'This is the entrance to the canal.

In the middle of the long river running through the 42nd district, there was an entrance to the waterway.
It was a rather large entrance, firmly reinforced with bricks.

'I guess the current is calm in this area. The water looks rather deep, though.'
'Ah. The slope here is gentle and almost flat. Sometimes the water comes flowing down from above at great speed, and my father built this entrance here so that it wouldn't break.
'Delia's father was the previous guild leader, wasn't he?
'Oh, yeah. He was a cool dad.

...... 'Was'.
Well, let's not get too deep into it.

'I'm glad my dad made it. I would have just made something random.'
'Random is ...... annoying, isn't it?

Estella's smile twitches.
'It's a good thing we got this done in our parents' time, both of us.

'This is the entrance that my father built with a lot of thought. We can't destroy it.

Delia seems to think that the current entrance is the best, even without the danger of flooding and the difficulty of construction.
It's not good to become inflexible by sticking to one thing, but that's not the case in this case. I, too, think this inlet is the best for the current situation. The location, the strength, and the shape.

If we have to do something, we can make a new inlet temporarily and bury it as soon as the water shortage is solved. ......, but I'm not sure about that either.

I wonder if that's a good idea. The area around here has been beautified with the opening of the road. It might be difficult to dig them up and bury them again.
Last year, all the roads were bare of dirt. We could dig it up without hesitation.

'I'm not sure I can make a better entrance than this one. Unless, of course, Yashiro helps me.'
'No, you should talk to Umaro about that.
'Cause he can't even talk properly.

...... Well, I guess that's true.

'We should leave the entrance to Yashiro. ......'
'Delia. 'The entrance to the water?
'Nyu-shuiko?
'...... No, it's nothing. It's a nice entrance.'
'Right?People who know what they're talking about will know what they're talking about.
'...... Yashiro. It's broken.

No, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if it's the inlet or the entrance.
I'm just a little curious.

Nevertheless, Delia's attachment to it is quite strong. This is getting harder and harder to destroy.

'But the water level is really dropping, isn't it?

Estella looks down at the water.
The side of the river where the inlet is located is discolored to show the former water level.
It looks like the inlet used to be half submerged.

However, the water surface is now about 20 centimeters lower than the bottom of the inlet.

'How deep is the water around here?
'It's enough to sink an Omero.
'Have you ever sunk the ......?'
'It sinks on its own, that's all.

I heard the current is calm here, so it might be a good place to wash something.
And then it slips and falls into the river on its own?

Well, that's all right.

If the Omero sinks, it must be more than two meters high.
Even if the water level drops, there will still be plenty of water.

'The other day I had Omero pump water out of the canal because the mormats were so noisy.
'In the canal?
'Yeah. I thought they wouldn't complain as long as the water flowed. ...... But no matter how hard I tried with the tub, the water didn't flow at all.
'Another reckless .......'
'Omero's got no guts.'
'No, no, no. ......'

Estella's smile twitched.
She usually has this look on her face when Delia tells her about the river fishing guild.

Estella. You can't deal with these people if you're bound by common sense.
There are 50,000 people who can't be reasoned with.

'But that doesn't mean you can't dam up the river. ......'

His eyebrows furrowed, he turned his head down and made an 'uncharacteristic' expression.
The usual boldness of Delia, like splitting bamboo, is overshadowed by the stubbornness of a child trying to be selfish, the guilt of feeling that it might be a bad thing, and the vulnerability of crying over such vague feelings,....... It's a mixture of all of these things, with a dark expression.

'............ I think I might have said something terrible to Millie.


......



'You know, ...... Mormat, Homer the rice farmer, the poultry farmers, ...... and a little bit of old Mum... ...asked me if I could raise the water level.

They're all using water far from the river.

'But I care about the river and the fish. ...... I couldn't be convinced so easily.

So, whenever people came, I turned them away, and I thought, 'I'm wrong, I'm selfish, I'm a bad person......'.

