Chapter 280 — Rem IF Ex: Fortune Fish-Head Tree

us hatred because of this day coming closer……]

Then, the person who let out that listless murmur along with a sigh was a boy that had tiredness and insightfulness on his face, unfitting for his age.

He had short, blue hair swaying in the wind, sanpaku eyes to sharply look through the world, and traditional Kararagi Japanese clothes.

It was the Natsuki Rigel, the “Setsubun King”, admired by the people at Kararagi City State’s second town, Banan.

[Rigel: Too disgraceful…….!]

The “Setsubun King” folds his short arms, and he looked up at the sky as if in grief.

The “Setsubun” event that started to root in the town a few years ago changed every, every year, swooping down on him. The continuation of that suffering made him grow, and when he realized it, it even pushed the lone boy up to the “Setsubun King”.

As of now, Rigel was merely walking in the Banan town, and even on days unrelated to Setsubun, he would occasionally have to deal with the shower of beans from kids. It seemed he didn’t understand the point of it. If he overlooked it pleasantly by reasoning that it couldn’t be helped because they were kids, then his father who’d seen it would laugh at him in an extremely pompous way, and he’d feel discomfort.

Anyhow, the “Setsubun” event already became essential at Banan, and to Rigel as well it was――putting his emotions aside, the same could be said for Rigel.

Rigel’s own father was related to why that began, but the biggest reason was because of a family matter――”Setsubun” was an event related to Onis.

Thus, Rigel, who had Oni blood, his beloved younger sister, and also his mother were inseparable.

Therefore, “Setsubun” was an event that involved Rigel, and it was essential to the Natsuki family.

So, Rigel came to accept the bean tossing, being a target, being silent until he was done eating the lucky direction roll Futomaki, and running all over the whole town dressed as an Oni.

However…but…

[Rigel: Can Dad run out of ideas already……]

[Subaru: ――Hey! Rigel! Just how long are you gonna stand there lost in your thoughts!? I’m really counting on your fighting power! Come over here! Help out!!]

It was right after Rigel dropped his shoulders weakly and grumbled like that.

Rigel heard a faraway voice call him, which also sounded quite cornered, and so he reluctantly turned his head.

――His half-naked father was waving his hands frantically around the water of the large Mogolade geyser.

He was completely soaked, his usual upright black hair now clung to his forehead, and it was as if they were taking a bath together. His father threw away his ruined jacket, and while hurriedly bleaching his built upper body, he called out to Rigel and said

[Subaru: A school is coming! What Elder said was right! There won’t be another chance if you let this one go! Rigel! Hurry!]

[Rigel: Fine! I got it, sheesh!]

It would have been better if Rigel just abandoned it regretfully, but he recklessly and violently scratched his head, and he finally ran towards his father.

Rigel went towards the Grand Mogolade Geyser that spouted water while having his head being bathed in the spray of water coming down from the cloudless sky.

――This year’s “Setsubun was somewhat different from the usual.

[Rigel: No wait, being a nuisance to me is the usual!]

[Subaru: Rigel! Rigel-san!? Hurry! Bring out your horn! Grab onto the net! Grab onto it hard and don’t let go!]

[Rigel: Shut up――!!]

Rigel follows his father’s orders, unsure of if he was being serious or not, and when he stood on the deep pool of the grand geyser, he stared at the swirling water, seeing myriad of fish shadows.

[――――]

He grabs tightly onto the edge of the net. Heat gets produced on his forehead. He blanks out for a second, and he felt an excessive amount of exhilaration.

The overflowing power swells up endlessly by taking in the mana in the atmosphere. The short 11 year old Natsuki Rigel had the brute strength of an Oni god inside of him, unfitting of his childishness.

[Rigel: Urwaaaa――!!]

He puts in unfathomable strength into his thin arms, and pulls up the net at once. The net made of thin iron thread fulfilled its role of not being torn down by oni strength.

[Subaru: There it is! Rigel did it! We won’t lose either! Everyone, give it all you’ve got and pull――!!]

[Everyone: Heeaaaaaaaaaveee hoooooooooooo!!]

The father continues after Rigel, who became the previous counterattack――no, it wasn’t just his father.

All the people of Banan he brought along ran up to the net at once, and each of them pulled up the net with their entire soul. He turned his head towards the outside of the net to make sure the fish shadows didn’t escape, but they were already in the middle of a devilish strategy. They couldn’t escape. They wouldn’t let them.

[Subaru: You guys……behave, and become sacrifices for “Setsubuuun”!!]

They were comrades having unwanted suffering forced upon them by “Setsubun”.

They didn’t understand the other people’s―the adults’ feelings. However, at the very least…

――At the very least, I’ll sympathize with you guys from the bottom of my heart, and I’ll take you with me!

[Subaru: Uwoahhhhhh――!!]

He bites his molars, each of them fighting for their lives, putting in absolutely all of his strength.

His palm that grasped the net was hot. He didn’t know if the drops of water from his forehead were sweat, or if they were drops of water from the grand geyser.

The only thing he thought of was him not letting go of his grip.

――To understand why it became like this again, we’ll have to backtrack a few days.

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It was early afternoon of a day off. The father and son entered the same kotatsu, faced each other, and began having a pleasant interaction.

Neither of them had school or work, and it was a rare day when they had no plans. They spent their time leisurely in the kotatsu since morning, had the same old conversation of “How’s school?” “Nothing new”. Having these kind of days every now and then――what a time of negligence it was.

[Subaru: Ah, Rigel-kun. It’s gonna be that day soon. What do you think about that? Hm?]

[Rigel: Go catch a cold.]

[Subaru: That’s a roundabout way of being offensive, oi.]

The person who responded to those words by curling his lips unhappily was this man that saw his eyes that looked exactly like Rigel’s everyday in the mirror.

