Chapter II | “Just Once, I Wanted to Meet You”

♣♣♣

 

Soaking wet.

Halfway through, the rain picked up, and it felt like I had jumped into a pool. If I had known this would happen, I should’ve just taken the bus home with Himari and the others.

But… I’m not really good with Enomoto-san. I mean, I know she’s not a bad person, but she’s just so intimidating. Or maybe it’s because she’s too beautiful, and I end up shrinking back…

…Come to think of it, when was the last time I talked to a girl other than Himari? I mean, I talk to them during committee meetings and stuff, but I’ve never really had a casual conversation.

While I was thinking about that, I finally made it home.

A two-story house. Across the narrow road, there’s a small convenience store run by my parents.

I parked my bike on the side of the house, unlocked the door, and went inside. As I headed to the bathroom, my third-oldest sister popped her head out from the living room.

Natsume Sakura. Among my three sisters, she’s the only one who’s still single, three years out of college.

Seeing me drenched from head to toe, Saku-neesan made a blatantly disgusted face. “Who’s gonna wipe this hallway…?” she was probably thinking.

“…Yuu. Couldn’t you wait until you got a towel?”

“Nah, I didn’t think you’d be home. What about the store?”

“The part-timer’s covering right now. I’ll wipe this up, so go take a bath already.”

Sorry about that.

When I entered the changing area, I found a pure white ball of fur stuffed in the laundry basket.

“…Daifuku. Mind moving?”

At the sound of my voice, the white ball of fur stirred.

Triangular ears perked up, and the white cat glared at me. Then, after a yawn, it curled back into a ball.

This guy…

Reluctantly, I tossed my wet clothes directly into the washing machine.

The bathtub was already filled with hot water. Nice, Saku-neesan.

I quickly rinsed off and sank into the warm bath. “Heaven…”

Maybe I’ll use Saku-neesan’s bath salts…

But she’d get really mad later…

…Huh? Daifuku’s meowing in the changing area. That literal cat- like voice probably means Saku-neesan’s come in.

“Hey. I’ll leave your change of clothes here.” “Got it…”

“You seem unusually tired.”

“I was fixing an old accessory…” “Oh? Himari-chan’s?”

“Nah, another girl.”

…Wait.

Why’s it so quiet…? Whoa! Don’t just suddenly open the bathroom door!?

“You’re not thinking of cheating, are you!? If you make Himari- chan cry, I won’t let you off easy!!”

“I told you, it’s not like that! Besides, Himari’s just a friend!”

“A ‘just a friend’ wouldn’t go out of her way to help you sell flower accessories!”

“But it’s the truth, so what can I do!?” She’s really mad.

Himari’s always so friendly. The Himari Magic is no joke. She’s the perfect girl to introduce to your family. Even my sisters have completely fallen for her.

“It’s just… a girl who knows Himari asked me to fix her broken accessory, so I did.”

“Can’t you do normal things for fun? Like karaoke or bowling?” “Mind your own business… and could you close the door

already?”

It’s cold, you know?

I finally warmed up in the bath, and now it’s all for nothing. “Hmm. So, what happened?”

“Wait, why are you coming in?”

“I thought I’d wash Daifuku while I’m at it.”

The white ball of fur in Saku-neesan’s arms twitched. But its tail was grabbed, and it was unceremoniously dunked into a basin filled with water. A pitiful meow echoed.

Hey, I know you won’t listen, but… wouldn’t it be better to wash Daifuku after I’m done with my bath?

“Anyway, I’m just really tired. Oh, Saku-neesan. That’s mine and Dad’s shampoo…”

“Stop nitpicking. And seriously, your mental strength is way too weak. How do you even plan to run your own shop like this?”

“That’s so on point, I can’t even argue…”

She’s absolutely right. I’m speechless.

For just cashier work or customer service, I could hire part-timers. Well, accessories are a fickle business, so expecting consistent sales might be naive.

But hearing customer feedback and requests is my job. That’s not something I can leave to others.

Which means I’ll have to step out in front of people too.

My face reflected in the bathroom mirror. As usual, I look like a grump.

Let’s try smiling like Himari… Nope, that’s a no-go. No one’s gonna believe a guy like me makes cute flower accessories.

It’d be great if Himari could just handle the customer interactions like she did today. But there’s no way I can rely on her forever.

She’s only helping out now because she doesn’t have much else to do. By then, she’ll probably be married or something.

“But it was a good experience, wasn’t it?” Saku-neesan said.

She had an oddly cool expression. The sight of Daifuku in such a pitiful state made me want to laugh.

“Why?”

“You’ve only ever made accessories for Himari-chan, right? No wonder your style’s so one-sided.”

“What do you mean, ‘one-sided’? I make a variety of accessories…”

…Huh? She’s giving me this intense stare. Then she let out a disappointed sigh.

“…I’ve been holding back, but the stuff you’ve been making lately all looks the same.”

“What!?” That hit hard.

No way. Saku-neesan’s been checking Himari’s Instagram, but there’s no way she has enough evidence to say that…

“W-What do you mean? I’ve been making earrings, bracelets, even stationery like sticky notes and bookmarks…”

“It’s not about the function, it’s about the vibe. There’s no

variation in the mood or setting. It’s like a ‘stagnant diorama’… Did you really not notice?”

“…………”

I didn’t.

But wait. Now that I think about it, I can kind of see it.

I mean, it’s obvious. My work is promoted through Himari’s Instagram. So I make things that suit Himari… Wait, that’s exactly it, isn’t it?

“I didn’t say anything before because I thought you’d give up on having your own shop. But you’re dragging Himari-chan into this, so I thought I’d be clear.”

Saku-neesan grabbed a towel and started roughly drying Daifuku.

The white ball of fur, having lost the will to resist, just lay there limply.

“You need more passion, like the kind you see in intense love or the despair of heartbreak. What you’re missing is that emotional range.”

“B-But sales are going well…”

“Really? Always on the rise? Haven’t they plateaued recently? What’s the repeat customer rate? Are people just buying once and moving on?”

“H-How do you know that!?”

“You’re promoting through Himari-chan’s Instagram, which adds her value as a model. Everyone wants accessories worn by a wild idol-like girl. But when they actually buy them, they’re like, ‘Huh, this doesn’t match the image?’ Only girls as pretty as her can pull them off.”

“Ugh!?”

Saku-neesan’s sharp.

She may be a failure at job hunting now, but back in high school, she was hailed as a “once-in-a-decade genius.” Most of what she says is spot-on, which makes it sting even more.

In fact, her words just now were exactly that. I hadn’t told her anything, but it was like she’d seen the sales data herself.

My flower accessories have few repeat customers.

Accessories are a one-time encounter. They’re not lifelong partners but fleeting lovers that shine for a moment. I’ve been telling myself that’s just how it is, but in reality, it’s just an excuse to avoid addressing the issue.

“You remember our deal, right? If you don’t have your own shop by 30, you’ll take over the family convenience store. You gave up

on being a civil servant like Dad wanted, so at least do this much.”

“Y-Yeah, I know. Until then, you’ll keep an eye on the shop, right?”

“Oh, and while you’re at it, marry Himari-chan. I’ll take your money for my retirement, but I want a cute, considerate girl to take care of me.”

“That makes no sense, Saku-neesan…”

Don’t go entrusting your life to someone else’s daughter.

