CHAPTER 3 — The Shed That Should Have Stayed Abandoned
Morning sunlight slipped through the window of Makino's bar, landing directly on Ren's face.
He squinted.
"…Too bright."
He had slept lightly on a spare futon Makino arranged behind the counter. It still felt unreal—sleeping in a bar, in a peaceful village, in this world.
But when he stood up and stretched, Makino smiled at him from behind the counter.
"Good morning, Ren."
The simple warmth in her voice grounded him.
"Good morning," he replied, still adjusting to the weight of this new life.
She placed a plate of warm bread and eggs in front of him. "Eat before you start exploring. And drink water. Yesterday you looked ready to collapse."
He sat down and ate quietly.
Makino chuckled. "You eat like a tiny gentleman."
Ren blinked. "Is that… good?"
"It's adorable."
He flushed and focused more intensely on the bread.
---
The Path to the Shed
After breakfast, Makino handed him a small woven basket.
Ren cocked his head. "What's this for?"
"Villagers donated things for you," Makino said cheerfully. "Some nails, old blankets, soap, a tool or two. They want you to feel welcome."
Ren stared at the basket.
People… donated things.
For him.
Without even knowing him.
"…They didn't have to."
"That's how Windmill Village is," Makino said. "Everyone helps everyone."
Ren swallowed hard.
He wasn't used to this kind of kindness.
He wasn't used to people expecting nothing in return.
Makino patted his shoulder. "Go on. I'll check on you later."
Ren nodded and headed out.
---
Windmill Village was peaceful in the morning. Chickens clucked lazily near fences, children chased each other through dusty paths, and fishermen tended to their nets near the shore.
The world felt slow here.
Gentle.
Kind.
As Ren walked with the basket, some villagers waved.
"Morning, lad!"
"Take good care of the shed—it's old but sturdy!"
"Watch out for the goat!"
"The… goat?" Ren muttered.
No one clarified.
---
The Shed of Doom
The shed was exactly where the mayor said—halfway up a cliff trail overlooking the sea. Ren stared at it.
It looked less like a shed and more like a crime scene.
The roof sagged like it was tired of living.
One window was cracked.
A wooden board hung off the side like a loose tooth.
And the door—
Baa.
Ren stiffened. "No."
BAAAAAA.
The goat appeared in the doorway like a guardian spirit of decay.
Ren pointed. "You. Out."
The goat stared at him with ancient, unmoving wisdom.
Ren took a cautious step forward.
The goat took an aggressive one back.
"…Are you seriously challenging me?" Ren whispered.
The goat lowered its head.
Makino had warned him about trouble. He just didn't expect it this soon.
---
Goat vs. Boy
Ren attempted diplomacy first.
"Listen. I need to live here. You need to… goat elsewhere."
The goat blinked.
Ren sighed. "Fine. Let's negotiate."
He placed a handful of grass outside the shed. "Food, for leaving."
The goat stared.
Ren nodded. "See? Fair trade."
The goat walked forward.
Ren relaxed.
And then—
The goat rammed him square in the stomach.
"OOF—!"
Ren flew backward and tumbled down the slope—
rolling, rolling, rolling—
until he came to an undignified stop against a tree.
He lay there, staring at the sky.
"…Diplomacy failed."
---
Unexpected Assistance
Footsteps approached.
"You alive down there?"
Ren groaned. "Define alive."
A boy around his age peered down at him—freckles, messy hair, clothes too big for his frame. He offered a hand.
Ren took it and stood, wincing.
"You fought the goat, didn't you?" the boy asked casually.
"…I didn't know it was a fight."
"Oh, it's always a fight. Name's Kiro."
Ren blinked. "Kiro?"
"Yeah. My family farms near the village. I saw you climbing the cliff, so I followed to watch the chaos."
"That's… very honest."
Kiro shrugged. "I got bored."
Ren liked him instantly.
They walked back to the shed.
Kiro stared at the goat standing proudly in the doorway.
"Yep. That's the demon."
Ren frowned. "I need this shed."
"You'll never win with force. Goats are stubborn."
"Then how do I make it leave?"
Kiro smirked. "I'll help you. For a price."
Ren tensed. "What price?"
Kiro pointed at the cliff. "If the goat hits someone again, I want to watch."
Ren stared.
"…Deal."
"Good! First mission—get Makino!"
"Makino? Why?"
Kiro grinned. "Because goats fear only one thing."
"…What thing?"
"Responsible adults."
---
Operation: Remove Goat
Makino arrived ten minutes later.
She took one look at the goat.
Her smile froze.
"You again."
The goat froze.
Ren blinked. "You know this goat?!"
"No," Makino said coldly. "I remember this goat."
Kiro nudged Ren. "We don't speak of The Incident."
"Wh—what incident—?"
Makino stepped forward.
The goat stepped back.
She pointed toward the forest. "Out."
The goat bolted like its life depended on it.
Ren's jaw dropped. "That's… incredible."
Makino dusted her hands. "I don't lose to goats."
Kiro whispered, awe in his voice, "She's a goddess."
Makino turned. "Now, Ren—start cleaning the shed. But don't climb the roof alone! It's unstable."
Ren nodded, still stunned.
Makino smiled warmly and headed back.
Kiro leaned over. "You're lucky she likes you. If it was me, she would've made me chase the goat."
"You have terrible luck," Ren said.
"Absolutely."
They both laughed.
For the first time since arriving, Ren felt something loosen inside his chest.
This world was beginning to feel… alive.
---
Fixing the Shed: Attempt 1 (Failure)
Ren pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Dust exploded everywhere.
He coughed violently. "Ugh—!"
Wood creaked under his feet. There were spiderwebs everywhere. Rusted tools hung from nails. A coil of rope lay in a corner, half-eaten by insects.
Kiro peeked over his shoulder. "It's not bad."
Ren stared. "…Not bad?"
"For a haunted house."
Ren sighed. "Let's just start."
They opened windows, swept dust, and sorted tools. Kiro hummed while Ren attempted to repair a wall panel.
A moment later—
CRACK.
The entire panel fell forward and hit Ren in the head.
Kiro winced. "You okay?"
Ren rubbed his forehead. "This shed wants me dead."
Kiro clapped. "Welcome to Windmill Village."
---
A Small Beginning
Hours passed. The shed was still terrible, but it looked slightly less terrible.
Ren sat outside with Kiro, drinking water.
The sea breeze felt good against his skin.
Kiro nudged him. "So… you staying here for good?"
Ren looked at the shed. At the village below. At the sparkling ocean beyond.
"…Yeah," he said quietly. "I think so."
Kiro smiled. "Good. Windmill could use another kid who isn't Luffy."
"Is that possible?"
"No."
They both laughed again.
As the sun lowered over the horizon, Ren felt something unmistakable:
Hope.
A small home.
A new friend.
Warmth.
Work.
A beginning.
Tomorrow, he would repair the walls.
The day after, the roof.
And little by little…
He would build a place he could belong.
Not perfectly.
Not quickly.
But honestly.
---