He had short, black hair, unusual black eyes, and he was the center pillar of Natsuki, Rigel’s family name. He was Natsuki Subaru, Rigel’s father.

He should almost be turning 30, so to the best of Rigel’s knowledge, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have things like suitable composure and dignity as an adult. However, his father――as for Subaru, he didn’t really seem to be that way, and he had composure that might make you think he’d be 5-6, or even younger than that, perhaps being related to emotional matters, or his everyday behavior.

Incidentally, currently in the Natsuki Family there was Spica who was having special education for the gifted as the youngest child, and things like dirty words and offensive words were forbidden for the sake of her emotional development. Thus, it was necessary for him to pick expressions that would soften the abuse of his father down to things like “Go catch a cold”, while still carrying what he intended.

But, Subaru was not discouraged at all by Rigel’s original complaints, and he said

[Subaru: Well, it’s not like I don’t understand your feelings, either. I’ve also reflected on this year. ――There’s no way you’ll be hit with more beans during Setsubun than the amount of beans used at Banan in a month.]

[Rigel: Last year I didn’t think I’d hover between life and death because of something like beans. I’ve seen it for a while in my dreams, and even now I make noise while having nightmares.]

[Subaru: But don’t worry. The number of Onis has increased even more this year, and it’s been converted into a plan to distribute and reduce the burden on your shoulders. Nothing similar to what happened last year will happen again!]

[Rigel: Stop building a unit with me in the center without warning!]

In response to Subaru’s words, him acting like he cared but not actually caring at all, Rigel hit the kotatsu, and he raised his voice. However, he was relatively quick to feel like he was probably wasting his breath, which is what he started to feel in particular a few days after last year’s Setsubun.

Anyhow, everywhere he went, every man he met, and finally, even any infant would know about Rigel’s achievements. If the townspeople whose faces and names didn’t match continued to call out to Rigel by saying “Looking forward to next year as well!”, he wouldn’t have something like a way to escape, as he was timid.

[Rigel: The kneading from last time wasn’t good enough too. Also, about the decorative club, were the thorns filled with cotton properly? It’s not like I’m going to hit people, but if by some chance I hit them, there’s a good chance the event can get canceled…….]

[Subaru: Considering how you’re saying this and that, and how you handle things positively, I feel like I’ve raised you well. That’s a relief.]

[Rigel: What are you saying!? Also, isn’t the first time you said that when you started getting everyone involved!? And putting my right to complain to you aside, don’t you feel bad about disturbing the people who are mere participants!?]

[Subaru: Seems like you’re kinda getting old already…….]

Rigel sighed without saying anything at Subaru’s unreasonable thoughts.

Subaru’s words being incomprehensible was also just the usual. Trying to understand all of them little by little would just tire him out. Unlike Rigel’s mother, he gave up on trying to understand his father ever since he had an umbilical cord.

[Rigel: So, is it safe to say that you wanted to talk about “Setsubun”? I’ll have you know that the size of last year’s Oni pants and vest won’t fit me. I’m growing.]

[Subaru: Well, compared to last year you have grown 5 centimeters, after all. It makes me feel good too seeing the height marker starting to get higher at a quick pace. However, I’ve also had my growth halted temporarily, and there was a lot of time until the next big result. Look at it in a long term point of view.]

Subaru laughs, and he reached out for Rigel’s head, who was at the opposite side of the kotatsu. He was probably trying to pat it, but he couldn’t reach it because of his laziness of not coming out of the kotatsu. It couldn’t be helped. Rigel brought out his head, and it got pat. It tickled.

[Subaru: Anyhow, don’t worry about the Oni pants. Rem will proceed to secretly work on that. The outfit that is remade every year for your growth……I thought to put visible decorations for the people that come to the ceremony when you get married, but what do you think?]

[Rigel: Go catch a cold.]

While getting his head pat, Rigel wished relatively seriously for a cold that would make his dad breathe painfully. Subaru continues with a “And then you see”, as he accepts that with a wry smile and says

[Subaru: Yes Oni pants are important too, but the “Bean Tossing Event” committee are the ones that pursue that issue, so we have to groan “Uh-huh” by ourselves. Apart from that]

[Rigel: Wait wait wait wait, you mentioned the name of a committee I’m unfamiliar with!]

[Subaru: Apart from that, what’s important is the upcoming new experiment for “Setsubun”. Bean tossing is easy with ehomaki, but we have to cultivate the unknown that to avoid getting tired of it. The times always walk fast. If you cling onto the past, you’ll get left behind.]

[Rigel: Catch it…….! Go…catch a…cold…….!]

The voice that sincerely made a wish didn’t even reach his father in front of him, and it got repelled.

Rigel hanged his head heartbroken in response to that reality. Subaru nods at his son’s situation, listens, and he leaned forward as if telling him to be surprised.

[Subaru: I wracked my brain, and I worked out what the Setsubun event left behind. With that being said, in addition to the bean tossing, let’s put that thing into practice too this year.]

[Rigel: …….What kind of strange festival will it be this year?]

[Subaru: Don’t call it a strange festival. Strange festival……..is what I want to call it, but I’m ready for that type of slander towards this event too………]

In response to Subaru’s way of speaking, him being gloomy, Rigel had the chills run through his back.

From an outsider’s point of view, it wouldn’t be strange for them to think of things like festivals to scatter beans and hit Onis, events in which people would stay silent, eating futomaki while facing the lucky direction, all as a strange festival, even if they seemed like a family gone mad. However, with the way Subaru put it, maybe they seemed like something more than that.

[Rigel: N―noo! You’re just gonna end up making me suffer again anyway! Right? Isn’t that right!?]

[Subaru: Why have you become a child that doubts……..just what changed you?]

[Rigel: 90% of it was because of Dad, and 10% of it is because of Mom!]

