Interacting with the Villagers
With the villagers agreeing to help, Shiraishi-san and I got right to work.
"Alright, let’s start with the foundation work!"
"Yes!"
The one who replied so energetically was none other than Shiraishi-san.
"Why are you so fired up…"
"’Cause it looks like fun!"
"… Well, I guess that’s fine."
I said with a wry smile, and then we got to work.
Several days later…
At last, it was time to actually raise the bathhouse building. First, we began with the foundation.
We dug into the ground and set the timber supports.
On top of that, we raised the pillars and built the walls.
"Alright! It’s going smoothly."
"Sure is."
As the two of us chatted, the village chief came by.
"How’s the progress?"
"Thanks to everyone, it’s going well."
"I see, that’s good to hear… By the way, Kurose-kun, Shiraishi-san, you two seem rather close—are you two together?"
He suddenly dropped that question.
"Eh?! Of course not! We’re just friends!"
Shiraishi-san denied in a fluster.
"Is that so?"
He said, giving us a doubtful look.
"Of course. Right, Shiraishi-san?"
"Y-yeah, right?"
We glanced at each other and forced a laugh.
"Hmm… well, I suppose it doesn’t matter either way, but it isn’t exactly proper for a young man and woman to be sharing a room, you know."
"No, wait! You’ve got it all wrong! Please don’t misunderstand!"
We desperately tried to explain ourselves.
A few more days later.
At last, the building itself was complete. All that was left was to finish the interior.
"Finally… it’s done…"
I muttered.
"Kurose-san, thank you for your hard work!"
The villagers called out.
"It was only thanks to everyone’s help that we managed to finish. Really, thank you all so much."
I bowed in gratitude.
"Think nothing of it. If it’s for the good of the village, we’re glad to lend a hand.”
The chief replied.
Grateful for their support, I thought to myself:
"Alright… next, we’ll make the baths, buckets, and the rest of the interior."
"Yeah!"
And so, we moved on to the next stage of work.
What do you think about this chapter?
