Chapter 119 - Special Chapter: A Day in Okita Village (Hearing Her Voice)
This is the second part of the special chapter.
Fam awoke. Still drowsy, she tried to slip out of her soft, fluffy bed, only to realize how cold the room had become. She instinctively burrowed deeper under the covers.
"How long do you plan on sleeping?"
Her mother, Harnem, who had come to wake her, pulled back the blankets. As Fam sat up, Harnem handed her a cape. Fam draped it over her head, enveloping herself in the soft, warm garment woven from sheep's wool. Seeing Fam revel in its texture, Harnem smiled. She had made the cape for her daughter.
Fam’s house was a log cabin. Besides her room, there was a living room and her parents' bedroom. There was also an earthen-floored area that served as the kitchen. While the villagers didn't have a custom of bathing in hot water, they would place a tub on the earthen floor to wash themselves.
All the other houses were built in a similar fashion. The villagers worked together to construct and repair them.
It was only recently that Fam had been given her own room. Until then, she had slept in the same room as her parents.
Even now that she had her own space, she usually spent her time with her parents in the living room, only returning to her room to sleep. Her father, Garwin, had once lived in a town for his training, and as a result, he was skilled at reading and writing. In her parents' bedroom were books he had acquired from traveling merchants, and he would often read to her. From the time she was five, she began to learn to read and write herself. Fam's mother, Harnem, tried to learn alongside her, and they would compete to see who could memorize more.
Because of his abilities, Garwin served as the negotiator with outsiders like merchants and travelers. He also took on the role of a teacher, gathering the children to teach them literacy, earning him great respect among the villagers.
Garwin and Harnem each wore a silver ring on the ring finger of their left hand. This was another piece of knowledge Garwin had picked up while living in town, mimicking the transferred people who wore rings as a symbol of marriage. While one might occasionally see such rings in town, they were the only two who wore them in the village.
The fireplace was in the living room. Bundled in her cape, Fam rushed in. The warm air enveloped her, filling her with a sense of happiness.
The living room held a large sofa, as well as a table and chairs for meals.
Her father, Garwin, was already seated, and breakfast was ready.
"Good morning."
After exchanging greetings, Fam went to the earthen floor to wash her face.
"Hyah!"
The water was so frigid that a cry escaped her lips.
Fam sat across the table from her parents, who were seated next to each other. Breakfast consisted of warm Ayran, a vegetable stew, and kebabs—spiced lamb wrapped in thin flatbread.
"What can I help with today?"
Fam asked as she took a bite of her kebab.
"Today is the Pau Ritual. You don't need to help with any work."
"But if I don't have something to do to distract myself, I'll get too nervous."
At Fam's reply, Garwin thought for a moment. "Hmm," he murmured.
"Alright then, let's work on repairing the house in preparation for the deep winter. We should reinforce the windows and doors to make sure there are no gaps."
"Okay!"
Seeing Fam nod enthusiastically, Garwin and Harnem exchanged a smile.
"By the way, have you decided what you'll say as the Arbiter?" Harnem asked.
"Yeah… I think so," Fam replied, nodding uncertainly.
"You'll be fine, Fam. Just say what you truly think. The villagers want to know what's in your heart," Harnem said as she poured Garwin another bowl of soup.
"By the way, why did you and Dad get married?" Fam asked.
"Your mother praised the wheat I grew," Garwin said.
"And when I baked bread with the wheat he grew, he told me it was delicious," Harnem added.
The two of them smiled bashfully. How many times had they repeated this exchange? It was a small moment, not even worth writing in a diary. In the past, Fam had been dissatisfied with this answer and had asked them over and over, but now, she felt like she understood. The two of them had built a life together by accumulating countless small moments. And they would likely continue to do so, forever.
It was a cold day. Snow had begun to fall from the overcast sky, and by evening, the village was dusted in a thin white layer. It was the first snowfall of the season.
Though they shivered in the cold, the dog-eared race always seemed to grow more energetic when it snowed.
The people from Shun's village arrived one after another for the Pau Ritual. The skinheads were there, too, wearing the same leather outfits and shoulder pads as the day before. Their exposed chests and arms looked cold.
"Hya-ha-ha! Lookin' lively today, ya little brats!"
One of them shouted upon seeing Fam and Sam, raising his nail-studded club. The girls laughed and waved back, but Nick, seeing them for the first time, tucked his tail between his legs and trembled with fear. However, after just a few minutes of talking, Nick had completely warmed up to them.
"That's so cool! I wanna dress like that!"
"Absolutely not!" Sam retorted, exasperated by Nick's excitement.
In the village square, a pyre as tall as the one in Shun's village yesterday was set ablaze. Mounds of snow had been scraped together at either end of the square. It was barely a dusting, so the snow was dirty, but no one seemed to mind. The people from Fam's village and Shun's village started a snowball fight to warm up. Fam and her friends joined in, using a strategy devised by Nick to take on the skinheads.
