Track 3

I feel as though that rock moved just…

Lu-senpai, that's not a rock. That… is a fur seal!

It's a…!?

…Looking closer, they're all over the place. No wonder it's known for its fur seal colony.

The sight of them is just as impactful as the dynamic nature. I'd only ever seen them in zoos before, so I'd no idea they could grow so large.

Come to think of it, I believe you can also see sea lions and true seals on other parts of Kangaroo Island.

Indeed, it seems many marine mammals from the Antarctic Ocean build colonies here.

Incidentally, Lu-senpai, do you know how to distinguish true seals from fur seals and sea lions?

…True seals have no earlobes. Additionally, their forelegs can't support their bodies, if I remember correctly.

I'd expect no less from you. My preliminary research also turned up this—

Apparently, the reason true seals always lay curled up is a result of their physical structure.

Sea lions and fur seals are both in the Otariidae family, which possess earlobes, so distinguishing between them can be tricky at a glance.

But as their name implies¹, fur seals are covered in an abundance of fur in order to retain heat.

I see. Now that you mention it, I can see some on those ones down there.

The smooth forms of true seals and sea lions are lovely, but the somewhat fluffy feeling of fur seals is nice too.

(Fluffy feeling…?)

Ah, I almost forgot to take pictures. I absolutely must show this herd of fur seals to the others—

(…Well, never mind that. I should take pictures too.)

We'll have to proceed on foot from here on out. Are you feeling weary from all the travel so far?

I had a big lunch, so I'm full of energy.

Rather… the more we happened upon animals while driving, the more I wanted to see them up close.

Ah… are you worn out yourself? Driving with passengers in the car is quite tiring, I hear.

I'm not that fragile. Let's get going if there are no issues. We have until the evening to walk around freely.

I wonder if we'll be able to find koalas with such limited time… We can't afford to mess around.

! You're right, we should get going immediately.

We can probably expect to find them at the top of eucalyptus trees. I've seen many pictures of them sat on the forks, clinging to the trunks, but—

Oi, Kaguya, watch your feet.

Ah… a tree branch. I might've fallen had you not warned me. Thank you.

(…Not again. I can't keep losing focus and playing around like this.)

(Wanting to see wild koalas is no reason to be walking around so carelessly.)

Ahem. Even in Australia, this is one of only a few places naturally inhabited by disease-free koalas.

In addition to mammals like koalas, you can also find a variety of other animals, like birds and reptiles.

…That surprised me… A bird just flew in out of nowhere.

(Blue head, orange chest and bill, and green wings. This eye searing bird must be…)

A rainbow lorikeet. It's a type of parrot.

Yes, the articles I read say they're very loving and take quickly to humans—

…

Lu-senpai. The rainbow lorikeet is on your shoulder.

…I don't need you to tell me that.

Oi. Don't peck my hair, bird.

…Just as the articles said.

How do I deal with this…?

Ah! You mentioned your younger sister requesting pictures, yes?

On top of that, we need to take pictures in order to report the fruits of our training.

And this… is undoubtedly a once in a blue moon opportunity…!

Huh…?

Hold still, please…!

Phew… more wonderful pictures couldn't possibly exist. They'll put a smile on your sisters' faces too, I'm sure.

…

Short-beaked echidnas, red-tailed black cockatoos, possums… We've encountered quite a few animals we couldn't identify as well.

Walking through a forest and coming across wild animals like this is quite refreshing.

Though, fascinating as it is to be surrounded by such distinctive creatures…

We've yet to achieve what we set out for: finding a koala.

It's still too early to give up. Koalas are nocturnal by nature, so I'd like to persevere to the very end.

Kaguya, stop. That thicket has something—

! A kangaroo… or rather, a joey?

…?

Even the wallaby we saw from the car was larger than that. Its countenance comes across somewhat childlike too…

It's staring at us with its large doe eyes.

So cute...

Lu-senpai, look…! I just took the most wonderful picture of it peering into the camera.

As have I—a perfect shot. It's like it understands what the cameras are for…

…

Can you spot its parents or companions around?

Ah, now that you mention it…

You'd typically imagine a mother kangaroo carrying her child in her pouch, but this joey is alone… Did it get lost?

It's a wild animal. Humans shouldn't do anything unnecessary, particularly when they're young. Leaving is likely our best option here.

Concerned as I am, you're right.

Hm? …Looks like it's off somewhere itself.

Let's get going. We need to take our time and search for a koala.

…♪

Why is it looking back at us?

(Don't tell me—)

(Does it want us to follow it?)

…Well, we're free to walk where and how we please.

And that just so happens to be the same direction this little one wants to go.

…Let's go, Lu-senpai.

Right.