"Uhh…"

The little girl persisted and didn't cry.

Go pursue your own happiness.

That's what Grandma said.

Since that's the case, I absolutely can't cry. Even if I can't help it, I have to hold it back. I don't want to see Grandma sad because of my tears.

Because Grandma said that she didn't want me to feel guilty for her death, so I can't cry, I can't cry...

After some time passed, perhaps finally managing to stop the urge to cry, the little girl slowly lifted Grandma with her hands. Although this was a big problem for a child, or rather a heavy burden, the little girl herself was stronger than average, so there wasn't an issue. Besides, Grandma wasn't heavy, more like...

Surprisingly light, that was the little girl's first impression.

Was it because Grandma was naturally light? Or was it because Grandma had fulfilled all her wishes and let go of all burdens before leaving, making her light?

Although it couldn't be confirmed which was the reason, it was probably a mix of both. However, the latter weighed more heavily, at least that was the little girl's personal belief, or rather, the result she hoped for.

Afterwards, the little girl dug a large hole in the yard, then placed Grandma inside. Although it wasn't very tiring, digging the hole did take some time, but...

As for how long exactly, the little girl didn't know, or rather, these things weren't important anymore.

After silently watching Grandma for a long time, the little girl finally moved and carefully placed the small piles of dirt formed while digging back into the hole.

This process was unexpectedly easier than before.

Finally, after filling the hole, the little girl found a wooden board to serve as a makeshift gravestone.

After everything was done, the little girl suddenly remembered.

Right, it seemed like she had promised someone to deliver water today. However, she probably couldn't make it tomorrow. She had to go to another family next, to apologize, or else they might expect the water delivery that wasn't going to happen, which could affect their life. It was regretful, but it was unavoidable.

With that in mind, the girl took out the address the middle-aged man had left for her from inside her clothes.

...

After looking at it for a while, although she didn't know where it was, it should be somewhere in the city. Well, only people from the city would wear such expensive clothes.

Although her mother had warned her, even before her passing, not to go to the city, sorry, mother, this time I'm afraid I can't obediently listen.

Because I can't let Grandma's death go unsettled. I have to follow Grandma's words and pursue my own happiness. Even though I don't really understand it now, there will be a way in the future.

Thinking like this, the girl put away the note again and quickly packed up her belongings.

Though she called it luggage, there wasn't much in it, just her two remaining pieces of clothing and the food she had gathered while fetching water in the morning.

After closing the door of the dilapidated house, the girl took determined steps and left the decaying courtyard where she had lived for many years.

Of course, before going to the city to find that person, she had to go apologize to the family first.

So, the girl once again set foot on the road she had walked in the morning while fetching water, the road where she had met the middle-aged man, the road that had brought a huge change in her life, the road that made her decide to pursue her own happiness.