Episode 9: The First Tiny Visitor

One morning, as Hikappa’s foliage continued to multiply, Yuto was examining the leaves just as he did every day. Suddenly, his eyes caught a tiny, speck-like blemish on the underside of a leaf.

Leaning in closer for a better look, he realized it was **a single, light-green aphid** sitting quietly on the surface. "Is this... could it be an aphid...?" Yuto felt a sudden knot of anxiety tighten in his chest.

The last thing he wanted was for something bad to happen to his companion. With that single protective thought, Yuto gathered Hikappa's pot into his arms and rushed out toward the botanical garden. If he talked to Miona-sensei, she would surely know a safe and reassuring way to handle it.

At the Botanical Garden: Miona-sensei's Gentle Observation

"Miona-sensei! There's an aphid on Hikappa's leaf!" Yuto blurted out, visibly panicked. In contrast to his frantic energy, Miona-sensei offered a calm, soothing voice and handed him a magnifying glass.

Viewed through the lens, the aphid looked round, tiny, and carried a strange, almost charming presence. Miona-sensei smiled warmly at him. "Since there's only one, you don't need to worry. Let's take care of it using a gentle method first."

Washing It Away Gently with a Shower

Miona-sensei provided a practical, hands-on lesson. "Aphids have very fragile legs. Most of the time, simply **applying low to medium water pressure directly to the back of the leaf** is enough to wash them right off. For young plants, it's always safest to remove them physically rather than turning straight to chemical pesticides."

"Be sure to support the leaf with your hand and hold down the base of the pot so the soil doesn't wash away. And don't forget to keep an eye on its condition every few days." There was a comforting serenity in Miona-sensei's instructions that immediately put Yuto's mind at ease.

Once back home, Yuto prepared a lukewarm shower out on the balcony. Carefully supporting the back of the leaf, he directed the stream of water over it. With a clean **plop**, the tiny visitor slipped off the leaf and disappeared into the soil below.

"Alright, you're all set now, Hikappa." As the stray droplets from the shower glistened across its leaves, Hikappa returned a soft, familiar pulse of light.

Yuto jotted down a new thought in his journal: "The fact that bugs are attracted to Hikappa is proof that it's growing healthy and strong. The habit of catching small irregularities early and dealing with them calmly is a skill that will serve me well in the world of investing, too."

What could have been a minor crisis ended up becoming an event that brought Yuto and Hikappa even closer together. Yuto promised himself that he would always stay attentive to his companion's subtle changes, ready to step in and protect it with care.