Flowers

"So, everyone in here? No one left behind?" asked Miyuki.

"Yes!" replied other groupmates.

Basically you'll ask, where are we right now and what are we doing?

We are here in a park, not that park near my house, but the central park. Meaning, this is the largest part in this city.

What are we doing here? Well, Satsuki-sensei assigned us a task to find the flowers that he listed on the board yesterday.

Obviously, we are divided into 5 groups, each with 6 people in it.

Good thing that I am with Koyanagi. I have a close friend with me.

I am actually awkward towards someone who I am not really that close to. I stutter a lot when I talk.

We're actually going to the garden with a minimal proximity from our location right now. But, this park already has abundant plants and flowers surrounding it. It's pretty!

The case is, these flowers are not the ones that are assigned to our group.

Suzuki is placed in the other group. I wonder what's their progress?

"Hey Tanaka, we're moving." reminded Miyuki.

"O...Okay."

Miyuki quickly gained the trust of my classmates. She's good in communicating with people. I wish all of humans are like that. Ugh.

......

"Since we're six in this group, let's divide each into three. So it's Tanaka and I, and the rest is two each. Got it?" instructed Miyuki.

I....am paired with a girl?!

Calm down, it's just Miyuki. No teasing is going to happen.

"There are three gardens within this distance, try looking for the required flowers there. Oh, don't forget to ask for a permit to pick the flowers. Understood?" asked Miyuki.

"Y...Yes!" replied the other three and Koyanagi.

I...I can tell that these four are really captivated to Miyuki right now.

Why not? She looks so beautiful, plus her casual attire fits her so well.

Setting that aside, she ultimately has this leadership skill. I can see her becoming an politician someday.

"Tanaka, let's go." said Miyuki as she smiles at me.

"Y...Yeah."

C...Crap, did I just blush?! Did I?!

This is an abomination!!!

..........

"Sir, can we pick one piece of flower from your garden? To be exact, we need six kinds of it so we might be picking six." requested Miyuki.

"Sure, no problem. I'll tour you so you can access what you need without hassles. Follow me." said by the gardener.

"I can't wait to see the garden!" said Miyuki excitedly.

"You love flowers?"

"Yes, I see them as pure and beautiful life forms. Plus, they make the world colorful." answered Miyuki.

She's having fun. That's great, then.

"Tanaka, can I ask you one thing?" asked Miyuki.

"What is it?"

"Are you and Suzuki-san dating?" inquired Miyuki.

"Huh?"

What is this girl asking me?

"W..Why do you ask?!"

"Oh, I guess that's a yes." assumed Miyuki.

"You are absolutely wrong! That's not gonna happen! Not in a million years!"

"Hmm, then I'd take my chance now." answered Miyuki.

What is she talking about?

"Here we are in the Wisteria tree. These flowers have been in Japan for a very long period of time." detailed the gardener.

"Mm, they sure smell nice, more like the scent is strongly soothing."

"I've been in the Wisteria Tunnel a year ago, but seeing this still feels amazing!" said Miyuki.

"Whoa, you've been there before, Miyuki?"

"Yep! I was in a trip with my mother and we wanted to check the tunnel since both of us really like flowers." revealed Miyuki.

Miyuki is a flower ranger, I can tell.

"Not to intrude youngsters but, are you two a couple? Must feel good to be youth, eh?" asked the gardeners.

"No, we are no-"

"Hmm, for now we are not but we can be, if this guy actually gives me a chance." interrupted Miyuki.

"W...What....!"

"Hahaha! You're being lucky now, boy. Do you like somebody else?" asked the gardener.

Tsk, this gardener inquires a lot!

"N...No, I don't have anyone right now."

"Hahaha! Well, follow your heart, they say." replied the gardener.

"Oh, looks like that quote had something to do with you, Mister." replied Miyuki.

"Well, yeah. Should I tell a little bit of my story?" asked the gardener.

"Yes, please. I am curious." responded Miyuki.

"Fourteen years ago, I had a girlfriend. She is so pretty, pure, and amazing. A thousand words isn't enough to describe her." said the gardener.

Fourteen years back? That doesn't sound so recent.

Either way, I am starting to get curious about this.

"We were both 17 years old back then. Teenagers, yes. If you were thinking that we had this free flowing relationship, you're wrong. Her parents were strict because she's an only child." added the gardener.

"So the two of you didn't go out on a date frequently?"

"Yeah. If we're going to meet up for a date, she always attempts to break through the security of her parents. More like making false excuses just to go out with me." added the gardener.

Wow, that's a sacrifice.

"We both loved each other so much. But then, I was extremely heartbroken when she said that they would transfer to another prefecture, far away from here in about 2 months." adjoined the gardener.

"That's too unfortunate, sir." sympathized Miyuki.

"So, we came up with the biggest and most immature decision of our lives." said the gardener.

"What is it?"

"I don't know if I can say these to you kids but yeah, there's a night that we slept together and you should know the rest. Basic biology, kids." revealed the gardener.

W....Wait! This story is going soap opera mode!

