Episode 45: Rice Power

"Mr. Kumakura, what about that bag over there?"

When Hayato returned to the hotel, he was stopped by an elderly employee, Nishiyama, at the entrance.

Carrying a 30-kilogram rice sack, it was no surprise he drew attention. Japan currently faced nationwide food shortages.

In a world overrun by Zombies, producers could not safely cultivate crops, farming machinery was inoperable, manual planting was impossible, and transportation was unfeasible.

Stockpiled rice was nearly exhausted. Two kilograms of rice could sustain a stay at the hotel for a full month.

Walking through the city with a rice sack on one’s back would invite attack, even from non-New Order Coalition forces.

Of course, Hayato would turn the tables.

"As you see, it is rice. I have a vehicle. I can conduct expeditions."

He had said he could conduct expeditions. He had not said he had conducted one.

The source of the rice is the country elevator within Chukann City. There is no need to specify where it was obtained.

Hearing that it was transported by vehicle, Nishiyama nodded, a smile forming on his face.

"A vehicle not seen before was spotted in the parking lot. It belonged to Lord Kumakura, then?"

"Yes. It carries a large amount, very convenient."

When first arriving at the hotel, the vehicle was parked in the hotel's parking lot.

Someone must have seen it, and word reached Nishiyama.

The vehicle in question is currently abandoned in a private residence within the city. The current vehicle was stored in spatial containment during the journey to the hotel.

— It will definitely be scavenged.

Everyone scavenges private homes. A vehicle would not be exempt.

Hayato, having stored the vehicle, returned to the hotel on bicycle from the midpoint of the journey.

If you can use a vehicle, you could gather quite a bit more.

That’s right. I won’t be in a position where I can’t pay the lodging fee.

Hayato explained that he could continue paying the lodging fee in response to Nishiyama’s probing.

By telling the hotel he was a reliable guest who could consistently pay for food, he sought to protect Yui and Natsuki’s standing.

If food is being delivered consistently, let it continue to be delivered consistently.

Since guests like Sakurai have connections among themselves, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.

“By the way, Mr. Kumakura, our hotel offers several options.”

Indeed, Nishiyama’s reaction met Hayato’s expectations and slightly exceeded them.

“Options?”

“For example, female guests can exchange food for services from certain male guests. If you’re interested, I can make an introduction.”

“Ah, I see.”

It referred to the women who provided services at hot spring inns—something that had existed in Japan for a long time.

At first, they only performed tasks like scrubbing skin or trimming hair. Later, food and music were added, and eventually, other services were introduced.

Private commerce experimented with various methods.

Too much experimentation, apparently, caused the Edo shogunate to grow angry and declare, “That’s disgraceful—do it in the Yoshiwara pleasure district instead!”

Hayato recalled Japanese history, maintaining a neutral expression.

“Perhaps younger people aren’t familiar with it.”

“I’m not uninterested in Japanese culture. But I have a companion with me.”

The odds of being discovered while pursuing culture in secret—how high were they?

Hayato estimated the chance at roughly one hundred percent.

Yui’s favor would inevitably plummet, sinking deep into the earth.

"Mr. Kumakura, you had a female companion with you, did you not? A lover?"

"Yes, more or less that kind of thing."

Perhaps something akin to a lover.

But what, exactly, was a lover?

As Hayato pondered the concept deeply, Nishiyama offered another suggestion.

"If it's a lover, how about the mixed-gender bathhouse on the tenth floor?"

Hayato’s brow twitched slightly.

His mouth remained closed. His gaze fixed on Nishiyama.

Then Nishiyama continued, a smile lingering on his lips.

"Our hotel features not only a large bathhouse but also guest rooms with hot springs. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and allow for relaxed, mixed-gender bathing."

The phrase "you may enjoy it" looped in Hayato’s mind.

His hand, influenced by the alluring words, rose naturally. His thumb extended sharply.

Nishiyama smiled deeply upon seeing it.

"Ten times the usual room rate. Twenty kilograms per person per month. Sixty kilograms for three people. Thirty kilograms allows a stay of half a month."

Hayato set the thirty-kilogram rice sack he had carried down quietly onto the counter.

Then he declared:

"This is a thirty-kilogram rice sack. If needed, I will bring more."

"Azumaya, measure it."

Azumaya, waiting behind Nishiyama, stepped forward smoothly upon being called.

Azumaya lifted the rice sack, slightly heavy, and placed it on the scale.

The needle swung—thirty-one point two kilograms displayed.

