Petals and Antiseptic

Yuko gently poured fresh water into the vase where yesterday’s rose stood still vibrant, still bold, just like the boy who’d given it to her.
“I thought he was some yakuza wannabe,” she whispered to the petals, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Turns out he’s just… clumsy. And shy.”

“Yuko-chan!” Her mother’s voice echoed from the temple steps. “Come help me clean the offering hall!”
“Okay, Mama! I’m coming!”


Kenji sat alone on a park bench, the morning sun warm on his skin. He was replaying yesterday’s embarrassment on a loop Why did I run? Why did I wear a suit? What is her name?

Suddenly shouts.
A scrawny man in a black hoodie was sprinting through the park, clutching a woman’s purse. Behind him, an older couple gave chase Kenji’s parents.
“KENJI! STOP HIM!” his mother yelled, her face a mask of urgency.
For a moment, Kenji froze. Do I get involved? Do I stay invisible like always?
But his body moved before his mind could object.

He tackled the thief, bringing them both tumbling onto the grass. A sharp sting bloomed across his cheek the man’s nails had scraped him deep. The thief wriggled free and fled, but the purse remained.
Kenji’s parents snatched it up without a word. No thank you. No are you okay?. They just walked away, as if he were part of the scenery the bench, the tree, their son.
His heart didn’t just sink; it drowned.


He found himself walking to Tsukuyomi Shrine again, the cut on his cheek still uncleaned, still stinging.
He knelt at the offering hall, hands pressed together. Gods… what am I doing with my life?
“What happened to your cheek?”
He turned. There she was shrine maiden uniform, concerned eyes, standing in the afternoon light.

“It’s… bleeding,” she said softly. “Let me clean it. Follow me.”
He followed her behind the temple to a small, traditional house nestled among maple trees. She pulled out a first-aid kit with practiced ease.

“I’m Yuko, by the way,” she said, dabbing a cotton pad with antiseptic. “You forgot to ask yesterday. I was super angry, you know.”
“I… got scared you’d beat me up for the rose.”
She laughed a light, wind-chime sound. “Do I look that scary?”
“No,” he said, maybe too quickly. “You look… cute.”

A voice cut through from the doorway. “Yuko-chan? Who’s this?”
Yuko’s mother stood there, wiping her hands on an apron, eyes sparkling.
“Mama, this is my friend,” Yuko said, cheeks flushing.

“A friend? Or… more?” her mother teased. “Dinner’s ready. Bring your friend… or my future son-in-law!” She disappeared back inside, laughter trailing behind her.
Yuko covered her face. “I’m so sorry about her.”
But Kenji was smiling for the first time in years, truly smiling.


END OF CHAPTER 3