'Mum, your grandmother was here too, wasn't she?
'Oh, yes. She's old, she's not a beastman, and it's pretty hard for her to fetch and carry water. ...... So I was wondering if there was anything I could do. ......'
'I never came to me for advice.
'Maybe it's because you're letting Omero carry the water.'
'...... Omero, you're really loyal to the guild leader, aren't you?

No, Estella. That's not 'to the guild leader', that's 'to Delia'.
But it's Omero who's willing to do manual labor rather than offend Delia.

'I'm sure Delia was thinking of her own countermeasures. Even if it was only old lady Mum, there are people who were saved thanks to you. That's good.
'But come on!The other guys keep coming back to ......, and every time they come back, it's like they're on edge. ............'

That's a matter of life and death for them.
Without water, they can't do any work.

'We can't dam it up, but there's still water, so I told them to fetch it and take it on their own.
'But there's only so much water you can carry at a time.
'They're not very strong, you know.
'...... No, it's really pathetic to blame Delia for being the standard.

Estella. Delia is the one who always thinks in terms of herself.
You'd better get used to it.

'So, ...... you're so persistent, ............ you know, we have water, why don't we fetch it?I think it's wrong to dam up the river just because it's too hard to carry it.The hardships and troubles are nothing compared to the loss of fish, right?The fish are more important!Even if it's a hassle, they're not going to die!But the fish are going to die!

You have a point.
The other guilds are forcing the river fishermen's guild to compromise in order for them to conduct their 'normal business'.
It is understandable that the river fishing guilds feel that they are being burdened with a 'burden' that they do not need to pursue.

However, it is foolish to destroy stability in the pursuit of comfort.
Damming up a river is, to put it in a very extreme way, akin to environmental destruction. It is nothing but an act of breaking the natural cycle that has been taking place there by human hands.
Some ecosystems may be lost because of this.

From that perspective, Delia is right.
You may feel annoyed with the other guilds who want to "have it easy" by destroying the ecosystem.

But...

The situation changes dramatically when you look at it from the other side.
What Delia calls "tedious" work continues to put pressure on normal work, forcing the workers to work harder. It is tolerable for a day or two, but if the work continues for a week or two, and we do not know when it will be finished, the frustration will build up considerably.

In fact, Grandma Mum is unable to do that 'troublesome' work.
Without Omero's help, Grandma Mum's laundry store will have to close.
However, there are not many people in the 42nd district who are wealthy enough to enjoy a leisurely vacation.

They work very hard.
They work hard, doing the 'tedious' hard work of fetching water, which is added to their regular work, every day.

It's a lot of pain.
In fact, Milly was so wobbly that she almost collapsed.

So I was kind of stubborn ...... and frustrated ...... and my tone became rough .......... ...'
'So that's when Millie came to visit you.'
'...... Yes.'



'Once before, when the guild leader of the flower arrangement guild came, I told him to fetch water from the river and take it with him. After that, he didn't come for a long time. ...... The next time he came was Millie. The guild leader was too tired to come, so Millie, the youngest, came here.

I remember you said the head of the Flower Arrangement Guild was an old lady.
She must have been overworked with all the work of managing the forest.

And then, Millie said, "We're all at the end of our rope, so we'd like you to dam up the river for a little while to raise the water level. ............ I thought, 'Oh, he's going to say the same thing. I thought, "Oh, he's going to say the same thing." ............ Then, something happened: ............'

Delia must have been exhausted. I'm sure she wouldn't have done that under normal circumstances.
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. The fact that Millie said, "I'm at my limit," means that she was under a lot of pressure.

If two people in a state of extremes clash, they will try to push their own opinions even if they have to argue with the other person. There is no room for consideration for the other person anymore.
You probably don't have the time to make calm judgments, either.

'............ and I ......'

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'I said to Millie ......, "Do you think I don't care what happens to the salmon?" ......'.

I said something that no one who had ever visited me had ever said to me before.
I guess I thought it was the only way to emphasize my legitimacy.

