Shoshanna was fed up. Sheās been in this seaside hideout for half a year now. The salty wind damaged her hair and made her skin sticky. As for what she was doing, she was boiling the roots of the tagi until the water turned thick. Once the soil-coloured viscous mass that has been created reaches a certain amount, it is then transferred to a mortar and kneaded with white powder. It is emulsified with oil squeezed from Oribi fruit, but this is quite difficult. If there is too much oil, it wonāt absorb into the skin as quickly as it will run off, and if itās too little, it will crack. Shoshanna rolled up her sleeves and stared at her brown arm. Even if she touches it with her finger, it is moist and there is no sense of incongruity. She tried rubbing it with a cloth dampened with water, but the color of the tagi didnāt rub into the cloth.
[Good.]
Satisfied with the result, she skillfully manipulated a knife with a rounded tip and packed the completed kneaded white powder into the ointment pot. Shoshanna was young, but she knew how to handle knives. Itās Shoshannaās job to cook for her brother, who doesnāt care about anything but his job.
āāāIt was about ten days ago that her brother had gone to work. She hasnāt heard from him again, but sheās not worried. He is by far the best man among his compatriots regarding work. As his protege, Shoshanna has at least been properly told not to drag him down. So she tries to stay in this hideout as much as possible. When she has to go shopping at the market, she would wear a hood that covers her eyes and never forget to bring her knife for self-defense.
Ha, Iām fed up with the situation right now. Shoshanna thought as she sighed. Being left alone in an unfamiliar land doesnāt mean that sheās lonely. Much less lonely, itās just boring and disgusting. Un, she nodded to herself.
At that moment, there was a knock on her front door. three times lightly. Four times with one beat apart. And one strong one and one weak one. Today is the seventh month of Dianaās nine stems, so the sign is correct. Shoshannaās face suddenly lit up. Itās her brother
[āāāSalvador!]
As expected, a lanky man stood there when the heavy bolt opened. Dark blond hair and brown skin. A white cloth was wrapped around his head, and he carried a number of rugs rolled up like cigars in a basket. It looks like a snailās cochlea. Shoshanna opened her mouth wide open.
[Whatās wrong with that big bag?]
He didnāt have it with him when he went out. Salvador looked down at Shoshanna, narrowing his cat-like eyes even more and chuckled.
[Thereās nothing wrong with it. Oh, right. I have a souvenir for Shoshanna since sheās been staying home like a good girl.]
Saying that, he threw a large carpet onto the floor from the basket. There was a heavy, dull sound. Salvador kicked and rolled it with his foot while it was still curled up. What emerged from the center of the spreading sheetāāāwas a child.
[You said you wanted a pet before, didnāt you?]
Big eyes with long eyelashes. The child looks like a girl, but the short hair tells otherwise. His mouth was gagged, and his complexion was pale from fear. Heās somewhat younger than Shoshanna, who is eleven this year. Probably not even ten yet. And he was terribly well-dressed. Shoshanna blinked.
[I did, but.]
His eyes meet her bluish purple. He was frightened, obvious from his begging look.
Shoshanna let out a small sigh.
[āāāI told you I wanted a little bird, though.]
[Hmm? But itās similar to that, right?]
[Not even close, at, all.]
The size doesnāt even fit. What Shoshanna wanted was an adorable little parrot that she saw when she visited the market with her brother. But despite her complaint, her brother simply tilted his head as though he didnāt care.
[Well, anyhow, I want you to take care of it properly for the time being.]
[Ehh.]
I was forced to do more troublesome tasks. Shoshanna was miffed. Seeing that, Salvador shrugged his shoulders and continued impatiently.
[Or would you rather I give it to Krishna instead?]
At the thought of the sadistic man with the double black spots in his eyes, Shoshanna hurriedly nodded.
[Thatāsā¦ fine Iāll do it.]
[Iāll leave it to you.]
With the topic seemingly over, Salvador checked the newly made ointment while humming. Opening the lid, he scooped it with his index finger, and applied it to his skin
[Un, you did great. Iāll take two or three with me. Was almost running out.]
He said so as he packed his belongings again and headed to the door again, to which Shoshanna shrieked.
[Where are you going again!?]
Salvador looked down at Shoshanna as if he had found something unexpected. She seemed to have a very miserable look on her face. And when their eyes met for a moment, his throat tightened. But still, he didnāt stop. Shoshanna sat down on the spot due to her brotherās unreasonable attitude.
āāāSalvador, you big idiot. She inwardly chided.
The door opened with a heartless noise. The setting sun casts shadows into the room. Her brother looked back once as he left. The same way he did before.
[Where to, you askāāā]
Smiling, he added.
[āāāto work, of course]
His face, which gradually turned away, was dyed in the blood-red color of the setting sun.