[Subaru: …….Hehe, for you to understand the influence of your parents at that age, you’re amazing, eh. To be frank, I’ve truly recognized that ever since you were born.

[Rigel: Why are you flattering me with a distant look, I’m angry, you know!?]

He rubs the bottom of his nose, and Rigel was seriously appalled at Subaru, who seemed to be satisfied in a way. However, Subaru waved his hands with a “Calm down calm down”, and he said

[Subaru: Stop, since the conversation won’t get anywhere. Allow me to announce what we’ll be doing in this year’s Setsubun.]

[Rigel: What about the next Oni pants…….]

[Subaru: No need to worry, since they’re ones that won’t hurt your heart or body. ――A new custom will be added to the Natsuki family, starting with this year’s Setsubun!]

He claps once, and meanwhile, Subaru hit the table with his fingers with fast rhythm. When he urged him with his eyes to imply that he was taking too long with his introduction, his father said “Tada!” to create an opportunity for himself, and he said――

[Subaru: ――We’ll be doing Hiiragi Iwashi!1]

Then, he said that.

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[Rem: So, what type of event is this “Hiiragi Iwashi”, Subaru-kun?]

A few minutes after the awfully grand announcement, a woman came from the kitchen and returned to the living room――it was a person with long, blue hair, and beautiful, soft looks. She wore a kimono, had a lovely, black haired baby held in her breasts, and she was next to Subaru in the kotatsu.

Needless to say, it was Rigel’s mother, and Subaru’s wife, Natsuki Rem.

Rem had been cleaning up the lunch in the kitchen, and while caressing her daughter――while caressing Spica so that she wouldn’t wake up, as she was full and was taking a nap, she tilted her head in a lovely way.

She was listening to the father and the child’s conversation, but it seemed like it was also her first time hearing about the “Hiiragi Iwashi” that Subaru brought up. It wasn’t like the Natsuki married couple to talk about basically anything.

[Subaru: You listened well, Rem. “Hiiragi Iwashi” is the third Setsubun plan to go with the bean tossing and ehomaki. I can’t deny that it feels a little plain and minor compared to previous ones, but for that, it seems like there’s some real, well, things like blessings, so it’s recommended for religious people.]

[Rem: I see, as expected of Subaru-kun. Woman and the elderly certainly do expect participating in the events like bean tossing and ehomaki to be difficult. It’s not easy to clean up the beans and eating all of the futomaki……..you have an eagle eye!]

[Subaru: Ah, yeah. Now that you say it, that is true. …….Ahh, that’s right. That’s exactly the eye I was aiming for!]

[Rem: Yes! So, what is “Hiiragi Iwashi”? What type of suffering will you put Rigel through?]

[Rigel: With this, I feel like making Mom catch a cold now too……..!]

In response to Rem’s words that linked “Setsubun”, “Rigel”, and “Harm” with an equal sign, Rigel held his head with his hands and lamented himself. However, Subaru swung his raised finger back and forth, saying “Tut-tut-tut” at Rem’s words, and also said

[Subaru: Rem, don’t jump to conclusions like Rigel. Zero harm will be done to Rigel this time. “Hiiragi Iwashi” is simple, quick work, after all. Don’t worry.]

[Rem: I―I see. ……Yes, I understand.]

[Rigel: Why do you seem a little sad? Hey, Mom, Mom?]

[Rem: Just kidding. Please don’t take things so seriously, Rigel.]

His mom’s despondent look restored to her usual one, and Rigel made an indescribable profound look at her. Subaru responds to the interaction between the mom and child by clapping his hands as he said “Okay okay, attention please”.

[Subaru: It’s bad of the Natsuki family to get off track so easily. So, let’s reflect and do this again. About the essential “Hiiragi Iwashi”, it’s something that’s even simpler than things like bean tossing. It’s a custom where you impale the head of a fried sardine onto a Hiiragi twig, placing it at the front door. Easy peasy, right?]

[Rem: Iwashi?]

[Rigel: Hiiragi?]

Rem and Rigel tilt their heads, respectively, at Subaru, who gave an explanation with pride.

The “Iwashi” and “Hiiragi” words Subaru said were both unfamiliar vocabulary to them. The original name was “Hiiragi Iwashi”, so he thought it’d be simple.

Subaru puts aside convincing Rigel for now, and he folded his arms as he nodded saying “I get it”.

[Subaru: If this was the old me, I would’ve said some foolish remark like “D―damn it! People don’t get Hiiragi and Iwashi here too!”, but that’s no good. I’m learning, too. I’ve anticipated it not getting through. So, let me simplify it. Hiiragi is a tree, and Iwashi is fish. In other words, it’s a custom where you impale grilled fish onto a tree’s twig!]

[Rem: Grilled fish…onto a tree’s twig……why do that?]

[Subaru: To be honest, I really have no idea……this event is left at the edge of my sea of knowledge, but it’s about enough bean knowledge to make me want to praise myself……]

[Rem: I see. Bean knowledge just for Setsubun…….Subaru-kun, well done!]

[Subaru: That wasn’t what I was aiming at just now!]

To the side of Subaru getting hurt by Rem’s assistance, her being innocent, Rigel puzzled as he said “Hmmm”.

An event where you impale grilled fish onto a tree twig――out of all the strange festivals that have happened, it certainly did surpass them in eccentricity, but it’s an event that didn’t require any particularly active activities. He nods, as there was no need for Rigel to be harmed.

[Rigel: But……]

[Subaru: And then Rigel felt like just a little something was missing…..]

[Rigel: Don’t start a weird monologue! That’s not it! I thought your quietness was off, since you’re Dad, but those are two different things. Bring it on. I’ll impale a fish on a twig. Let’s get this over with.]

[Subaru: Ohh, positive, aren’t you. You’ve finally come to accept that “Setsubun” is a custom imperative to the Natsuki family. …….I have nothing more to teach you.]