I’m not one to talk, but my Saku-neesan is the worst.

♣♣♣

 

The next day after school.

As I was about to head home, Himari immediately grabbed her bag and followed me.

“Hey, Yuu! Not working today?”

“I’m a bit sleepy, so I’m heading home. Why don’t you hang out with someone else today?”

Himari glanced back at the classroom.

The classmates who had invited her to hang out earlier were still there.

“Nah. I’ll go home with Yuu.”

“Oh, okay. But I wanna get home early today…” “Give me a ride on your bike♡”

“…Got it. I’ll walk.”

I went to the bike rack to get my bike.

As soon as we left the school gate, Himari put her bag in the basket. She stepped onto the rear axle of my mama-chari and placed both hands on my shoulders.

“Alright, Yuu. Let’s go!”

“…Himari, can’t you just walk?” “Ehh, no way. I don’t wanna walk.”

“Isn’t it tiring to stand straight on the bike like that?”

“Then I’ll sit on the saddle, and you can hug me from behind…” “Got it, this is fine. Just stay still so you don’t fall.”

What are you trying to make me do? That’s way too embarrassing.

I pushed the bike and walked home. Himari hummed a tune while lightly tapping my shoulder.

“Himari, you’re in a really good mood.”

“Hehe. Finally, I’m at the same eye level as Yuu.”

“I’m sleepy, so don’t shake too much. I might really crash.”

Normally, it’d be fine, but today I just wanted to get home quickly without Himari.

“By the way, Yuu, you were yawning a lot today.” “I was really sleepy…”

“Stayed up late? We didn’t even play games together last night.” “I was reading manga.”

“Oh? That’s rare for you. You usually only read my recommendations.”

“I was thinking of narrowing down the theme for the next accessory. For reference.”

“Oh? What kind?”

“…‘Passionate love’ and ‘the despair of heartbreak.’” As expected, Himari burst out laughing.

She started slapping my shoulder from behind.

“Pfft—!? What? Yuu, are you getting interested in love?”

She’s really latching onto this.

Well, I’d probably do the same in her position. “Well, Saku-neesan said…”

Blah blah blah.

I explained my conversation with Saku-neesan yesterday, and Himari nodded in understanding.

“Makes sense. There’s some truth to it. I sometimes feel like your accessories could use more… sex appeal.”

“Sex appeal…?”

“Like an explosion of emotions, or a good kind of rawness? Not that the quality is low, but they feel too… honor student-like.”

“Huh. You feel that way too…”

“Ahaha. Sakura-san isn’t just being mean. She probably thinks it’s time for you to take the next step.”

Is that so?

That person seems to enjoy teasing me… That’s probably why she gets along with Himari.

“What do you mean by ‘next step’?”

“Hmm. Like, instead of just making what you want, you should focus more on what customers want? You’ve been making things you think are ‘good,’ but that’s what Sakura-san calls stagnation. If you’re serious about this as a business, you need to consider the customer’s perspective. Low repeat customers in retail often

come from that.” “Huh. I see.”

“Our family owns land, right? Every year, people sign contracts to try new things, but most fail and close shop quickly. Like, there was a new croissant shop recently, but the location was bad.”

“Location?”

“It was near a middle school’s commute route. They tried to target students after school with fresh pastries, but…”

“…Right. You can’t sustain a shop on middle schoolers’ allowances.”

“Exactly. The area has nursing homes and hospitals, but there’s not much demand for fancy pastries. Plus, there’s a big chain

convenience store across the street.” “…That hits close to home.”

Our convenience store is doing okay now, but if there was a competitor nearby, things might be different.

“That kind of attention to detail is necessary for making accessories too, right?”

“You’re really good at convincing me, you know?” “Ahaha. That’s because you’re serious about your flower

accessories, right? Most people would get defensive if told that.”

I guess the Inuzuka family went through a lot too.

 

Himari’s maturity beyond her years is really reassuring. She’s not just helping with promotions on Instagram; she’s supporting me behind the scenes too.

“So, Himari, what do you think about narrowing the theme to ‘love’?”

“Sounds reasonable. Your flower accessories mainly target women, right? Girls love love stories.”

She peeked at my face from over my shoulder.

Whoa, don’t move too much. The bike’s balance is off.

“So, what were you reading?”

“Uh, The Quintessential Quintuplets. It’s the most popular romance manga right now…”

“Gotoubun? But that’s more of a rom-com than a romance, isn’t it?”

“What’s the difference?”

“Hmm. Romance usually has more complicated relationships… Well, it depends on interpretation. So, who’s your favorite?”

The answer came to me immediately. “Takeda Yusuke.”

“Wait, who?”

“You know, the classmate who challenges Futaro to a test duel for the tutor position…”

“That’s a guy, right!?”

“But he’s so earnest. He’s been aiming to surpass Futaro in grades, even though Futaro doesn’t even notice him. That’s so admirable…”

“Well, I guess you could see it that way…”

“And he’s not a stalker. The proof is how cleanly he leaves. I wanna be friends with him…”

Himari pouted and started bouncing on my back. “Hey! I’m right here! I’m your best friend!”

“I know, I know! It’s just a fictional story!”

Stop moving on the bike! It’s really dangerous!

She acts like it’s nothing, but Himari’s pretty possessive. …This is probably why her relationships don’t last.

“If the heroine’s name didn’t come up, I guess you didn’t get much out of it.”

“I came up with a few design ideas though…”

I handed her the notebook I’d scribbled in during class. As she looked through my rough sketches, Himari gave her honest opinion.

“Not bad. But not great either. I know all five heroines, but I can’t picture any of them wearing these.”

“Exactly. These are just accessories that might suit the five heroines, but they don’t express their individual passions or despair.”

“Like Muzan-sama’s popcorn?” “Who’s Muzan-sama?”

“The final boss in Demon Slayer. Ah, you don’t have to read it now. It’s not related to romance or anything. But it’s interesting, so I’ll lend it to you later. My Onii-chan has the whole series.”

“For real? Thanks.”

What I’ve figured out for now is that even if you take character motifs from romance manga, it’s meaningless if you can’t empathize with those emotions.

This is just like making accessories that suit Himari. For me to empathize, I need to have experienced it myself.

“First of all, what even is love?”

“Ugh. You’re bringing up such a troublesome topic.”

“You knew from the start that I’m a troublesome guy, right?” “Ah, that’s true too.”

Hey, don’t nod with that grinning face.

And stop poking my cheek while saying, “I’m the only one who puts up with such a troublesome Yuu-kun, you know~? Be

grateful~. Contribute more~.” I’ll settle for a shake from the McDonald’s past the 10th line. …My heart’s completely losing here.

“Besides, you said you don’t really understand romantic feelings either, right?”

“Hey hey, Yuu-kun. Even if I don’t understand feelings, you know I’m super popular, right?”

“What are you boasting about when your relationships don’t even last a week?”

“Heh. Love is decided the moment you confess. In other words, I’m the strongest.”

“Oh? Then, as the strongest in love, Himari-san, what is love to you?”

“Well, like wanting to kiss or do lewd stuff?” “That’s just lust…”

I already knew this, but my best friend is way too vulgar. It’s off- putting.

Himari raised her index finger and continued with a smug face.

