Flower show

“But.. it said I’ve arrived. What’s the meaning of this?!” In front of me is not a building filled with flowers and elegant fonts as a sign, but rather an old video store. The person inside is giving me a weird look too…

  “Think... Think”

Did I put in the wrong address? That can’t be. I copied exactly what she sent, so I should be in the right place. “Damn it! Does it look like the right place?!”

“Time.. what’s the time?! 10:52…” Ah.. exactly 8 minutes before it starts. Count the seconds, me. I’ve got to figure out how to get there in time no matter what.

Let’s assume that the address is wrong, how will people get there?

  “Wait, their website said it’s here..”

Forget it, I’ll give them a call. It’s either one or two possible reasons, but I’m running on crunch time right now.

  “Pick up…”

Not this again…

  “Pick u-”

  “Gyaaa! Hurry up and get the boxes ready!”

That was loud... Don’t know if I was shaken by the sudden scream or the fact that they actually picked up.

  “Um. Hi, is this-”

  “My apologies, sir. This is Anne and Rosalia. How can we be of service?”

That switch of tone...

  “Right. Could you tell me the address of your shop? It seems the one on your website is incorrect.”

  “Incorrect?! Ahem. Apologies again. I assume you’re from around here by your accent. So once you pass the red bridge, turn left, and-”

Sigh. I’m screwed. Now I really wished that I spent all those years down here instead.

  “I’m sorry, but it’ll be hard.”

  “Huh?! Okay, forget it. I’ll send our address through your number. Have a nice day, sir.”

…It’s just a press of a button, but I feel like she slammed the phone hard on me. She sounded angry too. “Heh.. are they short on staff?”

The text came, finally. Felt like an eternity. “Huh… it would take double the time to get there?!”

  “Hah... Maybe it’s fine if I’m a bit late... No!”

This is a pretty jacket too... I’ll hold it instead. “It’s a linear path from here, lucky.”

Straight and narrowww. The wind feels great. It’s morning, but why are there so many people?!

  “Why am I even asking?! It’s a market.”

 “Ah, excuse me. Coming through!”

At this rate, I might die of exhaustion..

  “Whoops, sorry!”

Damn it. Too many people ahead. “Different route, come on, come on. Yes!”

  “Hey! Watch it!”

  “Sorrry!”

Oh god.. I can’t stop now.

  “Here we go!”

Thank God, the kids are small... Wha… they look stunned.

I can feel the sweat rolling down my face.

  “Hah…Ha…. Hahh… Finally, I made it… Exactly 11:00.”

Okay. Okay. Okay. The store is exactly as I imagined it. The front row is lined with flowers, and the sign above is written in such an elegant font that I wouldn’t have been able to pronounce it.

  “Thank you! It’s the right place. I should fix my hair... Damn, I’m covered.”

“Woah.” I’ve never been to one, so it never hit me how good it smells. There are a lot of people here, it’s quite a show. They all looked so young and nicely dressed…

  “I’m sticking out like a sore thumb.”

So this is where Miyazaki-san works. Quite a lovely place.

  “Ah, speaking of her.”

Selene:

Ryusei-san! I’ll be with you in a bit. There are things I’ve got to prepare.

Akio:

No problem. Take your time, I’ll look around in the meanwhile.

“A thank you emoji, that’s new.” I guess a flower show is as its name implies, a flower show. And as I thought I knew a lot, there are variants of flowers I’ve never seen or even heard of.

Their colors are so vibrant. Flowers that I’m familiar with only have one color gradient.

  “Whoa… Look at this... Morning glory. I’ve never seen white and purple together before.”

  “It’s fascinating, isn’t it?”

  “It really is.”

  “Morning glory symbolizes undying love, but it could also mean unrequited love.”

  “Really? I’ve always thought it means never giving up due to its name.” I said.

  “It could very well be that. To continue loving someone despite knowing that your feelings would never be returned, true love.”

  “Heh.. Interesting.”

  “Akio. Ryusei Akio.”

For a moment, he looked surprised.

  “I see. Suzuki Haruto, call me Haru.”

