Zei-Sung lowered his hips, Toor-Sung and the others returned.

And in his hand is a plank of wood.

"... you've had a lot of dinner today, right?

The parents, who had become very silent, were also uttering a groaning voice.

The parent's partner is somewhat confused and nods, "Yes..."

"However, there are so many different kinds of products that I had to carry them separately..."

"Type...?

When the wooden planks were carried by both hands, the meaning was discovered. There was a pile of meat grilled not covered in broth, as well as unknown things.

"... what do you want to be white and flat?

"This is... poitan."

"Poitan?... Potatoes aren't shaped like that, and if they don't simmer and melt, they won't be able to taste...?

"Yes... this is a melted potato dried and hardened, then melted and baked again with water..."

The parents gave up understanding and took a small breath.

"Well, whatever. I don't know if it's a good meal... but it's none of our business."

The partner sat next to the head of the family, and Thur-Sung sat next to Zei-Sung.

At the same time, Zei-Sung fights. Tur-Sung's smooth cheeks were red as if they had been hit by someone.

"Hey, Tour! What happened to that face?

Soon Toor-Sung would tremble and shrink even more.

Then the parent's partner said, "Ah..."

"The women of another branch flipped the iron pot... and the hot broth fell on Tulle's face and hands..."

Simmered broth? So, did you get burned?... are you okay, Tour?

"Uh-huh... I'm sorry..."

Even in a scene where there is nothing to apologize for, Toor-Soon immediately utters the word.

Sei-soon's gaze turned away from Toor-Soon's body as he felt the pain that hit him deep inside his chest.

(That's what Tour sees when he does something he doesn't know.... what the hell is this dinner?

A wooden plate of brown soup and a thin, slightly moist, thick meat, bony abalone and a whitish, flat, strange thing that seems to be a potato - this seemed like a dinner for one.

Sure, it's not that much. However, I had no idea why the meat grill was divided into three kinds.

"... then, let's eat"

That's what the parents said in a gloomy voice.

Ever since we put ourselves in a code of secrecy, we've stopped using prep language. Zei-Sung also decided to pick up the wooden dishes silently.

It looks like this broth doesn't contain any poitan. It is almost transparent, and the meat and vegetables inside it are clear.

Well, I'm not usually able to buy Poitan at Sung's house, so I'm not familiar with such broth at all - I didn't know why Asta or Lou's blood family at Fa's house prepared such a meal.

(... whether you use the vegetables you bought in town or the grace of the woods, there's no big difference to the gibberish broth)

With that in mind, Zei-Sung rinsed the wooden dishes.

That made me breathtaking.

The taste is completely different.

The fragrance of Gibba doesn't smell at all.

No, it's the smell and taste I've seen, but something is missing.

But I don't feel uncomfortable at all. On the contrary, it was as if only unpleasant flavors and aromas had been scraped off and only pleasant ones remained.

"Eh... what is this...?

My youngest sister, sitting opposite me, opened her eyes in surprise.

What she was talking about was a juicy meat grill.

"Yes, it's what Astas at Fa's house call 'Mummy Baking'."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toor-Sung could no longer speak from himself unless he was summoned by name.

"Ah, carefully chop Aria and Mummu so that they can no longer form, and soak the meat in fruit liquor with it... while they're baking, I'm pouring that juice again."

"Fruit wine...? I wonder if this sweetness is fruit liquor...."

My youngest sister's gaze is wandering with a confused look.

Saying the same thing, Zei-Sung was to share her confusion and consternation.

This is an intense flavor, unlike the broth we just had.

The flavor of Mummu is strong and sweet. Although this flavor would certainly be fruit liquor, it did not lead to such a flavor alone.

And the gibberish is delicious.

I can only say it's delicious. The smell of gibbon meat was also missing, and the taste of meat was still strong.

"Le, it seems that in Lou's house and Fa's house, Gibba is bleeding out. Then the smell of gibberish disappears."

Toor-Sung is repeating himself again.

Those eyes were staring up at Zei-Sung. I would never look at you, but it is rare for you to look at Zei-Sung so clearly.

"Ze... what do you think of Zei father...?

"Well, no matter what you think... this is the first time I've ever said anything like this. Is this a delicious meal...?"

"Hmm... it's amazing...?

Zei-Sung was once again taken by a great surprise.

It has never been possible for Toor-Soon to ask for his consent in this way.

Toor-Sung closed his mouth with a soft look and his eyes fell down sadly.

"Nah, nothing... I'm sorry I said something extra."

"... you don't have to apologize for anything. I think it's amazing, too."

Thur-Sung shivered his body.

Once again, Zei-Sung looks up.

His eyes were as dark as cloudy weather, but he could not seem to hide the sparkle of the sun on the other side.

(Tour... Tour's heart wasn't dead yet)

Zei-Sung was going to bite that feeling.

After that, no matter what dish I ate, I was taken by a big surprise.

◇

It was that night that the house of Sung was brought to ruin.

Awakened to the unexpected noise, Zei-Sung and the others rushed to the main house, where the chiefs were shelled.

It seems that a person from the main house of Sung did evil to Fa's family. The hunters gathered there, not only Fa and Lou, but all the humans were burning their eyes with anger.

