Chapter 85 - Eiji POV The Calm (pt2) (1/2)

”We cremated him.” Tyne soberly answered.

Eiji nodded. It was the best thing they could do, given the situation. He gulped at the thought of how they would've cremated him.

”It didn't cause a forest fire did it?”

Neither answered, but busied themselves with menial chores. Eiji groaned with a hope that the local fire crews were able to put out any drastic flames before they reached towns. Fortunately, they had been miles from one.

”I'm gonna get some food,” Kei said to change the subject. Also feeling his stomach's complaints.

”I'll join you.” Sean piped up.

Everyone agreed to go out and see what food they could find.

Fortunately the small village they had stumbled upon had an inn and local grocery where they were able to savoury a meal from their dwindling funds, which Tyne kept track of.

Sean constantly grumbled about how they could've eaten more, but someone was being too loose with women and giving away their wads of cash.

Kei shrugged his shoulders with a cheeky smirk on the fact.

They were able to procure some staples that the small shop was able to sell. A lot of it was cheap alcohol, tin fish and beans of a small quantity. It was enough for a light meal.

Eiji sighed at the lack of patronage the poor shopkeeper had attracted. Aside of themselves, there was only one other elderly lady in the story who spent more time gossiping with the shopkeeper than looking at wares to buy.

There wasn't much eavesdropped gossip they didn't already know about the war effort. The locals weren't keen to talk to them. So they returned to the cottage in the early afternoon.

The noisy drone of cicadas on heat drowned out any complaints they would've felt from their bodies as the stripped down to undershirts and slacks to cope with the sudden heat wave.

A cooling breeze from the distant river, offered some relief to their skin, as they sat on the porch to enjoy the early sun set.

”Here.” Tyne offered Eiji a swig from the sake bottle they had picked up in town.

Eiji took a hearty gulp and passed the bottle to Sean who did the same.

Kei passed around cigarettes. The men lazed about, drinking and smoking away the afternoon.

”I like days like this.” Kei absentmindedly noted. ”Reminds me of my brat days on the docks near Jefferson Ave.”

Sean's face eased into a wide smile. ”I remember my parents taking me to Chinatown for dumplings. Good ole times.”

”Flat beer. Cold hot dogs watching the Tigers.” Kei added.

”You watched baseball?” Sean blurted with surprise.

”All men watch baseball, prissy.” Kei grumbled and dodged Sean's piss-weak punch to his arm.

”Babe Ruth's called shot.” Tyne chuckled. ”Guess you can be cocky when you're a winner.”

Eiji shrugged his shoulders, not really listening to the talk of western sports. His hand continuously stroked Tama's back, who was purring contently with her body stretched out next to him.

”What sports do you guys cheer on?” Sean asked Eiji.

”Sumo wrestling is our national sport.” Eiji casually answered.

”You do archery. Did any pro comps?”

”Only in school. I won nationals.” Eiji stoically noted his achievement.

”Figures. You were able to show that Takahashi guy a thing or too.” Kei blurted.

Everyone fell silent at the reminder of the man they had cremated.

”Anyway. Let's get dinner happening.” Tyne instantly changed he subject.

They entered the cottage to make a meal, eat it and laze about to play cards on the low table,  which Kei had bought at the shops.

Sean goaded Kei into spilling more stories of his past, whilst knocking out his plays with his winning hands.

Kei cursed and snapped every time he had to remove a piece of clothing when he lost.

”You'll be butt naked if you keep losing.” Eiji smirked behind his cards.

”Shuddup!” Kei growled. Feeling weird at his naked chest exposed to them.