[#CreativeAward2025 #FantasyNovelCategory] Maaaaaam! Episode 14
"Maaaaaam! Sato is gone!"
Bon was startled by Yuki's scream. Bon had been focused on re-washing the laundry that Zou had dropped, so he hadn't noticed that Sato was missing. He had let his guard down, assuming that Sato would never wander off on his own. Since Sato rarely made any loud noises other than crying, it took them a while to realize he was gone.
"Did you see any suspicious figures?"
He asked Yuki, but she shook her head. He thought it might be the work of kidnappers who snatch quiet children to sell them, but that didn't seem to be the case. The fact that Pes, who had a keen sense of smell, didn't growl meant...
"Maybe he followed Zou?"
"That's my eldest son for you!"
Bon said, patting Yuki on the head.
"Yuta!"
Hearing that, Yuta hopped up and clung to Bon's collar.
"Let's gooooo!"
"Woof!"
The three of them and Pes also started running to follow Zou.
......
Confirming that he had run quite a distance, Zou sat down on the riverbank to catch his breath. Looking at the river flowing before him, he remembered the laundry he had dropped earlier, and his heart felt heavy.
I didn't mean for that to happen...
He thought that, but then he remembered the gentle look Bon had given Sato, and his anger flared up again.
I just wanted to look at Sato's book for a little bit.
There was no need for him to hate it that much.
He could have just handed it to me without saying anything.
And Mom didn't have to get that angry either.
I'm always the only one who gets hit.
Mixed with his anger and the anxiety that Bon might have come to dislike him, Zou's feelings became a jumbled mess, and he felt tears welling up.
"Zou."
He hurriedly held back his tears and turned around to see Sato standing there. Sato timidly held out the picture book to Zou.
"Just a little bit, okay? Just a little bit?"
"It's too late now..."
Even as he said that, Zou laughed, "Hehehe." Seeing this, Sato smiled and tried to hand it over, but he quickly moved the picture book he was holding above his head.
"Hey! Don't mess..."
Zou was annoyed for a moment, but then he suddenly turned around. The surface of the river was splashing. Countless shadows were writhing on the surface of the river, which had been quiet until just a moment ago.
"It's the Ochakana's bathing time..."
The Ochakana had fled the water polluted by environmental changes after the war and had begun to form flocks in the sky, but they periodically descended from the sky to bathe. The rapid change in their living environment from underwater to the air seemed to be a burden on the Ochakana, so they would occasionally come to ingest water. Recently, as the water quality had improved significantly, the frequency of the Ochakana's bathing had increased. However, there is one rule that must be followed during the Ochakana's bathing.
Never, ever approach them.
The Ochakana, ecstatic to be back in the water after so long, are on edge. If a human were to approach them, they would be eaten alive. During their bathing, one must hide behind rocks and wait until the Ochakana are gone. They didn't know this and approached, but now they were in a very difficult situation.
"Sato... let's move to that rock very quietly."
Zou whispered, and Sato nodded silently. The two moved slowly, slowly, toward a nearby rock without making a sound, but just as they were almost there, they accidentally kicked a small pebble. Both of them felt the Ochakana focus their attention on the riverbank all at once. They were already ferocious, but while bathing, the Ochakana's eyes were glaring. The moment Zou thought his eyes met those glaring eyes, one Ochakana leaped out of the water. Glitter. The Ochakana's scales caught the sunlight and shone.
"Shaaaaa!"
Zou thought there was no way to escape the Ochakana coming at them at incredible speed, so he hurriedly covered Sato. The Ochakana tried to attack his back. Sharp fangs were visible from its large mouth.
Mom! I'm sorry!
I'm sorry for going far away on my own!
While screaming in his heart, Zou tried desperately to protect Sato, but Sato, who was usually quiet, slipped out from under Zou.
"Stop! Ochakana! Stop!"
Saying that, he covered Zou with the picture book.
Whack!
