Episode 4: Meeting Miona-sensei and Naming

The following morning, carrying both nervousness and anticipation in his heart, Yuto stepped through the automatic doors of that botanical garden. After briefly explaining his situation at the reception, he was guided by a gentle voice through to the research laboratory located deep within the greenhouse.

When the laboratory door opened, standing there was a woman with a serene smile. Her fingertips emerging from the sleeves of her white lab coat were clean, and there was a calm, steady light in her eyes.

"Hello. I'm Miona. So you're here to consult about a plant?" Her voice was calm, yet it carried a firm and resonant core.

Yuto bowed deeply and smiled faintly. "Yes. It might be a little unusual. Would you mind taking a look at it?"

Yuto carefully took out the container. Inside lay the seed, wrapped in a moistened paper towel. As he gently unfolded the wrapping, a cherry-blossom pink bead faintly translucent with light glowed through the paper.

Miona-sensei approached slowly and observed the seed closely. Instead of picking it up immediately, she looked at it carefully first, as if performing a cautious examination with her eyes and fingertips.

"...A root has emerged. It is indeed delicate. If handled roughly, it could break." She explained in the calm, measured tone of a specialist.

"If a root breaks, is it impossible for it to recover?" Yuto asked. His voice trembled slightly.

Miona-sensei nodded. "It depends on the case. Young roots are particularly fragile. However, if treated properly, they can sometimes recover. For now, the most important thing is to avoid dryness and unnecessary shaking."

Yuto exhaled deeply in his heart. He realized all over again just how deeply he cared for this tiny existence.

"Ever since I first found it, it felt somehow special to me... I really want to give it a name." Yuto's voice was modest, but his earnestness came through clearly.

Miona-sensei smiled gently as she gazed down at the seed. "A name. I think that's very important. Having a name changes the grower's sense of responsibility."

For a moment, the two of them gazed at the seed in silence. Outside the lab, the greenery of the greenhouse swayed, and the distant sound of children's laughter could be heard.

"What shall we call it?" Miona-sensei prompted softly.

Yuto spoke up, looking slightly self-conscious. "Um... when it flashed, the sound 'Pikatt' somehow popped into my head. And since it's a seed (tane)... maybe 'Pikatane'—" However, he immediately tilted his head and smiled wryly. "But maybe that's a bit too simplistic."

Miona-sensei laughed gently and tilted her head. "The ring of a word is important. 'Pikatane' is lovely too, though the sound feels just a bit childish."

The moment Yuto closed his eyes to ponder, the seed suddenly intensified its glow. Almost as if saying, "How about this?"

Yuto gasped as he saw the light. He looked up and said quietly: "Then... how about 'Hikattane'? Shining equals 'Hikat'. Seed equals 'tane'. I think the ring is straightforward and cute."

Miona-sensei's eyes narrowed softly, and her smile deepened. "Hikattane..." She repeated it aloud as if to test the sound. "That's a wonderful name. It's a name born because you found it and brought it here with such care."

"From now on, bring it to show me whenever there is an evolution," Miona-sensei added. "We will watch its progress together, and we can think of a name that fits its appearance at each stage."

Yuto nodded with a radiant smile. "Yes. I'll definitely come show you. Hikattane, I look forward to working with you from now on."

Hikattane emitted a soft, steady light. That light seemed to hold a meaning beyond mere illumination—it was the definitive moment it received a name, ensuring it would be loved and protected by someone.

(Note: The initial naming took place here. As the seed undergoes future evolutions and growth, Yuto will report back to Miona-sensei to discuss and review its name.)