Published: September 2, 2025
Satou here. When it comes to scenes of eating while crying, stories set during or after wars are the usual trope, but for me, the only thing I can think of is the desperate binge eating when comforting a friend who's gone through a heartbreak.
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“Gramps and granny, I’ve brought back some food.”
“Not weeds today, huh~”
Just as the elderly folks and I were eating millet porridge with root vegetables and stewed wolf meat, a gang of kids from the boy bandit group we met earlier that afternoon suddenly barged in. I had heard about these kids from the elders, but they said the kids’ visits weren’t on a fixed schedule, so we had started eating before they arrived.
“Oh, it’s that person from earlier.”
“Did they come to take back the food?”
“They were waiting ahead.”
The kids nervously hid behind the leader.
I wonder—can these kids not see this peaceful meal scene?
“There’s plenty of porridge, so why don’t you join us?”
“That’s right, you guys eat too.”
“Come on, sit down quickly, you little rascals.”
Though the kids were wary when I invited them, the elders’ calls and, most of all, the porridge held out to them caught their attention. They came out from between the trees and joined the meal.
“Th-this is delicious.”
“This isn’t weeds?”
“Wow, it smells really good too.”
“This stew has meat in it.”
“No way?”
“Really, it’s meat!”
“It’s tasty... uuuh.”
It’s nice that they’re happy, but I really wish they’d stop tearing up.
From Pochi, who cleared his plate first, came the beginning of a war.
“More seconds, please~!”
That single phrase brought a tense, buzzing sound effect of anticipation among the kids.
Whether she felt the tension or not, Nana, always expressionless, ladled out seconds as usual.
“You little ones, don’t hold back. Eat as much as you want.”
“There’s plenty left, so don’t hesitate if you want seconds.”
After Arisa’s words, she gave a quick comment and excused herself. The kids’ eating pace picked up. The elders scolded those who started choking with, “Chew well before swallowing.”
It looked like we might run out, so I returned to the carriage to boil some potatoes.
With Lulu helping, we peeled about 20 potatoes and boiled them in a large pot. I glanced toward the sound of rustling and saw Mia had come.
“Satou.”
“Mia, want seconds too?”
Mia shook her head slightly.
“Why do... humans... do that?”
She struggled to put her short question into words.
“Abandon children... and old folks?”
When I asked for more details, I learned that elves especially cherish children and the elderly, so this was shocking to her.
Heavy topics like this are best left to Teacher Arisa.
“Did you ask Arisa?”
“Mm.”
“What did she say?”
“I don’t know. She talked about hypnosis and social structure or something.”
That Arisa, trying to confuse with complicated words.
“Mia, not just humans, but species that have many children are basically weak.”
“Mm.”
“Because they’re weak, they use their wits to try to save as many as possible.”
“What about everyone else?”
“Well, since they don’t have the power to save everyone, they sometimes sacrifice some.”
“...I see.”
I hope that explanation settles her, but even I haven’t seriously thought that deeply. Most of what I said is just info I picked up from the internet and TV.
“If someone like you became king, peace would come, right?”
Lulu squinted her eyes and said that, but that’s wishful thinking. If someone like me became king, the country would probably go bankrupt in no time.
◇
“Oh, I see now. You were wearing a hood even during the meal because you’re an elf.”
One of the old ladies came over. Mia quickly pulled her hood up despite it being too late.
“She’s shy, you know.”
“I see. Don’t worry, dear, we won’t spread rumors.”
“Mm.”
Mia nodded and then ran over to hide behind Lulu, who was watching the pot.
“Did they dislike me?”
“She’s just shy. Anyway, is there something you need?”