Day Twenty-Eight: The Mysterious Stone (Part One)

The rabbit fur blanket is still incredibly comfortable. Last night, I pulled it over myself. Warm and cozy. Yet, as I mentioned yesterday, it has its flaws—the surface is a bit stiff, and there’s a lingering smell, somewhat unpleasant. Still, for me, it’s already the perfect blanket!

Today, at the stone pit, I made a surprising discovery. The seawater I had poured in yesterday had completely evaporated under the blazing sun, leaving behind a thin layer of white crystals at the bottom. Salt! The sun’s relentless heat had transformed the seawater into the thing I desired most. Though the amount is still small, it’s not yet time to harvest. So, I continue to carry seawater in, taking advantage of the good weather these days. If I persist a little longer, harvest time should soon arrive. Judging from the salt crystals now, I should be able to collect a small bottle of salt when the time comes. It’s not much, but for someone with no seasoning at all, it’s a precious treasure.

I ran back and forth, while Little Black played with a tiny crab. Having a goal is wonderful; the busyness helps me forget my desolation. Little Black helps me forget my loneliness.

The morning slipped away in a blur of activity. As I was about to call Little Black back, I noticed the seawater was receding rapidly. The tide was going out again! A rare opportunity. Low tide means delicacies. Even now, I can’t stop thinking about the oysters I couldn’t open last time, nor can I forget wasting that moray eel... I didn’t want to let a single minute go to waste. I dashed back to the hut and retrieved the toolbox left behind by the previous occupant from beneath the bed.

Inside the toolbox were various wrenches and screwdrivers, more than a dozen. Without bothering to choose, I grabbed the largest wrench and a Phillips screwdriver, then rushed to the shore. I had no idea when the tide would return, so every minute was precious and could not be squandered. Once I found what I wanted, I needed to leave immediately; I had no intention of being swept away by the sea out of greed.

Little Black was even more excited than I was, daring to chase the retreating tide all the way out to the edge.

Something out there must have caught his attention, because from afar, I saw him standing with his injured hind leg lifted, head lowered, seemingly playing with something.

The goddess of fortune seems to have turned her gaze back toward me. There, a heap of oysters on the rocks set my mouth watering—literally, I wasn’t exaggerating, my saliva actually dripped onto my own foot.

The wrench pried open the oysters with ease. In that moment, nothing else mattered; all I could see was the slightly sweet, tender yet resilient, ocean-flavored gray-white flesh of the oysters.

It had been far too long since I’d tasted anything flavorful. Roast rabbit, though fragrant, was bland. Rabbit soup, though fresh, was bland. Fish soup, though delicious, was still bland. But the oyster was different—it was born with the taste of the sea.

Last time, I’d worried about my stomach and didn’t dare eat them raw. This time, I was no longer worried. I couldn’t resist any longer. My saliva surged like a flood, pushing past my lips and teeth, and its powerful allure made me grab the exposed oyster flesh and stuff it eagerly into my mouth.

Boom! My taste buds awakened anew! The salty, savory sensation spread across my tongue, mingling with other flavors, blending and flowing down.

“Mmm! Delici—” I closed my eyes to savor it all, not even finishing the word “delicious.” This was the taste of the ocean.

No one would believe that, simply by eating food with salt again, tears of excitement actually welled at the corners of my eyes. To be honest, even I could hardly believe it.

I am not someone easily moved to tears. Quite the opposite, from the time I can remember until I was stranded on this damn deserted island, I had never cried—not once.

I’ve always considered myself strong. In the past, I worked hard for my career, for a promising future, for the admiration of the goddess in my heart; no matter how tough things got, I would proudly lift my head. Now, I persevere for survival.

But just now, I couldn’t help but cry—just two drops, but I never imagined my heart could become so fragile.

The delicious oysters made it impossible for me to stop.

Guess how many I ate?

Eighteen in total...

In truth, after ten, I started reminding myself to stop, worrying about my stomach and digestion. But the oyster flesh was like opium, impossible to resist, and I ate eight more before a sense of fullness finally restored my self-control.

“My willpower is still too weak,” I shook my head, admitting a flaw I’ve always had.

The low tide truly is heaven’s gift; delicacies abound everywhere. I think it’s time I started recording the times of ebb and flow, for I recall the tides follow a pattern. I really regret not studying properly in the past.

Scattered seaweed, tiny fish trapped in shallow pools, crabs scurrying about, shells retreating with the water—all these are my delicacies! Especially the seaweed; it’s been so long since I had vegetables that I crave it intensely.

I gathered armfuls, piling them on the beach.

But even tastier morsels awaited my search, so I eagerly walked toward the shallow water.

Here, you could clearly see fish darting about everywhere, nimble and hard to catch. Of course, making a fish spear would make it easier—a sharpened branch would suffice—but I was just speaking offhand; my skills aren’t that good.

Besides, my target wasn’t fish.

My target was it!

Yes, I saw it!

I reached into water up to my calves, gently turning over stones on the seabed, and there it was—I saw its tentacles!

It hadn’t noticed me, believing itself well hidden.

Too bad for it, for I had already discovered this delicacy last time, though I hadn’t caught it then because I had enough food.

I slowly covered it from above with my hand and grabbed it in one swift motion.

It struggled desperately, but it was futile.

I became the master of its fate.

Once I had it, I quickly pulled my hand from the water to prevent its escape.

It’s adorable, but also incredibly delicious! It’s a delicacy for many, and they say it’s best eaten raw, though I’ve never dared to try it as sashimi.

It’s the baby octopus! The embodiment of deliciousness!

I’m already imagining the feast it will become...