-Asta at Fa's house released the word.

"If you want to deny my words, please show me the pantry of this Sun's main house.... that's all I want."

Zei-Sung doesn't know why such a word suddenly popped out.

But it was a blade of sin that could not escape.

The Astars of Fa's house turned their feet toward the pantry, and Zei-Sung followed them silently.

On the spot, it seemed to have all the people in the subdivision.

Along with Zei-Sung, Toor-Sung is also making strides.

It felt like I was dreaming.

But it's not a nightmare.

It has been a nightmare for more than a decade.

Eventually, the pantry doorplate was opened by someone's hand.

The grace of taboo was exposed before all the parents.

At that moment, the Sung family was freed from nightmares.

When she realized it, Zei-Sung was crying.

All men were barking towards heaven.

Toor-Sung was always taken by the Lou ladies and repeated, "I'm sorry..."

The appearance made Zei-Sung shed fresh tears.

(I couldn't protect Tour....)

There was a storm of grief blowing through Zei-Sung's chest.

But nevertheless - the nightmare is over.

The crying eyes of Toor-Sung are resurrected with a human sparkle.

That's why this was an inevitable path.

In order for the Sung family to return to the right path, they had to atone for their sins.

Even if your head is peeled off on this spot, you can live without falsifying yourself until that moment. I had no choice but to think that it was more irreplaceable than living a long time in a nightmare.

But...

◇

However, the sinners of the Sung family were never scalped.

It was the sins of the people of the house who enforced the wrong code, and the people of the branch were forgiven.

Had those who once killed the young men of Zaza lived forever, their sins would not have been forgiven. But the men who did the great sin returned their souls in the past few years.

The sinners of the Sung family burned in deep anger - but the other clans who knew the secrets of the Sung family did not try to kill the people of the branch.

"From now on, as the people of the forest, you will walk the right path. If you don't have that power, the Mother Forest will punish you."

The head of Zaza, who became the new chief, said so.

If the men hadn't left behind the power to hunt guinea pigs, they would have perished in the woods. And the children and the women will starve and return their souls. That was the trial imposed on the humans of the subdivision.

But no matter how harsh the test, it must be happier than living in a nightmare.

All the people of the Sung family were captured as great sinners. Sick Zatsu-Sung was also considered guilty of the same crime as his current chief, Zouro-Sung, and was taken to a settlement in the north.

The nightmare suddenly came to an end.

And Zei-Sung and his people are allowed to live.

Everyone in the branch had a great deal of confusion about the happiness and joy that had descended.

- And there's going to be more confusion.

People with blood ties to other blood tribes were to be taken back by you.

"... in my house, only Tour will have blood connections with other bloodlines."

The day after the parents' meeting, when everything had changed, it seemed like they were still wandering around in their dreams, and the young parents said so.

"I think the mother Tur returned her soul to when she was young was the youngest sister of the Dinh family at the time... but in the past ten years or so, the seat of head of family has been passed down to the eldest brother. This means that Tour is the daughter of the current parent's sister."

Young parents spin their words indifferently.

However, there was a resurgence of human emotion on that side, and Toor-Sung's gaze was gentle. Both the parents' partner and youngest sister are watching Toor-Sung with the same eyes.

In the meantime, Thur-Sung was lying deep next to Zei-Sung.

"If there is such a deep bloodline, Din's parents say he wants to welcome Tour to Din's house. Din's house also seems to be a powerful family, so you may not suffer from hunger there."

…………

"It's hard to break up with the Tour I spent with this year, but I'm sure it's a great offer for you.... I want you to live correctly in Din's house."

Thur-Sung shivered his shoulders.

While staring at the gibbon fur spread on the floor of the hall, he questioned it with a whispering voice.

"Um... well, then, what about Zei father...?

"Zei has welcomed Din's women as his daughters-in-law, but she does not have blood. Both of his parents were Sung's people, and his partner returned his soul nine years ago."

Even if his partner were alive, Zei-Sung would never have been picked up at Din's house. Din's blood has not been shed in this body.

But Zei-Sung was already ready.

Living apart from Thur-Sung is a torment that can cause you to lose half of your body - if that's how Thur-Sun can live happily. The people of Din were supposed to give me what Zei-Sung couldn't give my daughter.

(Besides, I will return my soul within a long distance. For the last decade or so, I've been practicing without sacrifice - yet I've only been against the trapped Gibba. I can't work as a real hunter in this way.)

And Zei-Sung is guilty of severely hurting her daughter's heart.

Such a person could not face his father.

"Din's house should be ready for tomorrow. Until then, you too..."

"... I don't like it," Toor-Sung interrupted his parents.

The parents were like, "Yeah?" and stepped forward.

"Did you just say no? What the hell do you hate about it?

"... I don't want to go to Din's house."

When Toor-Soon raised his face, there was a lot of tears everywhere.

With such a sad look, Zei-Sung loses his words. The parents were also looking amazed.

"No, why? We were allowed to live, but that was until we died in the woods. If you become Din's family, you'll be worried about suffering from hunger."

