Hello everyone.
Well, today we went to explore Okuma Okawara with the new Kiyume no Mori members.
Needless to say, our ``Yume no Mori'' is moving forward, carrying the thoughts of Okuma, Aizu, and many others.
It may be just as important (perhaps even more important than Japanese language and mathematics) to first focus on and deeply understand the hometown that nurtures our own forests.
The bus departs from Yume no Mori, packed with the excitement of the children.

It's time!
Our goal is Matsunaga's old man's house!
Just before departure, a command comes from the designer who plays the role of the expedition leader.
``Today, we are meeting the old man from Matsunaga and Emily from Amanogawa Farm.''
"Huh? Matsunaga's old man?"
"It looks like he's wearing red clothes."
There is an uproar among the soldiers.
``Become friends with Matsunaga's old man and Emily-san. This is your first mission!'' the captain commands.
“Yes, sir!”
This is another powerful reply.
It's not just about observing the big bears, it's about connecting with the local community.
This seems to be the mission assigned to the members.
Well, what happened?

After a while in the car, we first arrived at the Matsunaga residence at the foot of the mountain.
An excited exploration team. I yell out loud in front of the gate, even though the old man can't see me.
"Hello! Old man, are you here?"
Hearing the commotion outside, the Matsunaga couple peeked out from the greenhouse next door.
“Ah, there it is!” the children said.
"Oh, you're here?" the couple said.
Although our first meeting lasted a few minutes, Mr. and Mrs. Matsunaga welcomed us with their usual gentle smiles.
After greetings, the children began to fidget when we faced each other.
One child breaks this atmosphere.
"Um, nice to meet you. My name is 〇〇. It's written in kanji as ◻︎◻︎, and it's 〇〇. Thank you!"
The atmosphere quickly calmed down as I introduced myself in a mature manner, and I and I began to introduce ourselves.
Okay! It seems that the first mission has been completed.

“Would you like to take a look inside the house?”
Following the old man, we all explored the vinyl house.
“Ah, isn’t this a cucumber?”
The students keep an eye out for small seedlings near the entrance and speak about them.
"So, do you know what this is?"
Matsunaga's father asks, pointing to the small crops growing in the back of the house.
I think about this along with the children.
Looks like chive... But it's not a chive, it's a daffodil! ...But I can't eat daffodils...
One child speaks.
"Okay. It's a green onion. It's called a green onion!"
"Hmm? Look at the green part. Leek leaves are round. What do you think?"
Matsunaga's old man asks again, arms crossed.
"Uh, it's not round. It's flat."
"Yeah. That's it, garlic leaves."
Indeed, if you put your face close to it, there is a faint smell of garlic.
``Oh, garlic!'' The expedition team all agreed when they said it out loud.
"This would be great as an evening drink."
When Matsunaga's old man's face fell, he immediately said,
“I want to eat it!” the children said.
``It's still early, isn't it?'' the old man replied, and his wife read the atmosphere and led him next to her.
"These are snap peas. Would you like to pick some?"
Thanks to your generosity, I was able to experience the harvest in a hurry.
Ingredients for the 5th graders' cooking class "Boil and Eat" were recently available in an unexpected way.
Clutching snap peas, the explorers look satisfied.
Suddenly, you hear the sound of a rooster crowing nearby.

Next, carefully harvest.
Next to the house is the chicken.
Chickens are kept free-range in the field behind the Matsunaga residence.
The "moving" chicken is more popular with the children than the "static" vegetables.
A group of explorers timidly steps into a flock of chickens running around the large grounds.
The children are unaccustomed to this, and although they look like they're just getting used to it, their expressions are shining.
Suddenly, Matsunaga's old man throws a piece of green leaf into the room.
All at once, the chickens flock to it and start chomping at it.
“Wow!” “Wow!”
The children's voices disappear into the blue sky, and the afternoon passes at a leisurely pace.

Chicken, rape blossoms, zenmai, and butterbur.
Horsetails and azaleas, tadpoles wriggling in the pond.
Emily's blue eyes look at the cherry blossoms in the woodland that are about to finish.

There's so much I want to write here, but I've run out of space.

What was reflected in their eyes?
What is the magic lantern lit in their minds reflecting now?

It depends on each person. Only that person knows.
How will each person's vivid magic lanterns be edited and what kind of stories will they weave in the future?
Regardless of the saturation and brightness, we will be watching the story unfold.