Apple Farmer | Weekly Short-Short Note

"They say Fujii's place had a massive harvest."

The association head said this with a face like he had just bitten into a bitter bug. Everyone just looked down in silence.

This year in Yamagata, poor harvests continued due to heavy snow and bad weather. Amidst this, only the apple farm on the edge of town, Fujii Farm, was different. They hired many people at high wages, and trucks for shipping were coming and going from morning until night.

"Fujii's place was doing well last year, too, wasn't it?"
"This area isn't even suitable for growing apples, so what on earth is going on?"
"Maybe I should switch to apples, too."

Ejima, a cherry farmer; Hayashibara, a strawberry farmer; and Shindo, a grape farmer, said one after another.

Five years ago, Fujii Farm, which had been growing vegetables, suddenly announced, "From now on, we will grow apples." Everyone knew the farm's management wasn't going well, but switching from vegetables to fruit was difficult, so they had all tried to persuade them to reconsider.

However, when it came down to it, the situation had become one where Fujii Farm was the "sole winner."

"That place... they aren't growing apples..."

Kuraishi, a peach farmer sitting in the corner of the room, muttered.

"Don't get involved with Fujii Farm. They've made a deal with the devil..."
"Kuraishi, what do you mean by that...?"

The association head spoke for everyone's feelings.

"About two weeks ago, I happened to pass by Fujii Farm at night. And then, something..."
"Something... what happened?"

Everyone waited for Kuraishi's words.

"Eyeballs were hanging from the trees."
"Huh? Eyeballs? Come on, Kuraishi, stop it. Not at a time like this."
"It was eyeballs! Not apples, but eyeballs were hanging there! They were... watching me."

After saying that, Kuraishi shuddered and slumped over onto the desk. And so, without anyone saying another word, the association meeting was adjourned.

A few days later, it was reported extensively in newspapers and on the news that Fujii Farm's apples had been certified as a brand in Yamagata Prefecture.

The brand name was... "Usetsu" (Rain Moment).

—They made a deal with the devil.

Kuraishi's words from that time came back to me.

—If I could get a brand, if I could have a bountiful harvest, I would make a deal with the devil, too.

Something black swirled in the pit of my stomach.

(End)

I am participating in Tarahakani-san's project, "Weekly Short-Short Note."
This week's theme is "Apple Right Turn."

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