Chapter 3

Shiraishi-san’s Request
Today again, I was inside, working on [Craft].
With the leftover wood, I was shaping cups, plates, forks, and spoons.

Even though I’d never done this before, my hands moved as if they remembered the motions on their own, just from imagining the shapes.

It was a strange, almost mysterious feeling.

Still… this [Craft] really was an incredible skill.

“Ku-ro-seee, I’m coming in!”

Shiraishi-san stepped into the room.

“Ah, sorry, I’m kinda busy right now…”

Even as I said that, my hands didn’t stop moving.

“Lemme see!”

She leaned in, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Fine, fine.”

I showed her the half-finished cup I was working on.

“Heeey, so this is a Kurose original cup, huh?”

“Pretty much… just need to shave this bit here and it’s done.”

I started on the final touch-up.
Shiraishi-san didn’t just watch silently—she’d pause me with a question here and there, or examine the work with a fascinated look.

Before long, the task was finished, and I let out a breath.

“Phew… all done.”

“Good work!”

Her bright smile was a medicine.

“Thanks.”

Then she got quiet for a moment, eyes suddenly serious.

“Kurose… your Craft skill is amazing, isn’t it?”
“Yeah… I guess so.”

“I’m kinda jealous…”

She murmured, eyes filled with envy.

“Why’s that?”

“Because you’re amazing! I can’t do anything like that!”

She bit her lip in frustration.

True, [Craft] was ridiculously versatile—but it wasn’t without its flaws. I was about to say something when Shiraishi-san suddenly leaned forward with a suggestion.

“Hey, could you make a bed?”

“A bed?”

“The old one’s been mine, right? You’ve just been sleeping on the floor.”

Her voice was hesitant, almost apologetic.

“I don’t really mind, but… we don’t have the materials.”

“I’ll help gather them!”

She puffed her chest out, brimming with confidence.

“… Alright, let’s give it a shot.”

We helped with village work and, in return, got wood, nails, cloth, and the other supplies we needed. Once everything was gathered, the project began.

“Okay… materials ready. Just gotta imagine it…”

I visualized the structure, and little by little, the bed came together.

First, the frame. Then the mattress: I stitched cloth into a rectangle, stuffed it with straw, laid fur on top, and finally spread a sheet over it all.

“Done!”

“Now you can finally sleep properly, Kurose!”

Shiraishi-san beamed with satisfaction.

“Guess so… I’ll try it out then.”

“Not so fast! This one’s mine!”

Before I could even move, she dove onto the freshly finished bed.

“Eh?”

“You can use the old bed.”

“… Seriously?”

“Seriously. But hey, not so bad, right? You get to sleep in the same room as me.”

“… Unfair.”

Grumbling, I flopped onto the old bed instead.

“Hmm?”

I noticed it immediately—
a sweet, girlish scent clinging to the sheets. Must’ve been from Shiraishi-san sleeping here all this time.

Well… I guess I can live with this.

---

Weeks passed after that.

I grew more and more skilled with [Craft], able to make not just dishes and furniture but also repair houses.

And today, I’d set my sights on something new: a bow and arrows.
The reason was simple.

Hunting.

Food wasn’t a problem now, but I knew we’d need a more stable supply in the future.

With [Craft], I shaped the weapon piece by piece. Shiraishi-san watched closely, eyes shining.

“Kurose, that’s amazing! You’re making it so easily!”

“Thanks, Shiraishi-san. Still… this skill is incredible. I didn’t think I’d be able to make weapons too…”

I admired the completed bow and arrows.

“Hey, wanna try them out right now?”

She tilted her head eagerly.

“Yeah… good weather today. Let’s test it.”

We stepped outside.

“Hold on, I’ll set up some targets.”

I found some wood and quickly made three targets, placing them each about five meters apart.

“All ready! Go on, give it a shot.”

At my urging, Shiraishi-san nocked an arrow and drew the bow.

“Here goes!”

She released—
and the arrow flew straight, striking the center target dead-on.

“Whoa! That’s awesome!!”

“Yes! Nailed it!”

She looked more than a little pleased with herself.

“My turn again!”

She shot another, this one landing just a little left of center.

“Still great! Nice one!”

She puffed her chest proudly.

“One more!”

This time, the arrow hit bullseye.

“Nice!! That was perfect, Shiraishi-san!”

“Heheh~ piece of cake for me!”

“Alright… my turn.”

Her smug look sparked a bit of competitiveness in me.

(No way I’m losing here!)

I took aim, released—
and missed. Next shot, too far right. Third shot, too far left. Fourth and fifth, also misses. Not one arrow hit the target.

“… Guess it’s harder than it looks.”

Dejected, I lowered the bow.

Shiraishi-san patted my shoulder with a smile.

“Don’t worry, everyone has off days! Keep your chin up!”

“… Why’re you so good, though?”

She answered with a grin.

“I’m not great at studying, but I’ve always been athletic.”

“… I see.”

Didn’t quite sit right with me… but at least the bow and arrows hadn’t gone to waste.

What do you think about this chapter?