“Today, too, let's nurture Riko's forest, so that Riko can welcome everyone!” —Forest Owlet, in her diary
The story opens with Riko writing in her diary, thinking about how she also wrote in it the last time Serval came over to visit the forest with her friends. After she is finished reminiscing, Mirai and Serval appear for another visit, and she welcomes them. Mirai comments that it must be hard for Riko to manage the forest by herself, which Riko denies, citing that because it is a deciduous tree forest, it has a perfect, self-sustaining ecosystem. Serval becomes confused, not knowing what a deciduous tree forest is. Riko then explains the oak tree to Serval, talking about how it produces acorns that help keep the forest alive during the winter. She begins to explain about even more trees that produce acorns, such as pin oak, daimyo oak, Japanese beech, and the sawtooth oak. She also explains the differences between the trees, such as their shape.
Hearing all of this, Serval praises Riko, likening her to a guide. Riko, however, rejects this notion. The trio then see a Cerulean and defeat it. After the fight, the three see Professor Konoha and her assistant, Mimi-chan. Mimi-chan comments that if they ask, they will receive food, which angers Riko, because not only is she the one bringing them food, this is the second time they have asked her to do so. Before Riko can continue arguing, however, Moose appears, and states that the two wise owls love the forest that she spends so much time caring for, placating her. Moose explains that she has heard that Riko is acting as a guide for the group, and has come to greet and join them. Afterwards, a second Cerulean attacks.
After the Cerulean is defeated, Riko shows the group a field made up of cosmos flowers. She explains that the flowers mean "order", and that she takes special care of the flowers. Just then, a third Cerulean appears, and the group defends the field from the threat. Seeing the kindness of Serval and the others protecting her field from the Cerulean, Riko starts to cry. She tells them that this cosmos field was the first thing she decided to make when she chose to take care of this forest. She also explains that cosmos have another meaning, "maiden love" and "maiden sincerity", and the field symbolizes her devotion to caring for the forest. Riko then thanks Serval and the others for their kindness.
Transcript
Character
English
Japanese
〜RIKO'S (FOREST OWLET) DIARY〜
Today, too, let's nurture Riko's forest, so that Riko can welcome everyone!
〜リコ(モリコキンメフクロウ)の日記〜
さあ、みんなを迎えられるように今日もリコの森を大きく育てようー!
SCENE:
Park Central
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Forest Owlet
With this, all is okay. Come to think of it, didn't Riko write something like this in the past? Ah, if Riko is not mistaken... ... it was when Serval and the others came to play some time ago? Riko misses that day... ...
Ah, you’re right. The leaves fall onto the ground! This leaf, what kind is it?
ほんとだ。地面に葉っぱが落ちてる!これ、なんの葉っぱ?
Forest Owlet
Good question! That’s an oak leaf. Oak trees are famous for producing acorns, and acorns are an important food supply for the forest in the winter. Even though they're all called acorns, many kinds of tree, including pin oaks, daimyo oaks, Japanese beech, and sawtooth oaks, all produce them. Also, depending on the tree, the acorn's traits and shape can also be different. An acorn has a deep meaning in a deciduous tree forest... ...!
Wait, Riko. Everyone in the forest thanks you - including both Professor Konoha and Assistant Mimi, of course.
待って、リコ。リコには、森のみんなが感謝しているんだ。もちろん、コノハ博士やミミ助手もね。
Forest Owlet
Moose-chan is here, too?
へ、ヘラジカちゃんもいたの?
Moose
Yes. I heard that Riko was giving guidance about the forest to Serval and the others, so I came here to greet them.
うん。リコが、サーバルたちに森を案内するという話を聞いたから、挨拶に来たんだよ。
Forest Owlet
Thank you for coming all this way, Moose-chan! Riko also thanks you for always thinking about everyone, as the king of the forest!
わざわざありがとう!ヘラジカちゃんこそ、森の王として、いつもみんなのこと考えてくれて感謝してるよ!
