Chapter – 22
The Little Expedition and the Forest’s Treasure
One bright summer day, under the dazzling sunlight, Akio and Sylvia were crouched on the ground, deep in discussion as they drew blueprints for a new bread oven, using the fireproof bricks they had just finished making. Nearby, Alto listened intently, occasionally asking a question, while Ayane, sitting a short distance away with her sewing, watched the scene with a gentle smile.
From behind the shed, three pairs of curious eyes peeked out—Kenta, Miko, and Yume were spying on the grown-ups.
“Akio-uncle and Sylvia-sis sure work hard making stuff for us every day,” Miko whispered.
“Yeah! And Ayane-sis always makes such yummy food!” Yume nodded eagerly.
“Then let’s find something amazing to surprise them with!” Kenta declared proudly, puffing out his chest. He still remembered how Alto once boasted about finding shiny stones deep in the forest.
“Shiny stones! Yume wants one too!”
“Yeah, they’ll be so happy!” Miko agreed, her eyes sparkling.
And so, the secret mission of the “Little Expedition Team” was born.
They approached Ayane, trying their best to look casual.
“Hey, Ayane-sis, can we go pick some flowers and pretty leaves near the stream?” Miko asked sweetly.
“Of course,” Ayane said, smiling. “But don’t go too far, and don’t do anything dangerous. Kenta, you take good care of the girls, alright?”
“Got it! Leave it to me!” Kenta replied energetically, taking Miko and Yume by the hand as they proudly marched toward the forest.
Their destination: the place Alto had mentioned, where shiny stones glittered beneath the sunlight. They had no intention of crossing the “boundary line” Akio and Sylvia had firmly warned them never to pass without an adult.
At first, Kenta led the way bravely, and the two girls followed, hearts pounding with excitement. But soon the forest grew thicker, the trees closer together, and every direction began to look the same.
“Uh… was it this way?” Kenta frowned.
“Kenta, I think we passed that same tree before,” Miko said uneasily. Yume, close to tears, clung tightly to Miko’s sleeve.
Just then, a big green caterpillar dropped from a branch with a soft plop!
“Eek!” Yume shrieked, startling Miko as they both hid behind Kenta.
“I-it’s fine! It’s just a bug!” Kenta said, trying to sound brave, though his heart was pounding too.
Miko soon recovered and looked down.
“Hey, look! This mushroom has such a funny shape!” she said. It was a vivid sapphire-blue mushroom with delicate frilled edges—though no one knew if it was edible.
Yume found a glossy black crow feather nearby.
“Wow, so shiny and dark!” she said, fascinated.
Step by step, with such little discoveries along the way, the small explorers ventured deeper into the forest.
Eventually, they reached the place Alto had described—a small cliff where sunlight sparkled on the surface of the rocks. There, faint glimmers of crystal—or perhaps quartz laced with mica—peeked out from the rock face, just beyond their reach.
“Whoa, they really are shiny! But… how do we get them?” Kenta wondered.
He tried climbing up, but the ground was slippery, and he kept sliding down. After a few failed attempts, he nearly lost his balance and toppled onto the girls.
“Watch out, Kenta!” they cried.
Startled, Kenta froze and quickly climbed down, chastising himself for being reckless.
“Sorry… wait! Maybe I can use that stick!” he said, spotting a long sturdy branch nearby. Using it carefully, he managed to knock a few glittering pieces loose. They weren’t big—but to the children, they shone more beautifully than any gemstone.
As evening approached, the three returned home, dirty, sweaty, and triumphant, each clutching their “treasures.” Kenta carried several sparkling stones; Miko, the blue mushroom and some bright berries; and Yume, the crow feather and a small smooth white pebble she’d found by the path.
Back at the cabin, Akio and Sylvia were starting to worry about how long the children had been gone. When the little ones burst in and proudly presented their “gifts,” the adults blinked in surprise—but soon understood the heartfelt thought behind them.
“Wow, these are incredible treasures! Where did you find such wonderful things?” Akio exclaimed with an exaggerated look of awe. Beaming, the children eagerly began recounting their adventure.
Sylvia took one of the sparkling stones and held it up to the sunset.
“Hmm… not a bad shine. With some polishing, it might even make a fine decoration,” she said, her voice cool but her eyes kind. Then she glanced at Miko’s blue mushroom.
“That’s called a Forest Drop. It’s not poisonous, but not edible either. However, if you dry it and grind it into powder, it becomes a beautiful blue pigment.”
“Really!? Then we can make paint from it?” Miko asked excitedly.
The children’s small adventure and their heartfelt gifts filled Akio and Sylvia’s hearts with warmth—like the evening sun glowing over the forest. Their pure affection and growing curiosity were treasures beyond price.
Akio silently vowed to continue watching over the children’s little adventures—sometimes firmly, but always with love—so they could safely learn from the forest’s wonders and challenges.
And perhaps, those “shiny stones” and the Forest Drop would one day bring new ideas and colors into their daily lives.
Small discoveries leading to new creations—life in the forest was full of such gentle miracles.
