Chapter 16- Don't Take Candy From Strangers (Upper)

Cael at this point felt his soul beginning to leave his body from sheer exasperation alone. Truthfully though the feeling was somewhat novel to him and maybe even a little fun if he were being honest.

Because of this he couldn’t really bring himself to hate the quirky girl despite all her faults. While Cael was thinking on such things this whole time Lily had not actually stopped her little lecture on the intricacies of Pleiades’ flora.

Deciding he had spaced out long enough he turned his attention back to what she was saying hoping he hadn’t missed anything particularly important.

『… and it is through this adaptation over time that the trust trees eventually grew into their current shape. What started out as a poisonous deterrent to predators later changed into the plants main source of nutrients in the form of the decomposed bodies of animals who were deceived by its normally benign appearance. This curiously caused a shift in the tree’s growth priorities however as the fruit of a tree that is too tall becomes inaccessible to foragers. Furthermore the more intelligent creatures such as the humans of old sought to chop down the trees so that their young would not accidentally ingest it’s fruit. As a result instead of focusing on height they developed the hardness of their wood so as to make themselves too troublesome to uproot. Overall they’re a truly remarkable lifeform as it’s so rare to actually find examples of plants competing with sapient species in the long race that is …. Why are you smiling like that?』

Of course the one this question was directed at was none other than our protagonist Cael. Standing to the side watching her go on and on he had long crossed over from his former thoughts of frustration to something akin to admiration instead.

『No it’s nothing, it’s just that you didn’t strike me as someone overly wordy so the fact you can talk so long about something means you must really be passionate about it y’know~』

Hearing Cael’s honest praise Lily discovered an unfamiliar feeling wash over her not knowing what to make of it she simply took off her glasses before lowering her head. Furthermore in an attempt to hide her unusual state she unconsciously reverted to her more concise talking style.

『Nn … I get carried away sometimes. Thanks for listening though if you want in the future you can just call me Lillianne.』

『… Thanks. I see, I see; so Lily was just a nickname huh~?』

Why does the name become more formal, isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?!

Continuing on without noticing Cael’s well concealed confusion she looked around for a short while before appearing to come to some manner of decision.

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『It’s starting to get dark.』

Not knowing what to say really he merely confirmed her words.

『It is.』

Hearing his bland response Lily rolled her eyes before continuing.

『If you don’t have anywhere else to be would you like to stay the night? I’ll even throw in dinner.』

At her mention of dinner Cael remembered the fact he hadn’t eaten much of anything all day. Deciding there was no time like the present he enthusiastically took up her offer.

『That would actually help me out a bunch but uh … where do you live anyway? You don’t like merge into the tree or anything like your mother, do you?』

Seeing Cael was actually being serious Lily didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, it was truly the first time she had been asked such a thing afterall.

『No, I don’t merge into the tree I am as flesh and blood as you are. Obviously I live in the branches.』

Seeing Lily’s deadpan face that did not look one bit like she was screwing around Cael started panicking a little as he did not have quite as much confidence in his ability to make such an arrangement work. Alas it appeared he was still too naive when it came to his interactions with the young silkie as something must have shown on his face because following that thought Lily was quick to amend herself.

『Needless to say I’m joking.』

『Right, of course.』

Please add some inflection to your sarcasm, I was nearly picking a branch y’know~

『No, in all seriousness I live in an underground house built around the roots. The entrance is a concealed trapdoor near the base.』

Seemingly just now remembering the existence of her own cousin Lily then went on to ask Selene what she wanted to do.

『Hmm it is getting late I suppose, guess I should probably be heading back.』

After saying as such she turned to face Cael.

『I’ll come here again a bit past sunrise tomorrow make sure your ready by then ‘kay.』

『Gotcha, See you then.』

With all said and done Selene began walking away though she couldn’t help but unconsciously glance back over her shoulder as she went. In doing so Selene saw Cael waving her off with a carefree smile on his face though somewhat uncharacteristically Lily was doing the same thing just behind him.

This however lead to an uncomfortable feeling forming in the pit of her stomach but no matter how much it irked her she chose to avert her eyes from it as best she could. Afterall … some things could never be.

Seeing Selene disappear off into the distance Ciara also announced her own plans.

『Well I’ll be off as well; you know doing tree merging stuff. Don’t let this old lady get in the way of you young folk wouldn’t want to be a third wheel. Oh but don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, hehe just kidding bye bye~』

Seeing Ciara disappear off into the Elder Wood’s trunk Cael couldn’t help but comment.

『Your mother is certainly a character.』

『Nn, she’s very good to me. We should also get going.』

『Right.』

Following Lily as she circled around behind the tree Cael eventually found the previously mentioned trapdoor. Upon seeing it the reason he failed to notice it earlier became apparent as it was hidden in the shadow of a particularly large root that poked up through the ground.

Before long Lily opened the door to reveal a ladder leading downwards. Just as she was stepping onto it she paused and turned back to face Cael while wearing an especially serious face.

『Don’t look up my skirt, okay.』

Cael wasn’t even given the chance to say anything before she quickly descended. If she had waited she might have caught the scene of Cael banging his head repeatedly on the Elder Wood while cursing the same thing over and over, it’s sacredness be damned.

『You went first though!?』