As darkness fell, paper lanterns placed at close intervals along the village paths were lit. The snow-dusted village was now bathed in a warm, orange glow.
The time for the Pau Ritual was drawing ever closer.
Fam was to wait in her own house for the ceremony to begin. Sam and Nick stayed with her.
"The Arbiter from the other village is apparently at the village chief's house," Sam said.
"His name is Erne, and he's apparently won the Pau Ritual four times. They call him the 'Four Times Champion'," Nick reported, having scouted the opposition, his voice filled with excitement. It was a very direct nickname. He was apparently a man with dark skin. But even hearing how amazing Erne was, Fam felt neither scared nor nervous. There were no countermeasures to take, no strategy to devise.
"That nickname is awesome. Let's think of one for you, Fam!"
"'Bad Dog', or maybe 'Shorty', right?" Nick immediately shot back at Sam's suggestion.
"You're the only one who still calls me that, Nick! You're such a kid…"
Sam glared at Nick and puffed out her cheeks. As if in response, Nick puffed out his own.
"Speaking of which, Sam, you've got a nickname. The guys from the other village were calling you it."
"Huh? I have a nickname?"
A grin spread across Nick's face at Sam's response.
"Yeah, everyone's calling you 'Pervy Kid'."
"Grr!"
The pervy kid kicked the bad kid right in the crotch.
Night had completely fallen. A break in the clouds revealed a starry sky, but snow was still drifting down.
A square platform had been set up in the plaza. The villagers were served Ayran, grape wine, skewered meat, and kebabs, which they held as they gathered around the stage. A circle of bonfires surrounded the crowd, illuminating the platform as brightly as if it were midday.
At present, one of the village elders stood alone upon it. He was hunched over from yesterday's exertion and old age, but he was trying his best to stand up straight.
"The Pau Ritual will now begin!"
The elder's declaration was met with a great cheer and a chorus of howls from the villagers.
"First, our first Arbiter, the Four Times Champion, Erne!"
Two skinheads appeared first. Following them was a dark-skinned, bald man. Wrapped in a cloak, the man had the seasoned, resolute face of a veteran warrior. And he had the same ears as the two skinheads preceding him. They were triplets.
The villagers from Shun's village erupted in excitement, howling in unison and stomping their feet so hard the ground shook. Erne ascended the platform and threw off his cloak. He was bare from the waist up, revealing muscles like forged steel. He did a full spin and thrust both fists into the air at a forty-five-degree angle. The energy of Shun's villagers reached its peak. The entire venue was consumed by fervor.
The village chief thrust his hands forward, as if to quell the cheers. The venue fell silent at his gesture.
"And now, our second Arbiter, the village maiden, Fam!"
As if propelled by the voice, Fam, Sam, and Nick appeared. With Fam in the center, they walked out holding hands.
This time, the people of Fam's village howled. They clapped their hands, and the air trembled. The three of them walked to the platform in time with the clapping rhythm and climbed up. Then they raised their joined hands high into the air.
"UOOOOOOOOHHH!"
The roar from the crowd grew even louder.
From the stage, Fam looked out at the gathered villagers. In the very front row, she saw Lily, Cicci, and Shun. Amidst the ever-growing excitement, they were the only ones with somber faces. Looking more carefully, she found her parents. Her expression brightened when her eyes met theirs. They howled, sending their voices to her, but their words were lost in the surrounding din. Unable to help herself, Fam howled back. Sam and Nick, standing beside her, howled as well.
When they finished, Sam and Nick turned to face Fam.
"Do your best. We're cheering for you."
"Fam, even after you step down from this stage, we'll be right there with you."
The Arbiters' entrance was complete. The two skinheads, along with Sam and Nick, descended from the stage.
Erne walked over to Fam. He looked at her and offered a gentle smile.
"You have a good look in your eyes. Let's both do our best."
"It's an honor," Fam replied to Erne. Unlike the other skinheads, he was a gentleman.
He extended a hand. It was large and felt powerful. Fam grasped it with her small hand.
Applause erupted from the audience.
Three women now ascended the stage. They were to be the judges. They introduced themselves as Pippi, Piko, and Koko. They had been chosen from a village different from both Fam's and Shun's.
Another group of people carried out a circular marble slab, nearly twice the height of a person. A few people, mistaking it for a giant flying disc, got excited and started a commotion, but they were quickly restrained by those nearby.
The marble slab was rolled into place and secured in the center of the platform.
Carved into the stone was the face of a roaring man with his mouth wide open. It was ancient and clearly weathered, you could tell at a glance that it was from a bygone era. It was said to be Okita Soji challenging the God of the End, but the man in the carving was far too old for that.
