Once I finally convinced Olivia-san to let me handle the oars, I began moving the boat slowly across the water again. Other tourists were scattered here and there on their own boats, but the lake was vast enough that there was no real danger of us bumping into anyone.
Olivia-san took my earlier suggestion to "enjoy the scenery" to heart, her eyes moving as she quietly observed our surroundings.
"...It truly is a strange thing," she murmured.
"Hmm?"
"As the Representative of the Friendly City, I have memorized every tourist facility within its borders. When it comes to this park, I have enough knowledge to draw a guide map from memory without even looking." She paused, gazing out at the horizon with a look of deep contemplation. "And yet... I truly knew nothing. I’ve realized today that seeing a place with your own eyes is entirely different from looking at it on a map."
"That happens a lot, I think. Having the information is one thing, but actually experiencing it is another. I guess you can only say you truly 'know' something once knowledge and experience come together for the first time."
"Once knowledge and experience come together... I see. Those words hit quite close to home."
In my mind, I thought of Alice. Among everyone I knew, she was the one who seemed to understand the world best. That wasn't just because she had raw data; it was because she had seen and done so much.
In terms of pure volume of information, someone like the omniscient and omnipotent Eden-san would probably be superior. But when it came to knowledge backed by actual life experience, I felt Alice was second to none.
Olivia-san clearly possessed incredible knowledge, but since she lacked the experience to ground it, she had spent the day feeling bewildered by things most people took for granted.
"...It’s a rather shameful admission," she whispered.
"Shameful?"
"I am young compared to the Gods, but I have still lived nearly fifty times as long as Kaito-sama. And yet, there is so much I do not know. I feel a bit of self-loathing, constantly having to be taught by you."
She was being a bit dramatic, but Olivia-san seemed to be the extremely serious, inflexible type. It made sense that she would let these things get to her.
"There's nothing shameful about it. After all, it's just that you 'don't know it yet,' right?"
"...Eh?"
"Everyone has things they don't know. I have mountains of them. Even Shiro-san has things she doesn't know. I don't think it's something to be ashamed of. It just means you get to learn them from here on out." I smiled at her as she turned to look at me. "Besides, isn't the fact that everyone knows different things the reason we can teach each other? You said you’ve only been learning from me, but you’re the one who told me about this park. I’m learning from you, too."
"...Kaito-sama."
Olivia-san looked like she was deep in thought, but I took that as a good sign. Change was beginning to take root in her, little by little. After a moment of silence, a small, genuine smile finally touched her lips.
"...You are right. Immature as I may be, I would be honored if you would continue to guide me."
"I think you're exaggerating a bit... but I'll be counting on you to teach me things as well. By the way, where should we go after we leave the park?"
"If it is acceptable to you, Kaito-sama... a certain place has come to mind. I would very much like to visit it."
That caught me off guard. This was the first time Olivia-san had voiced a request of her own. It was proof that she was definitely starting to open up.
"Of course, let's go. Where is it?"
"...A place called Hero's Hill. As the city's representative, I feel I should finally set foot in its most famous landmark."
"I see. But if I remember right, Hero's Hill is a bit far from the city, isn't it?"
"Yes. There are carriages that head to the foot of the hill, but none are scheduled for this time of day. However, that is no obstacle. I can take us there with Teleportation Magic."
"Then we're all set. Once we're done here, we'll head to Hero's Hill."
With our next destination decided, I felt a surge of confidence. I was steadily getting closer to her. I put a bit more strength into my stroke and rowed us back toward the shore.
Serious-senpai: "I just thought of something."
???: "What is it?"
Serious-senpai: "Hero's Hill is pretty far from the Friendly City, right?"
???: "Yeah, it’s a bit of a trek."
Serious-senpai: "...Is that hill actually within the city's jurisdiction?"
???: "Nope, it’s outside the borders."
Serious-senpai: "...I’ve called it. A piggyback or a princess carry... that’s the real question here."