Chapter 17

After few hours...

Taxi Driver: (Pulling up to a curb) "Here we are, miss. 'Sunshine& Bloom Flower Pot'."

Minji looked out the window. She could see the faint hint of greenery behind a tall office building. This was it.

Minji: "Thank you so much! How much do I owe you?"

Taxi Driver: "It's ¥1500."

Minji paid the fare, adding a small tip.

Minji: "Thank you again! Have a good day!"

Taxi Driver: "You too, miss! And tell those sunflowers I said hello!"

Minji laughed, stepping out of the taxi. She watched as it drove away, disappearing back into the maze of Tokyo streets.

The Flower Pot was an unexpected oasis in the heart of Shibuya. Tucked away behind a towering office building, in a small, neglected plot of land, it was a vibrant splash of color and life. Lily and Jiah had turned this neglected patch of land into a haven.

Minji: "Hey, girls! I'm here!"

Lily looked up, her face lighting up with a huge smile.

Lily: "Minji! You're finally here! We were starting to think you'd forgotten about us!"

Lily: "We've got everything ready for the sunflowers. Jiah even managed to scrounge up some extra pots from her aunt's pottery studio."

Jiah, hearing her name, looked up from her painting. She offered Minji a shy smile.

Jiah: "Hi, Minji. Sorry I'm still painting the sign. But the old one was really faded."

Minji: "Hi, Jiah! It looks great already! You're so talented."

She turned to Lily.

Minji: "Sorry I'm late. I had to help my mom with some things. And the taxi took forever to get here."

Lily: "No worries! We just started watering the plants. We're so glad you made it." She gestured towards a small wooden table laden with gardening tools, pots, and bags of soil. "Everything's ready. Let's get started!"

Minji put down her backpack and pulled out the bento box.

Minji: "Wait! Before we start, my mom made us lunch! Onigiri and tamagoyaki!"

Lily and Jiah's eyes widened with delight.

Lily: "Seriously? Your mom is the best! I'm starving!"

They gathered around the table, opening the bento box with anticipation. The aroma of rice, seaweed, and sweet egg filled the air.

Lily: "Wow, this looks amazing! Your mom is such a good cook!"

Minji: "She really is. And she said hi to you, Jiah! She said she hasn't seen you in ages."

Jiah: (Blushing slightly) "Oh, please tell her hi back!

They ate in companionable silence, savoring the delicious food. The sun beat down on their faces, but the small garden felt like a peaceful oasis.

Lily: (Mouth full) "So, what's the plan for the sunflowers?"

Minji: "Well, we need to gently remove them from their current pots. Be careful not to damage the roots. Then we'll transfer them to the bigger pots with fresh soil. We should also add some fertilizer to help them grow."

Lily: "Great! Let's get to it then! The sooner we start, the sooner we can see these beauties bloom again."

The three friends spent the next few hours working diligently in the garden. The sun beat down mercilessly, but they persevered, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Lily, with her boundless energy, took charge of removing the sunflowers from their pots. She was surprisingly gentle, carefully loosening the soil around the roots.

Lily: "Okay, okay, easy does it… Don't want to hurt these babies!"

Jiah, with her artistic eye, meticulously arranged the new soil in the larger pots, creating a perfect environment for the sunflowers to thrive.

Jiah: "Make sure there are no air pockets. The roots need to be surrounded by good soil."

Minji, the organizer of the group, supervised the process, making sure everyone had the tools and materials they needed. She also kept a close eye on the sunflowers, ensuring they were handled with care.

Minji: "Careful, Lily! That root looks a little fragile! Maybe we should add some root stimulator?"

As they worked, they shared stories, jokes, and dreams. . The Flower Pot was more than just a garden; it was a sanctuary, a place where they could be themselves, free from the pressures of the city.