The Forgotten Rice Field（EN） (Pixiv Fanbox)

Akari set out to do her usual thing.

Today, she had come to a spot near an abandoned village deep in the mountains.

In this area, where no one lives anymore, there were several patches of land that had once been small rice paddies, and among them were spots that had become wetlands because water from a spring still flowed into them.

“Mmm, this mud feels just right.”

For Akari, it was nothing short of an oasis. After scooping up some mud to feel its texture, she was about to step into the wetland.

That was when it happened.

“…Give back the rice paddy.”

“Huh? Eek!!”

Suddenly, a human-like figure made entirely of mud appeared behind Akari, grabbed her, and dragged her into the wetland.

And it wasn’t just the one that attacked her—hands began sprouting from the marsh at her feet, groaning “Give back the rice paddy!” as they tried to sink Akari into the mud.

“I have to get away! But…”

While trying to escape the mud creatures, Akari’s usual bad habit reared its head.

The feel of the mud aroused her, gradually dulling her will to flee.

What will become of Akari…?

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We’ve changed the schedule, so the fourth supporter post for August will feature Akari in a “Marsh × Yokai” theme.

Akari usually looks like she’s having fun playing in the mud, but since some of you said you’d like to see her in a pinch, this time I decided to send a yokai her way.

This yokai is modeled after the traditional Japanese creature known as “Dorita-bou.” I drew it while recalling its appearance in the old *GeGeGe no Kitaro* series, and I have to say, mud monsters like this are just great.

I’d like to keep pairing her with my other characters, starting with Akari, in the future.

Well, Akari has been in the spotlight lately, so next time I think I’ll bring back Hinata, who hasn’t been featured in a while.

See you next time.