proofed7

Well, you can't think of anything better than doing Kanako's errand first. If you can do it now, why delay it?

“Yeah, you're right. Better do the errand now before we forget about it. Although...” She looks to the TV-Console on the ground right by your side. “Can you carry that while we're walking around the market? I mean it's a little bit heavy...”

Not a problem, but you point out that she could just carry it with wind. If she can carry you to the village just fine, she should be able to carry the TV-Console just fine.

“Sorry Nobu, the wind also affects everything around it, and since the market's usually really crowded at this hour...”

...Sounds bad. You nod and pick the tv-console, then both of you start walking to the market...

---

After a short walk, you can feel the street get more dense with people, left and right there are merchants selling their stuff, vegetables, fruits, fish, wooden toys, and more. The air is smelly, as expected from a traditional marketplace, but you don't know if it can be [i]this[/i] smelly. Ugh... You can't cover your nose since you are using both of it to hold this tv-console. Sanae doesn't seem to mind the smell though...

“Hm... The merchant should be around here...” She looks around. “Ah, there!”

She runs to a nearby shop. At its front lies what looks like some variety of rice. They all look all same to you... Okay, one rice has brown color instead of white, but still...

“Welcom- My goddess Sanae! Welcome!” The merchant bows deeply to her. Eh? Is there something wrong?

“Good morning!” She greets casually. “I need to buy some rice, medium grain, one sack.”

“As you wish!” He bows again. “Mio! One sack of medium grained rice, the best one!”

Mio? Not long after, a little girl comes out from the back of the store, carrying a- wait a minute, you [i]know[/i] that girl...

“Ah, mister outsider!” Mio puts the sack of rice on the ground, and waves to you. Yep, she's the boy's friend. No doubt about it. “Mister, have you-”

“Mio, don't be rude to the goddess's companion!” The man yells. Wait, she's her father? No way, the merchant looks too young to be her father. He takes the bag and gives it to Sanae. “Here you are, you should check it first.”

“Thank you!” She opens and take a quick glance inside the bag. “How much I should pay for it?”

“It's free, my lady. this year's harvest has gone really well thanks to your blessing.”

“I'm glad to hear that, but I can't just take this for free. The harvest has gone well because of your hard work too,” Sanae reaches into her pocket and put some money on the table. “There, please take it. I insist.”

“Thank you very much, my lady.”

He bows once again. Sanae looks to the little girl on his side.

“Do you know her, Nobu?”

Well, duh. You put the tv-console on the ground and write that she's the kid's friend from Keine's school that he mentioned yesterday.

“Ooh...” She tries to talk to her. “What's your name, young lady?”

The merchant pushes her back slightly, making her talk.

“Uhm, my name's Himura Mio. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

She bows. Sanae smiles and turns to the merchant.

“Kids her age are usually in Miss Kamishirasawa's school at this hour, right? Why isn't she?”

Right to the point. The merchant rubs the back of his head.

“Uh.... Pa's decision's. He said that she would be better helping me here or my brother on the field.”

“Have you or your brother attend Miss Kamishirasawa's school before?”

“No, my lady. We all have to work everyday for our needs, so we don't have time to attend her school.”

Hm... Such is the life of a peasant family. At least wage-slave workers are able to school their children... Wait, then how he's able to become a merchant? Where did he learn how to calculate and read? A merchant must be educated in order to become successful, right? You write your thought to Sanae-

'Nobu, Sanae, don't ask for his private life too much, you'll scare him off,” Suwako's voice hums. 'Maybe the girl is more willing to answer your question.'

Sanae sighs and nods. The little girl speaks again to you.

“Mister, have you fixed Hiroshi's toy?”

You tap Sanae's shoulder and ask her for help, and inform her that Mio can't read.

“Yes Mio, we'll give it to him today. Maybe you should come with us too, so he can play it with you together!”

“Uhm... But daddy said I have to help brother today...”

She's twiddling her fingers. The merchant takes a deep breath and pat her back.

“Fine, you can go with them. I won't tell pa, but make sure to come home before dark, and be a good girl, promise?”

“Thank you!”

She hugs her older brother, then quickly runs to you. You point to the console on the ground, and she starts checking it.

“Whoaaa... It looks a lot bigger than before...”

“Thank you. Don't worry, I'll keep her safe,” Sanae turns from the merchant. “Come on, let's go Nobu.”

“Mister, can I carry that?”

“Sorry Mio, it's too heavy for you. Let mister Nobu carry that, okay?”

Heh, such enthusiasm...You pat her head then steps back from the console, giving her a chance to lift the tv-console.

“Nobu, I don't think that's a good idea...”

Mio holds the tv-console and tries to lift it.

“Umph!”

She's finally lift it up, but her hands are shaking, unable to endure the weight for long. You quickly help her hold it before she drops it.

“It's heavier than a large sack full of rice...”

“Come on, let Mister Nobu carry it,” Sanae pats her shoulder. “I'll treat you some dumplings, is that okay?”

“Whoa, really? Thank you miss goddess!”

“You can call me Miss Sanae. Now, show us the nearest dumpling shop, would you?”

Mio immediately runs when commanded by Sanae. Well, better get going now. You and Sanae walk, following her from behind. Hmm... Maybe you could ask Sanae to buy you one or two sticks of dumplings too...