Chapter 50 Part III, Section 51: Cicadas on the Eighth Day (51)

The three of us who stayed were engaged in so-called pre-work every day until yesterday.Labor during the day, meeting with a few members after dinner.The content of labor depends on the situation of the day.Cleaning the environment, cooking for the members, collecting vegetables and packing boxes... Each day has its own assignment, and we just need to follow the practices of the original working members.During the day when I had to work, I had to leave Kaoru to the school to take care of. We barely saw anyone else during our workshop, but that seemed to be due to a subtle shift in time.There were also commuters, so I'm not sure about the exact number, but there were about forty women living here, with children as well.Meal time and bath time are strictly limited and must be done during that time.The so-called school is a building that is connected to the institution by an open-air corridor, similar to a gymnasium, and about ten children stay there.In addition to the children who live here with their mothers, there seem to be children who live outside and commute every day.Kaoru is the youngest, and the rest range from toddlers to high school students. Everyone reads or plays in the vast space.Taking care of them and teaching them to read seems to be one of the labor duties of the members.

This afternoon, I, Kaoru, Kumi, and Sae were summoned by Eremia to gather in the room where we were studying.I thought to myself that there was probably another meeting, but when the door opened, a woman I met for the first time appeared.She was a short, middle-aged woman in a moss-green sweater and burnt-tan trousers.She muttered "Ah, hello everyone" in a relaxed tone, sat down directly opposite us, and brought her face closer to examine everyone one by one. "Wow, what a cute baby. A child is a treasure. Let this child be called Lika. As for you, you will be called Ruth. You are very young. Does the family have any objections? Your name is Shalu. Your hair, The damage is serious. You must take good care of your hair. Your name is Estelle. Work hard!"

After saying this, she quickly got up and walked out of the room.Eremia and Sarai bowed deeply to her and hurriedly opened the door for her.It seems that this aunt, who is very ordinary no matter how she looks at it, may be the person in charge of this group. "Uh, your name is Ruth...and Shalu..." After the aunt left, Sarai muttered and wrote down the names. "The day you were named by Master Angel is your birthday. From now on, you will start a new life, so the old names and birthdays used in the world have become unnecessary burdens. Happy birthday to you." Eremia said proudly, and we saluted naturally while winking secretly.

"From today onwards, you don't need to live in a temporary accomodation anymore, you have to move to a new room. Ruth is on the 25th, Shalu is on the 14th, and Estelle is on the 31st. If you want to change rooms, you have to wait three months It will be approved. You don't have to work today, you go back and clean up the used rooms."