"But I don't want to! I... I don't want to leave you, Father Zei!

This is the first time Toor-Sung has ever made such a loud voice.

Those blue eyes are wet with tears, hiding their jewel-like sparkles. Like last night, it was a cry that exposed my soul.

"If Father Zei stays in Sung's settlement, I will stay here too! Father Zei is a single family!

"Well, wait, Thur. Your mother's brother and his children are waiting for you at Din's house. A father like me who can't..."

"No!" shouted Tool-Soon into Zei-Soon's chest.

Your little fingertips are trembling indefinitely. Blue eyes wet with tears stared at Zei-Sung from the front for the first time in several years.

"I want to stay with Father Zei... because I will never do anything bad again... don't give up on me..."

Zei-Sung felt as if he had been hit in the head with an invisible fist as he did six years ago.

(So, Thur... wasn't afraid of me... was he just afraid of being evaded by me...?

Zei-Sung was unconsciously embracing the small body of Toor-Sung.

When I squeeze my cheeks on that soft hair, something hot is overflowing from my eyelids.

This was the warmth Zei-Sung had kept away from himself for six years.

With that in mind, Zei-Sung was trying not to scare his daughter - not to hurt her any more - and not to spill a finger on Thur-Sun.

(How stupid was I...)

Slowly hugged Toor-Sung's trembling back.

Thur-Sung cried with a loud voice.

"I'm sorry, Tour... I never hated you... only you meant something to me..."

For a while, only the cry of Toor-Sung echoed in the hall.

When it finally calmed down, a voice containing the laughter of the parents echoed.

"I haven't seen the world decently in the last ten years either. I'm sorry I can't understand how you feel, Tour.... and Zei too."

…………

"I'll talk to Din's parents. I don't know if you'll accept it with my father, Zei... but if that's an unfortunate wish, we'll just have to spend the rest of our lives in this house."

"Yes, now we'll make the right connection with the Tours."

My youngest sister clapped her mouth like that with tears.

"Like my brother, I kept my eyes and ears shut... I didn't know anything about Tour, who I had lived with for ten years. Zei and I used to get along like brothers and sisters."

"I feel the same way. We will finally be able to return to our rightful existence."

With a calm voice, the parent's partner said the same thing.

Then, look back at the parents.

"I want to chew this happiness for as long as a day. Please... do your job with a strong feeling."

"Mm-hmm. You just said a weak thing. You don't want to rot in the woods with me. I want to give joy and hope to my family, even to my father and mother, who gave my soul back in the wrong code."

While listening to the words of such parents, Zei-Sung and Toor-Sung continued to shed tears.

It may have been that moment of the day that Zei-Sung and the others were able to get out of the nightmare in a real sense.

◇

And now.

On the rainy season's red moon, Zei-Din and Tour-Din, who were given Mr. Din's, stood beside each other in the beds of Din's main house.

Listening to the sound of rain hitting the roof, she puts a blanket on her feet and sits on the wall. Dinner had already been served, and the two enjoyed their conversation before going to bed.

Tour-din was twelve years old in the previous tea moon, and Zei-din was thirty-one.

Thour-Din was a long way back, but today he was close to Zei-Din. Thank you, Tour-din, but in the rainy season it's more like asking for his father's warmth.

(Maybe... my soul remembers losing my mother during the rainy season)

With that in mind, Zei-Din was also soothed by the warmth of Tour-Din.

Tur-Din, who held his head to Zey-Din's chest, said enthusiastically earlier.

"... and Odifia was delighted with Watch and Amanda's confectionery. Even though I didn't like it sour and sour as it is, the watch and amansa in the wig are very delicious."

I see. That confectionery was truly brilliant. "

Tour-din smiled happily and rubbed his head on Ze-din's chest.

Though sweet as a toddler, Tour-din has been doing a lot of work here for some time. At the castle town dinner party and the northern settlement harvest festival, he was appointed as a partitioner for the preparation of confectionery, which he did well.

They also deliver confectionery to Odifia once every three days, and cook in northern settlements. As for the stall business, he led the women of Din and Lid, and had been a partitioner for months.

It's only been two years since I left Sun's house, but it's just a terrible growth.

The growth of Tour-Din was the greatest pride for Zeid-Din.

"It's almost rainy season vegetables, so I'll make you some striped confectionery. It's been a year, so I'm really looking forward to it... Let my grey eyes shine like this. I love Odifia's eyes."

The blue eyes of Thur-Din, who spoke like that, shined like a jewel.

It's the same shine as when I was a kid, and it's the shine that once clouded Zei-Din.

I won't make that mistake again.

It was a vow engraved in Zei-Din's heart.

(I will now try to protect Tour's happiness. Until Tour welcomes a fine crowd to his mate... he will survive his happiness without decay into the woods)

Then Tur-Din, who spoke enthusiastically, looked up at Zey-Din strangely.

"What's wrong, Dad Zei? It's kind of like going hunting...."

"No, I was just thinking about your fate."

When Zei-Din laughed, Tour-Din smiled as if the flowers were blooming.

A gentle, soft smile just like her mother.

That smile was the happiness that Zei-Din grabbed at the end of the long darkness.