'Then Millie said ......, "So, what do you want to happen to the flowers in the forest? ......'.

If we could stand in the same position and reflect on ourselves from each other's point of view, such friction would not have occurred.
However,......, the number of people who can do that is infinitely small.

'Hey ......, did I say something ............ terrible?Did you think that in order to protect the fish, the flowers in the forest, the vegetables, the rice, the chickens, and everything else ...... would go to hell?

The inhale made a snapping sound in Delia's throat.

'Do we have to sacrifice ...... the salmon and the river to protect everyone else ......?'


'Delia . That's not true.'

Estella clearly denies Delia's words as she speaks in a tearful voice.

'There is no such thing as peace that is built on someone else's sacrifice. Such a thing cannot be called peace.
'............ Estella's story is difficult and I don't understand it. Please ...... make it clearer.'
'Let's see, .......'

Estella glances at me.
Then she twists her mouth in an embarrassed manner and bows her eyes.
I don't know,......, but I felt like she said, 'I'm sorry.' ............

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

...... Oh. That's what I meant.
I'm sure you'll agree that it's a great idea to have a little bit of fun.
...... Well, do what you want.
I don't regret my actions. I try to live responsibly in the present so that I don't.

Use it. Use it as a parable. Use it as a lesson.

'At that time, when Yashiro was sacrificed, he said, "It was all Yashiro's fault. If Yashiro had disappeared from this town, do you think ...... everyone would have been happy?
'No, of course not!If he does something like that again and disappears from our sight without permission, I'll definitely find him and kick his ass as hard as I can!

Oh, ......, there's a death flag for me.
Delia is the type of person who never cares about her own specs.
She's always going all out, hence the overkill.
...... Let's try not to piss her off.

If you're not convinced that you've dammed the river for the sake of everyone else,...... even if everyone else is saved,...... then Delia's spirits will be lifted when she sees the river devoid of salmon. ...... I can't think of that as 'peace'. I can't say I'm glad.

I'm not going to say that I'm glad." Estella approached the nodding Delia and forcefully grabbed her hand.
She grasps her hand forcefully and pours a straight, thought-filled gaze into Delia's eyes.

'Delia is an important friend of District 42. When Delia is sad, I'm sad too. I will never sacrifice you.'
'Estella ............'

Delia's face twisted into a slightly tearful expression.

'......Sorry, that was a bit difficult, I only understood about half of it.'
'You're lying!

Oh, ...... Delia, if you talk too long at once, your brain freezes up in the middle of it. ...... I tend to let my emotions take over and talk too long.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to have to.

'Estella, you mean you like me, right?
'Umm, yes......, but ............ my hand, my hand hurts...... a little more. Gently .......'
'I like you too Estella!
'Uh, yeah!Thank you!So, hands!My hand, the bones in my hand!They creak!
'Estella, I love you!
'Thank you, thank you, thank you!Jashiro!Stop Delia!Hurry up!
'Delia, shake my hand too.'
'Yes!

When I held out my hand, Delia quickly let go of Estella's hand and turned her body toward me.
The moment she was released, the look of relief on Estella's face said: ...... You owe me as much as you can.

'Shake hands with Yashiro too!
'And, before that!

If I were to shake his hand while he was excited, the bones in my hand, which are even more delicate than Estella's, would shatter like sprinkles in an instant. This is not the time to say, "You're full of calcium.

I need to stop Delia from turning towards me and bring her tension back to normal.

'This is a continuation of Estella's story. It's not difficult, so please listen to me carefully.'
'Yeah?Yeah. I'll listen.
'Estella said that Delia was one of you, right?
'Oh, yes!That was nice of you, Estella!'
'Hahaha ...... that's good to hear.'

Estella is starting to have a bit of a hard time with Delia.
They're complete opposites, you know.

'But to Estella, Miry, Mormat and the others are just as important as her friends.
'And Omero?

And then, 'No, not Omero! I'd feel sorry for Omero, too.

