Work on the road had begun.
On the fourth morning, Odin stood in the courtyard, watching the construction crew on the distant hillside.
Several trucks were parked beside the road, and the workers were spreading gravel over the roadbed.
Ponzu's father, Kumu, stood nearby with a set of plans in his hand, talking to the foreman.
Ponzu came out of the house carrying two cups of tea.
She handed one to Odin and took a sip from the other.
"The road crew here is pretty efficient." Odin accepted the tea and sipped it.
"Yeah, the sooner it's finished, the sooner we can use it." Ponzu nodded. "They said once this road is done, getting out of the village will be several times faster."
"That's great." Odin nodded.
Ponzu smiled. "And with streetlights, we won't have to rush home at night anymore. It'll be much safer."
"There are lots of elderly people in the village who sell honey but don't have cars. Once the road is finished, I'm planning to buy a bus and set up a stop here, with daily runs between the village and the county town."
She positively glowed as she spoke.
Odin listened with a smile, without interrupting.
The two stood in the courtyard, watching the distant construction crew.
Ponzu's mother poked her head out of the kitchen. "Little Ponzu, come help me prepare the vegetables."
Ponzu called back, set her cup on the windowsill, and went into the kitchen.
Odin stayed where he was in the courtyard.
Holding his tea, he continued gazing into the distance.
The voices of mother and daughter drifted out of the kitchen.
"Little Ponzu, that young Odin seems like a nice fellow," her mother said, dropping a hint.
"Yeah, he is," came Ponzu's voice.
Her mother continued, "How long have you