Chapter 150.1. Spring Festival
Jun. Still doesn't have a last name. He didn't know his age, but he was around 12 or 13 years old. Since birth until today, age has never been a concern for him. He's always been fully occupied with just living.
He's also one of the early executives hired at the Amatsugahara Corporation. He has acquired [Metalworking] skills and has been processing a lot of metal with that power. Recently, he apprenticed as a mechanic under an old man in the southern region.
Before joining the Amatsugahara Corporation, he survived by wandering with a group of children. Drinking rain and dew to quench his thirst, somehow finding food to fill his stomach.
He often thinks that his current life is like a dream, especially on days like today.
Especially on days like today.
In their simple room at the Amatsugahara Corporation headquarters, there's a bunk bed and a slightly shaky desk with a chair. Sitting on the chair, absentmindedly playing with a piece of metal in his hand, he pondered such things.
Transforming small metal pieces into triangles, squares, and candy-like shapes through his skills, he observed the outside world. He wondered when he had installed the window glass.
"Jun-chan, let's go already! The festival has started!"
No, that's not it. Jun was thinking about his current life. Hana popped into the room with a smile.
"Ah, let's go now."
Letting out a sigh, he tossed the metal piece onto the desk. With a clinking sound, the metal piece rolled and spun on its edge. Jun put his wallet in his pocket and stood up.
"Spring festivals are so exciting, aren't they?"
"Yeah, they really are."
Hana and Hinata walked ahead with sparkling eyes. Since the festival market was a bit far, they were walking there.
The scene in front of them hadn't changed since a year ago. Half-broken buildings littered with debris, walls without doors and window frames detached, decaying houses. It was a glass-walled building, but now only blackened shards remained in corners, dusty shelves, and a store called Corned Beef with no shelves inside, just dust-covered cans. It used to be a chain store or something like that, but I'm not really sure.
The road was cracked with weeds growing through the asphalt, neglected and worn.
The scene hadn't changed, but something had. Jun could now confidently walk down the middle of the road. He used to sneak around near the crumbling walls, but now he could walk without worry.
Because Amatsugahara Corporation security guards with spears are patrolled everywhere. They exterminated Big Rats and goblins for them and even killed thieves. Although he no longer seen thieves around here.
Thinking about the day he could walk safely in the ruins, Jun sighed and walked with his hands behind his back.
"Oh, a Big Rat! Take this!"
Hana noticed a Big Cat scurrying in the shadows of a ruined building and threw stones lying around. With a swooshing sound and a final scream, the rat's head got crushed, and it breathed its last.
"Lucky us! Let's collect the core!"
"Yeah, we can take the meat back too."
Joyfully running towards the Big Rat, Hana skillfully dissected it with a knife at her waist while Hinata cleaned it with [Purification].
The most changed thing was his physical abilities. Jun sighed as he watched the two girls, realizing he had become much stronger than them. Especially, Hana, she's rumored to be the strongest among the children and quite popular. As someone who can use [Metalworking], Jun is the most popular among the children in earning money, but as a man...
As a leader protecting everyone, it's a complicated feeling. When Jun consulted the old man in the south, he just laughed and said that a man needs to be capable, so Jun is doing great. But still, he wants to show a strong side as a man.
Touching the metal piece in his pocket, Jun sighed again.
"It's tough when you're told to do what you can do on your own."
"Did you say something?"
"No, nothing. I was just wondering if they're doing their best."
Shrugging his shoulders, Jun replied to Hana's question, knowing exactly who "they" were, and smiled knowingly.
"Sou-chan and You-chan are excited to sell many clothes at this spring festival. They plan to renovate their shop with the money."
"They're really working hard. It's tough to earn money."
Jun thought of friends they hadn't seen recently, although it had only been about a week. It felt strange not being with them since they were always together. Sou is a male friend with [Sewing] skills, and You is a female friend with [Thread Processing] skills. However, their skill levels are zero, with only minimal bonuses.
So, they polished their skills and sewed clothes together to sell. This week, they worked hard in their shop in the market, hoping for more customers during the spring festival.
Their sewing tools, fabric costs, and shop rent were initially provided by the person they called Sakimori-san, and now they've repaid it, so Jun understands their hard work.
Recently, everyone has been working separately, which makes Jun feel lonely. Only the little girl is having fun riding Dark Tiger-chan around the headquarters.
Talking about recent events while walking, they finally arrived at the market. It seemed to be an old station building. What's a station?
"Wow, it's amazing!"
"Yeah, it really is. It's the first time I've seen so many people!"
"Yeah, me too. And they're all so beautiful."
All 3 were surprised again by the crowd in the ruined city. People were bustling around happily, chatting and walking. Colorful flags lined between buildings, and many stalls lined the streets, selling food.
Seeing so much liveliness, they were amazed to see everyone enjoying themselves for the first time.
"Dad, I want to eat that food!"
"Sure, let's try it. Is that a crepe?"
"I'm glad we moved here, honey."
"Welcome! These are our special crepes. Delicious and affordable. Each one is 150 yen. You might even lose your cheeks from smiling so much!"
"Please give us one!"
A little boy, holding his parents' hands, bought a crepe from the stall owner with a smile. It was a thin pancake folded neatly with yellow cream on top. The boy took a bite, his eyes lighting up with joy as he tasted it.
Unconsciously, Jun's stomach growled, and they exchanged glances with the others.
"Let's buy one too!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah, that sounds good."
Clutching their wallets, they rushed to the crepe stall. They bought a custard crepe, and as they bit into it, the sweet and soft taste of eggs spread in their mouth.
"It's delicious!"
"Yeah, really delicious."
"It's soft and sweet! One more, please!"
After quickly finishing the crepe, they bought another and walked away. The atmosphere was so lively, and Jun felt elated at having the luxury of caring about taste rather than survival.
While everyone around them enjoyed the festival with smiles, they walked around the stalls, trying various foods until they were full.
Though they indulged in buying food, they heard there were other events too. Prayers for this year's harvest and such. They were so engrossed in the food stalls that they missed it all.
As they continued exploring the stalls, they decided to check on Sou and the others and entered the building. Inside, there were clothes, metalware, and acquaintances greeting Jun as they walked.
"Why are kids running shops here?"
"Stop it!"
They heard a loud, scolding voice and the sound of something breaking. It was Sou's voice protesting, and Jun recognized it immediately.
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