After lunch, we all plan to head to the lake and board a sightseeing boat.
“What kind of boat is it? Is it big? Is it fast?”
““I’m looking forward to it!””
This is Shiro and the others’ first time on a boat, and they are really excited to see what kind of boat we’ll be on.
I don’t remember ever being on a boat either, so I’m a little excited inside.
“It’s that one.”
“Wow, it’s big!”
““So cool!””
At the pier, a boat much larger than I had imagined was moored. If I remembered correctly from class, it is called a galleon.
Like Sue, Shiro and the others were practically bursting with excitement at the sight of such a big vessel. But what caught my attention was something else—the large crowd of tourists gathered at the pier, waiting just like us.
What could have happened?
We drew closer to the pier, only to find a sign posted there.
| Notice: Due to a scheduled maintenance, the sightseeing boat will be out of service until the day after tomorrow. |
“…So that means we can’t ride the sightseeing boat?”
“Hmm, talk about bad timing.”
“““Ehh?! No way!”””
That really was unlucky timing.
If it was down for maintenance, there was nothing we could do about it. Shiro and the others looked thoroughly dejected, and even Sue seemed a little disappointed.
We’d have to come up with some kind of alternative. Just then, I noticed another boat docked at a second pier.
Hmm, maybe we could we ride that one.
There is someone there who looked like a boatman—worth asking at least. And so, we made our way over to the other pier.
“Excuse me, is it possible to ride this boat?”
“Oh, certainly. This one’s a sightseeing rowboat.”
“““We wanna ride it!”””
So it really was a sightseeing rowboat. Shiro and the others eagerly made their wishes known, their eyes shining with excitement.
Since it was a perfect opportunity, we decided to go for it.
We quickly completed the rental procedure and climbed aboard. The boat turned out to be larger than I expected—easily spacious enough for the five of us.
“All right then, let’s set out.”
“It’s moving!”
“We’re going forward!”
“Amazing!”
“Don’t get too excited and fall overboard.”
“““Ye~s!”””
As I dipped the oars and pushed the boat out onto the lake, Shiro and the others crowded toward the bow, chattering excitedly. Lately even Horn had grown more cheerful, and that alone made me glad.
“The wind feels so nice.”
“It’s a little chilly out on the water, but it’s refreshing.”
Sue brushed her hair back, smiling as the breeze flowed through. The weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold. It’s truly pleasant.
Plop.
“Ah, something jumped!”
“Was it a fish?”
“What was it?”
Something had broken the surface of the water, sending ripples across the lake. Shiro and the others leaned forward with wide eyes, their curiosity piqued.
Moments like these were good for them, I thought.
Then Shiro turned back toward me, her voice bright.
“Oniichan, can I try rowing too?”
“Sure, but take it slow, okay? Other people are riding these boats too.”
“That’s right. There are other boats around us. If we bump into one, it’ll be a problem.”
“Mm, got it!”
I swapped places with Shiro, letting her take the oar. Just as Sue had pointed out, plenty of visitors who couldn’t ride the sightseeing boat had also rented rowboats and were scattered across the lake.
Since an accident would be dangerous, Shiro obediently listened to Sue’s warning.
“Wow, it’s moving! Amazing!”
“Then I want to try next!”
Fran also want to try.
“Hmm… you’re still too little, Fran. Your arms and legs won’t reach properly.”
“Oh, no fair…”
When Shiro began rowing, Fran insisted on a turn too, but her small frame couldn’t even reach the right position. There was just no helping it.
For a moment I was worried when we found that the sightseeing boat wasn’t available, but in the end, getting to ride a rowboat turned out to be just fine.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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