'Omero too.
'Estella is a really nice guy!
'Hahaha ...... thanks a lot.'

I'm not sure what Delia sees in Omero,......, though I'm afraid to ask.



'So, you see, Estella wants to help everyone.'
'Everyone, you mean ...... everyone?'
'Yeah. Everyone.'

Even if it's reckless, this guy will keep struggling to make it so.
He's a lord with a bad temperament like that, you know.

'Well, then, go to .......'

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I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to make of it.

I knew that was what was bothering you the most.

'I thought about kicking Mo-Matt and the others out of the room because of the way they talked to me.

Mormat. There's a death sentence out for you .

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had it. ......... She probably doesn't like me anymore and won't see me. ......'

I was a little surprised.
I'm surprised that even Delia would think such negative things.
If you think about it a little, you'll realize that Millie would never do such a thing. ...... Self-loathing and guilt can make ordinary things seem the worst. I'm sure Delia had such a weakness in her heart.

'If there's a way to save Millie without damming the river, will you help her?I'll do whatever I can!

There you are again, a softie who would say such dangerous words as 'do anything'.

'...... And while you're at it, ............ if you can, tell Millie I'm sorry... I'm sure you'll be fine.

Delia is scared of Millie.
I think she's afraid of being cold when she sees you.

I feel like I'm watching a very precious image.

'I'm not sure I can do that.

Estella says this in a different tone of voice.
Ah, so that's it. The timing is wonderfully good.

But you know, Estella, ...... you should look at your partner when you play with words like that. Or else ......

'Why not?You said you like me!Don't be mean to me!
'Hey!Delia!Wait, wait. ............ Oh, dear!

Delia grabbed Estella by the collar.
She looks like she's about to throw her off her back.

'No!Just hear me out!Just hear me out!
'I'll listen to you if you swear not to be mean to me!
'I'm not trying to be mean!I'm just saying that you don't need us to tell you every single message!
'Estella's story is hard to understand!
'Look at the embankment!The path above the riverbank!

I shouted, pointing to the path on the riverbank.
On a slightly steep slope. He looked up at the path leading from the road and saw--

'Oh, my ......!

Millie was standing there.

'Miry?

Delia's shoulders jumped.
I released Estella and hurried to hide behind my back.
...... It's sticking out, it's sticking out.

'Oh, did you come here to be angry?'

Not at all.

'What if he hits me?'

No, no, no, no, that's not gonna happen.

'How hard should I hit back?
'Don't do that, she'll fly away. ......'

You fight back when you're hit, right?

'Well, then ...... I'll just have to be patient and take it. ......'

No, that's why ......

'It's okay, just listen to Milly.'
'But ......'
'Delia. Listen to me, okay?

I've never seen Delia so scared.
She's really scared of being hated.

So I'm going to give her a little courage. Special offer?
Just this once, I'll make sure the ...... bill goes to Estella.

'I said it's okay, so it's definitely okay.

I looked into her eyes through her bangs and nodded vigorously.
Millie is not angry. Rather, she feels the same as you.
''You're not mad at me? I don't want her to hate me.''



As proof, look at Milly's hands.
That cute little bag she's holding so tightly in both hands.

I assure you.
Within five minutes, you'll have made up for it. .................. No, I'll do it within ten minutes. Yeah, you need a little leeway.

'Umm ...... yeah. If Yashiro says so, I believe ............ it.'

Pull yourself away from my back and straighten your back.
You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these in the marketplace.
The crisp expression on her face gives her the air of a representative of the guild, and makes her neat face look even more beautiful.
In the midst of all this, the lips trembling with the faint anxiety that still lingers adds a touch of cuteness. ......

It's okay. Delia can get through this kind of anxiety.
I believe in you.

'Hey, Yashiro...... didn't you think of something funny for once while you were cheering Delia up?'
'What are you talking about?'


Estella. ...... She's a sharp one.
Well, I don't care about Estella.

