Volume 8 Chapter 3 Into The Bamboo Grove
After finishing our lunch, we grabbed the shovels and hoes provided by the Arsubania Commercial Association, who organized the bamboo shoot digging event, and headed to the bamboo grove.
Nel-Nel seemed so excited to be in the bamboo grove that she was bouncing around in my arms, hopping and running through the bamboo, while Ms. Famine hurriedly chased after her.
Eir-Eir was happily jumping and flying around the two of them, and Dad was casually following behind, saying, "Kids, don't wander too far from Lydia."
The Bialaba bamboo grove was mostly flat with not much elevation, making it pretty easy to walk.
The Fetoru Forest where Mr. Lucian and I picked mushrooms was a bit tougher to navigate, but compared to Fetoru Forest, this place felt more open.
That said, there were lots of tall, straight bamboo stalks, so if we went too deep, we might lose our way back.
To prevent any accidents, members of the commercial association were stationed at various spots in the bamboo grove. They were also giving guidance to families who were digging bamboo shoots for the first time.
"Sir Roxas, we're going to dig for bamboo shoots now."
"So, I just need to dig up the ones that are easy to spot, right?"
"The thick bamboo shoots that have grown tall from the ground are a bit tough. Of course, you can eat them if you want, and they can be delicious."
As Sir Roxas lightly touched a bamboo shoot that was about my waist height, I shook my head.
Sure, you can eat the big bamboo shoots, but they're a bit hard.
If possible──.
"You should look for the bamboo shoots that are just poking out of the ground and dig around them. When you dig up the soil around them, you'll find nice bamboo shoots buried underneath. They're usually about this thick and this size..."
"...I see."
"Sir Roxas?"
"I was just warned by my father a moment ago. I'm aiming to stay calm today."
"Sir Roxas, you always seem a bit restless, you know... You shouldn't be running around in the bamboo grove, or you might get hurt."
"Do you really think I'm restless?"
"Uh, yeah... You always give off this image of being all over the place."
"Well, if anything, I'm the calm one, and it's my brother who's the one moving around."
"I get that vibe, but when we're together, Sir Rail seems more composed, while Sir Roxas is always a bit chaotic..."
"Chaotic..."
Sir Roxas crossed his arms and tilted his head.
He looked quite fitting with the shovel in his elegant and impressive noble attire. He almost resembled a nobleman making a little pig search for truffles. Even though mushrooms don't grow in the bamboo grove.
"Sir Roxas, bamboo shoots can pop up quite suddenly from the ground, so be careful not to trip and fall."
Sir Roxas and I set down our shovel and spade for now and decided to look for smaller bamboo shoots in a quieter corner of the bamboo grove.
I wanted to find the ones that were just peeking out from the ground.
While I do find the larger bamboo shoots appealing, I'd prefer the softer ones if possible.
The gentle rustling sound of bamboo leaves swayed in the quiet grove.
The ground, covered with uniquely shaped bamboo leaves, felt a bit soft.
I looked around, searching for the bamboo shoots that were popping up.
"I won't fall that easily."
A little away from me, Nel-Nel was digging a hole.
Her fluffy, light pink fur was dirty with soil.
Thinking about how much of a hassle bath time would be today, I crouched down in front of Nel-Nel.
"Nel-Nel, are you having fun?"
"...fried horse mackerel."
"I'm glad to hear that! Oh! Nel-Nel! Sir Roxas, come here, Sir Roxas!"
"What is it, Lydia?"
In the hole Nel-Nel was digging, there was a magnificent bamboo shoot.
Ms. Famine and Eir-Eir were cheering, calling out, "Tatin!" "Pumpkin!"
Sir Roxas rushed over in a panic, but it seemed like he tripped over a tree root sticking out of the ground and went down with a splat.
It was quite a spectacular fall.
"Sir Roxas, are you okay...!? S-sorry, I called you out of the blue."
"No problem. I'm used to it."
So he's used to it. It sounded painful, though. I hurried over to Sir Roxas and helped him up.
His clothes were a bit dirty, but at least his glasses weren't broken. Thank goodness.
"Are you hurt, Sir Roxas...?"
"I'm fine. I'm used to falling, so I know how to roll with it."
"You should be more careful not to fall."
"I have this feeling that the ground is trying to grab my feet."
"I don't think the ground is trying to grab your feet, but... I'm just glad you're okay."
Sir Roxas stood up as if nothing happened and lightly straightened his disheveled clothes.
He really is used to falling.
I wonder if it's because he has long legs that get tangled up easily.
But Sir Ciel and Mr. Lucian also have good styles, and I don't really picture them falling much.
"Lydia. Eirnelys dug up a bamboo shoot. She probably wants you to praise her, but she's waiting since you're busy with Roxas. She might start crying soon."
When my dad said that, I turned around to see Nel-Nel sitting there with a big bamboo shoot cradled in her fluffy front paws.
Her big, round eyes were glistening. Ms. Famine and Eir-Eir were both glaring at Sir Roxas.
I rushed over to Nel-Nel and picked him up along with the bamboo shoot.
"Nel-Nel, amazing! You have a talent for digging up bamboo shoots, Nel-Nel! You're such a good girl, Nel-Nel!"
She was just too cute, so I rubbed my face against Nel-Nel's cheek and gave her a little nuzzle.
Today is a bit busy with taking care of Sir Roxas and Nel-Nel. It feels like there are a lot of kids around.
But I really like little kids, so when I think about it, I might actually be happy.
"Roxas. You should do your best too. If you dig up some bamboo shoots, Lydia might give you some praise."
"Dad. I'm not a child, so I don't really want to be praised. But I'll show the strength of the Girard family. I'll dig up more bamboo shoots than that rice cake."
I wonder if the Girard family really can dig up a lot of bamboo shoots.
Sir Roxas is really fired up. The more he gets into it, the more worried I become.
I just want him to calm down. It would be dangerous if the hoe slipped out of his hands.
"Fried horse mackerel."
Nel-Nel made a curious sound in my arms.
"A rice cake is a big, round rice cake. I guess Nel-Nel does look a bit like a rice cake. It's a bigger rice cake than the round ones."
"Pumpkin pudding."
Eir-Eir is flapping around.
"Tarte Tatin..."
"Ms. Famine doesn't really seem like a rice cake, though. She's fluffy, but slim..."
Ms. Famine looked a bit lonely, but when I called her slim, she happily wagged her tail.
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