Volume 1 - CH 9.5

The earth isn’t just a tool for human farmers to use until it breaks. If we try to forcefully damage it without understanding it, our civilization will perish in no time. Just like ancient Mesopotamia.

No matter how far science advances. No matter how the economy develops. If agriculture becomes impossible, humans will starve and die.

“Sure, agriculture damages the soil. But at the same time you can also heal the soil like this. Agriculture is necessary for people to live, so we should respect the soil more.”

“Kosaku.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“…I wanted you to see it. That no matter how sick and tired you are, you will always return back to normal.”

Even though this is the second time she’s asked that question, I answer it honestly this time.

I don’t understand the human heart. So I can’t be confident about saying or doing anything about her. But I thought with agriculture there was something I could do and show her that would convey a message. Did anything get through to her?

“…hey.” Ringo, who had been silently staring at the tomato, turned her face to me and said, “Can I eat this tomato?”

That reaction was completely unexpected.

“That one?”

“Yeah.”

“But, it’s not ripe yet. It’ll taste very bitter…”

“I still want to eat it.”

“It will ripen in another two weeks, so shouldn’t you wait till then?”

“I want to eat it now.”

“You really shouldn’t hurry…”

“I. Want. To. Eat. It.”

I feel like she’s too stubborn to give up. It’s not part of a shipment, so that’s not a problem for us, but is it really ok?

“OK then… here.”

I find a tomato that has grown as much as possible. I pick it, wipe it lightly with my sleeve, and give it to Ringo.

Taking the small green tomato in her hand, she holds it up to the sun as if it were a jewel, and slowly brings it to her mouth. She sinks her teeth into the skin and takes a bite.

And then…

“…bitte…”

…Don’t tell me.

“Oh jeez… that’s why I told you… Come on, spit it out.”

“…good. This is good food.”

“You don’t have to force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing myself.”

“What’s the truth?”

“….it’s bitter.”

What are you doing…?

“But, it’s delicious.”

Saying that, Ringo smiled at me.

Hmm?

“J..just now…”

“You smiled… didn’t you?”

“Ahh…”

Neither I, nor Kei, could believe what we saw. It’s faint, but it was there. Ringo smiled.

“What happened?”

Looking at us, Ringo tilted her head. She didn’t seem to notice it herself. But we saw it. We didn’t miss it. That’s why.

“Kinoshita-san! L..look! Eat this too!”

“Eat this one too! Come on, come on!”

“Eh? But…”

“EAT THIS!”

Minori and Kei pick up a bunch of green tomatoes and try to feed them to Ringo.

“Ko…Kosaku…”

Ringo looks at me with troubled, but of course I’m not going to help her.

“Look at this! Is this one a little red? It’s definitely more delicious than that last one, so come on. Eat up!”

“Don’t hold back now Kinoshita! We aren’t selling it anyways, so eat as many as you like!”

“….bitter….”

Even with tears in her eyes, Ringo continued to eat the green tomatoes that were forced on her. Her face has returned to its usual expression.

The small smile that, can’t even be called a smile, that I saw for just a moment… Maybe it was just a mirage.

It was a phantom smile. Even if I reach out my hand to grab it, it disappears like fog without a trace. But surely it exists somewhere and if we keep walking straight, we’ll eventually find it.

“…I am  so stupid…”

I was sick and tired of my stupidity. Why didn’t I realize this simple thing? What made me think I couldn’t do anything? From the beginning there was only one thing we could do. And yet, without realizing it, I dragged her to a place like this and continued to give speeches that sounded like sermons… that was stupid.

Agriculture exists to make people happy. Just like that when she ate the tomatoes we grew, she smiled and said “It’s delicious!”

But you know Ringo? It can make people hundreds, even thousands of times as happy as that right?

It was us that grew these crops.

There are many moments when I feel happy while farming. When sowing seeds. When they first sprout. You I unfold the little leaves. When the buds swell. When those buds blossom. When I check that the fruit are growing bigger and bigger every morning. When I harvest them and pack them in boxes to be shipped. And of course, when you eat your own crops.

But most of all, what makes me happier than any other moment is when I see the smiles of people who eat what I’ve grown and say it’s delicious. Because of that joy, we can continue farming no matter how painful or sad things are. Because of that joy, no matter what else is happening, we won’t stop farming.

Such a vivid and intense joy will change your life. She doesn’t know that joy yet. She doesn’t know that agriculture can make people hhappier and more self-sufficient, but she will learn it sooner or later. I… we will show you for sure. That’s why…

At that time, I’m sure that you will regain your true smile.