57: Botanical Garden Tour 3
We enjoyed some grape picking for a while, and everyone had big smiles. There are many varieties of grapes, and just tasting them made us feel full. So, we took a little break here. A pergola was set up in one corner of the orchard, and we drank cold water there. Since we were sweating, Burton helped me take off one of my inner layers. Where did he hide that cold towel he handed me so smoothly?
“It’s a butler’s skill,” he said with a cheerful smile.
Butler ninja theory? Maybe the chest pocket of his butler outfit is a magic bag!
Hehe.
Next to the pergola’s resting area was a grape tunnel. Passing through it, we found a vast herb garden. Hmm, I’ve been repeating ‘vast’ a lot, haven’t I? The area here is just too huge!
“In this flat area, we cultivate basic medicinal herbs like Heal Grass and Mana Grass. Magic-repelling Grass, Moonlight Grass, and Clair Grass are grown in dedicated areas. We still have many types of herbs that we can’t cultivate, so please collect herbs when you go to the forest.”
“Understood,” said Grandpa Al and Father, indicating their agreement. Burton nodded big.
“What other herbs are there?” I asked, not being very familiar with medicinal herbs.
“Well, we’re looking for Mandrake, Moonlit Grass, Snow Shadow Grass, Icicle Flowers, among others. We also want to collect mushrooms.”
I’ve heard of Mandrake! It’s another name for Mandragora, a real plant in my previous life, and it’s an alkaloid-type poisonous plant. Wait, mushrooms are fungi, not plants, right? Then Mee-Mee brought her face close and stared at me with her black-hole-like eyes without blinking.
Wow! Feels like I’m being sucked in!
“Mushrooms in the forest can be cultivated here by a broad interpretation. Without fungi, the forest wouldn’t grow. Don’t you want to eat shiitake and shimeji mushrooms?”
Apparently, everyone else heard too, as Father said, “Mushrooms are delicious.” He had a very nice smile.
Does Father like mushrooms? I like them too, so that’s fine. But mushrooms won’t be ready until next autumn, right? Haven’t you forgotten it’s midwinter now?
Grandpa Al was about to go wild in the herb garden, but we calmed him down by saying, “Details later!” and moved on. If we stayed in one place too long, we wouldn’t be able to return.
There was a pitch-black tunnel in the herb garden. It’s installed for herbs that dislike light, and it’s also used as a passage. Even though it was dark, the light spirits guided us smoothly through the tunnel. I thanked them with magic power, and they twirled around, blinking as they returned. How heartwarming.
Beyond the tunnel was the herb and spice area. Aren’t herbs related to medicinal herbs? When I asked Mee-Mee, she replied, “We broadly classify them by whether they are edible or not.”
Oh, I see.
“At home, we mix Heal Grass and Mana Grass in our medicinal tea.”
“Those two are non-toxic. Don’t use other medicinal herbs,” she replied.
Oh… Right, Martha?
Well, everyone is fine, so it should be okay.
The spice area wasn’t large but it was hot! The humid, stifling feeling made it hard to breathe. Summers in Japan were also stiflingly hot and humid. How many times did I want to stick my head in the fridge… Walking outside felt like I was about to collapse! Actually collapsing would be bad, though.
Everyone seemed interested, but it was too hot to stay in winter clothes, so we decided to come back later. Hurry up, everyone!
Passing through the spice area, we entered a long, sun-dappled tunnel. The temperature and humidity gradually decreased. A small stream flowed under the tree tunnel, where water spirits were swimming happily. We walked slowly along the stone-paved path.
At the end of the tree tunnel, bright sunlight was shining.
When I noticed the scent carried by the wind, I knew what it was!
“Haku!”
Father hurriedly chased after me as I ran. At the end of the tree path was a natural rose garden!
Roses, clematis, and various other flowers were blooming beautifully, covering my field of vision.
“Wow! It’s so beautiful!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. Spirits were dancing all around!
Oh! Guri and the others are here!
The spirits noticed me and rushed over, hugging me.
“Guri, Poko, Kuu, Pikka, Fuu, and Yue! Everyone, it’s so beautiful! We’re so happy!”
When I hugged them, they squealed with joy and smiled brightly.
Other spirits gathered around, creating a scene like a vortex of light.
Grandpa Al, Father, and Burton quietly watched the scene.
I know their faces were beaming.
Plants have the power to make people smile! I realized again how much I love plants!
Thus, our first botanical garden tour ended.
Returning to the separate warehouse still excited, we found that not only the grapes we harvested but also fresh vegetables and flowers had been delivered.
Seeing that brought joy again, and we all laughed together.
We put on our winter clothes and stepped outside. It was already dusk, and I held Father’s hand as we returned to the main house.
Grandpa Al will join us for dinner tonight. Of course, Guri and the others will too! Mee-Mee, you should come too!
After that, we’ll all eat the grapes we harvested today!
When we all eat together, it’ll surely be even more delicious!