About a week had passed since we arrived on this "Poison Island," also known as Uubasuten Island.
The weather stubbornly refused to improve, and after seeing an environment unlike anything I'd ever encountered—a place that was naturally poisoned—I couldn't help thinking, I really want to investigate this.
This wasn't factory runoff or some man-made disaster. The island itself had become toxic through natural processes. I'd never heard of anything like it. I wanted to comb through every corner, trace the cause, and understand how an entire ecosystem could end up like this.
Of course, I was painfully aware of what that meant for the people living here. Even knowing how insensitive it was, I couldn't quite let go of the urge to stay.
In the meantime, we relied on our own supplies. We'd stocked up for months, so having enough food for several more months wasn't an issue. Even with three people—including Suzu-chan—a week barely made a dent.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I tried eating a little of the island's "poisoned" ingredients. I see. It really does leave you feeling slightly off—nausea, a faint heaviness—but nothing too serious.
Honestly, it didn't taste good either. Strange flavors, a bitter aftertaste that lingered.
But maybe because I'm fairly sturdy, I didn't end up with a stomachache or anything.
Leona tried a tiny bite too. She hated the taste, but she didn't get sick.
For her, though, the smell was worse than the flavor. The after-scent clung to her nose, and she immediately chugged juice to wash it down. Her sense of smell really is ridiculous.
And… Leona and Suzu-chan have completely hit it off.
They've gotten genuinely close, and watching them together is… warm. That was part of why I chose to extend our stay. I found myself thinking, maybe I'll let them have a little more time.
"Damn it! I told you a million times! We're intentionally withholding water here to cultivate the plants! Stop watering them!"
"Why? They're plants! They'll wither without water! And don't worry—I used clean water from the reservoir!"
"That's not the point! It's called mid-season drainage—we deliberately hold off for a short period. If they grow too vigorously right now, it actually reduces the harvest later!"
"Wait, how can they grow and not bear fruit? That doesn't make any… uh… what are you even saying? Huh?"
…Okay. Maybe "hit it off" is overstating it.
No, that's not quite right. They're definitely closer than they were a week ago. Their tone is looser now—less guarded, more familiar.
At first, Suzu-chan acted like Leona helping on the farm was an annoyance she'd tolerate at best. Don't meddle. Don't get in the way. Now she's fully accepted it—and she's even teaching her.
Leona grumbles and complains, but she listens. She still messes up anything she doesn't understand and gets scolded for it, of course.
But Suzu-chan doesn't brush her off. Every time, she takes a breath, explains properly, and shows her the right way. Suzu-chan is clearly trying to meet Leona halfway… even if she doesn't realize she's doing it.
And I'm not the only one who finds it heartwarming.
The grandpas and grannies watch them bicker and laugh like close friends, their eyes bright with delight.
I've heard Suzu-chan has been looking more lively than anyone can remember. Just watching her makes you smile.
Like I said before, she's the only child on this island. No one had ever seen what she looked like around other kids—around someone her own age.
Suzu-chan herself probably never imagined it, either.
But seeing her with Leona—clashing constantly, yet somehow always in sync—you can't help thinking, this is how children are supposed to live. Loud. Messy. Alive.
…Maybe that's why I started getting advice like this:
"Hey, Mom. Got a minute?"
Once people heard I was Leona's "mom," they started calling me that. An old woman approached while I was resting on the rubble of a ruined building.
Curious, I asked what she wanted. The women who stopped me exchanged looks, then said:
"We have a favor to ask… would you hear us out?"
"A favor? What is it?"
"You'll be leaving this island soon, won't you? When you go… would you take Suzu-chan with you?"
They gestured toward the two girls nearby, still talking—still arguing about something.
"I've never seen Suzu-chan look so happy. Everyone says the same. She's such a good girl, and we want her to have a real chance at happiness. We don't want her spending her life on this dying island, surrounded by old people and nothing else."
"We never knew she could laugh like that until you came. She's always smiled, but… it always felt like she was forcing it."
"Once you're gone, she'll be all alone again. I don't want her wasting her youth taking care of a bunch of old fogies like us. We all think of her as our granddaughter… we just want her to be happy."
"…I know it's a lot to ask," another woman added softly, "but could you please think about it?"
Every word came from somewhere deep—genuine concern, not selfishness.
They understood that staying here could steal Suzu-chan's future, and that the reason would be them.
To be honest, that was why they'd come to this island in the first place.
They hadn't wanted to burden their sons or daughters. They hadn't wanted to trouble their grandchildren. They wanted to pass quietly, without being in anyone's way.