Serval
Hehe, even Moose, the king of the forest, acknowledges Riko!
へえ、森の王であるヘラジカにも、リコは一目置かれてるんだね!
Cellien
!
!
Forest Owlet
... ... Oh, while we were talking, the Celliens came again!? Let’s combine our power and defeat them!
... ... と、お話してたら、また、セルリアンが来ちゃった!? 力を合わせてやっつけようー!
CELLIEN BATTLE
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Forest Owlet
Come! There’s a place that Riko wants Serval-chan and the others to see!
来て!サーバルちゃんたちに見て欲しかった場所があるの!
Serval
Waah! A beautiful cosmos field!
わあ!きれいなコスモス畑!
Mirai
Does Riko take care of this cosmos field, too?
このコスモスも、リコさんがお世話しているんですか?
Forest Owlet
Yes. Riko likes the forest, but she also likes flowers. Riko especially likes this cosmos field, a special place. Cosmos is also called by another name, the “autumn cherry blossom”. It’s famous, like the popular cherry blossom viewing in the spring. It’s beautiful and cute, and it’s the flower that represents autumn. Cosmos also means order in another language. Riko pours lots of her love into this flower garden.
Indeed, many kinds of orderly flowers are blooming.
たしかに、色とりどりの花々が、整然として咲き誇っていますね。
Serval
This one is pink, and this one is white, and this one is red... ...
こっちはピンクでしょ、ここは、白、ここは赤... ...
Cellien
...
...
Serval
Huh? That last flower, was there something weird about it?
あれ? 今、なんか、変なのあったような?
Cellien
!
!
Forest Owlet
C-Celliens have come!? Riko will not let you harm the flowers!
せ、セルリアンが来てる!? お花さんたちは、傷つけさせないよ!
CELLIEN BATTLE
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Forest Owlet
Serval-chan, all of you, thank you very much for protecting the flowers!
サーバルちゃんたち、お花さんたちを守ってくれて、本当にありがとうね!
Serval
No need! We must protect the flowers that Riko cares about so deeply!
ううん、リコの大事に育てたコスモスだもん。守らないわけにはいかないよ!
Forest Owlet
Serval-chan... ... Riko, is happy... ...! (*sniff*)
サーバルちゃん... ... リコ、うれしい... ...!(ぐすっ)
Serval
Eh, Riko, are you crying!?
え、リコ、泣いちゃった!?
Forest Owlet
It’s okay, because they're tears of joy... ...! Uhm, did you know?... The truth is that this cosmos field is the first flower garden that Riko planted when she came to this forest for the first time.
Is that so? Riko did say that this is a special place, after all.
そっか、リコにとって特別な場所だって言ってたもんね。
Forest Owlet
Yes. When Riko came to this forest, Riko worked hard and planted this cosmos field. In flower language, cosmos means “maiden devotion” and “maiden love”. From now on, with devotion and love, Riko wants to take care of this flower garden, and the forest, too.
Today, if Riko was fighting alone against the Celliens, she thinks that she couldn't have protected the forest. So, Riko does not want to forget the feeling of thanks towards Serval-chan and everyone. Riko will make sure to remember what happened today. So, Serval-chan, guide-san, thank you for coming!
No, it’s me who should thank you! Thanks for showing us the beautiful forest and cosmos field! (*hug*)
ううん、こっちここそ!素敵な森やコスモス畑を見せてくれてありがとうーー!(むぎゅっ)
Forest Owlet
Hah!? Serval-chan, Riko is in pain~!
はぎゅっ!? サーバルちゃん、くるしいの〜!
Mirai
Fufu, I'm sure Riko-san's feelings will be conveyed to everyone in the forest, as well.
ふふ、リコさんの気持ちは、きっと森の皆さんにも伝わってると思いますよ。
Forest Owlet
Then, Riko feels happy... ... From now on, Riko will do her best to take care of the forest. Riko hopes to have fun with everyone in this forest from now on, too!