'Here, Delia. Go ahead and do it.'
'Oh, yeah, I know ......, I know .......'

Delia didn't move.
Back straight, chest out, eyes averted. ...... wayward.

'Hey, Milly!Come over here. Delia wants to talk to you!
'Hey!Yashiro!I'm not ready for ......!

Delia panicked.
However, Millie is approaching us step by step with small strides.

As Millie approached, Delia's agitation grew, and when she got close enough to hear Millie's tense breathing, her tension seemed to reach its peak and she ............ froze.
It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.
I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.

'Ah...... ah,ne...... Delia,san'.
'Hoo, oh, oh!I'm not sure what to say.What a coincidence, here we are!

It's not a coincidence. ...... Calm down, Delia.

It's not a coincidence.

You don't need to get on my case.
You don't have to worry about it, Millie.

And then they look at each other's faces and squirm. ...... A delicate air envelops the area.

'...... Yashiro'.

Estella comes up behind me and pokes me in the side with her elbow.

'......You brought this situation on yourself, so take responsibility.'
'I didn't have to tell you, it wouldn't have started or ended like this.
'...... Just do it. I'll leave it to you.'

I don't know what's good about .......

'Milly.
'What, what?What ...... are you, ladybug?'

I'm sure Millie has something to say.
But it takes a lot of courage to say the first thing.

It would be easier if there was a trigger.

So, I'll give you that chance.

'You have something for Delia, don't you?

That cute little bag you're holding so tightly in both hands.
Give it to her, she'll be thrilled.

'Oh, .........'

He looks down, bites his lip and ...... looks up as if he's made up his mind.

'Oh, Derria-san .......'
'What the hell?
'If you're bothered by ...... that ...... I'm sorry, but ...... my ...... ...... this,...... if you like.'
'......What?'

She stretched out her arms and held out a cute little bag.
Delia, unable to grasp the situation, looked over at me.

I nodded, and reached into the bag, fearfully.

'Open it. You'll be glad you did.'
'......, yeah.'

I pushed her back and she opened the bag slowly and easily.

'........................ Ah!

And when she found out what was inside, she thrust her hand into the bag and plucked out a piece.

'It's a nectar candy!

That's Delia's favorite food. It was sweet, sweet, sweet nectar candy.


The taste of very sweet honey blended with the nectar of the most delicious flowers in the flower gardens of the 35th district.
By making it into candy, you can enjoy its sweetness for a long time.

It's a candy that a sweet tooth like Delia's can't resist.

'This, this, this, this is for me?
'Hmmm. I'm ...... glad ...... you're happy ......?'
'I'm happy!I'm happy!Yay!I like this!It's so good!
'Yeah, hehehe......, thank you for saying it's delicious, okay?
'Thanks to you too, Milly!

Delia took Millie's hand with a surge of tension after seeing the nectar candy.


And then she came back to herself and froze.


The person you thought was difficult to face, the person you thought you didn't want to be disliked, the person you thought you had to apologize to, was now right in front of you.
It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time.

'Ah ............ no,...... that ......'.

I'm not sure what to say.
What she wanted to say was stuck in the back of her throat and wouldn't come out.

She was impatient and frustrated with herself and ...... cried slightly.

I know what you're feeling right now, Delia. I'm sure we've all experienced it before.
And that feeling is--

'Oh, you know, ............ Miri, I've been wanting to apologize to you.'
'............ Heh?
'I'm sorry ...... for ignoring your feelings and talking about ourselves all the time.
'......?

--touched by kindness, she would instantly fall apart.

'Oh, I'm ............ sorry too!I'm sorry that I said such horrible things to you, Millie,............!
'No, no, no, no, it's not your fault, Derria.It's not your fault, it's not your fault, it's not your fault. ...'
'It's not Miri's fault either!
'Yes, yes. Neither of us are bad. Right?

