: A Summer Adventure

---

The car hums along a winding road, tall trees lining the way as sunlight filters through the leaves. Rui sits in the backseat, her nose practically pressed against the window.

---

Rui: Are we there yet? How much longer?

---

Dad: [chuckling] If I had a coin for every time you asked that, I’d be rich by now.

---

Mom: [teasing] Or at least enough to buy you another ice cream cone.

---

Rui: [giggling] Hey, I only asked because I’m excited! Grandma’s house is like… a secret treasure chest, right?

---

Mom: Exactly. It’s full of surprises. Wait until you see the garden this year—it’s bursting with flowers.

---

Rui: [dreamy] I hope there’s a swing under the big tree again. Remember last summer, Dad? You tried to swing, and it broke!

---

Dad: [mock offended] I was testing it for safety, obviously. Quality control is important, you know.

---

Rui: [laughing] Sure, Dad. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

---

They all laugh. The car slows down as they pass a meadow filled with wildflowers swaying in the breeze.

---

Mom: Look, Rui. That’s the meadow where I used to play when I was your age.

---

Rui: [wide-eyed] You did? Did you ever find any fairies?

---

Mom: [smiling softly] Maybe. Or maybe they found me. You’ll have to keep an eye out this summer.

---

Dad: [playfully] And if you catch one, don’t forget to tell me. I’ve got a few wishes to make.

---

Rui: [grinning] I’ll think about it! But only if they like you.

---

The car pulls up to a cozy cottage nestled in a sea of green. Grandma steps onto the porch, waving. Rui jumps out, her laughter echoing as she races up the path.

---

Rui: Grandma! I’m here! Let the summer adventure begin!.

---

Mom and Dad exchange a warm smile as they step out of the car, the promise of a magical summer stretching out before them.

---

: A Warm Welcome

---

The front porch creaks under Rui’s excited footsteps as she races to her grandmother, her arms open wide.

---

Grandma: [pulling Rui into a hug] Rui! Oh, my sweet girl, look at you. You’ve grown so much—I almost didn’t recognize you!

---

Rui: [beaming] Grandma, your house looks even prettier than I remember! And that garden… it’s like stepping into a fairy tale!

---

Grandpa: [grinning as he walks out of the house] You think the garden’s magical? Just wait until you taste your grandma’s pie.

---

Dad: [sniffing the air] Is that blueberry pie I smell? You’ve been holding out on us, Mom.

---

Grandma: [teasing] Some things are worth waiting for, aren’t they? Now come inside, everyone. I’ve got the table set for a proper welcome.

---

Inside, the dining table is laden with treats—freshly baked pies, cookies, and a pitcher of lemonade. Rui’s eyes widen as she grabs a plate.

---

Rui: [grinning] Best. Summer. Ever.

---

Mom: Rui, save some for the rest of us!

---

Grandpa: [laughing] Let her enjoy, dear. Childhood summers are meant for indulgence. Rui, did your dad tell you about the time he tried to climb the apple tree and fell into the compost pile?

---

Rui: [laughing so hard she nearly drops her cookie] No way! Dad, is that true?

---

Dad: [groaning] Really, Dad? Do we need to dig up every embarrassing story?

---

Grandma: [smiling knowingly] Oh, we’ve got plenty more where that came from. Rui, you’ll have to stick around for the full collection.

---

Rui: [grinning mischievously] I want to hear all of them!

---

The room fills with laughter as the family settles into the cozy warmth of the house, the start of an unforgettable summer together.

---

---

The sunlit garden buzzed with life as Rui wandered between the towering sunflowers, their golden heads swaying gently in the breeze. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of the juicy blue berries hanging low, and she reached out to pluck one, pausing as something small darted past her feet.

---

Rui: (crouching among the sunflowers) "What's this?"

---

(She catches a flicker of movement and turns her head sharply.)

---

Rui: "I saw you. Don't think you can hide from me."

---

(The glimmering creature freezes, its long ears twitching. Rui leans forward as it darts further into the garden.)

---

Rui: (whispering) "Hey, wait! You're not just a rabbit, are you?"

---

(The creature pauses again, its moonlit fur shimmering faintly before disappearing into the underbrush. Rui sits back, watching the spot where it vanished.)

---

Rui: (smiling to herself) "A rabbit... kissed by the moon? I knew there was magic here."

---

[Dinner Table - Evening]

---

(The family gathers around the table, the aroma of freshly cooked food filling the air. Rui bounces in her seat, unable to contain her excitement.)

---

Rui: (grinning) “I saw the strangest thing in the garden today! It was like a rabbit, but its fur glimmered, like it had caught moonlight. It was magical!”

---

Mother: (laughing) “A glowing rabbit? Rui, are you sure you weren’t daydreaming?”

---

Father: (teasing) “Maybe it was just sunlight on a very clean rabbit. Or a trick of your imagination?”

---

Rui: (pouting) “It wasn’t my imagination! It was real! I swear!”

---

Grandmother: (setting down her chopsticks, her expression thoughtful) “A rabbit that glimmers… you mean a Wobit?”