Hayato, unskilled, had apparently packed it a little over.

After completing the measurement, Azumaya opened the sack's mouth. Freshly milled rice, still warm, emitted a very pleasant aroma.

Hayato swallowed hard, the scent of the fresh, green rice filling the air.

He inserted the grain sampler. The rice spilled out in a smooth cascade—glossy, bright white, clean, and fine.

"Freshly milled from husks. The husks themselves were well maintained."

"We have a contract with the Agricultural High School."

Saying this, Nishiyama retrieved a key from under the counter.

The key bore the engraving: Room 1001.

"This is your room. Please, make yourself at ease."

Nishiyama wore a courteous expression, as if replying to a provincial governor.

Hayato had no memory of being told "You're no good either," but he took the key without hesitation.

"What of Room 714?"

"There are also matters regarding communication with Sakurai, so if possible, could it be kept? I've already paid the fee, and I'll pay additional amounts if an extension is needed."

"Understood. Currently, the facility is not at full capacity, so it will be granted."

"Thank you."

Rice power, unleashed.

One silo contains three hundred tons of paddy, three hundred thousand kilograms, ten thousand bags.

Natsuki said that milling paddy yields seventy percent, which still amounts to seven thousand bags.

Acrylic panels were split at the third floor level, but even just above the third floor, one hundred fifty tons remain.

Multiple silos exist, so if needed, supplies can be retrieved from adjacent silos.

This was the situation, and Hayato had grown numb to his previous sense of urgency.

Just as Hayato was considering bringing additional rice later to extend his stay, a hurried voice came from down the corridor.

"Hey, are you seriously kicking me out?"

The four young people who appeared in the corridor were exhausted.

— The ones who had stared at the vehicle when they first arrived at the hotel.

Hayato had stored the vehicle in spatial containment after seeing them, fearing they might try to steal it.

They looked younger than Hayato, perhaps high school age.

Their clothes were dusty. Their cheeks were hollow. The overall impression was one of severe neglect.

Behind them followed hotel staff and six armed guests.

"Wait. I'll go look for it!"

"Then go look before you stay. The hotel's water is purified and provided. We are not without our own supplies. If you cannot pay, you must leave."

It appeared these guests, unable to pay their fees, were being evicted.

"Mr. Kumakura, please come this way."

Hayato was prompted by Nishiyama and entered the adjacent office room.

Observing the continued altercation through the office window.

"We will assist in removing those who have not paid."

"No, it is already too late."

The hotel employee spoke. Several of the six armed individuals raised their clubs.

Hayato watched them with interest.

No sympathy for them.

— Even before the zombie outbreak, guests who could not pay their fees were expelled.

Renters who failed to pay were evicted. Electricity, gas, and water were cut. Those who ate without paying were handed over to the police.

The situation is dire now. But the responsibility to protect citizens lies with the state, not with private hotels.

If the Chukann Natural Hot Spring Hotel is to bear the burden of protecting all citizens, all civil servants would serve the hotel, and all state property would be managed by it.

The idea makes no sense under any interpretation. The hotel bears no responsibility for national protection.

The hotel's eviction of unpaid guests is a necessary action to secure rooms for new guests who pay in full.

If unpaid guests remain, it creates unfairness between those who pay properly and those who do not, which undermines the system of payment.

The hotel must evict to secure its own food supply.

This is an exercise of survival rights, a form of self-reliance. There is no fault in it.

— Pay properly, or return home.

Returning home, however, might bring zombies.

There is no guarantee one can reach home safely.

Hayato, pondering this, suddenly thought of something.

"Could it be that among the female guests providing services, there are men who have not returned—family or companions?"

Hayato thought of Sakurai, his left elbow broken.

If Sakurai had been injured fighting the New Order Coalition or zombies, and had not returned despite the risk, Anna, his daughter, would be left alone.

The hotel was a place where water and safety were guaranteed.

Outside the hotel, water and safety ceased to exist.

Among those who had thought it too frightening, too impossible, perhaps some had chosen to do something other than run.

"I cannot speak of it myself, but if you have grown close to that person, and ask directly, she might tell you."

"I spoke foolishly. I am worried about family. I will bring the extended stay fee later."

"I see."

Would it be possible to pay for a hundred years' worth of lodging in advance?

As he thought this, he watched the four being escorted out.

Hayato could not feel sympathy for them.

He had imagined countless people enduring hardship, younger than them.

They protested, but were pushed out, forced beyond the hotel’s entrance.