The Japanese mythology "KOJIKI"

His Last Challenge

The next morning....

Since Ohnamuchi didn't come back, Suseri started preparing for his funeral while she was crying. Susanoh was ignored by his beloved daughter, and was just looking outside vaguely. He seemed a bit awkward.

Susanoh

Stop crying! If he died in such a small challenge, it would mean that he was really a sissy man! He won't give you a happy life.

Suseri glared at her father.

Susanoh

Oh...She is definitely my daughter. Her eyes are similar to mine. It's frightening enough to make me cry.......No, I'll never cry.

Susanoh

Sigh...Did I expect too much from him?

Suseri

Dad...

At that time, both of them heard someone giggling. It was a surprise.

Ohnamuchi

I didn't know Mr.Susanoh had expected me! It's news to me. In fact, my life was at stake!

Susanoh

Is it Ohnamuchi!?

Susanoh jumped with surprise.

Susanoh

Did you come back from your grave?

Ohnamuchi

No kidding. It often happens in the heroic story, doesn't it?

Susanoh

Hmm...You don't look like a zombie at all.

Apparently he was still alive.

Suseri

Ohnamuchi!! How nice! Thank heavens!

While Susanoh was confused, Suseri ran to Ohnamuchi and hugged him.

But Susanoh immediately interrupted her.

Susanoh

What the hell are you doing with my daughter!?

Ohnamuchi

What? Me? Is it my fault!?

Susanoh

Obviously!!

Susanoh

By the way, did you really get the arrow? I thought you were frightened by the fire and just came back without it!

Ohnamuchi

No, Mr.Susanoh. I found it. But I have to say that I nearly died in the fire. I think you went too far.

Ohnamuchi

And....here you are. This is your arrow, though the feather is already broken.

Susanoh

Oh! It's really mine.

Ohnamuchi

Err...Mr.Susanoh. Do you remember the promise?

Susanoh

What promise?

Ohnamuchi

You said you would think about our marriage after I finish this work.

Susanoh

Ehh? I never said such a thing.

Ohnamuchi

Booooooooooooo!

Ohnamuchi complained like a kid.

Susanoh

Now what?

But he became normal at once.

Ohnamuchi

Never mind. I might have misheard it.

Susanoh

Absolutely.

Ohnamuchi

..........

Susanoh

By the way, sissy man. Have you ever got rid of lice?

Ohnamuchi

You mean, combing out lice? Oh! It brings back memories. I used to do that for my father.

Lice were common before shampoo became popular, and nitpicking was a quite annoying work, as the idiom “nitpicking” shows. No kids liked doing it. When they let lice get away, they would easily spread to heads of others. So they must make sure to kill them all. The feeling of screwing lice was disgusting.

Susanoh

Please get rid of lice from my hair today.

As Susanoh just said it, he went to his room. Ohnamuchi tried to follow him, but Suseri interrupted.

Suseri

Hey, Ohanamuchi. Bring this with you. It'll be handy, but keep it as a secret from Dad.

She gave him some berries and dirt. He couldn't get any hints how to use these things. He thought,

Ohnamuchi

Apparently they are not ordinary lice...

He hid them under his shirt.

Susanoh was waiting in the living room. He looked cranky.
Ohnamuchi found a sunny spot near a big column in the room. It seemed good for nitpicking.

Ohnamuchi

Mr.Susanoh. Sorry for keeping you waiting. How about the area over there with good sunlight?

Susanoh

OK.

Susanoh sat down in front of the column.

Ohnamuchi

Let's get started...

Just when Ohnamuchi looked into Susanoh's hair, he stopped.

Ohnamuchi

......!????

There was a big worm. It was much bigger and much more disgusting than ordinary lice.

Susanoh

Eh? What's the matter?

Ohnamuchi

Err.....No. Forget it.

Ohnamuchi

.....................No way! This is quite a big matter!! How the hell he can have such a big worm in his hair!? Were the worms in the guest room his pets?

Ohnamuchi

Hmm....it's too big to screw it up. I have to bite it, but I might get infected by its poison. I need another solution...something else.................

Ohnamuchi

The berries!!

He tentatively put the berry and dirt into his mouth and spewing them together.
He crunched and spitted them.
Susanoh was looking forward and didn't move.

Ohnamuchi

Good. He doesn't seem to realise it. I'll do it until I use up all of the berries.

He repeated crunching and spitting.

Susanoh

Oh. You are powerful enough to bite the worm, aren't you? I'm impressed. You looked so weak on the first day, but you've become better.

Susanoh was a bit relieved when he saw the growth of Ohanmuchi.
He didn't intend to tease him. He just wanted Ohnamuchi to become tough in order to face his half-brothers. He thought even if he helped him, it would just be temporal.

That's why he actually imposed some ordeals on him.
However, he didn't feel like letting Ohnamuchi go back to Izumo yet, because he looked obsessed with Suseri too much.

Susanoh

You've already had sort of charisma. So all you need now is a little confidence and a large appetite.

While Susanoh was thinking about that, he became sleepy. The sunshine was gentle and Ohnamuchi treated his hair very well.

Susanoh

.....zzzzzzzz..............zzzzzz

Ohnamuchi

Oh, did you fall asleep, Mr.Susanoh?
You don't look like a legendary hero...but you're lovable.

Ohnamuchi stopped biting the berries and chuckled.

After he convinced that Susanoh was in a deep sleep, he combed Susanoh's hair carefully and tied it around the column stiffly.

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