New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

In the Middle of the Lake

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Meanwhile, Wood and Lalatoma were leisurely riding in a boat, just the two of them. The water’s surface was calm, but since it was their first time in a boat, Wood was concerned for Lalatoma.

“Ugo-ugo… It’s shaking a little, are you okay?” (Wood)

“Y-Yes, I’m fine!” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo, that’s good then…” (Wood)

With his strength, Wood rowed the oar and the boat surged forward. Nearby, other boats were floating as well. On those, Nyaff Tribe members were either rowing or taking breaks.

“Nyaan, the lake is this wide, nyaan.” (Nyaff)

“It feels different when you’re floating on it, nyaan.” (Nyaff)

“Exactly, nyan.” (Nyaff)

Lalatoma glanced shyly at Wood. Something was still strange. Only Wood stirred Lalatoma’s heart this way. She did not understand what it meant. Even her older sister Tetetoka had not told her.

“Ugo… Lalatoma, are you doing okay lately?” (Wood)

“Eh?” (Lalatoma)

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Lalatoma hesitated to speak.

Wood’s eyes looked concerned. Lately, Lalatoma had come to understand Wood’s expressions. She just needed to look into his eyes.

“…Ugo, even during the flower decoration, you seemed absent-minded. Did something happen?” (Wood)

“Uu… yes.” (Lalatoma)

Indeed, she had been spaced out. Lalatoma knew it too. Her focus had been breaking easily. Tetetoka had pointed it out as well. But she did not know why it was happening or what to do about it. She only thought, this could not go on like this. Somewhere, something had to change. She had to do something. Whether it was in her heart, or through actual action, she did not know.

But today felt like a chance. Yes, as if she could take a step forward.

How did Wood feel about her?

She did not know. But she did not feel like he disliked her. Wood’s eyes were big and kind. Surely it would be okay. Even if she took that step.

“Is it okay… if I come over there…?” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo…? Sure.” (Wood)

Lalatoma slowly stood up in the boat and settled herself between Wood’s legs. Due to their height difference, she fit snugly in that space.

“…It smells nice.” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo, me? I do take care with my baths.” (Wood)

Wood laughed without a care. Now that she thought about it, Wood’s entire family had the same scent. It was like herbs, a scent that made one feel at ease.

“Um…” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo?” (Wood)

“…” (Lalatoma)

No good.

Many words were caught in Lalatoma’s throat, but none came out.

The weather?

No, that did not really matter.

The lake?

It was beautiful, but she could not think of anything clever to say. Her chest tightened. But if she said that, Wood would worry again.

“Ugo…” (Wood)

 

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That feeling was the same for Wood as well. He rowed the boat absentmindedly, deep in thought. Lalatoma somehow felt special.

He did not know since when. But one thing was clear. This might be the first time he wanted to be alone with someone outside of his family. Playing with the Nyaff Tribe, or playing fieldball with adventurers, but this was different. He could not explain how exactly, but it just was.

A Dryad with a black rose on her head. Lively, and just a bit at her own pace. She was like the other Dryads, yet somehow only she felt special. She was farther than family, but much closer than a stranger.

What was he supposed to do with this feeling and the helplessness that came with it?

Wood thought.

“Ugo…” (Wood)

And then, he realized. Stella often touched Elt. She only touched others like that when they were family. Wood gently placed his right hand on Lalatoma’s shoulder. It was small and smooth. He felt that she was much more fragile than his mother Stella.

Lalatoma said nothing. He both wanted her to say something, and wanted her to stay silent.

And then…

“Rururuu… this feels so nice!” (Stella)

“Shubababa, I’m zooming!” (Marcosias)

A little farther off, Stella, Marcosias, and Elt were dashing across the lake. Wood knew they had a tendency to get overly excited at times like this. Dia, who was nestled in Marcosias’s chest, was also in high spirits.

“Amazing, piyo! This is kind of mysterious, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yeah, it’s weird, but… pretty fun.” (Elt)

Elt was gliding smoothly over the water while holding Stella’s hand.

“Wow… it looks kind of cool.” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo, yeah…” (Wood)

Being praised for his family made him feel kind of embarrassed. The boat slowly continued on. Swaying slightly as they passed by a floating cockatrice boat.

“…I’m getting a little sleepy.” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo, it’s fine. The weather’s like this after all.” (Wood)

Unusual for winter, the sun was shining brightly. With no wind, it was no surprise to feel drowsy. Lalatoma began to lean her weight against the Wood behind her.

Wood also let go of the oars and leaned back slightly into the boat. Yes, there seemed to be no problem. Voices of Nyaff Tribe members, adventurers, and family echoed across the lake. They sounded joyful, which was reassuring. It should be okay to nap here for a bit.

Come to think of it, napping with Lalatoma, whom he had only met a few months ago, might be a strange thing. As Wood half-opened his eyes, he saw Brown and the others had reached the center of the lake. They immediately cast their fishing rods.

“Nyaa-nyaa~n!” (Nyaff)

The cheerful voices of the Nyaff Tribe could be heard. They truly seemed to be having fun.

Dozing off. Dozing and dozing…

A few minutes after Wood and Lalatoma began napping in the boat.

“Nyan-nya-nya-nya!” (Brown)

“Ugo…!?” (Wood)

Startled by Brown’s panicked voice, Wood woke up.

“What happened…!?” (Lalatoma)

“Ugo… No, over there…” (Wood)

Wood pointed toward the cockatrice boat Brown was riding. There, Brown was struggling with a fishing rod. However, it seemed the pull was not that strong.

“Funyaa~n!” (Brown)

With a burst of effort from Brown, “it” finally appeared from within the lake. It was not a rainbow fish.

“I caught it nyaan!” (Brown)

Brown showed “it” to everyone around. Even from Wood’s position, he could tell what it was. Though he had only seen it in books.

“Ugo, a shell…?” (Wood)

It was a dull, silver-glowing shell. And a rather large one. About the size of a Nyaff tribe member’s palm. It seemed that there were other kinds of creatures dwelling in the middle of the lake.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)