A Pair of Flowers

THE MEGURO ATRIUM was a compact but refined mall, featuring stylish boutiques, cafés, restaurants and other shops. Led by Hotaru and Akari, Ryuuji got to enjoy the experience of waiting for them as they dressed up, and then have his girlfriend push him into trying half a dozen outfits himself.

Afterwards the group had lunch together, topped it off with ice cream for dessert, and finally dragged Ryuuji into a small but cozy karaoke inside the plaza. They sang there for hours, and by the time they were done, the sun was about to set on the horizon.

“What in the world are they made of…?” Ryuuji wondered, watching as Hotaru and Akari walked into a yukata rental shop, the two of them all smiles.

He wouldn’t admit to it out loud, but truth be told, he was also having a blast.

That said, this kind of shopping spree was beginning to weigh on his old bones. Ryuuji had just turned 32 and it was getting difficult to keep up with the girls, especially with Akari’s youthful vigor.

“Whoa, this one’s beautiful,” said Hotaru, holding a yukata in her hands. It was a deep indigo with a hemp leaf pattern, subtle but elegant. “Ryuuji, you’d look great in it!”

And thus he would change clothes once more.

“What about me?” asked Akari, full of expectation.

“Let’s see… how about we let Ryuuji pick for you?”

“I’ll pass,” he objected.

“No, you won’t. Come on, pick something nice for her.”

The man had a terrible taste for clothing, but he could try to imagine what Akari would complain about the least.

“Fine, let’s see… How about that one?”

The yukata he pointed at was a soft sky blue, with a cute bellflower pattern. Akari was flustered for a moment, aware of the symbolism that Ryuuji missed: endless love and honesty.

“L- Let’s pick another one,” said Akari, but…

“It’s fine, isn’t it?” interrupted Hotaru. “I think you’d look lovely on it.”

They exchanged a meaningful look, wordlessly probing each other. There was no shred of jealousy or ill will in Hotaru’s eyes.

“Then… can I pick yours?” Akari asked.

“Sure, go ahead,” said Hotaru.

Akari browsed the store for a while, until she settled with a design.

“How about this?”

She presented Hotaru with a dusty rose yukata, decorated with a plum blossom pattern. In flower symbolism, this represented endurance, hope and good fortune, something that Akari sincerely wished for her.

“I love it! Thank you, Akari-chan,” replied Hotaru, giving her a hug.

With that, the girls made off to the dressing room, while a staff member helped Ryuuji don his yukata as well.

* * *

THE SUN HAD ALREADY SET by the time they left the mall, walking together to a small shrine Hotaru had recommended.

“This one’s run by the Divine Veil, so we should be alright,” she assured.

Ryuuji and the girls had made it a point to blend in with the locals, as hundreds of them were headed the same way to celebrate Tanabata. Nevertheless, religious facilities had higher security during public holidays, so they couldn’t afford to let loose.

“To think we’d spend Tanabata like this…” said Akari, fascinated by the beautiful decorations and stalls along the way. “It feels almost like a dream.”

“Hehe, it does,” Hotaru agreed. “Come here, you.”

With a discreet whisper, her power pulled Akari closer to Ryuuji.

“Hotaru-san?” she asked in confusion.

“It’s fine, just grab him,” Hotaru replied, holding onto Ryuuji’s other arm.

“What, am I to have a flower in each hand?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yup. We owe her that much, so just take it.”

Akari looked downcast for a moment, remembering how she first met Hotaru. The two of them had hit it off afterwards, but she would be lying if she said it didn’t sting anymore.

“You women are a mystery to me,” said Ryuuji with a sigh. He’d done everything to stay faithful to Hotaru, even after she disappeared, but now she was actively pushing another woman to approach him right in front of her.

Akari was well aware of this too, and also realized her crush showed no intention to reciprocate. But Tanabata was a day to make wishes, wasn’t it? So maybe this time, just this time it would be okay to push it a little bit.

Timidly, her fingers reached for Ryuuji’s hand.

Ryuuji was startled for a moment, not expecting Akari to actually go for it. But as he saw Hotaru quietly pressing him with her gaze, he gave in and held her hand. Hotaru nodded in approval, and the three of them made their way to the humble Tanabata festival in the small shrine.

That didn’t go unnoticed, of course.

The side glances and hushed whispers made Ryuuji’s ears turn red, and Akari didn’t fare any better. The only one unfazed in the group was Hotaru, who appeared to be strangely pleased by the entire affair.

“Did she pick up a dubious hobby while she was gone?” Ryuuji wondered.

Nevertheless, his girlfriend didn’t seem to make a big deal out of it, and the three continued to enjoy the festival without further incident.