[Rigel: Yeah yeah, I’m thankful I’m thankful. So? What do we have to do?]

[Subaru: Well, hold on. I may look like this, but I am the boss of this “Banan Culture Promotion Committee”. We’ve went through a lot of work since last year, and the preparations have been made.]

Subaru smiles in a way that suggested he was going “Heh heh”. Rigel responds to that behavior by letting out a “Really?”, seeming to be impressed.

The “Banan Culture Promotion Committee” was a group of people that would spend useless efforts day and night to introduce the many new strange festivals that Subaru proposed for whatever reason as culture, spreading them throughout not only Kararagi, but throughout the rest of the world as well.

For some reason it was surprisingly popular, and the amount of promotion committee people was increasing beyond Rigel’s expectations, but him breaking because of that was another story.

Anyhow, should there be people cooperating with the “Banan Culture Promotion Commitee”, maybe he really wouldn’t need the few helpers from his family, Rigel and Rem. Whether it be for preparations or events, help would be essential to all of it.

Last year’s bean tossing event that used the town only happened because of working together with the people around, too.

[Subaru: And so, ever since last year, I’ve been absorbed in watching for an opportunity, and looking for fish and trees similar to Iwashi and Hiiragi. Although it’s difficult to look for things that are exactly the same, it would be sincere to the custom if the things are as similar to them as possible. Having the effect change, and having the celebration turn into a curse would be problematic, after all.]

[Rem: So, based off the flow of the conversation, you’ve found fish and trees, right?]

[Subaru: Exactly. They’re all fish nearby…….also, it’s a place where they’re easy to catch.]

Then, Subaru put his hands around the bottom of his back, as he got out of the kotatsu, and he slowly brought out something that was put on his trousers. He spread it out on top of the kotatsu.

It was a map. The map that had the Kararagi City State drawn on it had moderate precision, though it was off-putting with its handwriting, and it had “Natsuki Subaru” signed at the bottom right.

After that, he thrust his finger at the middle of the map and said――

[Subaru: We’ll be going to the Grand Mogolade geyser. This is where the fish surge in schools. Plus, when they try to burst out, they’re the size of the Cragrel Moving Forest. Believe in the seniors, spread the roots here, and net a hall of fish. ――That’ll be the mission of the Natsuki family.]

[Rigel: Don’t just involve us like it’s nothing!!]

[Rem: Ah! Rigel, you can’t! Spica is going to wake…….ah, ahhh.]

[Spica: Waaaaaaaaa!!]

Rigel yells in response to Subaru’s declaration, him looking proud, and Rem was already too late to panic about that voice, as Spica’s crying resounded powerfully, having been woken up forcefully.

――That was the “Fish Head Tree Strategy” prologue.

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――Let’s talk about the Grand Mogolade Geyser.

The Grand Mogolade Geyser isn’t at all related to “The inner sea of the planet. The platform of the watchtower. From the edge of paradise…”2 but it’s a place in the Kararagi City State country with an extremely favorable environment.

What stood out about the Kararagi City State’s climate was the deserts that were generally dotted around the country, and the abundance of arid regions that were scarce by nature, though you couldn’t go as far as to say those regions were deserts.――Basically, unlike the Kingdom of Lugnica abound with nature and the Vollachia Empire, it was a country with a harsh natural environment, although the type of harshness was different than what the Holy Kingdom of Gusteko covered in perpetual snow had.

Therefore, before Kararagi settled as a single country, each of the small countries competed with each other, scrambling for fertile land. A single hero brought them together, but that didn’t mean the natural environment would have any dramatic improvement.

Things were the same. The land was still harsh, and it was still an environment where not everything was rich in this rich land. People could only look for some way to manage living.

As a result of being in an unreliable natural environment, the way of life chosen for Kararagi City State was promoting business activity all over the country――this was how Kararagi City State became specialized in trade.

Alright, let’s go back to talking about the Grand Monoglade Geyser.

The Grand Monoglade Geyser surrounding area in Kararagi City State has already been described as having a special environment, but to say what exactly would be special about it, it would be that this is the only area with fixed, periodic rain. ――The intervals were also definitely fixed.

That was the only very big thing in the country Kararagi.

The Grand Mogolade Geyser did seem to be a huge lake. However, that entity was not something like a lake, but a large hole that was deep, so deep in the earth that it was empty until it penetrated the “bottom”, and the water that filled that hole would lead to the “Great Waterfall”.

And the arising water spouted out towards the sky at fixed intervals in the Great Geyser, tossing dozens of, sometimes several hundreds of kilometers of rain. Thanks to that blessing, a nature unexpected of Kararagi burgeoned around the Grand Monoglade Geyser, and it was treasured.

You could say that the towns like the fourth city “Fusumi” near the Grand Monoglade Geyser were the ones that benefited from that blessing the most.

And now, the “Banan Culture Promotion Committee” that Subaru ran received backup from the head of the Fusumi city, and they took the challenge of an “Iwashi Gathering Mission” at the Grand Monoglade Geyser.

On the other side of that cooperation, in recent years, there was a rumor that said there has been secret strife in getting Fusumi involved with the Banan activities that conspicuously raised the event related achievements in the whole city. However, this haggling was between the higher-ups, and neither Rigel, a child, nor Subaru, an adult, had heard about it.

It was long, but this was the beginning――it was the outline of the “Banan Culture Promotion Commitee”‘s fight below Rigel, who struggled at the Grand Mogolade Geyser.

――In other words, the story will resume from here.

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[Rigel: Ahhhhhhh――!!]

He throws the net at the Grand Mogolade Geyser, grabs onto it, having succeeded at catching a large amount of shadows of fish, and Rigel roared with everything he had, having unleashed his Oni strength.

