Episode 6: Growing Methods and Mysterious Connections

The week after naming Hikappa, Yuto cradled the small pot in his arms and headed to the botanical garden. Hikappa had stretched its stem ever so slightly, and the base of its leaves would flash with light from time to time.

"Hello," Yuto said as he opened the laboratory door. Miona-sensei looked up, shifting her focus away from the microscope she had been peering into.

"How is Hikappa doing?" "It's doing well. But to be honest, I'm just not sure how I should be growing it from here on..."

"It truly is different from ordinary plants. This little one seems to respond strongly to your 'accumulations'."

"Accumulations...?"

Miona-sensei sat down on her chair and turned squarely toward Yuto. "Your daily habits. Consistency, and actions where you take good care of yourself. That kind of steady stacking is what helps this little one grow."

Yuto stared down at Hikappa with wide, surprised eyes. At that exact moment, Hikappa let out a tiny, brief glimmer.

"Yuto-kun, you mentioned before that you wanted to try building your assets, right? If you are truly earnest about it, Hikappa will surely respond to that devotion as well."

Miona-sensei pulled a small notepad from her white lab coat pocket and began writing smoothly.

"Gathering these four components and staying consistent with your monthly accumulations—that will serve as the very 'nourishment' that makes Hikappa grow."

"...Does it really have such a concrete effect?"

"Yes. Mysterious, isn't it? But this little one is inextricably linked with the daily accumulation of your lifestyle choices."

Right then, Hikappa gave a distinct, crisp spark. Watching the light, Yuto nodded with firm determination.

"...I understand. I'll look into the Rakuten Ecosystem as a framework and start my recurring investments. I'm going to nurture both my own future and Hikappa's future at the same time."

Miona-sensei smiled warmly. "I look forward to seeing how the compounding effects of your investments show up the next time you visit."

(Note: The deep connection between Hikappa's growth and Yuto's asset building has finally come to light. In the next chapter, Episode 7, Yuto prepares to establish his settings within the Rakuten Ecosystem to launch his recurring investments.)