  “Nice to meet you, Haru-san. A great place you got here.”

  “Same. It’s my aunt’s, I just work here part-time.”

  “Is that so?  Well, you definitely know your stuff!”

“Ehh… I don’t.”

His voice is soft, and his demeanor is considerate to others. But something tells me he loves to be complimented.

  “Haru! Where the hell are you?! Get in here, Haru!”

Oh god, the chills ran up my spine. That voice…

“.…”

  “I’d be too, Haru-san. Please take care.”

  “Enjoy the show, Ryusei-san. You wouldn’t want to miss the contest.”

Ah…He waltzed away before I could ask. There’s more to a flower show after all. I should keep an open mind.

  “Ryusei-san! Ryusei-san!”

From a distance, she came waving in excitement.

  “Hey there, Miyazaki-san! Wow…your hair.”

  “Um.. is there anything wrong with it?”

  “No, not at all. I like your braids, Miyazaki-san.”

  “Thank you! I wanted to try something new today.”

  “Ryusei-san! Your shirt’s wet.”

  “Ah, this. Yeah, I had to sprint here.”

  “Wh…Okay, you’ll tell me about it later. For now, let's get you a new shirt.”

  “I’d appreciate it, Miyazaki-san.”

  “Save it. Come on.”

Oh?… She’s mad. There’s no doubt. It hurts a little as she holds onto my wrist, but I can feel the warmth of her palm. She appeared to be whispering under her breath, but there was no chance anyone could hear it here.

  “What’s your size, Ryusei-san?”

  “XL.”

  “Got it. Let’s see.. Ah. Here’s the last one.”

  “Thank you, Miyazaki-san. I’ll pay for it later.”

  “There’s no need. The changing room's by the corner.”

  “Then excuse me for a minute.”

  “…..”

  “…..”

It’s quiet. I thought she’d start a conversation, so I was just ready to respond to her…

  “Then shall we, Miyazaki-san?”

  “After you.”

Thank God I got a new shirt now. It feels much better, but I can’t untie this knot in my chest. I don’t know why.

  “Miyazaki-san, aren’t you one of the staff?”

  “I am, but everything’s done so I can enjoy myself.”

That tone… is she still?

  “Let’s enjoy ourselves then! Come on.”

  “Whoaaa! Slow down, Ryusei-san.”

We checked out the display one by one, and when we come across a unique one, we’d find ourselves in awe. She’d sparkle at the ones in purple. It seems to be her most fond color out of all of it.

  “Ryusei-san! Look at this one, it’s so pretty!”

  “Wow, a white and red Orchids…”

  “What’s wrong, Ryusei-san? You don’t sound thrilled.”

  “No no, it reminded me of something. I’m alright.”

  “In that case, why don’t we-”

  “Selene! It’s about to start, let’s go!” She said from within the crowd.

  “Ah.. Sorry, Ryusei-san, go to the front. I’ll meet you there.”

  “O..kay.” And there she goes. Alright, let’s see what this contest is about.

“Whaa…” This contest is really popular, huh. I’ve never seen this many people in one place since my school festival… I wonder where Miyazaki-san is. “Maybe she’s not done helping yet.”

  “Ah, excuse me.”

  “Coming through.”

What a crowd...

“Everyone! Thank you for coming to our 5th annual flower show! Are you all excited?!”

Oh my god... It’s louder than my school festival.

“Now. For your long-awaited painting contest! This year’s theme is unity! And since we are to commemorate our 5th year, the winner gets a prize of 50,000 yen!

Please give a round of applause to our participant!”

“Gyaaa! 50,000 yen!” screamed from behind the door.

Painting contest?! You know what… Whatever. “Yes! Let’s go!” Oh, yeah. I’m feeling it now!

The steps slowly ascend onto the stage as the crowd drowns in cheers. “Whaa…?” That blue hair peaking behind the door, sigh, so that’s where she was.

My heart dropped when she stepped on the stage. Like an actress who’s ready to give a performance of her life in that white dress. Stationed at her canvas, she stared straight at me with sparkling blue.

“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got, Miyazaki-san!”