It was long, way too long of a fight. After Rigel grabbed the net, he felt like a lot of time passed since he came here, but he didn’t have any time to think about useless things, as he twisted desperately.

He went fishing with Subaru before.

It wasn’t that Subaru and Rigel were particularly interested in fishing, but Rigel brought Subaru along, as he was whiny about wanting to do parent and child sort of things, so he guided him reluctantly to the rumored pond at school.

Rigel ended up having a showdown with the chief that was there for some reason, and he spent no less than 2 hours with it as it tried to snatch the bait. He didn’t underestimate fish. Their survival instincts lit up even more than Rigel and Subaru, whose bodies were, incidentally, several times larger than theirs.

It was the same as the silver fish trapped inside this net――no, they of course couldn’t be compared individually to that chief, but the amount was too different.

The shadows of fish, a hundred, twice that, or even more sparkling lives had tremendous power, absolutely not a step less than that of the oni grating his molars.

[Subaru: Hang in there! Hang in there, everyone――!!]

[Adults: Heave-ho! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!]

And behind Rigel, him being desperately determined, there was Subaru, pulling onto the edge of the net like he was, and the promotion committee that came along. Not knowing if their yells were serious or not was the one thing that hurt Rigel’s concentration.

――Your postures are already bad. Drop your hips more. Ahh, but Liggins-san has back pain, so he can’t strain it. Wait, why even come? Get some rest at home.

[Liggins: You guys, just faking it won’t cut it.]

[Adults: Li―Liggins-san…….!]

[Liggins: Hehe, we’ve still got more to show…….Gwaaaa! My baaack!!]

[Adults: Ligins-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!]

He gives a refined smile, and the moment Liggins changed his posture, he collapsed and withdrew from the front.

This basically happened because of the defeat of getting old.

Most of the promotion committee members were old people that wanted to strengthen the bonds in the area, connecting with youth through events.

Young members were chosen as carefully as possible, and the average age was around 60.

And well, at this battlefield where they were fighting violently for each of their lives, the people were half dead.

[Subaru: No! You can’t push yourself more than this! Elder! Take the casualties and fall back! People will die at this rate!]

Subaru takes into account the grimness of the situation, and he fires off his voice as if he made a tough decision.

If the wounded weren’t going to die, then it would be better and necessary to save them, rather than having them die. Casualties were kept away, but even then, two people were needed. In other words, if one person collapsed, a downward spiral of two helpers falling out would develop, and the front would finally collapse completely.

Now, there was only Subaru and Rigel, safely grabbing on the net, as well as three old people.

[Subaru: Di―didn’t think that it’d come down to a battle like this…….my bad, Rigel. I wasn’t thorough at all with my judgement. I even got Elder involved……]

[Chamov: There’s nothing to worry about. We’ve known each other for a long time, and I knew that a time like this would pop up.]

The person that shook his head at Subaru’ murmuring, him being bitter, was a senior that had his white fur wet with water, and yet still maintained his charm――it was the puppy person Chamov-san.

The senior Chamov, who traveled the world and boasted about having conquered the 7 deserts, was the one who provided the information about the wanted schools of fish that passed through the Grand Monoglade Geyser.

He had that responsibility for the information, and he was also participating in the fishing, but――

[Chamov: But, what’s regretful is that……I won’t…be able to be with you guys until…the…end……..]

[Subaru: El―Elder? Elder――!]

Subaru looks back, and he was greatly surprised at Chamov, who he called out to. Rigel also looks back, getting lured by the sound, and he had no words for Chamov, who was no longer in sight.

The puppy person Chamov was only 50 centimeters tall, which meant he was the same size as the waves that were caused by the raging fish in the midst of the Grand Monoglade Geyser battle――just how many times has he stayed with them until the end, even after being washed away?

His diligent resistance and his toughness of not making himself noticeable to the others until this moment symbolized his hard-boiled way of living that didn’t match his appearance.

[Chamov: I―I can’t go on……]

Elder――he was a friend, and a person that visited their home many times

Rigel sees that Chamov had withdrawn from the front, and he quickly starts to lose strength. The horn on his forehead loses its light, and the boy’s body turns into one of a mere 11 year old boy.

That was also of course him raising a white flag to the sparkling of the fishes’ lives.

[Subaru: ――Rigel, it’s fine. Withdraw.]

[Rigel: ……Dad?]

When he sought to let go of the net, Subaru said that to Rigel, being right behind him. That voice’s tone catches his attention, and his hands that tried to let go for a second were hesitant.

When Rigel looked back, he saw Subaru having the net tied to his wrist, even while being soaked, and he nodded at him, not letting go no matter what.

[Subaru: I have responsibility. So, I’ll stay here until the end. Go back. Go back, and take those people collapsing over there with you.]

[Rigel: Bu―but………you can’t do it! Give it up! Let’s replace the net later!]

[Subaru: It’s not like I’m holding out because I care about the wickerwork. I told you, didn’t I? I have a responsibility. It might be a little embarrassing to the “Banan Culture Promotion Committee” and you, but this is also a part of my job. ――As if a parent would screw up a job in front of his kid.]

[Rigel: ――――]

Rigel could not respond to that assertion.

His enthusiasm was excellent. So excellent that he lost the will to snap at him.

However, he had no chance. Could Subaru do something about the failure that happened even with all those people pulling, not even having Rigel, who for some reason was the main force?

It was impossible. This battle was already――

[Subaru: Also, you’re not taking someone seriously.]

[Rigel: Dad……you mean daddy?]

[Subaru: Even if you aren’t taking me seriously, I’m a hopeless adult, so that’d be fine. But, the one you aren’t taking seriously isn’t me. ……It’s Rem.]

[Rigel: Mom?]

Rigel was stumped with why Rem’s name came in this situation.