And here they'd found her—a child who washed ashore by chance.
She reminded them of what they'd left behind. They couldn't help loving her.
But if taking her off the island would create trouble for others, then what was the point of their sacrifice?
Until now, even if they wished for it, there was no way to send her away. So they'd endured.
Then we arrived—outsiders, also by chance.
And Leona, the girl who came with us, became Suzu-chan's first real friend… though I doubt either of them truly understands what that means yet.
To the elders, this must have felt like their first chance—and their last.
A chance for their precious "granddaughter" to reach for something brighter.
"So I'm begging you," one of them said, bowing her head. "Please. Show her the outside world. Take Suzu-chan away from this Island of Poison… get her out of here!"
"I figured they'd say something like that," Suzu-chan said flatly. "But I'll tell you right now—I have no intention of leaving."
"Ah," I said. "I thought as much."
She'd seen through them all along.
We were working at the mountaintop farm again today, the three of us shoulder to shoulder, when the topic came up. Suzu-chan cut in firmly, voice leaving no room for negotiation.
"On this island, I've been given more kindness than I could ever repay. When I was a clueless little kid, they fed me, looked after me… even when they were barely surviving themselves. It's thanks to them that I'm alive."
She wiped sweat from her brow.
Leona and I listened in silence. Noticing how dry Suzu-chan's throat must be, I handed her a canteen filled with clean, non-toxic water.
She took a few quick gulps, then continued.
"So why would I hesitate to devote this life to Grandpa and Granny, who gave me everything? I appreciate the sentiment, but I can't bring myself to turn my back on this island and leave. I'll explain it to everyone myself. You two can stay as long as you like. Then leave together."
"..."
As Suzu-chan turned back toward the fields, Leona stood beside her with a sour, stubborn look on her face.
Did she find something to object to?
To be fair, even I… couldn't call Suzu-chan's logic simple.
"Are you really okay with that?" Leona demanded.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Suzu-chan shot back. "I'm not lying. I'm not putting on a brave face. I'm serious. I'm going to spend my life here, for Grandpa and Granny and everyone else. I'm not leaving."
"But won't that make them sad?" Leona snapped, grabbing the water bottle. "Is that really what you want?"
"I get that you owe them. But they didn't save you so you could die here taking care of them. They kept you alive because they wanted you to be happy—not because they needed you to serve them. So if you really want to repay them, shouldn't you be thinking about how to make you happy?"
"Wow," I muttered. "Leona, you're really going for the throat… and that line sounds familiar. Like I've heard it somewhere."
Suzu-chan flinched. The words hit in a way that felt older than this moment, like an echo from somewhere else.
But she recovered fast, voice rough with defiance.
"I understand what you're saying. I do. But I don't agree. Even if I did, I wouldn't have the heart for it. Leaving this island to chase 'happiness' would mean turning my back on the people who raised me. Abandoning them. I could never do that."
"But wouldn't they be sad if you stay?" Leona pressed. "They'd think they trapped you here. So wouldn't leaving—after properly thanking them—be the respectful thing?"
"What's respectable about abandoning someone?" Suzu-chan's hands clenched. "If I did that, I could never… I could never be happy. I'd never forget this island, or the faces of everyone watching me go. I want to stay because it's my choice. I want to be with my grandpas and grannies…"
Then her voice softened, the anger draining into something tired.
"…I know. I know they want me to live my own life. They've been telling me that for ages."
"…Ages?" I blinked. "Aren't we the first outsiders to ever visit this island?"
"We are. But you know the ship from the Home Country comes once a month, right?" Suzu-chan looked away. "They keep telling me to take it. They say a young, able-bodied worker like me could make a living out there. They say it'd be better for me, and that I shouldn't worry about them."
"I see." I exhaled. "But you didn't go."
"No. I said the same thing I'm saying now." Suzu-chan's gaze lowered. "I made them sad then too… but it's the truth. I won't pretend life here is easy. It's hard. But even so… I love being with them. I feel happy here. I can endure anything if it's for this island. That's what I want. There's no lie in it."
"..."
"If I try to make Grandpa and Granny smile, I end up sad," Suzu-chan murmured. "I can't call that happiness. But if I follow my own will, it makes them sad… and that isn't happiness either. So… what even is my happiness?"
She sat down on a nearby stump, shoulders slumping for the first time.
Leona sat beside her, staring at Suzu-chan's downcast face with a quiet, matching sadness.
