vrdant

No, mate, it's fine. I actually didn't think you would say yes. It was just a joke.

Hey...

I thought you weren't in your right mind trying to save that weed from him.

Now, it sits beautifully in your specimen box.

Tucker, I don't think it's just a weed.

Eh? Isn't this just a millet or some other wild grass... Forget it. As someone who failed the course, I shouldn't argue with one of the top three.

I'm not saying it isn't...

Hello? Why are you frozen...

...It sort of resembles a millet, but it isn't one. I just noticed it.

Look here. Seems like it'd have the same conical kind of inflorescence as bristlegrass, right?

And the stalk is a bit sedge-like...

So, it's an undiscovered species?

Can only say I've never seen it. Don't remember reading about it in any books either.

A new species? That's possible.

Can't believe you crossed a farmer holding a scythe for it when you hadn't the slightest clue what it was. That's not the Verdant I know!

I don't know why I did it either... I just felt like I had to protect it.

Maybe you did the right thing. What if it IS a new species?

Hah, I was right.

This is exactly why I wanted your help with my field report!

What?

You have an eye to tell what's distinctive about the most unremarkable of plants. That's what separates me apart from a top student...

No...

I almost overlooked it too, actually.

It has no economic value. It's not something a plant hunter needs.

And so what? What matters is you were sharp enough to find it.

...I've got an idea. If we want to know if it's a new species, we can send it to a botanical institute or something for identification.

Identification? Alright... But before that, I've still got work to do.

Got to head back to base.

Yeah, I got the thornbloom. Harvested the full plant intact, and collected a sample of the soil it was growing in too.

Competitors? I think I ran across two... No, they didn't get in my way. It was the other way round, actually...

Other plants of economic value...? No, nothing in particular.

I've sent you the data and photos. If everything's good, I'll be on my way back tomorrow.

...Eh?

There's a new commission, you said?

How about I go back and confirm the target with you in person before heading out again?

Even though it's urgent, I... No, I'm not doubting your judgment. I trust you, but I—

Alright, I understand.

I'll head back the moment I've got the new target plant. Is that alright?

So, no chance of hitting the institutes?

Nope.

Your boss... sounds like a real pain with the way he talks. Can't you just go back and tell him you didn't find the thing he wanted?

Not unless I don't want this job...

Too bad then.

Being a plant hunter is so much cooler than being stuck in a lab rinsing test tubes and sticking labels on specimens all day! If I were you, I wouldn't trade the job for the world!

How about this—you don't have to help with my field report if you can take me along plant-hunting once! Pretty please!

...Haha.

Sneaking into the target area by following a meticulous plan, fooling the eyes of all, and avoiding danger until reaching the 'final chamber' where the target object lies...

Have you watched that Wrankwood movie that came out last month, the adventure one? The protagonist was hunted down by the natives while looking for treasure in the Sargonian rainforest? That's basically you!

I—No, I haven't watched...

Thought so.

Tucker, you know I don't really care about those things... I don't work as a plant hunter because I'm into adventures, either.

I do it because I need a livelihood, and I enjoy working with plants.

It's the best opportunity I've had since catching Oripathy.

...Good for you, Verdant.

I got you. It was the school's mistake to make you drop out because of Oripathy. They've lost a young scholar with a real passion for plants.

If the professor knew you took on such a risky job just to keep studying plants, he'd definitely regret not pleading your case to the school back then!

Heh... Should I blame him?

Tucker, still remember how we used to cultivate those specimens before?

...Aren't you still pretty good at it?

As he speaks, Verdant closes the lid of the thornbloom's incubator and opens up another specimen case, which is smaller and warmer.

He feels the moisture of the soil within using his fingertip. Then, he gives the glass walls of the case a spritz from his spray bottle.

The nameless grass makes no sound, but he knows it's growing.

Honestly speaking, you looked like a changed man when you were tending to the plants.

Really?

Maybe it's because I don't have to worry about them rejecting me.

Reject? Maybe... But as you know, plants don't always act the way we want either.

Just like those specimens we had in the greenhouse back then. Some barely grew, and some withered early on...

...And don't forget the ones that had us going until they started blooming and bearing, just to show us they weren't even the right ones.

So, you might want to keep your expectations low...

Expectations?

Are you worried that I might be devastated if that grass turns out to be just an ordinary weed?

Mmm.

I won't. I don't look after it for the elusive possibility of it becoming something extraordinary.

So...

Tucker, if you saw it growing next to the crops, what would you do?

I'd pull it out, of course. It doesn't even fit to be used as compost...

Right... That was what I used to think for a long time.

But at that time, I thought I was someone important, like the crop. I never imagined one day I'd have nowhere left to go.

Now, I'm even more useless than compost... At least, compost can still be kept on the field.

Verdant...

It's alright, Tucker. I'm doing pretty well now, right?

I've thought it through—I don't really expect it to be a new species.

I just think that... it deserves a little place of its own.

When you think about it, you'll realize that it hardly needs anything at all.

Soil, water, and sunlight... That's it. Enough to sustain its growth.

Verdant suddenly feels an urge to ask the nameless grass some questions.

What's your name?

Do you long to be noticed?

Are... Are you scared of being rejected too?

Little grass...

...You'd much rather go back to the vast field than be stuck in a little specimen case, right?

'...You'd better go. Now.'

'Get out of here!'

It's...

'You saw it too. It was a unanimous decision by the school board.'

'You should prioritize your health over learning here, right?'

'...True, they're not contradictory, but we have to consider the welfare of the students and staff here.'

'That's out of the question. The school would never let you have a whole dorm room just to yourself.'

Alright. I'll leave, then.

'College graduate? We just need someone who can bring in customers... You're an Infected? Well, that won't do.'