Track 4

Oi, just how far does it want us to go?

Our surroundings are becoming more and more dense…

!

Hm?

! …!

Now it's hopping up and down for some reason. Is it trying to draw our attention to something…?

There's nothing of note here, though. If I had to say, these eucalyptus trees are considerably tall—

Ah…

L-Lu-senpai…!

What.

On that tree, there's a koala…!

!

We finally saw one…! So they were in that high a spot!

I can only see a speck.

Koalas reside at high elevations, so you often hear about them being difficult to observe. Taking that into consideration, I brought along some binoculars!

You prepared that much to see a koala?

N-not for my own personal satisfaction, I assure you, fieldwork is simply such a rare occurrence—

We have time. Observe and admire as you like. You've been longing to see one, haven't you?

…!

Nobody ever said you can't enjoy yourself on a study trip.

…

Then—I won't hold back.

Ooh… rather than hugging the bark, it looks more like it's digging its nails into it.

So bushy… And that blank expression is truly adorable…!

Lu-senpai, please, use the binoculars yourself. It'd be a waste to miss this…!

……Well, opportunities like this seldom come around. I'll borrow them.

Oh…? It looks quite tired. Its eyes are half shut.

Likely a result of it being earlier than it's natural active hours. Isn't it three times as bushy as you imagined?

Yes, it is bushy. Considerably so.

…Had you not been here, I wouldn't have been able to observe it this well.

I've hardly done much.

We hadn't seen any at all thus far, so I was thinking we might have to give up… I'm truly relieved.

…♪

Could it be that you led us here because you noticed us searching for a koala?

(That's not— …no, now's not the time to say that.)

Because of your help, my desire to encounter a koala was realised. You have my gratitude, thank you.

…Will you not be taking pictures?

Ah- you're right.

Even with the zoom, it's so high up that I can only take a small picture…

But I've burned the sight into my eyes, so I'm satisfied.

Apologies for spending so much time on this koala search. Let's start afresh.

…?

You should return to your mother and companions with haste as well. Goodbye now.

…

…Lu-senpai. It's following us.

By chance, surely.

…

Phew… we've walked quite a bit. I'd heard it was a wide area, but experiencing the scope of it myself is something else.

Should we have a quick break?

I'll take you up on that. …You've been hopping along this whole time as well, aren't you tired?

?

…Doesn't look like it.

Heh, perhaps this little one simply sees it as playing in the woods.

Perhaps.

…

Lu-senpai, I believe that once we leave the sanctuary, we'll be going straight to our lodgings…

Right. Tomorrow we'll be leaving the island, then heading from Adelaide to Sydney.

Yes, about that…—

What.

…- Excuse me, hold on.

…♪

H-hey, why are you sticking your head in my pocket…!?

Did you bring food?

No, I didn't want to risk impulsively feeding the animals, so…

? …??

Th-that isn't your pouch…!

…Pff, hah.

It really must miss its mother.

Perhaps. …Ah, looks like it's given up.

Phew…

But now it's parked its rear on my shoes. …Will you really not calm down unless you do that?

…

Now it seems it intends to sleep there.

…So it really was tired, then? I suppose there's nothing I can do. Lu-senpai, would you mind resting here with me a little while longer?

I don't mind. You can't exactly move like that anyhow.

Lu-senpai's given his permission. After a quick rest, the two of us are going to leave, and when we do, I need you to not kick up a fuss.

Are you listening…?

(…He's acting like a parent.)

Kaguya, it's been enough time. The sanctuary will close if we don't start leaving soon.

Right…

*sigh*… It's completely adjusted itself.

…Wake up now. We have to leave.

…?

Apologies. I can't express enough how much I'd like to spend more time with you, but…

(We're about to leave, so surely just a bit is fine? Just a light touch on its little head—)

Kaguya. Don't pet it.

Ah…

I mentioned before how I went to Australia on a school trip, yes? At the time, a wild bilby searching for food warmed up to me.

I found myself wanting to protect it, take it home with me… but of course, I couldn't.

So even you have those thoughts.

…I suppose. The guide sternly warned that we can't let the animals become accustomed to humans, or they'll be unable to return to the wild.

Wild animals can have their futures robbed by the actions of humans. Pushing them away is a form of kindness.

…!

(I was happy that this joey warmed up to me, and almost tried to pet it on top of that.)

(But it would be bad if it couldn't return to where its mother is. It's still so small.)

I appreciate you stopping my thoughtless behaviour, Lu-senpai.

Ultimately, we are only guests in this environment. Disturbing the present and future of these animals isn't our place.

Apologies, I'm standing up now.

…!

We have to go now. From now on… you can't follow us anymore.

(His reluctance to part is clear as day—but acting decisively is one of Kaguya's good points.)

Lu-senpai, um… not to say I'm still reluctant or anything, but…

What.

I just can't help but worry about how we haven't seen this little one's parents or companions even once…

What if it wasn't playing, and really did get lost?

…We'll inform the sanctuary staff on our way back. They'll have a good understanding of animals, and so should be able to make an appropriate decision.

! Right, let's do that.

…Hm?

Stop Kaguya, something large is coming.

! It's a kangaroo.

I understand it's a fully grown adult, but isn't it still quite large…?

I-indeed. Those large pectoral muscles are quite captivating.

!!

Ah, the pouch…

So she's its mother.

I see… So the mother came to pick it up. That's good.

…

There's still time to say goodbye. You don't seem to be the only one reluctant to part.

Lu-senpai…

?

I was able to see the koala I desired because of you. But above that, I'm glad to have met you at all.

Thank you for spending time with us, even if only for a small part of our trip.

I hope you live a full, happy kangaroo life here on this caring, protective island.

！…！

It's jumping again. Just like when it led us to the koala.

It must be the little one's way of saying goodbye… I'm sure of it. "See you again".

(Despite his firm parting words, he looks lonely now that it's far away.)

…

!

(Lu-senpai put his hand on my shoulder. For him to refrain from speaking at a time like this…)

(…I'm grateful.)