We both kept blaming ourselves and were afraid that the other would hate us.
But when they actually talked to each other, instead of blaming each other, they apologized and said kind words to each other. ...... That would make me cry. I'm not sure what to say.
I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

'Come on, you two. It's okay now. We've made up now, haven't we?You don't have to cry anymore.'

Estella comforts the two girls as they shed tears after being released from the tension.
The two "girls" bury their faces in Estella's flat chest and sob.

'...... Yashiro. What were you just thinking?
'I'm glad you're here. I can't imitate that.
'............ You were definitely thinking something else.'

Why would you guess wrong in such a touching scene? ...... I just thought it was a bit flabby. ............ ......You're a sharp guy.

I'm not sure what to say.I've been wondering if there's anything I can do to help Millie's place!Sometimes I see Millie at the river, and ...... she looks tired, so ...... I thought I could do something for her.'
'Hmm, thanks for the .......'
'But I don't know much about that kind of thing. ......'
'I'm not sure about that either. I'm always wondering what I should do. ...... We're the same, aren't we?
'Oh. We're the same.'

We put our faces close to each other, our eyes reddened with tears, and smile at each other.

I'm glad you were able to reconcile.
Well, I thought it would be easy to reconcile after hearing your story.
In times like these, you just have to take the plunge and come face to face with each other to make things work out.
Especially in the case of people like Delia and Milly, who are 'ginette-leaning'.

People like me and Estella might not be so straightforward.

'But you're safe now!

Delia slapped her chest, 'Den! Delia slaps her chest and shakes it with a big 'pop! and shakes it. Nice!

'...... Yashiro. Shut up.

It's funny.
I didn't utter a single word. ...... Estella, you're awakening some strange ability, aren't you?

'Did you come up with something better?
'No. I have no idea.'
'But, ......, are you okay?
'Yeah!

And Delia pointed at me confidently.



'Yashiro said he'll take care of it!
'Hmph!

What's with all this throwing around and recklessness?

'He just told me. 'I said it'll be fine, so it'll be fine'!

No, I said that!
That's about reconciliation with Milly, not about the water shortage!

'He said he'll come up with something great that won't dam up the river and will solve the hardships of Millie and the others!Hey, Yashiro!I'm sure you're right.

............ No, no, no, no.


'Ah~ ...... Delia, you must be suffering from a discrepancy in your memory due to extreme stress and strain. The fact that you were listening to Estella's tricky talk just before that may have had an effect. Listen, when I said 'it's going to be fine', I meant ......'.
'............Not, huh?'

I'm sure you're not the only one who's had it. ...... It's not fair. ............ That face, it's not fair. ...... It's not fair to Jeannette. I'm not sure what to do.
What's that?

Oh my god, ..................!

'............ We'll take care of it.
'Yes!
'Thank you, ladybug!

You're acting like you've already solved the problem. ......

'Well, I can't wait to see how this will benefit you.

Shut up, Estella. Don't look at me with that smirk on your face.

d*mn it. Isn't this town getting more and more of my natural enemies?
I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it'll come to this. ............

But well, I've got an idea how to use him and him to ...... make it work.
Now, how in the world can I .................. force them to deal with this hassle that has been brought to me? ......

When I was thinking about it...

'Yashiro-san!Minna-san!

I heard Jeannette's voice from the bank.
Magda and Loretta, towing the seventh store of the sunlit pavilion. And Umaro and Hamko, and even Mormat and Imelda, who knows where they picked them up.

'Hey ...... Yashiro. What are you going to do now?

Delia's mouth twitched at the sudden arrival of such a large group.
You're probably worried because there's friction on all sides right now, but ...... there's also Mo-Mat, ...... but, well, don't worry.

What do you mean, what do you mean?

The time is almost evening.
I've been out of the store for quite a while,...... but I'll let you off the hook for today.

There are not many things to do in the evening.

I'm going to have a meal.

Eat a good meal and then talk calmly.

Besides, Delia. You're a lucky man.
You can thank Jeannette. She's got some good people on her side.


It's like this whole thing is over.