"Lord Okita will distinguish the good dog-eared from the bad. Now, place your hand inside his mouth."
Urged on by the elder, Fam and Erne looked at each other. Erne gave a silent nod. It seemed his gentlemanly nature included the principle of 'ladies first.'
Since he had offered her the turn, Fam tentatively placed her right hand into the stone mouth.
A dazzling light shot out from the carving's eyes and mouth. At the same time, Fam's right arm also began to glow.
"You may withdraw it."
Prompted by the elder, Fam pulled her hand out of the mouth.
To everyone's astonishment, her right arm had transformed into the foreleg of a dog. The fur was the same brown as her ears.
A gasp of wonder rippled through the crowd. The murmured words were all in praise of the beauty and coat of her foreleg.
Next, Erne placed his right hand into the slab's mouth. Just as with Fam, light burst from the carving's mouth and eyes. When he withdrew his arm, it too had transformed into a foreleg.
It was a long, beautiful foreleg, as smooth and dynamic as if it had been sculpted.
Such was the presence of the Four Times Champion.
Even more gasps of admiration escaped the crowd than they had for Fam.
The judges began by observing Erne's paw pad.
"As expected. It is beautiful, noble, and overflowing with dignity."
"The feel is supreme. If I were allowed, I would want to touch it forever."
"It smells of the sun. On such a cold day, it reminds me of a summer's day far away…"
Cheers erupted from the villagers who heard their comments. As expected of the champion. It was a magnificent paw pad.
Before she knew it, Fam found herself in a tight spot.
The judges gathered around Fam to examine her paw pad. She instinctively took a step back.
"Believe! The paw pad does not lie. It's okay, Fam, we're with you!"
Sam and Nick were at the foot of the stage. They both placed a clenched fist over their heart.
Fam summoned her courage and took a step forward. She offered her foreleg. The judges began their inspection, stroking it, gently pressing the pads, and smelling it. It was so ticklish she couldn't help but squirm, but she endured it.
The examination felt like it was taking an eternity.
"A one-in-a-million paw pad. We haven't seen one like this in years."
"A fragrance both strong and remarkable. Quite the paw pad."
"The best paw pad in recent years."
What does that even mean? Countless question marks popped up in Fam's head, but the examination was over. The villagers were just as perplexed by the judges' evaluations. A strange atmosphere hung over the venue.
Then, the judges reported their findings to the elder. They descended the stage, leaving only Fam and Erne standing on either side of the elder. Snow and embers danced in the air. The three of them were brightly illuminated by the light of the bonfires.
"I will now announce the results of the Pau Ritual!"
The venue fell silent. The winner would be the one who received the most votes from the three judges. Judges were not allowed to abstain and had to declare one superior, so there would be no ties.
"Judge Pippi casts her vote for… Fam!"
Never before in a Pau Ritual had an opponent received a single vote against Erne. He had always achieved a perfect victory. This unexpected vote for Fam sent a tremor through his fortress of invincibility. In response to her incredible performance, the crowd erupted into a chant of "Fam!" and the murmur of surprise swelled into a massive cheer.
"Judge Piko casts her vote for… Erne!"
An understandable vote. A chant of "Erne!" and applause rose from the people of Shun's village. That made it one to one. For better or worse, the final vote would decide the victor. Fam and Erne bowed their heads as if in prayer, closed their eyes, and awaited the moment.
"Judge Koko casts her vote for… Fam! With a vote of two to one, the winner is Fam!"
Erne's eyes remained closed as his head slumped forward in defeat. The moment his undefeated legend was shattered. The elder grabbed Fam's arm and raised it toward the snowy sky.
A thunderous cheer echoed through the night, loud enough to blow away the clouds.
A great chorus of howls followed, continuing on and on.
Amidst it all, Erne opened his arms toward Fam, ready to congratulate her on a hard-fought battle. Fam was incredibly embarrassed, but she too spread her arms, approached him, and they embraced. A warm round of applause was sent from the crowd for their heartfelt hug. Fam, however, was grimacing. Erne's upper body was bare, and despite the cold, he was slick with a thin layer of sweat.
Erne descended from the stage, and in his place, Lily, Cicci, and Shun climbed up.
By then, the howling had subsided, and the villagers quieted their voices to hear what Fam had to say.
"Now, by the right of the Pau Ritual, Fam has become the sole Arbiter. Shall we hear the Arbiter's words regarding the matter of Lily and the others?" the elder said.
Fam nodded, but she still lacked the courage to announce her judgment. She looked out over the crowd once more. Sam was clasping her hands in front of her chest as if in prayer. Nick, too, said nothing, simply staring intently at Fam. Her father and mother were also watching her.
But it wasn't just them. Everyone in the venue was looking at Fam. She couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Fam."
Lily spoke to her.
"I'm glad you're the Arbiter. Please, let us hear your words."