The Ochakana that hit the picture book lost its balance and fell to the ground. Sato swung the picture book down on it repeatedly. Zou watched the scene in a daze.
"Shaaaaa!"
Seeing their companion being attacked, the other Ochakana stopped bathing and came attacking one after another.
"Sato!"
Zou runs while carrying Sato. However, it is quite difficult for a 7-year-old to run while carrying a 4-year-old. In no time, Zou and Sato are caught up to by the Ochakana.
Ah, it's all over...
Seeing a rock in front of him, Zou covers Sato with his body. They were so close to the rock. I'm a useless big brother, not even able to protect one little brother. Just as Zou sheds a single tear while holding onto Sato tightly so he can't move, it happens.
Thwip! Thwip-thwip-thwip!
Thud, thud, thud!
Ow, ow, ow!
The rampaging Ochakana fall onto Zou's back. When he looks in wonder, he sees that every single Ochakana has a fishing hook stuck in it. A black shadow passes over the two stunned boys.
Zou! Sato! Run behind that rock!
Picking up one of the stretched-out Ochakana, Bon starts running toward the river. He puts his blowpipe to his mouth with his right hand, holds the Ochakana high in his left, and swings it around at high speed. Peth also follows behind Bon, growling. The rampaging Ochakana panic when they see Bon. The schooling Ochakana felt terror seeing one of their own being swung around.
Because Ochakana bathing occurs randomly, it is impossible to predict. Therefore, when there is a need to approach the water's edge, one must hold a stored dried Ochakana high and spin it around. This is because Ochakana, which have a strong sense of camaraderie, will never approach when they see one of their own being swung around.
Sato and Zou were attacked because they encountered the bathing session without carrying anything. So, Bon instantly took down an Ochakana and swung it around in his hand.
Thwip! Thwip-thwip-thwip!
Bon takes down many more Ochakana as they flee in a panic. He is very pleased with the big catch after such a long time.
Zou, Sato. Pick up the Ochakana! We're taking them home!
Called out by Yuki, Zou and Sato are startled. Yuki is smiling quietly, as always. Nodding, Zou and Sato pick up the Ochakana. Yuta also picks them up, saying, "Heave-ho."
Back at the campsite, while waiting for the Ochakana to grill, Zou apologizes to Bon, saying, "I'm sorry." Bon wipes away the tears that spill out and smiles.
It's not okay to just wander off on your own. But you were brave for trying to protect Sato. Sato tried to protect me too.
Saying that, Zou points to the picture book Sato is holding. There is a large hole in the middle from where an Ochakana hit it. To Zou's "I'm sorry, Sato," Sato replies,
Zou, you were cool. This picture book is a souvenir. I thought you were cool too.
Told this by Yuki as well, Zou blushes. Yuta, who usually says something strange at times like this, is quiet. Huh? Did Yuta disappear again? When he looks, he is sleeping soundly at Bon's feet. Peth is also sleeping, snuggled up to Yuta.
It seems you are sleepy from today's big adventure.
Now, the ochakana is grilled, Bon said, handing one to each of the children.
Aren't you going to eat, Mam?
Zou asked worriedly as Bon stood up without taking an ochakana. I'll eat, Bon said with a laugh, explaining that thanks to the brothers' quarrel, they had a big catch today.
I'm going to build a rack for drying the ochakana now. Did I help out a little?
Bon made a slightly stern face at Zou, who beamed at the mention of a big catch.
But, fighting with your brother is not allowed!
Yuki laughed, ha-ha-ha, seeing Zou shrink back.
Tomorrow's cart will be full of dried ochayai and dried ochakana, so everyone will have to walk. Woof!
Pesu answered before the children did, and a burst of laughter erupted.
Pesu, you're a... waaaah.
Yuta cried out in his sleep, so Pesu rushed over in a panic and licked his cheek. May this happiness continue tomorrow as well. While skillfully drying the ochakana, Bon thought about peace.
Click here to read "Maaaaaam!" from the beginning♪