“That’s not it~. The feeling of wanting to kiss doesn’t happen unless you like someone, right? So, the moment you think you want to kiss someone, you’ve already fallen for them, right?”

“Wait, hold on. Don’t suddenly say something so profound?” And could you stop whispering about kissing in my ear,

especially when you’re a beauty? Even I’m starting to feel embarrassed here.

Himari grinned while explaining. She gets unusually lively when she takes the lead in conversations like this…

“So, the feeling of wanting to kiss and romantic feelings happen simultaneously. When Yuu thinks about wanting to kiss a specific girl, that’s romantic feelings.”

“So, romantic feelings are just lust?”

“Or maybe lust itself is the antenna for romantic feelings? What about your preferences, Yuu?”

“Eh, you’re really asking that? I don’t really want to say…” “Do you like bigger breasts?”

“You’re really pushing it. …Well, yeah, bigger is better?”

“Black hair? Or do you prefer a slight reddish tint? Ah, long hair is a given, right?”

“Why hair color? And why are the options so specific?” “Well, Enomoto-san’s hair has a reddish tint.”

“Why her? I’m shocked you suddenly brought up Enomoto-san’s name.”

“Don’t you want to kiss Enomoto-san?”

“Why? Where did this random push for Enomoto-san come from?”

“I just thought it’d be easier to imagine if there was a model~. I’m not trying to probe into your compatibility with Enomoto-san or anything~.”

Isn’t it just evil to casually drop your friend’s name like that? Hey, stop making that “Sigh. This is why virgins are like this”

face. You’ve just had more relationships, but your experience is pretty much the same, right?

“I give up. At the very least, I’ve never looked at a real girl and thought about wanting to kiss her.”

“Hmm. I’ve never really thought about wanting to do it myself either.”

Both of us are really lacking in charm, huh?

But there’s nothing we can do about it. What we don’t have, we don’t have. If we were the type to normally fall for the opposite sex, we probably wouldn’t be such carefree best friends, right?

Who knew our relationship had such a flaw… “Wanna try it?”

“Huh?”

I think Himari just said something weird.

I reflexively turned around. Her marine-blue eyes were staring straight at me.

“With me. A trial kiss.” “Whaaaat!?”

I stopped in my tracks, and Himari headbutted my chin with full force. I almost fell over with her, but I managed to hold my ground. I’m amazing.

“Oww…”

“Y-Yuu-kun, don’t suddenly stop like that…”

We both crouched down, enduring the dull pain. With teary eyes, I met Himari’s gaze.

“Wait, no way…” “Why not?”

“Because if you want to kiss someone, that means romantic feelings, right? So… have you been seeing me that way?”

“No, not at all. We’re just best friends.”

?????.

?????????????.

“What do you mean?”

“Yuu-kun, you’ve never thought about wanting to kiss a girl, right?”

“Yeah, but…”

“But we don’t even know what the feeling of wanting to kiss someone is like, right?”

“That’s true…”

“So, if we try it, maybe we’ll realize, ‘Ah, I know this feeling?’

Once we figure that out, it’s our win, right?” “Ah, I see…”

That makes sense.

Now that she mentions it, it does feel like that. As expected of Himari. She comes up with great ideas that I’d never think of… Wait, no. Don’t agree with this. No offense, but this theory sounds incredibly stupid.

“You can’t just kiss your friends like that. Are you Italian or something?”

Himari grinned. …Ah, she’s thinking something bad.

She suddenly grabbed my hand. And she intertwined our fingers like lovers.

She started pulling my hand, so I had to balance the bike with one arm. From the outside, it must look like we’re being super lovey- dovey. Thankfully, the backstreet was empty.

…Wait, what’s going on? I can’t read Himari’s thoughts anymore, and it’s kinda scary.

“But if there’s no emotional attachment, what’s the difference between this and holding hands? It’s just skin contact, right?”

“Stop making it sound like I’m some creepy guy who’s desperate to hold hands with girls.”

“Eh? I’m holding your hand because I want to, though?” “You’re the creepy one…”

“It’s fine~. I only do this with Yuu-kun.” “That’s not what I’m worried about…” Himari lightly flicked her lips with her thumb.

A faint gloss, enough to not get caught by the teacher, was on her finger, and it made her look a bit dazzling.

“…Wanna do it?” Ugh.

Wait, wait. Calm down, me.

It’s just her usual joke. She’s definitely going to burst out laughing any second now. Our friendship isn’t shallow enough for me to be swayed by this.

…Well, it’s the first time she’s said something like “Wanna try kissing?” though.

Either way, it’s a bad joke… Hey, why are your cheeks slightly red? And your eyes look a bit teary… Wait, stop pulling my tie.

Well, we’re already super close, right? Close enough for our

eyelashes to touch… Ugh, Himari’s breath brushed past my nose.

Stop it, my heart. Don’t beat so fast. This is definitely not just a joke anymore. Her Onii-chan will kill me. Or maybe I’ll be

forcibly registered as her brother… Wait, looking at her again, she’s seriously too much of a beauty, isn’t she?

I reflexively closed my eyes. “     ”

Huh?

She’s not coming at all.

I cautiously opened my eyes, and there was Himari, desperately holding back her laughter.

“Pfft—HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

“…………”

She was slapping the bike seat, laughing hysterically. Her hair was a mess, and the cool beauty was nowhere to be seen.

So, that’s how it is.

…I was played.

As I crouched in the corner of the backstreet, hugging my knees, Himari patted my back.

“Sorry, sorry. But it’s funny, right?”

“Well, I knew it was coming, but still… it hurts…”

Even if I’ve never thought about wanting to kiss a girl, I’m still a pure-hearted high school boy.

Himari, as usual, laughed without a care. Well, I guess this is part of her charm.

“Besides, it’d be bad if we did something like that now.” “Eh, what do you mean by ‘now’?”

She smiled brightly.

There it is. That smile that says, “By the way, isn’t the little devil who tempted you with a trial kiss also the cutest?” Yeah, sure, I think you’re cute, but don’t ever do that again, okay?

“Then, maybe I should make it up to Yuu-kun~.” “No, seriously, it’s fine.”

“Hey, hey. How little do you trust me?”

“If anything, it’s because I trust you. This is the first time you’ve ever said you’d make it up to me. It’s way too suspicious.”

“Well, well. There’s a first time for everything. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Himari’s lines are way too cool.

It can’t be helped. Once she gets like this, she won’t back down until I agree. Seriously, it’s a good thing she wasn’t born a guy. If

she were, there’d probably be a “Himari Victims Association” by now, and she’d have been stabbed or something.

“So, what’s this ‘making it up to me’ thing?” Then Himari grinned.

Seeing that, my intuition told me, “Ah, it’s definitely something stupid.” Well, my intuition is half right and half wrong.

♣♣♣

The next day, Saturday. No school.

After finishing my morning part-time job at home, I headed to the local Aeon mall.

…By the way, in a black foreign car. The car’s surface was glossy, and the seats were super soft. Honestly, it looked more comfortable than my bed.

In the driver’s seat was a handsome young man with black hair slicked back, wearing sunglasses. He had on a simple but expensive-looking polo shirt and equally high-end jeans. His build was lean but sturdy, thanks to playing rugby in college.

Inuzuka Hibari.

Himari’s second older brother. The weirdo who calls me his “little brother-in-law.” He suddenly pulled up in front of the

convenience store right when my shift ended and dragged me into his car.