Rem hasn’t participated in fishing with the Grand Mogolade Geyser as a stage, something you’d also understand if you followed the battle up to here. Of course, she came with him to Fusumi, which was called a family trip, but it was not fishing that had the possibility of danger; it was like Rem and Spica were sightseeing, participating from the “Cragrel Living Forest” by tearing off twigs.

[Rem: Spica and I will be taking our time, so Subaru-kun and Rigel, please be careful not to skin your knees.]

They each swore to do their best, which was a bit of a calm interaction, but considering that conversation, the mom and the younger sister not being here was a self-evident truth.

Therefore, Rigel could not see Subaru’s words as anything but preposterous nonsense, but――

[Rem: ――Subaru-kun, you understand me as well as always. I’m blushing.]

[Rigel: ――!]

That voice made Rigel jump, who was trying to make Subaru give up in one way or another. It was a voice that shouldn’t have been heard, a being that shouldn’t have been here, and yet they calmly appeared.

It was a women with long blue hair put together simply, and she stood alongside Subaru, pulling onto the thread connected to the net so that the sleeves of her kimono didn’t get in the way――it was Rem.

Rigel was dumbfounded by that entry, but Subaru immediately gave a broad grin and said

[Subaru: Sorry, Rem. We’re in a pinch.]

[Rem: Yes. It’s always like this whenever I take my eyes off of Subaru-kun. Just another reason why I can’t take my eyes off of Subaru-kun.]

[Subaru: Your love is heavy! But, that helps.]

The married couple grab onto the net together, and Rem puts strength into her shoulders, her lips closed tightly. Just from that, the net’s force that lost to the fish pulled the fish towards them splendidly.

However, even then, they were still outnumbered. Even with Rigel, that inferiority in numbers wouldn’t be overturned. They were already at an unmanageable difference in fighting power from the beginning. Even if a miracle happened when Mom joined here, this battle would――

[Rem: Rigel, hold onto this rope, and stand still please.]

[Rigel: Eh?]

[Rem: Meanwhile, Subaru-kun and I…….Dad and Mom will hold up the net with the two of us, and hope that Rigel won’t miss an opportunity. ――It’s a chance for Onii-chan to show his cool side to Spica.]

Without being able to hide his confusion, Rigel did just what Rem said. He did not pull onto the net; he held onto the rope connected to the net, and he looked around the area restlessly.

What in the world did chance and opportunity indicate?

[Chamov: This is a man’s opportunity. We won’t be defeated.]

[Rigel: El―Elder……!]

[Ligins: We’re here too……!]

[Rigel: Ligins-san! And the other bunch!]

Once again, the assembled comrades grab onto the net simultaneously to wipe away that uneasiness of Rigel, as he was worrying about his parents’ limits, and they put in their strength. Even if they were described as half dead people, if they were half alive, then there was meaning in bundling their power. Now was that time to do it.

[Adults: Heave-ho! Heave-ho!]

[Adults: Heave-ho! Heave-ho!}

Rigel frantically opens his eyes while having his concentration disturbed by their yelling. He gets lost in the loud adults’ voices, and he feels something――yes, he feels something like tremor.

Perhaps it was an omen of the Grand Monoglade eruption, when the water would spew out. ――No, that wasn’t it. The tremor was not inside of the grand geyser, it came from outside and it was coming towards them.

That was――

[Rigel: Th―the Cragrel Moving Forest…….!]

It was the Cragel Moving Forest that moved, seeking water.――It was a quake. Clouds of dust rose into the air, and as for what was approaching, it was a march of green that was passing right next to the grand geyser.

Rigel belatedly determined what he’d aim for upon seeing the front―that large tree advancing at the very front.

[Rem: Rigel, now!]

In response to his mother’s yell, Rigel used the tip of the rope as a loop and threw it without question.

That loop entangles the tree’s thick branch, and the net pulls it.

――The sparkling of the fishes’ lives suffered defeat in front of Mother Nature.

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

――Let’s talk about the Cragrel Moving Forest.

The inner sea of the planet, etc…

The Cragrel Moving Forest is special nature that produced the Kararagi City State’s harsh environment, as well as the river source that is Grand Mogolade Geyser――it’s the name of the many trees whose roots don’t stick to the ground.

It’s already been explained how the water that spews out from the Grand Monoglade Geyser acts as a source of river around this area, but the water that spews out at fixed intervals doesn’t always rain on the land.

The wind has a particularly big effect, and the lands’ respective precipitation becomes sparse because of the season’s wind direction. Apart from that, the living things that were managing were people and animals, but the plants that relied on water could not do that. Naturally, the Grand Mogolade Geyser’s water was a lifeline to them, as they were things that would have no choice but to wither if water wasn’t thorough.

Having said that, plants weren’t things that could make direct appeals, as they didn’t have mouths. Therefore, as a result of the influence from not knowing what to do to survive, the trees went through evolution.

It was them saying “If the land lacks water, then why not just walk to a place with water?”.

And thus, the moving forest that was born――The lively trees that were called “Cragrel Moving Forest”, picking up the name from the humans that first discovered it, were in the middle of the Magolya Plateau that had the Grand Mogolade Geyser water rain on it, and they continued to move all year round without rest.

The moving forest’s trees’ wood were known to be of very fine quality, perhaps because of how they were full of vitality, but they wouldn’t stay in one place, so it was difficult for them to gather. To make matters worse, if you stood in their route, you’d get run over recklessly, so they were famous as forestry that put lives at risk.

That special characteristic of the moving forest worked as a plus, just for this one time.

That was when they did something with the force of nature, given that they couldn’t win with human power.

[Rem: The moving forest was going for the grand geyser, so it seemed that I could take my time to join Subaru-kun and the others. That’s what I said at the start.]

