A rose needs water to grow

The next day, the first few hours of classes go smoothly from Briar and Will’s prospective. Until, at break time, they see Ken sit at Rebecca's desk.

"Did they make peace?" Briar whispers to Will.

"I don't know."

"Aren't you his best friend? Should I go tease him a little~?" They ask rhetorically grinning. Before Will could answer, they appear to the side of Ken and Rebecca who were talking in the meantime.

"What are you lovebirds doing~?"

"Lov-?!" Rebecca is interrupted by Ken, who smiles back at Briar.

"We’re arranging some lessons that we’ll give each other."

"So... did you make up?" Briar looks at Rebecca but returns their gaze to Ken when he answers them.

"Yes! Now we’re friends! Even best friends!" As soon as this sentence is pronounced, he feels a snap right behind his head and he doesn't even have to turn around to know that Will glaring at him.

"I'm really glad you made up! Just let me tell you something real quick." They lower themselves to Roberta's head to whisper in her ear, covering it with their hand: "Stay careful, he's a player."

"I know what you’re doing here." He says with his arms crossed and a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" They then exit the classroom winking at Rebecca.

"Your friend is quite weird." Rebecca says to Ken.

"They hear that often. Now, back to us." Ken's gaze lights up again. "Tomorrow we'll meet at the coffee shop nearby and you'll help me with math for the upcoming test, okay?" She nods as she takes a bite of her sandwich.

"You always eat the same sandwich during break time, do you want some of my meal?" He hands her his bento box with some curry rice.

"No thanks, I'm fine with this." She continues to eat her sandwich.

"Are you sure? What even is that...? Tomato and...?"

"I-I like it!" She pouts angry.

"But it's..." A fairly poor meal. "Have you ever tried curry?"

"Only once... and I didn't like it."

"Try mine! I'm sure you'll like it." He hands her a spoon.

"No, I-I..."

"Come oooon, don't make me beg." With a sigh, she opens her mouth and he lets her taste the spoonful of curry.

"How does it taste?"

"Incredible!" Rebecca's expression lights up and he was almost sure he could see little twinkling stars in her eyes.

"I bet! Mom made it this morning."

"Your mom seems like a nice person." Initially Ken is slightly shocked by her statement.

"She's my mom after all! You know, she'd like you a lot!"

"W-What makes you say that?"

"You'd make her want to take care of you."

"H-how can you say something so embarrassing?"

"Huh? But it's the truth. It's the same for me."

"T-try my snack! I made it!" She changes the subject because she’s embarrassed by handing him her sandwich.

"You did it? Thank you!" He takes a bite before continuing to speak. "So it's tomato and salami." She watches him intently waiting for a feedback.

"It's not bad. But..." She leans in closer waiting for him to continue the sentence. "It would be better if I prepared it."

"I know you're a good cook but aren't you just showing-off right now?"

"It would be better if I prepared it... for you!"

"What?"

"I could make you snacks."

"Why? I like preparing my snacks."

"It's not healthy to eat the same thing every day."

"You don’t have to worry."

"It's not a problem for me to prepare something for you in the morning. Of course my mom would help me but she’d be more than happy to..."

"I said you don't have to worry about it. I'm fine."

Ken leans on the counter, crossing his arms and resting his head on them.

"But how will my rose grow if I don't water it~?" He teases her. She sighs.

"Just finish your curry rice because the bell will ring soon."

* * *

At the end of the school day, Ken, Will and Briar are already leaving the classroom while Rebecca is still finishing packing her school supplies. Ken stops before leaving and nods to Rebecca to go with them. She shakes her head fervently.

"Hurry up!" He yells at her softly and she feels compelled to do as she's told and flanks him as fast as she can, gently nudging him with her elbow.

"I hope it won't be a problem if she joins us." Ken tells the other two.

"Nope." Will says with his usual relaxed expression.

"You’re welcome among us!" Briar interlocks their arm with hers, humming.

Shortly after, Nora also joins them and greets Will with a tender kiss on his cheek. The two soon begin to dissociate themselves from the conversation to talk to each other.

"How was your day?" Nora asks him.

"Nothing new. The test period starts in a few weeks so all the teachers are explaining non-stop. This morning was especially boring. I hope it went better for you, love."

"Not really. I think you had better luck. You know that crazy teacher I often tell you about? She gave us a surprise test this morning."

"How did it go?"

"Not good. I couldn't concentrate and I think I got almost half of the answers wrong." He intertwines his fingers with hers to try and cheer her up.

"I'm sorry to hear that, love. Do you want to spend some time together now? We could do something nice to cheer you up. How does that sound?"

"It'd be nice, but I promised mom I'd help her with the shop this afternoon so I have to go home straight away. I really appreciate the thought, love." She snuggles on his shoulder and he rests his head on hers.

"But who is that?" Nora asks Will, finally noticing Rebecca's presence. "An elementary school student?" Will chuckles before quickly clearing his throat.

"That's rude."

"Sorry."

"She's a classmate of ours that Ken has a crush on."

"Oh? She looks different from the others though."

"Knowing him, he got tired of them."

"Don't you think he might have serious intentions with her?"

"I doubt it. First of all because there isn't the slightest interest on her side. I even dare to say that she's frightened by him."

"Are you sure? I know you have a good eye and are rarely wrong but it would be almost interesting to see that playboy pining for love."

"Are you saying you want Ken to have a one-sided crush? You're a sadist. I kind of like that about you."

"You're so kinky sometimes..." They share a kiss while Brayton and Ghalen join the rest of the group.