He was humming cheerfully. It was that song Nishino Kana performed at Kohaku last year.

“Hey, Yuu-kun. How’ve you been?”

“Hey, Hibari-san. Long time no see…”

“You haven’t been coming over lately. I couldn’t replenish my Yuu-kun reserves, so I had to come see you like this.”

“I can’t exactly join your family’s birthday parties…”

“But you went to Sushiro with Himari the other day, right? Big bro is lonely!”

“Well, Hibari-san, you always bring high-end sushi. I’m not used to eating expensive sushi, and I can’t really tell the difference, so it’s kind of a waste…”

“Hahaha! I like how honest you are♪” Oh no.

This guy interprets everything I say in a positive light, and it’s kind of scary. Also, the way he casually declares himself my “big bro” is so natural that I can’t even bring myself to retort.

“By the way, Hibari-san. Why exactly was I dragged out here?” “Oh? Didn’t Himari tell you?”

“She just said we were going out. Didn’t mention the time or anything. Your fancy car suddenly showed up in the convenience store parking lot, and my parents were freaking out.”

“My apologies. To make it up to you, I’ll have some sushi from a place I know delivered to your house tonight.”

“Please, no. My parents are so easily impressed that if you do that, they’ll seriously try to marry me into the Inuzuka family.”

“Oh? That’s good to hear. How about I send something different every day?”

“Can you think about your sister a little more!?”

This guy seriously seems to see his sister as nothing more than a tool to make me his brother-in-law. Like Himari, what exactly do they see in me…?

We arrived at the Aeon mall in the center of town. It’s so familiar to locals that it doesn’t even feel special anymore. It’s like seeing your parents’ faces—you’ve seen it so much it’s lost its impact.

Hibari-san parked the car right in front of the main entrance. “Well, my job ends here.”

“Huh? You’re not coming with us today?”

Hibari-san took off his sunglasses, and his jet-black eyes sparkled.

“I have to prepare materials to crush some old fossils in the upper management at work. I’d love to go hunting for anime goods with Yuu-kun, but… such is the life of a corporate slave♪”

With that refreshingly brutal remark, Hibari-san left.

…Did Hibari-san really come all this way just to see my face?

The way he’s both joking and serious is so much like Himari that it’s scary.

“…By the way, where’s Himari?” Maybe I should send her a message.

As I fiddled with my phone in front of the glass entrance, someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind. I turned around, and there was Himari, the one who had called me out here.

“Heeey, Yuu!”

She was grinning while emitting a terrifying aura from behind.

It was like she was saying, “Hehe~. Isn’t the casually dressed me super cute? But if you’re just gonna show up looking like you just got off your part-time job at the convenience store, I’ll kill you.” Sure, the oversized knit sweater and cargo pants suited the

androgynous beauty that is Himari, but it’s not like I had time to change because your brother rushed me…

“Yuu. I always tell you, a sense of style starts with your own style!”

“Then maybe give me a little more time next time? Your brother dragged me out so suddenly that I didn’t even get to eat lunch.”

“Ugh. If you keep this up, cute girls are gonna hate you~.”

“I know you’re cute, but it’s not like I care about that stuff now…”

After all, she even knows the pattern of my underwear. …Ah, no. Not in a weird way. She just rummaged through my drawers when she came over to my house once.

Seriously. She’s the one who brought up that trial kiss thing yesterday, so of course I’m reacting weirdly now.

“Sigh~. This is why this guy never gets any girls.”

“Eh, what’s up with you today? You’re being unusually prickly.” “There’s a special guest today. It’s not just us, you know?”

“Huh…?”

I didn’t hear about this. I thought it was just the usual shopping trip with Himari for accessory materials.

Himari grinned and pointed her thumb behind her. I followed her gaze and was shocked.

“No way…”

I thought it was some mature black-haired beauty, but it was Enomoto-san. When she noticed my gaze, she quickly walked over.

“…Hello.”

“H-Hey.”

We exchanged awkward greetings.

If she’s here, it’s not just a coincidence, right? Like, how did our schedules align so perfectly on a holiday?

I pulled Himari aside and quickly confirmed the situation.

“Wait, what’s going on? Why is Enomoto-san here?”

“Well, of course she is~. Today’s shopping trip is with Enocchi~.”

“You didn’t tell me!?”

“I didn’t say anything~!” My best friend is the worst.

She probably thought I’d chicken out if she told me beforehand. And she’s absolutely right, which is the downside of our long friendship.

Oh no. Enomoto-san is staring at us. Well, maybe she’s just

looking? It’s hard to tell because her default expression always looks kind of displeased.

“Uh, Enomoto-san. Where’s Makishima today?” “…Shi-kun has club activities.”

“Oh, I see. That’s tough.”

“…It’s not like it’s my problem.” “Right. That’s true.”

…This is weird. The other day, she seemed a bit more open, but now it’s like her dialogue reset overnight. Is she like an NPC in a game?

Himari stepped between us, looking back and forth. “Hmm~? Aren’t you two being a bit stiff?”

“Well, it’s hard not to be when you’re suddenly thrown into a

situation with no prior information. You knew about this, so it’s fine for you, but…”

“Eh~? But Enocchi knew about it too. Actually, today’s outing was her idea~.”

“…Really?”

Suddenly, Himari was silenced from behind.

Enomoto-san covered Himari’s mouth with both hands and dragged her into the shadows.

“H-Hee-chan!”

“Sorry! I get it, so stop pulling my clothes~!”

Then they started whispering and plotting something. This is way too suspicious. I just want to go home right now.

After a while, the two of them came back.

Himari cleared her throat and spoke in a pompous tone. “Yuu. Have you thought about the next Instagram shoot?” “The next one?”

Of course, she’s talking about the promotional Instagram posts for the flower accessories she’s been making. Now that she mentions it, it’s been almost a week since the last post.

It’s about time to start planning the next one.

“Now that you mention it, I haven’t thought about it at all.”

“Hehe~. That’s no good~. You should be more aggressive about business~.”

“But we’ve pretty much exhausted all the winter-blooming flowers for accessories, right? Now we’re just waiting for the spring-blooming ones to open…”

“That’s exactly why it’s the perfect time to try something new! Once things get busy, you won’t have the time for it. Besides, we can always get flowers from a flower shop.”

She has a point. If I can figure out the ‘romance’ accessory that Saku-neesan mentioned now, I can incorporate it into the next batch of accessories.

“But what kind of new thing?”

“How about a ‘special edition’ of our usual Instagram shoot?” Special edition?

Himari clapped her hands and pointed dramatically at Enomoto- san.

“That’s right! Just for this time, Enocchi will be the temporary model for the accessory creator ‘you’!”

Wait, what!?

That’s way too sudden. We’re skipping way too many steps here. “Enomoto-san? Why? And did you tell her about me?”

“Ah~. Well, I didn’t exactly tell her, but she figured it out~.” Seriously…

When our eyes met, Enomoto-san nodded with a slightly awkward expression.

“…It’s kind of suspicious to have so many accessory parts stocked up all the time.”

“Ah, yeah…”

I have no comeback. Since I usually only hang out with Himari, I’ve completely lost touch with common sense.

…Well, it’s fine. It’s not like I’m hiding it. Once I open a store, I’ll have to be the one standing at the front anyway.

