Published: July 25, 2025
I had planned to make a papyrus-like material immediately using the stems that had been collected for me, but to my trouble, I couldn't start right away.
"Myne."
"Eek!?"
"Where do you think you're going? Didn't I tell you we’re starting winter preparations today?"
Just as I was about to head to the well to soak the plant stems and extract fibers, my mother grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and stopped me.
I understand that since the snow will soon seal everything off, preparing for the long winter is essential.
But why do I, who am completely useless, have to be dragged into this?
No matter how much I search through Myne's memories, they mostly show her being sick with a cold or wandering around uselessly.
In other words, I am a complete burden. The only saving grace is that I’m not bedridden from a cold.
"Myne, you’re helping your father. Come along."
"What about dad’s work?"
"He’s off for a while. If we don’t take turns resting, we’ll be in trouble with the winter prep, right?"
…Does that mean the workplace is surprisingly considerate and offers winter prep leave? Or is it that winter preparation is so demanding that it’s impossible without male help?
Either way, it’s rare that my father stays home and pairs up with me. As a soldier, he tends to be a bit muscle-headed and usually acts with Tulli because she’s healthy and easy to manage.
Since the entire family is home, there’s no escaping, and with my father’s orders, I have no choice but to resign myself to accompanying him.
"…What exactly does winter preparation involve?"
Standing by the kitchen window, my father pulled out some sort of tools and answered.
"First, we inspect and repair the house. When blizzards come, we close the wooden shutters, so we need to check for loose or rusty hinges and any holes in the boards. After that, we clean the chimney and the hearth so everything works smoothly throughout winter."
"I see."
I understood the tasks, but how could I possibly be of any help in this?
I can’t even hold a screwdriver properly or turn one, and I can’t carry heavy loads. Doesn’t anyone see these feeble, fragile arms of mine!?
Still, I have to try to be a bit more enthusiastic and show some usefulness, or my standing in this household won’t improve.
Distinguishing loose or rusty hinges is easy enough if I apply my modern knowledge.
“Dad, this hinge and these nails are rusty too, you know?”
“…That’s still okay.”
No, they look decrepit and about to crumble at any moment!
For a moment, I wondered whether I should trust my father. Since these shutters protect against blizzards, it’d be a problem if they broke halfway through.
I climbed onto a chair and gave the shutter a little shake. If nothing happened, I could trust my father. But if it broke, I’d have to make judgments based on my own standards from then on.
After a few shakes, there was a crack! The lower part of one of the two hinges split.
Watching the shutter swing unstablely, I thought, “I knew it.” My father, however, turned pale and stared at the swaying shutter.
"My-Myne!?"
“See? It broke. It won’t last through winter like this. Come on, dad, fix it properly.”
Pointing firmly at the shutter, my father sighed and put me down from the chair, brushing aside his mistake.
“Myne, go help your mother.”
Was he that upset about his judgment being questioned by his daughter?
I shrugged resignedly and shook my head. Since my mother told me to help, I had no choice but to keep pointing out issues by my father’s side.
After all, it’s all for my safe and comfortable winter.
“Eh? I’m keeping an eye on dad. If we’re repairing to prevent breakage during winter, we can’t leave it this dilapidated.”
“If I let you near, you’ll probably break everything since we don’t have enough money to fix it all. Go to your mother.”
…Money again, huh?
Having broken the hinge my father intended to use more carefully, I obediently followed his words and headed to the bedroom where my mother and Tulli were.