Surviving as a Child [3]

This is so confusing.

I just wanted to sell some firewood, so I carried it all the way to the village.

But as soon as I entered the outskirts of the village, a group of muscular men suddenly charged toward me, saying they'd help. They looked terrifying.

I thought they were bandits. I was sure they'd rob me of my firewood, kidnap me, and do all sorts of unspeakable things. I was utterly petrified.

Thankfully, I managed to spot Alex's face among the group at the last moment. That familiar sight helped me regain my senses, even though I was still confused.

But still...

"Stop it! Nooo~ It's mine~~~!"

"...Don't imitate me."

"Don't imitate meee~~~!"

"You...!"

...The problem is that when I screamed at the top of my lungs to protect my firewood, it seemed to have triggered Alex's mischievous side.

Ever since, he's been mimicking my voice and intentionally grating on my nerves.

By the way, earlier, I noticed that a lot of people were gathered at the village entrance.

Why were they gathered there?

Everyone seemed so serious—was something going on?

"By the way, why were all those people gathered earlier?"

"Well..."

"Yes?"

"I'm not going to tell you."

"...Ugh, seriously!"

This bald old man clearly has no intention of answering me.

And there's no one else around to ask—just Alex.

How strange.

There were so many people here earlier. Where did they all disappear to?

It's really suspicious.

"Now it's this old man's turn to ask questions."

"You didn't even answer mine!"

"So, what do you plan to do with this pile of wood?"

Alex snatched the firewood I was carrying and spun it around in the air like it was weightless.

...Hey! I carried that with all my strength, using both hands! Watching him effortlessly twirl it with one hand makes me feel kind of defeated.

Is brute strength everything?

Well... maybe it is.

"What's that face for?"

"...First of all, that's not just a pile of wood. It's precious firewood that I chopped myself."

"Firewood? This?"

"Yes, I'm going to sell it. Then I'll buy something delicious to eat."

How much could I sell this firewood for?

I worked all morning, chopping away with my axe, and this was the result. They'd have to pay me well for it, right?

I'm getting excited.

Could I get a silver coin for it?

Well, that might be asking too much, but even just a single copper coin would make me happy.

"I see. You chopped it really well. I'm sure it'll sell for a good price."

"Thanks, but why are you dragging out your words?"

"I've got a bit of a cough."

"...Are you getting old?"

"Ha, kids these days say the most brutal things. Just yesterday, you were looking up at me with those innocent, sparkling eyes, asking curious little questions..."

Alex suddenly wiped the corners of his eyes, pretending to cry.

Of course, no actual tears were shed.

"Tsk."

"Hey, don't click your tongue, kid. It brings bad luck."

"...It's all your fault."

"My fault? What did I even do?"

"You keep teasing me, so I end up sounding grumpy."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

I've been holding back as much as I can.

But when Alex keeps poking at my nerves like that, how can I not snap back?

"But don't worry. I don't talk this grumpily to anyone else but you."

"...Should I be relieved by that?"

"Of course!"

I meant it.

Even if he's a bit annoying, Alex was the first person I became friends with in this village.

And despite his teasing, he's a kind man who gave me two skewers of food when I was hungry.

The reason I banter with him like this is because I trust him.

If I didn't, I'd just ignore him and keep my mouth shut.

"Anyway, back to the main topic. You're here to sell this firewood, right?"

"Yes. I was planning to go to Henson's firewood store."

"You're thinking of selling it to that grumpy old man's shop? I'd recommend selling it to a merchant I know instead."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, if you take it to Henson, you'll just get... ah, never mind. Anyway, when selling in small amounts like this, it's better to deal with a private merchant than a professional shop."

"Whoa, really?"

I just learned something valuable.

If I had gone to the store like an idiot, I might've gotten ripped off.

...I don't know exactly what kind of loss I would've suffered, but still!

"Wait here. I'll go call that guy for you."

"Okay!"

"In the meantime, you can munch on this if you want."

"...What's this?"

"Chocolate chip cookies."

Gasp.

Chocolate chip cookies?!

How did Alex know I love these?

Alex is amazing. He's the best!

"Wow, they look delicious. Thank you! I'll enjoy them!"

"...Except they're actually raisin cookies."

"Gaaah!"

* * * *

"I still feel like I can taste those raisins."

"But you didn't spit them out. Good kid."

"...Who are you calling a kid?"

"Well, you are a kid..."

I felt a surge of betrayal.

How could anyone trick me into eating raisin cookies while pretending they were chocolate chip cookies?

Truly, this was the act of an evil mastermind.

Hmph, the best? Who said he was the best?

I take it back!

"So, want another one? I've still got plenty of cookies left."

"No, thanks."

"Ah, I see. You must be full."

