A single handmade lightbulb hung in Spice’s workshop.
“I’m going to turn it on today.”
With Kopo and Minico watching, Spice flipped the switch.
The filament slowly turned red, and an orange glow filled the workshop.
“…Wow.”
Minico caught his breath.
Kopo watched the light for a while.
“The first person who ever lit up electricity… weren’t they scared?”
Spice answered.
“Maybe they lit it up because they were scared.”
“Huh?”
“You only try to make light because you know darkness. Someone who isn’t afraid wouldn’t bother making light at all.”
Kopo looked at the light. The orange flicker threw the three of their shadows large against the wall.
“…Maybe I’m only trying hard because I’m scared, too.”
“Maybe so.”
Outside the workshop, the night-time town of Amencho breathed quietly.
Margin note: Spice put that lightbulb in the most visible spot in his workshop. He has never turned it off.
【Today’s Drop】
- Electricity Memorial Day (March 25): Commemorates the lighting of Japan’s first arc lamp in Kobiki-chō, Ginza, Tokyo, on March 25, 1878.
This is an English translation of “最初の灯り”, part of Tales of Amencho Town (蛙鳴町奇譚).