In the days that followed, Kactus was frequently found tinkering in his gardens; specifically tending to his silverstems and dog’s vomit—two of the shrooms Caruso would be challenging him on. While this didn’t worry Caruso, some other things certainly did.

At the time when the challenge was set, he had known Kactus was a somewhat skilled cultivator, one who had likely been growing medicinals for the Foresters for a good ten years. But after all he had learnt from his tea session with Kumiko, the truth about Kactus’s experience was now a lot more intimidating—the man had been doing this for hundreds if not thousands of years. It was no wonder he didn’t take well to Caruso offering him advice.

Caruso was still confident in his own knowledge, but couldn’t shake the thought that maybe Kactus had learnt a thing or two in his unfathomably long career. Going up against someone with that much practice was a daunting prospect—Caruso tried not to think about it.

And there was plenty of other things that Caruso tried not to think about. He remembered his conversation with Niko several days back. She had told him: “If you turn out to be half as clever as I suspect, then I’ll have an important task for you in the future.” It was clear that Niko would be judging Caruso’s “cleverness” on the outcome on this challenge. Caruso wanted to prove he was worthy of this important task, and worthy of the full Forester necklace she had just given him.

Caruso also tried to steer his mind away from all the effort Orange was expending to gather his exhaustive list of supplies. And on top of that, he tried to forget how Miranda had casually stated that her future plans revolved around Caruso being right about all his cultivation ideas.

There was a lot riding on this challenge, and an overwhelming amount of thoughts not to think about. More than once Caruso had dreamed about losing, and seeing Kactus’s smug arrogant face, boasting to all the Foresters: ‘Of course I won. You thought this little shit actually knew more than me?’—Kactus would say, with his mouth full of berryshroom pie for some reason. The mortifying embarrassment that followed was always so severe, so intense, that Caruso would wake up hyperventilating in a cold sweat.

All Caruso wanted was a relaxing gathering trip to the caves. But ever since the tea incident, Kumiko had shut herself away in her room. He decided to check in on her.

Ferris had also announced to everyone that, due to her lack of professionalism, Kumiko’s name had been forfeit and she was to be referred to as “Green”.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Caruso didn’t quite understand this. He understood that leaking Forester secrets was an important law to uphold, but failed to see the point of taking Kumiko’s name as punishment. It came across as both petty and weird. And what did it achieve? Being referred to as a colour didn’t seem to bother neither Blue nor Orange.

On his way to pay Kumiko a visit, Caruso happened to spot her walking out in the gardens. He rushed over to her, noticing she had a scarf wrapped around her neck despite the warm weather.

‘Kumiko! I was starting to get worried. Are you alright?’

‘It’s Green now, Caruso. You can’t let anyone catch you using my old name.’

‘Oh…right…I really have to call you that? Even when no one’s around?’

‘Niko can find out if you do, and we’ll both be in trouble.’

‘It all seems kind of silly to me.’

‘Ferris has his reasons. But Green isn’t so bad, right?’ She tried to force a smile but it didn’t stick.

Caruso tried to think of Kumiko as “Green”—it felt wrong. He began to realize how humiliating this might be for her. Almost like being publicly branded or locked in the stocks for everyone to see.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘This is all my fault. I left those truthbuttons in the pot, then I asked you to tell me the Forester secrets.’

‘You expressed your own curiosity while on truthbuttons. You can’t be blamed for that.’

‘Well then surely you can’t be blamed for answering me.’

‘Maybe not, but I should’ve been more careful. I brewed the tea, after all.’

A heavy wind sighed through the compound. Kumiko quickly grabbed at her scarf to hold it in place, but Caruso saw the sharp line of purple bruising around her neck.

She had been strangled, with what looked to be a thin rope, or…

‘Is that…did Ferris…’

‘It’s nothing,’ Kumiko quickly tied her scarf tightly around her neck. ‘I deserved it. Ferris had every right to be angry.’

That didn’t sit right with Caruso. Kumiko had always been so loyal to Ferris and the Foresters. How is this fair?

‘I see you got a new necklace,’ Kumiko said. ‘At least something good came from all this.’

Caruso idly fingered his stone disc. It was hard to feel any joy while seeing Kumiko in this state. There was no sign of her normal confidence and enthusiasm. And for the first time since he’d known her, their conversation felt strained, awkward.

‘When can we go on our next gathering trip?’ Caruso asked. ‘Maybe today?’

‘Unfortunately our trips will have to wait. I’ve been assigned to help out at the civ camps for a couple of weeks. Was heading out now actually…You mind walling me over?’

They walked over to the compound’s edge and Caruso walled them both up.

‘Hey, you’re getting better,’ she said.

‘Thanks, Ferris has been teaching me.’

‘It shows. And good luck with your cultivating match with Kactus, you better win that!’

‘I know.’

Kumiko forced another smile, they said their goodbyes, and Caruso lowered her down into the clearing.