Grey clouds from yesterday's rain had long since disappeared.
Now, the morning sun stretched across the yard, warming the damp ground beneath it. The rain had left the soil dark and soft, each push of the garden fork sinking into it with little resistance. The air still carried that familiar smell that only came after rain, a mix of wet earth, grass and leaves.
It was already warm, not unbearable, but warm enough that sweat had begun forming across MC's forehead.
Crunch.
The garden fork penetrated the ground once more.
He leaned his weight onto the handle before pulling it back. A clump of soil rolled over, exposing tangled roots hidden beneath the surface.
"Hm."
Setting the fork aside for a moment, he crouched lower and reached into the loosened earth. His fingers wrapped around a handful of stubborn weeds.
A tug.
Nothing.
He slightly frowned.
Another.
The roots held firm.
"...Come on."
With one final pull—
Snap.
The weeds finally gave way, bringing a small clump of soil with them.
MC chuckled to himself.
He shook the loose dirt back into the flowerbed before tossing the weeds onto the growing pile beside him.
It wasn't much, just a small patch.
But compared to the rest of the neglected flowerbed, it was beginning to look... decent.
Leaves still covered parts of the ground, small weeds poked through almost everywhere.
There was still plenty to do.
He rested both hands on his knees as he stood, stretching his back until it gave a quiet pop.
"...Ah."
A light breeze drifted through the yard.
For a brief moment, it cooled the sweat on his face before the warmth settled in again.
He smiled.
"Mmm…nice."
The smile lingered as he looked over the flowerbed.
Messy.
Definitely messy.
But he could already picture it looking different.
He bent down again, gathering another handful of dried leaves and tossing them onto the same pile.
As he reached for another weed—
"Hey."
MC glanced over his shoulder.
His sister stood a few metres away near the back door, with one hand resting against the frame.
SS - "What are you doing outside this early?"
MC smiled.
MC - "Oh, morning, sis."
He brushed his hands together, sending a small cloud of dust drifting away before looking back at the flowerbed.
MC - "Just fixing this place up."
He gestured towards the garden.
MC - "It's pretty messy."
His eyes wandered across the yard again before returning to her.
MC - "Do you need anything?"
She looked around once more.
Then back at her younger brother.
SS - "...Noo..."
SS - "I was just wondering where you disappeared to."
MC nodded absent-mindedly before pulling another weed from the ground.
MC - "Well..."
He held it up for a second.
MC - "...here I am."
SS - "You've been out here the whole morning?"
MC - "Pretty much."
Another pause.
She couldn't help but chuckle.
SS - "I don't think I've ever seen you willingly wake up this early."
MC shrugged.
"Neither have I."
That earned another small chuckle.
She shook her head.
"Well..."
She pointed towards him.
"When you're done, go wash up."
MC - "Ja, ja."
She smiled.
SS - "Seriously."
SS - "You look like you've been rolling around in the dirt."
MC laughed.
"I'll clean up afterwards."
She nodded.
"Good."
Turning back towards the house, she took a few steps before stopping.
SS - "Oh..."
She glanced over her shoulder.
SS - "Don't overdo it."
MC looked up.
"I'll be fine."
She nodded before disappearing back inside.
The back door clicked shut.
Silence settled over the yard once again.
Only birds chattered somewhere nearby while a gentle breeze stirred the leaves overhead.
MC looked back at the flowerbed.
"...Right."
There was still plenty to clear.
He picked up the garden fork again.
Crunch.