Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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The phrase “thicker than blood” that appears in this story also appears in Akira Miyashita’s manga “Sakigake!! Otokojuku,” published in Shonen Jump. Early in the story, one of the main characters, “Togashi”, and three of his companions head to the enemy leader.
At the time, Togashi thought that Jaki was his brother’s enemy and was looking for an opportunity to take revenge, but he also felt that even though they were brothers, he would never be able to overcome Jaki’s power.
So when Togashi entered the door to the room where he would face the demon, he left his companions behind and ran in alone, locked the door, and locked his companions out. This was because Togashi had wrapped a bundle of dynamite around his body and was prepared to kill everyone in the process, so he didn’t want to take his companions in the process.
However, Togashi is defeated. His explosion attempt also fails, and he is saved by his comrades just before he is about to be killed. Togashi says that he didn’t want to involve everyone else because of his personal desire to avenge his brother, and one of the three companions, punches Togashi and says, “There must be things thicker than blood.”
The bond between parents and siblings is certainly strong, but the bond with friends who have shared joys and sorrows together is also strong and important.
They say that blood is thicker than water, but I also believe that life is about finding someone with whom you can build a relationship of mutual love, even if you are not related by blood.
“It’s like living off money from kids the same age as your grandchildren… I don’t want to be that kind of old hag.”
Maon-san said this while laughing loudly.
As always, she spoke lightly but directly.
The house was owned by the merchant guild (a merchant who sells goods on the street).
Even though she lost her qualifications, she still looked forward and started moving forward.
That’s the kind of strength I felt from Maon.
I’m sure a lot of things have happened to her up until now.
There may have been rainy or windy days when she sold bread.
My friend is attending university while working part-time as a newspaper delivery man.
The weather can completely change the difficulty of the work that day.
He often talked about the hardships, big and small, that people like him didn’t know about.
This is probably a pride that only Maon can have from the accumulated experience she has built up.
However, if she continues like this, she won’t get anywhere and it was not good for her health.
No matter how energetic Maon seemed, she may catch a cold while sleeping.
Lack of sleep gradually damages the body.
It accumulates. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but it can be the cause or underlying cause of illness.
In this seemingly underdeveloped world, it may really be so. That’s what I’m afraid of.
“There is a barn in the area. It’s big enough to sleep in. There’s also a well behind it. It’s a well that has been dug down to the water vein and produces clean water. There’s no need to boil water, so there’s no need to pay for firewood.”
Maon-san said with a smile, as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
“And Genta, this jacket I received this morning, that strange cloth I used to sleep under was also very warm. It’s very different from sleeping on a wooden floor. That’s all I need to live on, thank you.”
“Maon-san…”
“I’ve been baking and selling bread for many years, but since yesterday, Genta’s bread never ceases to amaze me. Did you go through a lot of trouble? It’s not easy to get that. I know it’s impossible.”
Suddenly, Maon-san picked up my right hand, which was resting on the table.
“This hand…Take good care of this hand, Genta. Your hands will continue to touch many things. Baking bread and connecting with people is all done with these hands. Genta, have you seen the faces of the adventurers you sold bread to? It may seem like an exaggeration, but we may not see each other tomorrow. People I don’t know. People who go to other towns. People who don’t come back… there are all kinds of people. From the perspective of an older person who has lived through it… it seems like they’re rushing through life. It almost looks like they’re walking while wearing down their legs.”
Perhaps thinking of those younger than me who seem to be rushing through life, Maon-san spoke with a slightly sad look on her face.
“So, Genta, these hands are for you and for the future. It’s for the person you find who will become your family. Living an ordinary life is actually quite difficult. With just a little thing, happiness slips, so don’t let go, don’t let it spill over, hold tight. Grab it. Wrap it tightly…hold it close… With these hands. And the same goes for money, Genta.”
Maon-san wrapped her hands around my hands and held them.
My right hand had some rough, hard fingertips and palms.
It conveyed the depth of one’s life up to that point.
“For myself, for I’m going to use it. Is that okay? Genta.”
Maon’s words were like a mother teaching her young child.
She said, “My little child should act as he pleases without causing trouble for others.”
To avoid causing trouble or attracting envy or resentment from society, it had a gentle tone, as if teaching me about the world.
“Yes, Maon-san.”
“That’s fine, Genta. Old people like me, once I say it, I won’t back down. I won’t listen to any persuasion.”
Maon-san has a beautiful smile that sounds like it could make a “Nika!” sound[1].
….
“That’s right, someone who could become your wife.”
“But you have to take care of your family and relatives too.”
“Oh! That’s a good point, Genta! That’s right, relationships with relatives are important. A good husband is one who thinks about things around the house too!”
As Maon spoke in a good mood, I thought to myself.
I got you!
With a smile that could be called a “smug face,” I said to Maon, “Well then, Maon-san! Let’s go shopping together.
“You have to go.”
….
“Genta, what are you talking about? I already said no to that…”
“Fufu, Maon-san. Didn’t you say that earlier?
“You have to take care of your relatives too.”
“I-I told you… Genta is not related by blood in any way…”
“Yesterday, before Maon-san went to sell bread at the Commerce Guild, I told you, I’ll just consider you a distant relative.”
“Ah, yes. You did say that… But that was just a convenient excuse…”
“Even if you’re distantly related, you’re still a respectable relative. Once you say something, you can’t take it back,” right? To become a good husband who thinks about his relatives in the future, I should start now. I think it’s good to get used to it.”
“Uh, ugh…”
Maon hesitated, wanting to argue…
Maybe it’s hard to find the right words.
So this is it! This is the only place to attack!
“Maon, we met yesterday and now we’re here! I couldn’t even imagine it until yesterday, but today all the bread was sold. I was able to grab the money with my own hands. If I hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have thought I could sell the bread I had. Even if I came up with an idea that would sell, I had no idea where to sell it.”
I stop talking here and take a deep breath.
The next words were my final card.
“We may not be related by blood. But we’ve been, and we’re together like this. I even made some money selling bread. We are here now, having shared both the good and the bad times. Until yesterday, I had no connection to this place, but now, the two of us sit at the same table and share our joy. We may not be related by blood, but there are things that are stronger than blood. There must be something there. This is how we can take care of each other!”
I let out the breath I had been holding in my chest and spoke in one go.
I couldn’t continue with the next words, I let it all out and said it all.
“Oh dear, I’m sorry, Genta, I… I said it…”
Maon-san replied with a sigh.
“There were two unnecessary things…
“Words cannot be taken back… And then it was picked up… Well, Genta took one.”
“Maon-san…”
“I thought I wasn’t getting older in vain, it’s quite surprising how young you are …”
Maon narrowed her eyes as she said that.
“…I get it. You lose, I lose. Let’s do as you say on this matter, Genta. Still… there are things thicker than blood… That’s a good way to put it. I can’t say anything anymore.”
“Maon-san…”
“Thank you again, Genta.”
Saying this, Maon-san holds out her right hand.
“Yes, nice to meet you, Maon-san!”
We shook hands firmly.
We will continue to sell bread together and make a living…
With that determination.
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[1] Reference to Luffy’s famous smile from One Piece… Love it.