[Subaru: Then, if Rem sees withdrawn people collapsed at the base camp, she’ll do something about it, having noticed it…..actually, that’s the truth of my strategy, eh.]

[Rigel: Strategy? How is that a strategy? It’s a German hold of relying on Mom!]

[Subaru: Don’t put it that way. Well, this is love winning in the end.]

[Rem: Subaru-kun…..]

[Rigel: That was a good line!? Mom spoils you too much!]

They raised a big catch flag, and the group went back home.

The soaked family talked about this time’s cause of victory on the way back, but the one who wasn’t quite satisfied with that explanation was Rigel, who wasn’t overcoming it.

Rem’s participation and pulling the Cragrel Moving Forest with a net brought them success, and the large amount of fish that were in the great geyser was pulled out splendidly(Subaru called them pseudo-Iwashi).

Actually, after that, the dashing moving forest took away the fish with the net, and there was an act of them chasing the moving forest to get back the net back, but that was left out.

Anyhow, they obtained the fish safely, and they replaced Hiiragi successfully by cutting down one of the moving forests, so enough of that was secured.

With this, the preparations for “Hiiragi Iwashi” that Subaru talked about were complete.

[Rigel: That was a lot tougher than stuff like bean tossing and Ehomaki. We went far too, plus I’m tired.]

[Subaru: Yeah, people like Elder were about to die, after all. You shouldn’t do things you aren’t used to.]

[Rigel: You said it, I’ve had enough of that. I definitely won’t do things like that again.]

Rigel sighs, and Subaru smiles wryly at him, agreeing with his feelings.

Although, the two of them saw Chamov chewing on a sweet leaf carefully.

Even though it was a lot of work, fortunately there were no casualties, and there was no damage. They were all somehow intoxicated by the atmosphere, but their injured backs were also recovering through Rem’s healing magic.

Like that, everyone triumphantly returned to Fusumi, and they should’ve been talking about distributing things like the fish and the wood now, but――

[Subaru: That’s out of my control. Let’s share the hardships of this trip as a family.]

[Rem: Yes, the best part of the trip.]

[Rigel: The best part of the trip is sharing hardship………?]

While experiencing a slight feeling of a common sense crisis, Rigel gets mad as he cuddled his beloved sister, his reward for returning from the jaws of death.

Spica was one year old, and recently, she’s been frequently standing up and trying to walk on her own. She was an angel that also called Rigel “Nii-ni” on very rare occasions.

[Rigel: Her first calling me Nii-ni will be my lifetime treasure.]

[Subaru: You are an extreme siscon……]

[Rigel: Uh-oh, kinda seems like you’re saying Daddyy after Nii-ni and Mommyy, Spica. The grumbling of a loser does make me feel good. Hahaha.]

[Subaru: Grrrr……..]

[Rem: Calm down, Subaru-kun. You have to let Rigel feel superiority sometimes too. Also, Subaru-kun is my number one.]

[Rigel: Spoiling him again……]

Rem kindly comforts Subaru, who was depressed. Rigel pouts in a displeased way at that usual interaction. Then, seeing that, Rem let out a little laugh.

[Subaru: Oh, what happened, Rem?]

[Rem: No, it’s just…we’re always together wherever we go…….that made me a little happy, and I thought it was funny.]

[Subaru: ……I see I see. If you thought of it that way, then it was right to have you on the family trip. Well, forgive me for having it kinda feel like bringing my family come on a company trip.]

Subaru seeing Rem put her hand on her mouth smiling happily makes him also smile again. Seeing that smile makes Rigel feel like he somehow saw through Dad’s expectations.

They went far to prepare for the new celebration of “Setsubun”.

Of course, they really were necessary procedures needed to celebrate “Hiiragi Iwashi”. That’s why fish, wood, and twigs should have all worked as alternatives.

So, as for why they still had plans of going far away like this――

[Subaru: The culture promotion committee was happy to tackle promoting culture. Being able to study the ways of Banan made Fusumi’s great men happy. And, we’re happy that we were able to make a family trip. It was a good attempt at finding a solution throughout struggle. No, it wasn’t a complete struggle, but 3/8ths of a struggle.]

Subaru laughs nonchalantly. The main thing was the very last part of his speech; if he was familiar with spending everyday together with family, he could see the light.

It probably was the truth that he couldn’t ignore the two goals in front of him. Not appropriately declining favors was very inconvenient, and it was the nature of a man who saw much of life. That’s what Rigel nonchalantly thought.

[――――]

Rem was looking at Subaru’s smile, her smiling with a kind look in her eyes.

Mom also definitely was able to see through Dad’s heart. That’s why Mom did not even oppose Dad’s absurd speech from the start, but instead happily went along with it.

[Rigel: Elder, Elder, can you hear me out for a bit?]

Rigel separates himself a little from the flirting called parents’ pleasant chat, and he calls out to Chamov, who was drying his body’s fur in the sun. Chamov turns around saying “Certainly?”, and he looks at Rigel with his round eyes as he said

[Chamov: What is it, certainly? Rigel and I are good friends, certainly. Ask me anything, certainly.]

[Rigel: Anything special happening in Fusumi this season?]

[Chamov: Hmmm……..]

He asks that question, and Chamov closes one of his eyes, seemingly going into deep thought, just for a little bit. After that, Chamov glances at Subaru and the others, and he immediately nods.

[Chamov: Subaru has asked me that question too, certainly. Like father like son, certainly…..]

[Rigel: No, I don’t need to hear about that.]

[Chamov: Don’t be a party pooper, certainly. This season at Fusumi, famous flowers will……”White Snow Sakuras”3 will bloom.]

They were plants that were extremely difficult to take care of that could grow precisely because of how it was Fusumi, land blessed with plenty of precipitation from the Grand Mogolade Geyser.