"…Hey, Suzu," Leona said.
"What?"
"What's with your weird way of talking?"
"Are you seriously asking that now?!"
I couldn't help blurting it out with Suzu-chan.
Seriously, Leona? Now?
Leona recoiled. "Uweh?!" Then she flailed for an explanation, cheeks red.
"I-I mean… I didn't know what to say, and it was getting heavy and awkward! So I asked something I've been wondering for a while, but always forgot to ask!"
"You really have no sense of timing," Suzu-chan sighed. Then, after a beat, her shoulders eased. "But… it's fine. I was thinking it got too heavy too." She scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed. "Um. Anyway…"
…Weirdly, it worked. Forced, yes—but it broke the pressure.
"I don't really think about it," Suzu-chan admitted. "So it's hard to say why I talk like this. Probably because I grew up surrounded by grandpas and grannies. That old-man way of speaking, right? I must've picked it up without noticing. It's not like I tried to imitate anyone. I just… woke up one day talking like this."
"Ah." Leona nodded. "Did they ever say anything about it?"
"They used to tell me to try sounding more like a girl, but it was hopeless. I gave up pretty quickly." Suzu-chan shrugged. "There wasn't anyone to model after. Even the grandpa and granny who brought me here talked like this."
"Well, you can't really help that." Leona huffed. "Though… I guess I kind of talk weird too."
"Did you pick it up from someone close to you as well?"
"No. I don't know." Leona's voice dipped. "I've got amnesia. I can't remember if anyone around me talked like this… or where I grew up."
"…Huh?" Suzu-chan blinked. "You never said that. Amnesia? You mean you don't remember anything from before?"
"Oh. Didn't I mention it?" Leona scratched her head. "I collapsed with amnesia… well, more like Mama found me after I fell from somewhere."
"I've never heard a word of this!" Suzu-chan stared. "So that's why you and Sue aren't that similar… you're not really related, are you? And what do you mean, 'fell'? Fell from where…? Ah. You don't remember that either, do you?"
"Nope." Leona shook her head. "I really don't remember anything. But…"
She stopped, gaze lifting as if she was listening to something only she could hear.
"I can't explain why," she said slowly, "but sometimes, watching certain things makes my heart feel warm for no reason. Or my chest feels tight. I think it might be connected to whatever memories I lost…"
"…Like when?" Suzu-chan asked softly.
"Like right now." Leona lowered her head. "Suzu cares so much about her grandpas and grannies that she'll endure anything. But her grandpas and grannies care about her just as much, and they don't want her throwing her life away for them. Seeing how much they care about each other… I don't know why, but it makes me… sad."
…It wasn't only sadness at their disagreement. The way Leona said it, it sounded like something inside her had been tugged awake.
Could she be right? Could her missing memories be reacting to what she's seeing?
Even if I tried to guess, there was no way to prove it—
And then, without thinking, I glanced up.
The sky was still overcast, thick with pale gray clouds. Even though the rain had stopped, everything felt heavy and dim.
Against that gloomy backdrop, black smoke billowed upward.
Trees blocked most of the view, but that direction—
Wasn't that the village?
A moment later, Leona and Suzu-chan noticed it too.
"Huh? Wait… what's that?!"
"It's coming from the village—what's happening? A fire?!"
"Hold on. I'll check."
I transformed my body into paper and rose into the air, clearing the treetops. From above, I pulled out my smartphone and used the telescopic function to zoom in on the port.
A large ship was anchored there.
But it wasn't the regular ship that came once a month. The last one had arrived the day we reached this island, and it hadn't even been two full weeks since then. It was far too early.
And more than that—
The flag. The sails.
A skull and crossbones.
No matter how you looked at it, it was a pirate ship.
"Pirates?!" Leona breathed. "This island is so far off the routes—no one should come here…"
"But maybe they stumbled onto it like we did," I said, jaw tightening. "Still… pirates in the port, and that smoke…"
"…Everyone's in danger."
In the next instant, Suzu-chan's body liquefied into mud. She sank into the ground—and then shot down the mountain at terrifying speed.
She tore straight through the forest, ignoring anything in her path.
Ah—right. It rained this morning. The ground is soaked, soft, muddy. And Suzu-chan is a Mud Human. She can move like lightning through terrain like this.
We can't just stand here.
We don't know what's happening in the village, but a pirate ship showing up—especially with smoke rising—can't mean anything good.
I'm worried about the grandpas and grannies. I'm worried about Suzu-chan, too.
We have to hurry!
To be continued...