Chapter 143: Farming Life (3)
"Diggy diggy hole, I'm digging a hole~" Furuya sang as he moved quickly through the tasks assigned to him in a specific area around the farm. His voice, light and cheerful, cut through the afternoon air, blending with the clatter of tools and the distant rustling of the wind.
An hour had passed since the group had finished their lunch, and the pace of their work had picked up again. Yet, Yasushi could not shake the feeling of being watched. It was not Jingliu, Xinyi, or even Furuya who drew the attention of the locals. No, it was Yasushi himself. The attention from the townsfolk was persistent, even if indirect.
Yasushi considered the possibility that his recent actions and presence in the town had something to do with this attention. He wasn't particularly disturbed by it; he found it more unsettling that people would not simply approach him with their questions. He would have preferred them to be straightforward, to come up to him directly and ask whatever they were curious about. The indirect approach frustrated him.
He had always been someone who valued honesty, even when it came with harshness or discomfort. It was a preference for clarity, an aversion to drawn-out, indirect communication. Though he occasionally caught himself engaging in similar behavior, he appreciated when people were direct, regardless of whether their honesty was pleasant or not. It was simply faster that way.
As Yasushi worked through his tasks, his phone vibrated sharply against his leg. He pulled it out, eyes scanning the message that popped up. It was a notification about their scheduled time with the animals. The text from the group chat made it clear: they were set to work with the horses.
A grin spread across Yasushi's face as he read the message. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and wrapped up his current work. With a sense of anticipation, he made his way to the area where the horses were kept. The sun beat down warmly as he approached the stables.
When Yasushi arrived, he found the rest of the group already there, gathered and waiting. Their voices carried over the stable's low murmur.
"Let's go, dude, we've got horses to handle!" Furuya said, his excitement evident in his tone.
Xinyi raised an eyebrow and looked at Furuya with a bemused expression. "What does that even mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and mild irritation at Furuya's unusual phrasing.
Furuya disregarded Xinyi's question and dashed toward the horses, where one of the adults waited to assist them. The group followed and gathered around, ready for the instructions to begin.
The adult, a man with a weathered face and a knowledgeable air, addressed the group. "I'm pleased you all could join us. I overheard this young man here expressing a keen interest in learning about horse care and perhaps even riding. I decided to make some adjustments to accommodate this interest. There's quite a bit to consider, so are you certain you want to proceed?" He directed his question at Furuya, who was clearly eager.
"Yes, sir!" Furuya responded with enthusiasm, giving a dramatic salute that drew laughter from the others.
The man smiled and began to explain in detail. He covered the essentials of horse care, including grooming, feeding, and the importance of understanding each horse's unique needs and behavior. His explanations were thorough, and he included various tips on maintaining their health and managing their well-being. The session lasted about twenty minutes, during which he imparted a wealth of information about the responsibilities involved in caring for horses.
"Alright, since you're so eager, give it a go," the man said, his voice carrying a hint of encouragement. "I'll be here to guide you if needed."
Furuya wasted no time. He picked up the grooming tools and walked over to the horse. Gently, he began to pat the animal's body and neck, introducing himself with a soft voice. He selected the appropriate brush and started to brush the horse's coat with care. As he worked, the horse blinked slowly a few times and then closed its eyes, clearly enjoying the gentle strokes.
"That's pretty cool," Furuya murmured, still focused on the horse. "We don't have any horses back in our city — I mean, it snows for about eight months of the year."
The man raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Eight months? Are you all from Ginsukimura?"
"Hmm? Yeah, we are," Furuya confirmed, continuing his work.
The man smiled warmly. "I'm Koito Nimura. I'm originally from Okinawa, Japan. I started my business in Europe after traveling extensively, and now I'm looking to expand back into Japan, especially into places like Ginsukimura."
Yasushi stepped forward and asked, "Why focus on Ginsukimura specifically? If your business involves horses, it might not take off too well unless you're planning to create indoor facilities to shield against the snow and cold. Otherwise, it might not be the best fit."
Koito laughed softly. "Ginsukimura is one of the few places in Japan that draws significant tourist attention, more than many other areas. It's a city covered in snow for eight months of the year and then scorched by intense heat for the remaining four months. It's quite unusual, which is why it's considered one of the seven or eight wonders of the world."
"So… you're aiming to establish a presence there for visibility and increased profits?" Yasushi asked, his tone flat, which made Koito chuckle.
"Well, it's not exactly a bad thing if the profits are good," Koito responded. "After all, I still need funds to keep my business running."