I...I didn't expect this kind of development! T...This is so embarrassing to hear!

"Basically, you guys had se--" said Miyuki as I immediately cover her mouth.

"I....It's fine, Miyuki. I get it already. You don't have to say it."

"Since we had no contraception that time, the sequence of events must be obvious. An offspring was formed by the time she was only 17." disclosed the gardener.

"Did her parents knew about it?" asked Miyuki.

"Yes. She try to hid it but was busted by her parents quickly after she forgot to throw the pregnancy test. After that, I was called by them and I received so much backlash and hatred not only from her parents but from her relatives as well. I kept saying that I'll take responsibility but they didn't hear me out." detailed the gardener.

T...That's so....!

"After that misery, we never met again. I was stuck in the idea of storming their house and explain myself for a couple of times but I was swallowed by fear. I kept thinking that I might just worsen her situation. I wanted to do it because my heart says so. I wanted to prove that I'll be there for her." said the gardener as he starts to tear up a bit.

That experience must be truly heartbreaking for anyone.

"I hardened myself for a month and came up with a decision to follow my heart once and for all. I wanted to settle this. And then, I proceeded to their household, only to see that they have already left the prefecture and flew to the other. I fell on my knees. I was in full regret. "Why didn't I come here earlier?", I asked myself. Damn. And after that, we had never met again. Even once." revealed the gardener.

"Do you still love her until now?" asked Miyuki.

"I have never forgotten about her and our child. I love them for eternity." said the gardener.

I...Is this what they call unconditional love?

"This wisteria tree, this is the first tree in my garden because this is her favorite. With this here, I feel somehow that she is here too." delivered the gardener.

His eyes tell it all, he really loves that woman. No lies mixed on it.

"Sorry, I delayed your flower picking. Let's proceed." insisted the gardener.

"It's fine, sir. We insisted you to tell your story. Thanks for it, sir. I know that your fates will soon meet again." encouraged Miyuki.

"I never stopped praying to God for that day to come. I still believe and I will redeem myself when that happens." said the gardener.

"It will happen, trust me." replied Miyuki.

"Yes, sir. As long as you are alive, hope doesn't run out."

"T...Thank you, youngsters. S..Somehow, a portion of this heavy feeling is gone. Thank you. Let's continue the tour." said the gardener.

The tour continues and everything seems to flow smoothly now.

.........

It's 3:30 pm and now we are finished. However....

"So, we are lacking this flower, "Shakuyaku", and then these are complete." said Miyuki.

C...Crap, I am searching my bag right now and it seems I forgot my books in my desk in the classroom!

"Miyuki, can I go to the school for now? I forgot my books there."

"Sure, I'll be rendezvous to the others in the next garden. I'll call you if we found that flower." assured Miyuki.

"Thanks, I got to hurry! Bye!"

I need to take the train!!

..............

N...Now, it is already 4:30 and I am so dead tired from running.

B...But, right now..... I am on my way out of the school since I got my books back. I have to go home and rest.

"Yo, Tanaka." greeted Suzuki as she leans on the school entrance walls.

"H...Hey, what are you doing here?"

"I saw you in the window from here. I thought I'd wait for you. Le'ts go home together." suggested Suzuki.

"Let's go, then. I wanna go home now."

So this is our norms, I guess.

We are now walking towards the direction of the park near our homes.

"Hey Tanaka, look. Those are shakuyaku! It's my favorite flower. Let's check it out." insisted Suzuki.

I guess I need it too so I'll come with her.

"Should I pick it?" asked Suzuki.

"I will, since I need it. There."

Now, I have to call Miyuki and the others.

*phone ringing*

Speaking of the angel.

"Hello?"

"Tanaka, we found a shakuyaku here. No need to look, thank you!" said Miyuki via phone call.

"Okay, thank you. Take care, guys."

"What did she say?" asked Suzuki.

"They got a shakuyaku now. That's the missing flower for our group."

Now, what am I going to do with this? It's a waste if I throw this away.

T...This is Suzuki's favorite flower, right? She just said it, didn't she?

S...Should I just give it to her? Or not? Hmm... Then, it will look like I am courting her!

C..Calm down, it will appear like that if I think of it like it!

W...Wait, why am I hearing that "Follow your heart." statement from the gardener earlier.

Ugh! Damn it!!!

"H...Hey Suzuki."

"What is it, Tanaka?" asked Suzuki.

"You can have this instead. It will be a waste if I throw it away."

"....." paused Suzuki as she stares at me for a while.

T...That pause again... What is the meaning of that?

S...She looks shocked! Did I creep her out?!

"Thank you, Tanaka!" thanked Suzuki happily.

S...She's glad.... Thank God.

"I'll place this behind my ear and then.... There. Do I look good?" asked Suzuki.

I...Is she asking for my opinion?

"Looks fine, I guess."

"Hmm~ Then we'll never leave until you say I am beautiful." teased Suzuki.

"What...?!"

"Hahahaha!" laughed Suzuki.

Yeah, everyday I am getting teased. Darn it!!!

-----------------------------END OF CHAPTER 19------------------