"Longing"

Lovely nodded. She looked at her warm tea, and started, "The last time that he took me to the forest was when I was sixteen years old. It was supposed to be a sunny day, but when we reached the third peak of the mountain, the heavy rain suddenly poured. We desperately looked for shelter, until we saw a cave…"

~~

"It's good that there is a cave here," Carlid said, furrowing his eyebrows. He was sure that he checked the weather forecast, so he didn't expect the rain to suddenly come. "Are you okay, Lovely?"

"Yes dad, I'm fine! It's just rain!" Lovely said enthusiastically, even though her silky red hair was dripping wet. She had been hiking with her father since she was seven, so she was already used to the forest environment. She took out two face towels from the side of her bag, gave one to her father, and used the other one to wipe herself.

Carlid carried with him a large, waterproof backpack. The contents inside were cut plant specimens - leaves, flowers, and if lucky, fruits. Each plant specimen was stored in a resealable plastic, complete with handwritten labels on masking tapes.

"Did you get a lot, daddy?" Lovely asked his father. She was always excited to see new plant species. Since they live near the sea, she enjoyed hiking in the forest because they didn't have one in their area.

"I got a lot," he replied. He was always happy to see that his daughter is interested in her career. "Let's check them together when we get home."

Soon after, the rain stopped, and the sun shone on the peak. Water droplets came sliding down the leaves, and the soil was wet but not enough to become muddy. The father and daughter walked out of the cave and saw the beautiful forest.

"I think we should go back home for now," Carlid said, helping her carry her backpack.

"Yeah, I think so, dad!" Lovely exclaimed. When they continued strolling, she suddenly saw a very unique plant, one that stood out from all the other plants. "Dad, look!" she shouted as she pointed out to her right side.

There was a small tree that had bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers, and glittery green leaves, which sparkled upon the sunlight's touch. Its thick roots were very long and extended outward, and a few coppicing shoots had risen up from some of the root's surfaces. The tree stood majestic; there were no other trees near it, as if the roots occupied the spaces around it to make the place his own kingdom.

~~

As Lovely continued her story, Joy also served the cinnamon rolls.

Lovely carefully explained to them, "We took leaf and flower samples from it. Botanists and taxonomists came to identify the tree, but it turns out that it was a newly discovered species. That tree was the reason why he went abroad. He said that it was to study it further. Mom didn't want him to leave, but he insisted, making them decide to get divorced," She got emotional on remembering her father, but she managed to hold her tears in. "If I didn't discover that plant, maybe he's still here."

"Do you know why he wanted to leave?" Dexter asked.

Lovely shook her head.

"Hmm… I see. Perhaps if we go to that tree and get some plant specimen samples, we would know," Dexter suggested. "I will have to get some experts to identify the plant, and then obtain extractive samples. Can you accompany them?"

Lovely's emotions turned from sadness to excitement. "Yes! It's in Mount Maqui, north of Sambridge City!" It's been a while since she last entered that forest. "The plant is found in the third peak… But uhm, when do we go?"

"Tomorrow," Dexter said. "The sooner, the better."

"Okay! Then I have to buy some stuff at the convenience store," she replied, as she stood up from the sofa.

"Just go and buy stuff for yourself. I'll have my subordinates buy their own." Dexter said after he sipped his green tea. "Come back here after you purchase all the materials you will need because we will discuss the details of your hike.���

"Yes! Excuse me, then!" Lovely waved at them and ran off outside.

"Will she be alright, dear?" Joy asked worriedly. Lovely had always acted childishly, and she's worried that she wouldn't be able to handle the forest.

"If she had always gone to the forest with her father, I'm sure she'd be fine," said Dexter.

"Don't worry, mom," Sanno also assured her, "She behaves like a kid, but she's actually matured and reliable."

The clock struck twelve, and in the Sovereign States of Krizeldt, Faye entered a laboratory, in which its building was surrounded by barbed wires and armed men. At the moment, the country was covered in snow, and Faye was hugging herself for warmth while walking inside. It was a full five-hour journey, and even if she's tired, she was asked to go directly to Dr. Jaia Mullock's laboratory.

"Ms. Faye, welcome," Dr. Jaia said, and they shook hands, "Come with me."

Dr. Jaia's laboratory was more advanced than D.M. Cadre Research Facility in terms of field experiments, but the latter had more rooms to accommodate the mutants. Most of the mutants in her facility were just temporarily housed. In here, there are experimentation rooms called "field test rooms", in which mutants' agility and skills could be thoroughly tested by making them move freely in a very spacious area.

They went down to the first basement. It was dim, but as soon as they stepped out of the elevator, the lights in the hallway were activated. Faye followed Dr. Jaia in front of a room having a digital screen at the side of the door, displaying the word "SHARK".

Dr. Jaia placed her lab I.D. in front of the scanner. The large metal door automatically opened sideways. Faye was surprised to see how gigantic the aquarium was. It was thrice the size of Galia's previous aquarium, and necessary water quality maintenance equipment was also installed.

Galia was just underneath, sitting in the aquarium's bottom. She looked very dispirited and lonely, but when she looked at the door, she was delighted to see Faye. She quickly swam towards the surface, walked on the platform, and used a slide to come down.

"Miss Fayeeee!" Galia exclaimed and approached her. "Why did you leave me here? Where have you been?"

"Galia, I'm sorry for being late," Faye replied as if she was sincere, "I needed to assist Dr. Dimplesmith in his study. But don't worry, I'm now transferred here."

"That's great!" Galia happily said, but she noticed that her caretaker wasn't with Faye. "Where's Lovely? Isn't she with you?"

"Oh...her," Faye couldn't tell the shark mutant that they had forcefully ended her contract. "She said that she needs to go back to her hometown."

"Ah... I see," Galia murmured. She missed her caretaker. Because she was immediately brought to the new lab without prior notice, she didn't even get to thank her for all she had done for her. She wanted to thank her for her kindness, for treating her like a normal human, and for being like an older sister to her.

"Hi, Galia, I'm Jaia Mullock, the head of the institute," Dr. Jaia gave her a friendly smile and extended her hand. "I hope you're comfortable with your aquarium."

Galia shook hands with her. "Ah, yes… I am comfortable, but it's just too lonely without anyone to talk to me. I'm sorry for all the troubles I have caused ever since I transferred." On her first field test, she stayed at the bottom of her aquarium, hugging a seaweed plant!

"Now that your assigned assistant scientist is here, you're going to cooperate with us, right?" Dr. Jaia told the shark mutant. Even if she's giving a gentle smile, Galia could sense the forcefulness in her words.

"Galia, don't you worry," Faye interrupted. She tapped her shoulders gently. "In the next field test, you will be doing something that you love to do."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" the shark mutant asked.

"You need to practice," the assistance scientist replied, "Because you will do an underwater dance."