“But why is Enomoto-san the model?”

“As thanks for fixing her accessory the other day, she asked if there was anything she could do. So I thought, why not make an accessory for someone other than me for once? Yuu, you’re so lucky to get to flirt with such a beauty under the guise of work~.”

Stop poking me in the side. It’s not so much luck as it is just way too sudden, and I don’t know how to react.

Himari looked to Enomoto-san for confirmation. “Enocchi? Right~?”

“…!!”

Enomoto-san nodded vigorously.

…I don’t really get it, but it doesn’t seem like she’s being forced. Well, even if the whole thing is way over my head, as long as she’s okay with it, I guess it’s fine.

“So, the idea is that changing the model might bring some new inspiration?”

“Exactly. Oh, by the way, I’ve already secured the location for this shoot. Enocchi’s family’s Western confectionery shop said we can use it.”

“Seriously!? Isn’t that too much trouble?”

“I’ve already gotten permission from Enocchi’s mom. She said it’s fine since there aren’t many customers during Golden Week in two weeks~.”

Himari looked at Enomoto-san again. “Right~?”

“…!? Uh, um… I’ll call my mom and ask!”

She frantically pulled out her phone… and dropped it! “Enomoto-san, are you okay!?”

“I-I’m fine. I drop it all the time, so I have a glass screen protector. …Hii-chan, don’t just spring things on me like that.”

Muttering complaints, she started the call.

“…Hey, Himari. You didn’t actually get permission, did you?” “Hehe~. Enocchi’s mom loves these kinds of events, so she

wouldn’t say no~.” That’s not the point.

Enomoto-san looks super troubled. …Ah, she made a small ‘OK’ sign with her hand while talking to her mom. Seems like it’s fine.

Even if our families are close, this is way too pushy.

“…Himari. Aren’t you being way too forceful this time?”

“Well~, Enocchi’s too shy, so if we wait for her to agree to everything, we’ll never get anywhere~.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” “Hehe~. It’s a secret from Yuu~♡”

That perfect smile shut me down without any room for argument.

She’s definitely plotting something weird, and I kind of want to call a taxi and go home…

♣♣♣

In a rural Aeon mall like this, there’s no fancy movie theater.

What we have is a food court, some restaurants, and a second floor completely dominated by clothing stores. Oh, and a ridiculously overpriced health equipment exhibition area.

In a corner of the second floor.

Next to the elevator was the accessory shop we always go to. It mainly sells women’s accessories and has a wide variety of parts for making your own.

There, we were playing dress-up with Enomoto-san as our doll. “Yuu. What do you think of this red garnet stone?”

“Nice. Red really suits Enomoto-san.”

“For warm colors, I think this orange one would look good too.” “Ah. That’s a good point…”

As Himari and I talked, Enomoto-san, who was being dressed up, made a slightly awkward face.

“Natsume-kun. You seem more lively than usual…” “Eh!? Ah, sorry. Was it creepy?”

“It’s not creepy, but… unexpected, or something…”

No, she’s definitely thinking it. If anything, her words just made it worse.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Himari tried to lighten the mood…

“Well~, Yuu is pretty creepy, huh~?”

“Hey, hey. That’s when you’re supposed to say, ‘That’s not true.’”

“Huh? No, but it’s creepy. Sorry, but it’s super creepy. I always think this, but the moment Yuu enters an accessory shop, he does this weird victory pose, and it’s so creepy~.”

“Stop roasting me with a straight face!? And don’t say stuff like that out loud!”

What can I do? I just get excited!

As we bickered, Enomoto-san, caught in the middle, started shaking with laughter.

“Pfft. Hehe… ah.”

When she noticed our gazes, she quickly looked away. Himari smirked.

“Enocchi’s laugh threshold is pretty low too, huh~?” “Hey, Himari. Don’t say that out loud.”

Look, her face is all red now. This girl is way too sensitive. I can’t believe she’s been friends with Himari for so long.

“Um, Natsume-kun. Hee-chan. …What’s this about?” Enomoto-san, having regained her composure, asked.

She was probably wondering why she was being treated like a dress-up doll.

Well, we hadn’t really explained it to her. It must be confusing to be suddenly dragged into an accessory shop and have stones held up to you one after another.

“If you’re going to be the model, I wanted to figure out what kind of accessories would suit you…”

“Ah, I see…”

Enomoto-san seemed to understand.

She understood, but she still looked embarrassed. The store staff kept bringing over new accessories at an alarming rate.

…Well, it’s more fun when the materials are good. I get it. “Ah, Yuu. Hand me that necklace over there.”

“You get it yourself.”

“I’m busy playing with Enocchi’s hair right now~.”

“What’s that? A bun clip?”

“Enocchi’s skin is so nice, and her hair looks good up, so I thought it’d be nice to try~.”

“Ah. I see.”

That’s a good idea. Specifically, the nape of a woman’s neck is a high point. With a beauty like Enomoto-san, it’s a guaranteed win.

“My hair’s short right now, so this might feel fresh for me too.” “Yeah. …Enomoto-san, do you mind if we try it?”

Enomoto-san nodded.

With her permission, we went ahead and tried it.

I reached for the sample necklace on display and was about to hand it to Enomoto-san, but…

“Hey, Himari. Stop blocking Enomoto-san’s hands.”

“But Enocchi’s hair is so long, and I can’t hold it all by myself.”

I made eye contact with Enomoto-san, who looked a bit troubled. Her hands were already full of new accessories.

Himari peeked over Enomoto-san’s shoulder. “Yuu can just put it on her~.”

“Eh…? No way, Enomoto-san would hate that, right?”

Having some guy you barely know put a necklace on you? That can’t feel good.

But Himari grinned. She whispered something to Enomoto-san. “Enocchi, it’s fine, right~?”

“Eh? Uh, um…” She glanced at me.

Hesitantly, she nodded. “I-I don’t mind…”

“You don’t have to force yourself for Himari’s sake.” “I-I’m not forcing myself. It’s really fine…”

I see…

Enomoto-san seems like the type who’d be popular, so maybe she’s used to guys. I didn’t get that impression before, though.

…Or maybe she doesn’t even see me as a guy.

If I hesitate any longer, Himari’s gonna say, “Ew, Natsume-kun’s so self-conscious. Creepy creepy creepy~.” That’d be rough, so I’d better just get it over with.

“Then, hold still.” “O-Okay.”

Himari had taken over the space behind Enomoto-san.

Reluctantly, I had to reach around her neck from the front to fasten the necklace.

A sweet scent wafted over me.

“Is she wearing perfume or something? Himari doesn’t wear stuff like that, so it’s pretty refreshing.”

As Himari said, her skin is flawless, and her hair is smooth and well-maintained. Her older sister is a model, so Enomoto-san probably puts a lot of effort into her appearance. Having a beauty like her agree to model my accessories is something that might never happen again. I was shocked by the sudden turn of events earlier, but I should be grateful to Himari too.

Thinking about that, I tried to fasten the necklace clasp. At that moment, Himari’s eyes narrowed as she peeked over my shoulder.

…Oh no. She’s thinking something weird again.

“Hey, Yuu. There’s something I’ve been thinking about all day~.”

“W-What is it?” Himari grinned slyly.

She leaned in close, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Enocchi’s outfit is pretty sexy, huh~?”