"Lily-neechan…"
Lily smiled. It was a very gentle smile.
Fam nodded again. Then, she took a deep breath. In the distance, a log crackled and popped. Some green wood must have been mixed in with the firewood. Embers danced through the venue. Fam began to speak.
"For every event, a feeling is born.
No matter how small the event.
Like the snow dancing in the sky now, they fall silently, piling up within the heart.
The love for another person might look like a great mass of snow, but it's really a collection of countless tiny, individual crystals.
Events have a beginning. And sometimes, they are forgotten.
But the feelings born from them have no beginning, and no end.
Cicci saw a warm ray of sunshine at the edge of a world of snow, and he began to walk.
Lily-neechan, you saw Cicci, and you wanted to start walking, too.
But the present was too precious, and you hesitated.
You forgot that you had already begun to walk.
So, I want to push Lily's back, my beloved sister's back.
I want to push it hard, so very hard.
Cicci, say goodbye to Lily. Lily, say goodbye to Cicci."
Cicci had started walking. And in truth, so had Lily. Even if Cicci said goodbye to Lily, his feelings for her would never disappear. Because feelings have no beginning and no end. And even if Lily said goodbye to Cicci, her feelings for him would never disappear. Not even if she came to love someone else.
The moment Fam delivered her judgment, Lily collapsed and began to cry. Cicci bit his lip, his hands clenched into tight fists. Shun's gaze, as he watched them both, was filled with a complex mix of many emotions, but it was also all-encompassing, and very warm.
The elder walked over to Fam and patted her head.
"We have asked a difficult thing of you. But everyone was able to hear your feelings. We will take your voice to heart."
Sam came up onto the stage. She was crying, too. Fam also grew sad, and tears began to stream down her face.
Fam and Sam rushed over to Lily.
"Lily-neechan, don't forget. Everyone in this village is here. Everyone is with you."
The three of them hugged each other and cried their hearts out. And as if to cover their sorrow, the snow fell upon their backs.
The next morning. The village was completely blanketed in snow, wrapped in a silence that made last night's clamor feel like a lie.
Fam had worried that her right arm, now a foreleg, would stay that way forever, but she was relieved to find it had returned to normal when she woke up.
As Fam was clearing snow with Garwin, the people from Shun's village passed by in front of them. They had spent the night in temporary tents set up in the plaza and were now heading back to their own village.
A skinheaded man raised his nail-studded club.
"It's freezin'!"
"Yes, it is. Good morning."
White puffs of breath escaped their mouths. Fam gave a small bow.
"We properly witnessed your judgment last night!"
Fam's heart skipped a beat at his words. The elder and the other villagers had praised her, but she hadn't yet heard what the people from the neighboring village thought.
"We'd heard the Arbiter this village sent was a calm and gentle one. But you were a fine Arbiter, with sternness inside your kindness. It made us think this village you live in is a damn good place!"
The skinhead sniffed, looking embarrassed, and clapped Fam on the back.
"When spring comes, come visit our village. It's a promise. We'll welcome ya! I'll even put a little bit of honey wine in your Ayran again. But that other Pervy Kid is a no-go. Tell her to stay off the booze!"
The skinheaded man waved and walked away. One by one, the people from Shun's village passed by Fam. Among them were Shun and Erne.
The two of them stopped in front of Fam.
"You were truly worthy of being chosen by the Pau Ritual. It was a fine judgment."
Erne and Fam shook hands.
"Um, what were you going to say, Erne…"
Fam wanted to know what he had intended to say if he had won, but Erne raised his index finger to his lips. Then, he pointed that same fingertip toward the door of her house.
On her door was a paw print. Last night, after the Pau Ritual had ended, Fam had endured the ticklish sensation, coated her paw pad in ink, and pressed it firmly against the door. It was the mark signifying that a resident of that house had become the Arbiter. A sound mind dwells in a sound paw pad. It was a saying every member of the dog-eared race knew.
And the winner speaks, while the loser remains silent. It was the strict code imposed upon any Arbiter who participated in the Pau Ritual.
Her eyes met Shun's.
"I'll push Lily's back, too."
"Shun, please, walk alongside my sister."
After she said it, Fam regretted her forceful, bossy tone and covered her mouth with her hands.
But Shun didn't seem to mind at all. He simply nodded with a gentle smile.
After walking a short distance, the two of them turned and waved. Fam waved back, watching them until they had left the village.
Now, the village would be a closed world until the arrival of spring.
Once they were out of sight, a sudden loneliness washed over her. Perhaps because she had cried so much the night before, she had become sentimental, and the scenery blurred before her eyes.
Someone patted her on the back. It was Sam. Nick was next to her.
The two of them smiled at Fam. Fam smiled back.
The snow continued to fall on the village.
Thank you for reading. The story will return to its regular progression from the next chapter.