Sano wandered out to the yard and looked disapprovingly at the tiny pile of firewood next to the wall. Taking off his jacket, he picked up an axe and went to work, pulling one log after another to the chopping block. Megumi heard the sound and came out, watching him. His muscles rippled as he used the axe and his bronze skin had a sheen….She shook herself and called, "Good idea. You can chop a month's worth of firewood in return for lunch."
He muttered, "Getting some lunch was good and all but paying with a month's worth of firewood really isn't worth it. She sure has her head on straight after twenty-two years of life experience."
"Hey, keep those hands moving! No dinner for you unless you fill your quota. And make sure you work up a good sweat-I always seem to hear you bragging about your brute strength."
The young man snorted. ""Brag about brute strength-why, that little….I'll make her sorry for this someday." He measured the pile that he had chopped and dragged another log over to the block. He had done a month's worth already, but he was enjoying himself. It was a beautiful day and it felt good to do something for Megumi.