---

Rui: (eyes widening) “A Wobit? What’s that?”

---

Grandfather: (leaning back with a chuckle) “Oh, here we go. Your grandmother loves her old stories.”

---

Grandmother: (ignoring him, her tone serious) “Wobits are part of an old tale from our village. They’re magical creatures said to protect the forest. Their fur shines like moonlight. But no one has seen one in generations.”

---

Father: (smirking) “Probably because they’re just a story, Mom.”

---

Grandmother: (glancing sharply at him) “Stories come from somewhere, don’t they?”

---

Rui: (clutching the edge of the table) “See? I told you it was real! It had to be a Wobit!”

---

Grandfather: (grinning at Rui) “Or maybe you just ate too many of those blue berries and started seeing things!”

---

Rui: (huffing) “I did not! It really happened!”

---

(The family bursts into laughter, even Rui, though she crosses her arms stubbornly.)

---

Mother: (smiling) “Well, real or not, it sounds like quite the adventure. Next time, bring us proof, Rui!”

---

Grandmother: (softly, almost to herself) “If it truly was a Wobit, then perhaps the forest has something to tell us.”

---

Father: (playfully dramatic) “Or it just likes our garden. Better lock up the carrots!”

---

(The table erupts in laughter again. Rui beams but remains determined.)

---

(As the laughter fades, a faint sound echoes from outside—a low, melodic hum, almost like a whisper carried by the wind. The family pauses, their smiles fading as they exchange glances. Rui freezes, her ears straining to listen.)

---

Rui: (whispering) “Did you hear that?”

---

Grandmother: (narrowing her eyes toward the window) “The forest is listening...”

---

(A shadow shifts outside, and the sound fades as quickly as it came. Silence fills the room, and Rui feels a shiver run down her spine.)

---

Rui: (softly) “Maybe... it wasn’t just a story.”

---

---

Rui: whispering to herself "No way... there they are! Wobits... more than one! I can't believe it!"

---

She crouches down, watching the creatures as they scamper around, their little paws grabbing blue berries off the ground.

---

Rui: "They're even cuter up close. Look at them go—so quick! That one with the golden fur... It's like it spotted me. Is it... calling me?"

---

The golden wobit squeaks and nudges another, before looking back at Rui and motioning with its tiny paw to follow.

---

Rui: "Wait, are you serious? Do you want me to come over there?" She hesitates, glancing around nervously. "This is insane... but what if they lead me to something important?"

---

She slowly stands and steps forward, her heart racing as the wobit bounces energetically, clearly waiting for her.

---

Rui: "Alright, alright... I’m coming. Let’s see where this goes."

---

She follows cautiously, the golden wobit leading the way into the deeper part of the garden.

---

Rui: panting as she follows the wobit "This... this is crazy. A huge tree? And... what’s with that glow? It’s like it’s... alive?"

---

She reaches the base of the tree, staring at its thick roots, twisted and winding like veins. The golden wobit disappears beneath them, leaving only a faint trail of sparkling dust behind.

---

Rui: "Did it just... vanish? Into the ground? What is this place?" She glances around nervously, feeling an unsettling chill in the air. "I’ve never seen a tree like this before. It’s... magical."

---

Her heartbeat quickens. She knows she’s crossing a line, entering something unknown, but the pull of curiosity is too strong.

---

Rui: "Come on, Rui. Don’t back out now. You’ve come this far. Whatever this is, I have to see it."

---

She drops to her hands and knees, crawling toward the roots where the wobit disappeared. The earth feels cool and damp under her fingers.

---

Rui: "It’s... like something’s waiting for me. But what if it’s dangerous?" Her voice trembles slightly, but she pushes on, ignoring the rising fear. "No. I can’t turn back now."

---

She crawls further into the darkness, the glow of the tree flickering behind her as she descends deeper.

Rui could suddenly understand the Kafoi’s chatter, as if by magic. However, her arrival caused panic; the creatures scattered, their eyes wide with fear. Rui raised her hands, her voice gentle. “It’s okay! I’m not here to hurt you!”

Rui: eyes wide, gasping "What just happened? I... I can understand them...?"

---

The wobit chatter fills the air, their voices high-pitched and frantic. They scurry in all directions, eyes wide with fear as they dart between the trees and into the glowing streams.

---

Rui: frantically "Wait! No! Please, stop! I’m not going to hurt you!" She raises her hands in a calming gesture, trying to show she means no harm.

---

But the wobit continue to scatter, their tiny bodies shaking as they vanish into the underbrush.

---

Rui: "Oh no, did I scare them?" She stares at her hands, still unsure what just happened. "Why can I suddenly understand them? This is... crazy!"

---

She watches the last wobit slip into a nearby bush, its eyes filled with mistrust as it looks back at her.

---

Rui: "I never meant to cause this... what if they won’t trust me now?" Her heart races with a mix of guilt and confusion. "This place... it’s too strange. What’s going on here?"

---

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the weight of the unknown presses down on her more than ever.

---

Rui: "I need answers... and fast."

---