“Bwah!?”

Both Enomoto-san and I flinched at the same time.

Reflexively, my gaze dropped. Today, she was wearing a leather jacket, a sleek metallic shirt, and a short skirt that showed off her thighs.

She usually wears her uniform loosely, so I hadn’t noticed before, but now that I’m looking closely, her figure is amazing. She really looks like a model.

And her chest area is dangerous.

The shirt’s neckline is wide, so it’s very… noticeable. It’s like something out of a gravure photo shoot.

…When I glanced up, I met Enomoto-san’s teary, trembling eyes. I quickly looked away.

“H-Himari!!”

“Pfft—HAHAHA! Just kidding. Yuu, if you react so obviously, people will know you’re a virgin~.”

“Shut up! Don’t say unnecessary things… and apologize to Enomoto-san!”

Enomoto-san, meanwhile, had moved behind Himari and grabbed her neck. Her face was bright red as she let out a voice full of resentment.

“Hii-chaaaaan…!”

“Now, now. Calm down, Enocchi… Ouch, ouch, ouch! Enocchi, stop squeezing my neck! That’s how you silence a misbehaving cat. I’m not a cat~.”

That’s definitely divine punishment.

The fact that she’s comparing herself to a misbehaving cat is already sinful.

…But, you know. Seeing the mature-looking Enomoto-san puff out her cheeks was, admittedly, kind of cute.

“Here, Enocchi. As an apology, Yuu will treat us to lunch~.” “Wait, that’s clearly your responsibility!”

“Eh~? But you’re the one who got to enjoy the view, right?”

“That’s some serious slander. If you hadn’t said something weird…”

“Ah. I want curry~. Let’s go to that Indian restaurant on the first floor~.”

“Are you even listening!?”

While we were messing around, one of the store staff gave us a sharp glare.

Right, we’re bothering the other customers. Let’s wrap things up here. After buying some accessory parts for testing, we left the shop.

♣♣♣

After a late lunch, we stopped by the flower shop on the first floor.

We’d already bought the accessory parts, so now we were here to pick up some flower samples. We’d test them at school and decide on the new piece for the photoshoot by Golden Week.

This shop is small but has an amazing selection. The flowers are well-maintained, and the place is always filled with a fresh, fragrant scent.

At the entrance, there’s a display of vibrant preserved flower bouquets. They’re perfect as small gifts or souvenirs. During Halloween and Christmas, they’re sold in pumpkin- or Santa- shaped containers.

As we entered the shop, the sweet aroma of flowers filled the air.

The first thing that caught my eye was the large showcase covering one wall. Behind the glass were delicate fresh flowers that would wilt quickly at room temperature. A small stream of water ran through a groove at the bottom, creating a soothing background sound.

The aisles were lined with shelves as tall as we were, filled with flower pots arranged by the staff. Near the entrance were colorful arrangements, while further back were simpler ones like lilies.

…It’s pretty narrow, so I always have to turn sideways to move around.

And on the back wall, there was a display of cascading flowers. Wisteria, morning glories, and other vines with layers of blooms.

“Wow…”

Enomoto-san looked up in awe.

It was like a colorful tsunami made of fresh flowers. Most flower shops don’t have displays this elaborate, but this one is breathtaking. I was overwhelmed the first time I saw it too.

Enomoto-san turned to me excitedly.

“N-Natsume-kun! I had no idea something like this existed!”

“I’m glad you like it. The depth of this display is amazing, right?”

“Yeah, yeah! It’s kind of like that time!” “…That time?”

When I asked, Enomoto-san froze.

Then she muttered, “N-Never mind…” and quickly looked away.

…What was that about? Did I say something weird? “…Well, whatever.”

I was a little hurt, but we needed to pick out the flowers for the prototype.

As I wandered around the shop, Himari came over. In her hands was a small potted cactus. Probably a souvenir for her grandfather. He likes bonsai and stuff like that.

“Yuu. Have you decided what to buy~?”

“Hmm. Well, we agreed earlier that warm colors would work, so I’m thinking of going with that.”

I glanced at the fresh flower showcase. Himari pointed to one corner.

“What about carnations or marigolds?”

“We’re already growing those at school. If we’re going to buy something, it’d be better to get something we’re not already cultivating.”

“Then how about roses?”

“Well, they’re the symbol of love and all. But I’m not really feeling it.”

“Why not?”

“They’re kind of like the saying, ‘Beauty has thorns,’ right? And Enomoto-san is, well…”

Himari burst out laughing.

She seemed to understand what I was getting at. “True, Enocchi is the opposite~.”

“She looks like she’d have thorns, but she’s actually really straightforward.”

“You’re starting to get it, huh? Enocchi’s cute, right?” “Well, I guess she’s cute.”

But what’s the point of saying that?

Enomoto-san is cute, but it’s not like she’ll have anything to do with me after this. She’s only modeling as a thank-you for fixing her accessory.

Then Himari sighed.

“Yuu, you’re so dry~. I can’t believe you’re the one making such beautiful flower accessories~.”

“Hah. My bad. It’s fine. I’ve got Himari, and that’s enough for me.”

“Eh~? What’s that? Are you finally ready to join the Inuzuka family?”

“That’s a leap in logic even for you…”

I’m just saying every day is fun. …I’m definitely not becoming her brother-in-law!

Just then, Enomoto-san approached, still looking at the flowers. Himari immediately grabbed her hand and pulled her over.

“Hey, Enocchi, which one do you like~?”

“Wah!? H-Hii-chan…”

Watching girls get excited over flowers is very picturesque.

Plus, the cast is top-tier. Honestly, just posting this scene on Instagram could probably get us to the top.

“Enocchi, tell us which ones you like~. These flowers are for you, after all~.”

“Uh, um. I don’t really know much about them…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. These things are more about feeling than logic.”

“But…”

For some reason, Enomoto-san was staring at me.

What’s up with that? Earlier, she was acting a bit awkward around me too. Did I do something weird…? Wait, I haven’t even apologized for what happened during the fitting earlier!?

“H-Himari. About earlier…” “What’s up?”

“You know, earlier. I haven’t properly apologized yet…” “…Ah. Sorry, sorry. I didn’t even realize~.”

As expected of Himari. She immediately understood what I was trying to say.

With Himari’s help, I wanted to apologize properly. It’d be bad to let her feel uncomfortable after she agreed to model for us.

Himari turned to Enomoto-san.

“I’m kinda thirsty, so I’m gonna grab a drink at Tully’s over there~. Enocchi, you want something sweet too?”

“W-Wait, Himari!?”

Himari grinned and gave me a thumbs-up.

No one said, “I want to be alone with Enomoto-san, so leave us for a bit.” Why are you looking so satisfied like you just did me a favor? She totally didn’t get what I meant. No, wait—she probably did and is just messing with me.

“H-Himari! You’re totally doing this on purpose, aren’t you!?”

“This is part of your training. You’re aiming to be an accessory artisan who can satisfy customers, right?”

“W-Well, yeah…”

“And I’m actually thirsty~. Good luck!”

As she left, she patted Enomoto-san on the shoulder. “Enocchi too, okay?”

“…!?”

After saying something cryptic, Himari left the flower shop.

…What did she mean by “Enocchi too”?

Ah, no. More importantly, Enomoto-san must be feeling uneasy. “Himari’s such a troublemaker.”

