The Garden of Amahara

The last time I went to Amahara’s garden was on my first day here. I already found this place pleasant for a walk, allowing to ease one’s mind. As if the plants hummed melodies made up to sound into our souls, to harmonise the stream of our thoughts.

    Though, this time is different. Marygold Leafeyorb is by my side.

     I take a side glance at him. He is contemplating the bushes growing here and there along the alley.

     Feathers fissle in the air as Niji takes the opportunity to be outside so he can fly without restraint. The sound fades as he explores the vicinity.

     The more I look at the director, the more I find him mysterious. Is that a mere impression? Is this because I didn’t take the time to observe him attentively before? His features are delicately outlined, in the likeness of his smile. The way he smiles would be enough to describe him. A simple one, not excessive nor aggressive. It is featherlight. It is not feigned. Honest, though for the same reasons lacking enough details to guess which thoughts may be crossing his mind.

“Am I this fascinating?” Slightly amused, he turns his gaze towards me.

     I haven’t taken notice of the fact I was scrutinising him this obviously…

     While I am pondering about the necessity to make apologies for making him uncomfortable, the director adds a few words.

“I am truly sorry for what happened. Kodama should have taken action more efficiently. I will make sure this will not happen again.”

     Something gives me the feeling he is sincerely concerned about this incident. Nonetheless, I do not have any purpose to use this against him nor to complain. What happened, happened. What matters is the present moment.

“Let me show you a hidden gem of this garden, so I can make amends.”

“A hidden gem?”

     Wondering what he possibly wishes to show me I simply nod, letting the director take the lead. He soon deviates from the stone-drawn alley, taking a path that is visible to him alone.

     We walk between the trees and afraid of trampling some precious flower or herb, I follow closely the steps of Mr Leafeyorb.

     The foliage follows one another without resemblance, accompanying us until I glimpse a stretch of water ahead. The director’s steps slow down.

     Without saying a word, he stands still near the pond. My eyes widen slightly as I take sight of the tree’s silhouettes mingling upon the surface of the water. Clear water dotted with lotus blossoms of various colours. It is a sight as enchanting as a Christmas tree. I am sure at night it might be even more dreamlike with the stars glistening upon the pond.

“Did you ever hear of the legend of Amahara?”

     Marygold Leafeyorb’s voice awakes me from my daydream, and it doesn’t take me long before I softly shake my head.

“According to it, there exists somewhere a vast, hidden garden where grows every single variety of plants existing on Earth. A place where everything is only harmony.” Turning his back to the pond, the director gestures to me and we walk towards a nearing bench. “It is a Japanese legend.”

     Sitting next to the director, I listen attentively. So, the corporation is named after a legend? I don’t have a good knowledge concerning this country’s folklore, nonetheless… the way he describes me that place, it is like he is describing the one we are in.

“Your ancestors brought a legend to life,” I say in a low voice as I take a glance at Mr Leafeyorb. “This is impressive.”

     Again, this faint smile widening in the slightest way upon his lips.

“The fruit of their efforts is indeed not insignificant.”

     As I observe him, I remark a few flower petals got stuck in his hair. They surely fell from the bushes when we made our way through the garden.

     In a delicate move, I lean in closer to Marygold Leafeyorb, extending a hand towards him. These petals sure look beautiful in there, but…

“Yours are no less. You keep it alive.”

     Curling my fingertips above his head, I catch one of the petals.

     The director half-opens his mouth at my move while I draw the petal back to me, just before my golden eyes. It is of the same colour as cherry blossoms, though indented on every side.

     I smile softly. It is almost regrettable to take it out of his sand-blond hair as they fit so well together… but I don’t think the petals would obtain his approval of being there.

“It is a rhapsody in pink.” He enlightened me before briefly pausing. “I am pretty sure you would not be able to guess the reason why Amahara Corporation was first created.”

“Wasn’t it created to make our future brighter?”