Yasushi nodded in agreement but was interrupted as Furuya swapped places with Catherine and Xinyi. They began to groom the horse, brushing its coat and feeding it a bit of food. The horse seemed to appreciate the attention and relaxed into the pampering.
Yasushi glanced at Jingliu, who tilted her head slightly as if trying to grasp a subtle message. After a moment, Jingliu spoke up. "If you're serious about this, why not consider partnering with us to speed things along? I live in that city, and I think we could be of mutual assistance."
Koito studied Jingliu for a moment before asking, "You're... Liang Yang's daughter, right? I had been thinking about reaching out to him or the Cheng family for support with this project. I've worked with them before, but those were on a smaller scale. This collaboration could work out well for me."
Jingliu and Koito moved off to a quieter corner to discuss details, while Yasushi kept an eye on the group. Yunxue followed Jingliu to ensure Yasushi could focus, and he turned his attention back to the horse and his friends, who were taking turns grooming and pampering the animal.
After twenty minutes, Jingliu and Koito returned, looking satisfied with their discussion. Koito then helped Furuya mount the horse and guided him as he walked it around. Furuya's face glowed with excitement, like a child who finally got to play with a long-desired toy.
Observing this, Yasushi remarked, "You don't seem too affected by all this," glancing at Catherine and the others.
Catherine shrugged casually. "I grew up with horses back in my hometown. I rode them and took care of them all the time, so it's nothing new for me. I'm actually more surprised you haven't given it a try yourself," she said, giving Yasushi a questioning look.
Yasushi let out a soft chuckle and said, "I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about horses, so I'm not too bothered by not riding them at the moment. But Furuya? He's the type who throws himself into things he really enjoys, without worrying about the consequences."
After Furuya's turn, the others took their turns riding the horses. Jingliu and Xinyi displayed a natural talent, their movements fluid and effortless as they handled the horses with apparent ease. Yasushi also decided to give it a try. His gentle manner and instinctive grasp of riding surprised many, revealing a hidden skill that few had anticipated.
What remained unknown to most was that Yasushi had experience with horses from his previous life. He had an uncle who lived in the countryside, and Yasushi would visit him to help with the farm chores. This background in handling horses had stayed with him even after his reincarnation, providing him with a unique advantage in managing the animals now.
"Liar!" Xinyi exclaimed, her face a mix of disbelief and amusement as she grabbed Yasushi in a headlock, playfully rubbing his head. "You said you had no experience with animals or horses!"
"Is this really how you're going to react?" Yasushi replied, managing to wriggle free from her embrace. "I never claimed I didn't have any experience. I just said I wasn't particularly interested."
Xinyi pouted, clearly not satisfied with his response. Jingliu cast a curious glance in Yasushi's direction, her eyes asking unspoken questions. Yasushi shook his head slightly, signaling that he would explain at another time. Jingliu accepted this with a nod, understanding that now wasn't the moment for answers.
The rest of their time was spent in the barn, where they were instructed on the various tasks related to caring for the horses. They learned how to clean the stables, feed the animals, and handle their daily needs. The focus was on practical skills and gaining a thorough understanding of horse care.
+-+
"Ugh…I'm dying," Furuya mumbled, clearly drained from the day's events.
Their group was making their way back home, having been graciously invited to stay at Jingliu's lavish residence, an offer they had eagerly accepted. The day had been long and tiring for everyone, but the sense of enjoyment they'd experienced made it feel less like work.
"Just one more day, Furuya, and you can return to your usual lazy and relaxing routine for the break," Catherine said, trying to lift his spirits.
Furuya managed a feeble hand raise, his attempt at a cheerful gesture falling flat. Catherine laughed at his tired attempt. The others were familiar with his exhaustion, and even Yasushi, despite having managed quite a bit of labor that day, was feeling the toll of the effort. It had been a while since he had engaged in such physical work, and it left him noticeably drained.
"Are you going to ask for something tomorrow, Furuya?" Yasushi inquired, but received no answer. Furuya, barely able to stay upright, seemed more dead than alive, his eyes glazed over and drool threatening to escape as he trudged along.
The group eventually arrived at Jingliu's home, and the rest of the night was spent in a more leisurely manner. Most of them were eager to recover from the day's exertions and hoped for a restful night's sleep to prepare for the following day. Furuya, in particular, looked drained and barely functional.
Later that evening, Jingliu and Yasushi had a brief conversation. They discussed the recent meeting with Koito, among other topics. Their exchange was efficient, and they reached a mutual understanding on the various matters at hand.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Haruki_Murakami
Haruki_Murakami "Pāremā" - Māori proverb
"The horizon is always moving."
Meaning: Goals and ambitions are constantly shifting and evolving.
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