“Y-Yeah…”

“By the way, you’ve been friends with Himari since elementary school, right? Was she this pushy back then too?”

I tried to lighten the mood with a common topic.

Himari is super useful. Well, this only works with Enomoto-san, so it’s not exactly versatile.

“When I used to deliver stuff, Hii-chan was much quieter…” “R-Really? I can’t even imagine that.”

“She’d always be in the back of the room reading picture books. Her mom asked me to be friends with her…”

“Huh. So it was kind of the opposite of how things are now?”

“Maybe. But she wouldn’t open up to me at all. I tried luring her with snacks, but she’d just take them and run away…”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

I wasn’t expecting that, so it really hit my funny bone. As I struggled to hold back my laughter, Enomoto-san looked at me nervously.

“W-What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just that Himari’s behavior back then is exactly like my cat, Daifuku.”

“Daifuku?”

“My cat’s name. We have a cat at home. She’s affectionate with my sisters, but she absolutely refuses to get close to me. Even if I show her treats, she’ll just snatch them and run away. It’s exactly like Himari in elementary school.”

“Ah, that’s nice. My mom says we can’t have pets because we handle food…”

“What about a dog? You could keep it outside.”

“My mom got bitten by a dog when she was a kid…”

“Ah, I see. They might think they’re playing, but their claws and teeth can be pretty scary.”

“I like cats, so I’m jealous.”

“Then why don’t you come over sometime? Since my sisters got married, Daifuku’s been bored with no one to play with…”

Saku-neesan is too lazy to play with Daifuku lately, and my parents are busy with work.

But for some reason, Daifuku absolutely refuses to play with me. It’s like she’s saying, “I’d rather die than submit to you.”

…Huh?   “       ”

Enomoto-san’s face turned bright red. Why? Did I say something weird?

…I did.

Oh no. This makes me sound like some pickup artist using a cat as an excuse to bring a girl home. Wait, wait. This is way too soon. No, it’s not about timing… I need to fix this!

“Of course, you can come with Himari!” “O-Okay. …Thanks.”

Safe.

Not really safe, but let’s just keep the conversation going. Are we just going to stand here in front of the showcase and wait for Himari?

“Honestly, what kind of flowers do you like, Enomoto-san?” “I like… anything…”

“Actually, this time, we’re trying to cater to the model’s

preferences. It’s a bit selfish of me, but I’d really like to hear what you like…”

“Hmm…”

Enomoto-san looked serious as she thought about it. After a moment, she spoke softly.

“…Big ones.”

“You mean the flowers, right?” “Y-Yeah. I like bigger flowers.”

That’s straightforward. I think these kinds of requests are

important. They’re easy to accommodate too. If it makes her happier, I’d love to hear more.

“Big flowers might actually suit you perfectly.” “Really?”

“Yeah. You’re really beautiful, you know? The kind of person who stands out. I think even big flower accessories wouldn’t overshadow you. Like, the moonflower accessory is pretty big, but you completely made it your own… Huh?”

Enomoto-san’s face turned bright red. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand and avoided looking at me.

Did I say something weird in that explanation? No, this reaction is the same as when Himari teases her… Wait, I’m totally flirting with her. I was talking to her the same way I talk to Himari.

“Ah, um. I didn’t mean it in a weird way…” “I know. You don’t have to say it…” “Sorry about all that…”

Total failure.

My mental brakes have been malfunctioning since earlier. …Why is that? I’d never normally be able to talk to a girl like this, other than Himari.

As I was internally panicking, Enomoto-san spoke up. “S-So, which one should we get?”

Oh, right. The conversation continues.

Thank you. Enomoto-san might look tough, but she’s really kind.

“Big flowers with a ‘romance’ theme. Then maybe tulips with flower meanings like ‘love’ or ‘affection’ would work…”

“…Tulips? Those tulips?”

Enomoto-san looked genuinely puzzled.

Well, that’s understandable. Tulips are popular, but their true nature isn’t widely known.

“Tulips have this childish image because of nursery rhymes and stuff, but they’re actually quite sensual. Look, they’re displayed over here in the showcase too. This wine-red one, for example, would suit you perfectly.”

I pointed to a bouquet of five-colored tulips in the corner of the showcase.

Enomoto-san leaned in curiously. The flowers were shaped like pursed lips. The overlapping petals gave off a mysterious, almost geometric impression.

“You’re right. They look so mature…”

“The way the flowers open can change the impression too.” “The way they open? Aren’t they all the same?”

“Tulips actually change how they open depending on the temperature. The showcase keeps the temperature constant, so they don’t change here, but if you grow them outside, you’ll notice. I have a video of when Himari and I spent a whole day observing them, if you’re interested…”

I stopped mid-sentence.

Enomoto-san was staring at me with a blank expression. …I did it again.

“Sorry. Talking about this probably just makes me seem creepy…”

“Huh? Why?”

“Well, it’s always been like this. I wasn’t really into baseball or dramas either. Maybe that’s why… or maybe not. I’ve always

been bad at making friends. I’ve been told ‘Your stories are boring’ a million times.”

In reality, my family was a matriarchy with four women and two men. I never really got much attention for typical “boy” activities. My dad and mom were always busy, so it couldn’t be helped.

That said, it didn’t matter in the world of kids. Girly activities were exclusive, and trying to fit into the girls’ world was hard because my sisters had such a fierce reputation.

Friends… I really didn’t have any. I was always messing around with flowers. The only one who accepted this hobby of mine was Himari.

“I’ll go pay for the tulips. Enomoto-san, can you wait outside with Himari…”

As I headed to the cashier, I was stopped.

When I turned around, Enomoto-san was pinching my sleeve with her fingers. She looked up at me with a slightly trembling voice and asked.

“Why do you like flowers so much?” “         ”

I was caught off guard.

I didn’t expect her to ask that. But I get why she’s curious. Plenty of people have asked me that before, usually to make fun of me.

“Do I… have to tell you?” “Yes.”

“Well, I’m grateful you’re modeling for me, but sharing my personal life is a bit…”

“Tell me.” Seriously…

Is Enomoto-san the type who doesn’t really read the room? That’s kind of unexpected… but not really. She does give off that self- centered vibe.

I couldn’t refuse Enomoto-san’s command. …Probably because she reminds me of my sisters.

Being stared at by those pearl-like eyes made me nervous. My

heart was racing, and my throat felt dry. My body wouldn’t move properly, and I couldn’t even shake off her grip on my sleeve.

I noticed the flower accessory I made on her left wrist. The moonflower.

A beautiful flower that only blooms for one night.

Just before it blooms, the bud turns upward, releasing a fragrant scent as the petals open.

Despite its glamorous appearance, its scent is intense. It’s so unique that many people don’t like it.

But once you get hooked on that scent, it’s over. You’ll pour your heart into caring for the flower, all for a fleeting encounter that lasts only a few hours.

Looking into Enomoto-san’s serious eyes, I couldn’t help but think of that.

I confessed.

“…When I was in elementary school, I went on a trip to a

botanical garden in the next prefecture. Do you know it? It’s near Yufu, in a hot spring town.”

“Yeah. I know it. They use the warm ground to display tropical plants. Cacti, giant water lilies…”

Her reply was oddly quick.

Maybe Enomoto-san has been there too.