     If this is what I think at first, I promptly erase this trivial idea from my mind. Mr Leafeyorb’s expression clearly suggests it is something completely different. Hence not responding, I continue grasping one by one the pieces of flower’s dress.

“My ancestor was a bit of an egoist. Where most of the people praise him for his ingenuity, few know that in truth he did this for a single person.”

     The director directly gazes at me, ensuring I listen to his story. Although it is not necessary.

“Back then, when child’s smiles had almost completely disappeared, when most of them didn’t know anymore what stars looked like, his son was desperate to see a grey lifeless city. He stopped going outside, fleeing in novels that shaped a world filled with legends and lush landscapes. Then, my ancestor began thinking and found a way to make people realize they needed plants. That’s why he created bionic plants and started gathering all the plants that existed into the garden of Amahara. He brought his son’s dreams to life and offered him all of it.” He briefly stopped, an amused sparkle in his silvery eyes. “Happily ever after.”

     Marygold Leafeyorb was right. I would never have guessed such an event unfolding. No one ever told me stories like this. And as strange as it may seem, it gives me the feeling I know him better. Although the story doesn’t have any direct connection with Marygold Leafeyorb.

     I wish to know more about him. Nevertheless, as I am about to unseal my lips, I hold back. Instead of it, I extend a hand to grab the remaining petal in his silky hair.

     That is at this moment I feel a slight yet firm pressure round my wrist. Widening my eyes, I can’t help but gaze at the way the director’s fingers wrap around my wrist.

“If you want to know something about me, then ask.”

“…”

     How… How can he be aware of it? I thought telepathy was declared illegal two centuries ago…

“I…”

     I hesitated. Should I ask? That hint of determination upon his features… It is like he wouldn’t release me if I said nothing.

     I slightly shook my head. This is not what I should be wondering right now. If I don’t make any attempt to know him, I won’t be able to keep the promise I made to my parents. I won’t have any clue to get closer to him and succeed in marrying him.

     Breathing in, I finally make up my choice.

“What is the reason… you keep contributing to Amahara Corporation?”

     A simple question that seems to satisfy his requirements as his smile widens. He holds back a laugh.

“My reason? I’m not that romantic. Simply said… I’m following my father’s footsteps.”

     It is an answer I am more likely to understand. A dream? Something to protect? These are concepts beyond my reach.

“I’m just an ordinary man.”

     Saying these words, the director releases my wrist.

     The silence lasts for a few moments until he ends it, a playful expression upon his face.

“See? That wasn’t that hard asking. And you’ll get better results then asking around about me.”

     A statement that makes me jump slightly. He knows… He knows about the little inquiry I made with Niji.

     A laugh.

     I stare at him. Mr Leafeyorb doesn’t seem to despise me. That is unexpected. Though… Not unwelcome.

     Smiling faintly, I hold back a laugh.

     It is a fleeting moment, as a notification sound echoes and the director makes a few gestures to check his internal device. He soon regains his usual expression.

“I will have to leave you. Someone has come to visit me.”

     Nodding, I merely follow him as he leads me back through the garden. An opportunity he doesn’t miss to add a few words to me.

“My research fellow had informed me that you are overworking, Miss Andersen. Would you kindly refrain from doing so?”

     I can’t do such a thing. I have to keep giving my best.

“…”

     A silence… That doesn’t discourage him.

“Very well. In that case, get ready for tomorrow night. I’ll take you out for a meal.”

“…?”

     I don’t even have the time to protest that we reach the entrance of the building. There, stands a woman. A big hat covering her raven hair, her silvery eyes… It is the same person I have seen in the garden on my first day. Is she related to the director?

“Marygold!”

     She makes a few steps towards him and, taking a last glance at me, Mr Leafeyorb leaves me here, joining the older woman.

     They seem close indeed. The way she casually speaks to him, her eyes… These eyes of the same tint that the night orb.

     Could she be her mother?

     That is a mere assumption, but if it ever turns out to be true…

“May he not end up like his father…”

     Then… What meant the words she uttered this day?