"...By the way, when is this person supposed to get here?"

"They'll be here soon."

Sitting on the well in the center of the village, I swung my feet idly. That's when I saw someone in the distance—a tall woman, running toward us in a hurry.

Was that the 'merchant' Alex was talking about?

...She looked like she'd be good at business.

"Yo, over here!"

"Alex! How many times have I told you not to call me while I'm working?"

"Haha, my bad, my bad."

The two of them greeted each other with playful bickering, like old friends.

One was a tall, lanky woman; the other, a bald, muscle-bound man.

Their contrasting appearances made them look so mismatched that it was almost comical.

"So, what's this about?"

"Hang on. I've got something I want you to buy."

"What is it?"

"This, some firewood..."

The moment Alex brought out the firewood, the woman's eyes sharpened.

She raised an eyebrow and swiftly grabbed the firewood from Alex's hands, turning it this way and that while inspecting it closely.

Her movements were so expert that I couldn't help but gulp nervously.

"What's this? The quality isn't exactly... hmm."

"Hey, hey, hold on! Give me a second here."

"What?"

"First, this is Ellie. She's an old friend of mine."

"What kind of random introduction is that?"

It seemed she hadn't noticed me yet, judging by her confused expression.

That stung my pride a little.

Sure, I might be small for my age, but I was sitting right here in plain sight. How could she not notice me?

No, wait.

Maybe it wasn't because I was small. Maybe it was because Alex's giant muscles were blocking her view.

...Yeah, that had to be it.

It had to be.

"Um, hello..."

"Huh? What's this soft little voice coming from... Oh!"

I cautiously straightened my back and spoke up. It seemed that was enough to finally catch her attention. Her eyes went wide, and she suddenly started gasping for air.

"Ellie? Ellie?"

"Ah... ahhh..."

"There she goes again. Hang on a second."

For some reason, Alex took the hyperventilating Ellie and quickly disappeared somewhere far off.

What was that about?

I tilted my head in confusion.

Did I do something wrong?

Or was there something they needed to discuss privately?

* * * *

As I continued to swing my legs and stare at the two suns shining high in the sky, Alex and Ellie eventually returned.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"It's fine. So, what were you doing?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just some business talk."

"Uh-huh."

...Yeah, I'm not buying it.

"Hmmm..."

"...Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

"Never mind."

I was curious about what they'd talked about, but I didn't bother asking.

Alex is the kind of person who wouldn't tell me even if I did ask.

"So, kiddo, you're here to sell this firewood, huh?"

"Technically I was the one who called you over."

"Alex, I'm working right now, so if you could just shut that meddlesome mouth of yours..."

"Okay, okay, jeez. You're still as prickly as ever."

Ellie shot a quick glare at Alex before turning back to me.

"Alright, let's talk about this firewood..."

"Yes?"

"Well, how should I put it... The grain is still intact, and hmm... it's been chopped with a wild, rugged style. The surface is nicely dried, so it's perfect for firewood."

"Really? So, it's good firewood?"

"Of course."

As a professional, I thought she might tear it apart with harsh criticism.

But to my surprise, my firewood-chopping skills were better than I thought.

Who knew I'd get such a glowing review?

"This kind of firewood... I've never seen anything like it in my entire career."

"Really? It's that good?"

"Pfft, yeah, it's that good."

"Alex."

"Yup, shutting up now."

Seriously? It's that impressive?

If even a professional is this surprised, does that mean I've discovered some kind of hidden talent I didn't know I had...?

"Anyway, I'll buy this firewood. How about... three copper coins?"

"...Three whole coins?!"

I'd only imagined earning one copper coin at most.

Three coins for just one pile of firewood?

Let's see... One copper coin could buy a loaf of bread, so this one pile of firewood is worth three loaves of bread?!

"Wow, amazing! Thank you so much!"

"No, no, I should be thanking you. To find such high-quality firewood... and from someone so adorable—I mean, from such a talented seller."

"...Are you okay?"

"What? Me? Of course, I'm fine! Anyway, feel free to call me again next time you've got more of this. I'd love to buy it."

"Oh, then..."

"But only call me if this kid is with you. Not when you're alone."

"That's harsh."

"Life is harsh, my friend."

As Ellie and Alex bantered in the background, I stretched out my hands.

Ellie carefully placed three shiny copper coins into my palms, one by one.

"Wow..."

Money.

Real money.

This was the first time in my life that I had earned money with my own hands—by working, selling, and being paid for it.

What should I do with this?

I could buy bread... or maybe a blanket to keep me warm during the cold nights.

The possibilities were endless.

"Hehe."

I was happy.

Just thinking about what I could do with this money brought a smile to my face.

Today was going to be the best day ever!