“I got separated from my sisters there. I was searching for them everywhere, but I got tired and ended up in one of the greenhouses. When I decided to take a break, I met a cute girl.”

She was wearing a white dress, with black hair.

I didn’t know where she came from. She was lost too.

She was really cute and seemed very shy. She was crouched in the corner of the greenhouse, crying all by herself. I was already struggling after getting separated from my family, but I ended up helping her look for hers too.

She kept crying. It doubled my workload. But she was clutching the hem of my clothes so tightly… I couldn’t just leave her.

I didn’t think to tell a staff member or anything. I just kept

searching until I found her family… and then we said goodbye.

“She said she wanted one of the flowers on display. She was crying so much that I picked one for her. It was against the rules, but I was just a kid. She held onto it the whole time. She said she’d take it home as a memory of the day. But by the time we found her family, it had wilted.”

…Looking back, that’s when it started.

I became interested in flowers, and eventually… I figured out how to make them last longer.

“Not just growing flowers, but if I could process them properly… maybe one day, I could give them to her… Ah.”

I stopped mid-sentence.

I said too much. Enomoto-san only wanted to know why I liked flowers. I didn’t need to explain how I started making accessories.

This story is way too embarrassing. Himari’s made fun of me for it a million times.

“…It’s creepy, right? Can we just leave it at that?” I shook off Enomoto-san’s hand.

I felt bad for being a bit rough, but I couldn’t help it. This story is something I didn’t want to share with anyone else. I’ve only ever told Himari.

“I’ll go pay for the tulips… Ugh!?” I was pulled back again.

This time, she grabbed my collar. This was way more life- threatening than before.

“W-What’s wrong? Enomoto-san, was that story really that weird…”

I turned around and froze.

Enomoto-san’s face was flushed, like she was feverish. She covered her mouth with the back of her left hand, her eyes locked on me.

“It was a hibiscus, right? The flower that girl wanted to take home…”

“Huh?”

I was stunned. She was right. Hibiscus.

A large red flower that blooms in tropical regions. It’s the state flower of Hawaii. In Japan, you can see them in places like

Okinawa. Its flower meanings are ‘delicate beauty’… and ‘new love.’

“H-How do you know that? Did Himari tell you?” Enomoto-san shook her head.

She averted her gaze and spoke in a barely audible voice.

“It was really beautiful. In the greenhouse, it bloomed in a sea of bright red flowers. Natsume-kun, you said that girl’s reddish-

black hair looked like it, right?” “…I think I did, yeah.”

Then, Enomoto-san’s lips curved into a slight smile. She twirled a strand of her glossy, reddish-black hair around her finger.

“I was so happy when you said that. That girl hated her reddish

hair. She’d been teased about its strange color since she was little. But after that, she started thinking it might be okay. Um, what I’m trying to say is…”

She covered her face with both hands.

The moonflower accessory on her left wrist seemed to be smirking at us.

“Natsume-kun’s flowers… they reached her.” “    ”

I instinctively looked away.

There’s no way I could look at Enomoto-san’s face in this situation. I managed to say just one thing.

“T-Thanks for telling me…” “Mhm…”

Enomoto-san giggled softly. It was so cute that I thought my heart might burst.

…It seems I’ve reunited with my first love after seven years.

My heart was pounding. My body was trembling. If I had to describe the complex emotions I was feeling right now… it’s so awkward that I just want Himari to come back already.

♢♢♢

Two days ago, at the bus stop, Enocchi said:

“Two years ago, when my sister brought home this moonflower accessory, I knew right away. I didn’t know why, but I

remembered that boy from back then. …Though I was surprised to see how much he’d grown.”

As I listened to her story, I was stunned.

Because Yuu had told me that story countless times. The botanical garden, the girl in the white dress—and the bright red hibiscus.

Does this kind of thing really happen? It’s like something out of a manga. No, it’s unbelievable. What are the odds of something like this happening?

I thought it was fate. What else could it be?

(If it’s Enocchi, maybe I can entrust Yuu to her…?)

In fact, I felt like I should.

I thought Yuu could only be entrusted to someone who truly understood him, but I never expected someone like this to appear.

In fact, she’s much closer to Yuu than a best friend like me. I made a decision.

I’d support this love.

Clenching my fist, I swore to the heavens. As Yuu’s comrade in arms, I’d make sure this love flourished.

Sorry, big bro! Your little brother-in-law is going to be someone else’s son-in-law!

After leaving the flower shop, I went to Tully’s to buy drinks. “First, this one~.”

An iced honey milk latte topped with fluffy cream.

Not to brag, but it’s Yuu’s favorite drink. That guy, with his stoic face, loves sweet things. And the fact that Enocchi’s family runs a Western confectionery shop feels like fate. They’re a perfect match, right?

On purpose, I only bought one. And I stuck two straws in it.

I wanted Yuu and Enocchi to share it.

It couldn’t be helped, you know? I only have two arms, so I can only carry two drinks. I couldn’t give up my fruit tea, so Yuu and Enocchi would have to share one. It’s basic logic. Honestly… hehe, I bet they’ll awkwardly try to drink it together. They’re both so serious at heart.

Let them be embarrassed.

And let them intensely see each other as the opposite sex.

Hmm. But Yuu’s such a dense guy. He might just casually go along with it.

Well, that’s fine too. If Enocchi’s the only one getting flustered, I’ll be satisfied. Today’s been a great day for seeing a beauty’s embarrassed face. I’ve got enough material to last me a week!

(Now, I’m back at the flower shop…)

But I didn’t see Yuu or Enocchi.

Are they still shopping? They’re probably waiting outside if they’re done.

I peeked inside the shop. I could see the two of them standing side by side, talking animatedly.

…Huh. Unexpected.

I thought for sure they’d be wrapped in an awkward silence, but Yuu-kun is surprisingly handling it well.

But, for now, let’s wrap up their time together. The cream’s gonna melt, and Yuu-kun and the others are waiting for my miracle-level cute smile!

“Yuu-kun~! Hurry up and finish paying so we can go to the next place… huh?”

At the tense atmosphere between the two, I instinctively hid behind the showcase.

Enocchi had Yuu-kun in what looked like a capture pose. What could Yuu-kun be saying while being grabbed by the scruff of his neck like that?

(Ah…)

When I strained my ears, I could hear Enocchi’s words. “Natsume-kun’s flower… it’s properly reaching that girl…” As if delirious with fever, Enocchi said it.

It was, in a way, her own confession of love.

Her eyes were so desperate that even I was left dazed, captivated. When a girl pours out feelings she’s kept hidden for years and years, does she become that adorable? I can’t imagine any boy staying unmoved when faced with such strong emotions head-on.

And Yuu-kun… he was really flustered.

His usual stoic expression had crumbled so easily. His face looked embarrassed, confused… but not at all like he disliked it.

Of course.

The girl from his first love had appeared before him like this. And on top of that, she’d become as cute as Enocchi. It’s really like something out of a manga.

I realized I was wrong.

These two might not have needed my help after all.

Because they were connected by a fate that destined them to meet.

I’m so happy.

My precious best friend and my precious childhood friend are promised such a happy future. How could I not celebrate it?

But, I wonder why.

(Yuu-kun feels like he’s going far away…)

When I thought that, my feet carried me out of the flower shop as if running away… really, I wonder why.