It was a scene of all the huge trees’ leaves becoming petals that were white like snow――Rigel had never seen snow, but he imagined that it was definitely a stunning scene.

It was also a family trip Subaru planned, as he wanted to show it for “somebody’s birthday” that was coming up very soon, using “Setsubun” as an excuse to go.

[Chamov: Calling him out would be unromantic, certainly. It will be kept secret, certainly.]

[Rigel: I won’t say it……but Mom probably knows.]

[Chamov: Like I said, it’d be unromantic, certainly. You too, if you’re going to marry, you’ll take that child too, certainly.]

[Rigel: I’m against raising Spica exactly like Mom…….]

[Chamov: The madness of you wanting to marry your sister like it’s no big deal makes me tremble, certainly.]

He makes Chamov’s small body tremble, and Chamov looked at Rigel with eyes that seemed to be frightened. Just when he shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he was annoyed with that look, Spica pulled onto his cheeks. Cute.

[Subaru: Hey, Rigel, Spica. Come here. I have something to talk about.]

Then, just when the conversation ended, Subaru called out to Rigel and the others. Chamov jerked his chin in response to that voice.

[Chamov: It’s okay, I’ll go, certainly. I won’t be unromantic by butting into a happy family get together, certainly.]

[Subaru: Th―thanks, Elder. Okaay, then we’ll see you later.]

He waves goodbye, and when Chamov let out a charming smile, while swinging his butt’s tail left and right, he walked off in a way that was filled with only love and respect, nothing more and nothing less.

Rigel sees that with his own eyes, and then he went back to his parents. When he did, he saw the same old Rem, her cheeks slightly red, and the same old Subaru, him being his reckless and self-confident self.

[Subaru: Ahem. You see, Rigel. I want to show something to Rem and you guys.]

He imagined what it was from the pretentious expression, and the wording that came out after that.

[――――]

There was a pause after Subaru’s announcement, and Rigel glanced at Rem.

Subaru faced the children, his eyes sparkling, and he did not notice his wife next to him. When Rem noticed Rigel’s look, her having a faint smile, she put a finger on her lips, saying “Shh” as a signal.

Starting to talk would be unromantic. Pointing it out would be unromantic. That was greatly understood.

Rigel reluctantly shrugged his shoulders. Spica also shrugged her shoulders, copying him.

[Subaru: This time’s family trip isn’t for mere fishing and work. The truth is――]

The clownish mastermind gets surrounded by the children and his wife, thinking that his secret hadn’t been found out, and he magnificently announced the final plan of the family trip.

※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The details of the “White Snow Sakura” appreciation meeting will not be talked about.

Let’s just say that they were able to enjoy the truly splendid scene of the flowers that colored the many mountains of Fusumi.

Well then, the family trip was used as groundwork, and they still had to accomplish the new nominated custom of Setsubun, “Hiiragi Iwashi”, but――

[Subaru: Hmm, I didn’t see through this unexpected thing happening, even with my amazing eyes.]

[Rigel: That’s because you’re blind as hell! Come on, use your hands, Dad]

They pant, and the big figure and small figure that ran about in the streets of Banan――putting it frankly, they were the men of the Natsuki Family, Subaru and Rigel.

They had green and red wigs that were like a perms, and vests with black and yellow stripes. They had clubs made of soft material in their hands, the thorns filled with cotton. It was a style of the good old days, and a style of the new era of the Oni.

As for what those two were frantically doing in what were clearly Oni outfits――

[Subaru: Trying to do Hiiragi Iwashi was fine……but I didn’t think it’d cause an outbreak of cats and mice downtown!]

[Rigel: If you think about it, it was inevitable! Of course the strays would the eat all this bait if we hung them up openly!]

Rigel takes decorated fish again from an established point with their branches while raising an angry voice, and it gets thrown into the bag to collect them. They were now at 20. There was still a long way to go.

That was because branches and fish were distributed throughout town, and the whole town was practicing this weird festival.

[Subaru: Oi, Rigel, don’t treat them so carelessly! This is like a sacred ritual, so the Hiiragi Iwashi would be thankful. You should dispose of them kinda like this, filling them at a proper place. You have to do it like that.]

[Rigel: What a pain! Plus, don’t implement disposal laws arbitrarily! And anyways…….Ow!]

Rigel continued to feel impact on his little back, as he raised his voice pointing out the lack of progress. When he turned around to see what it was, what fell at his feet were small beans――they were beans.

And the ones who threw them were kids chasing him with smiles on their faces――.

[Kids: It―it’s hunter! Hunter found them!]

[Rigel: Crap! We’re gonna get covered in beans! Hey, you over there! How can we escape to the other side from here…….shit! Damn, he’s nibbling on Ehomaki!]

When Rigel was cornered at the street, trying to look for a way out, he was at his wits’ end. The old person that he asked on a porch was looking at the lucky direction of the futomaki that he was nibbling on.

A person in that situation would not speak. He would continue gazing at the lucky direction until he was done eating.

[Subaru: I feel like damage like this breaks out even at Fusumi, but who will be responsible? Me? What you think, Rigel?]

[Rigel: At the very least, ow! Right now, oww! I’ve lost a way to escape, ow! So it’s your fault that I’m getting hit with beans ow ow ow! Why only me!?]

He had just seen him in a new light for a little, and yet Subaru still did an unsatisfactory job.

The parent and child ran their Oni pants through the Banan town while crying because of the rapid succession of beans.

Surely his mom and sister were waiting at home, eating Futomaki while facing the lucky direction.

Would they collect all the “Hiiragi Iwashi” and return home safely――?

[Subaru: Hehe, Rigel. You’re pretty fast now. I’m happy.]

[Rigel: Shut uuuupp!! Go catch a coooldd!!]

That parent and child quarrel resounded into the sky.

This was also, once again, a shot of the daily scenery at one part of Kararagi City State.