The last bell of the day has chimed. Instead of going home and playing Fate Grand Order all day I go to the gardening club. Once again, another part of my daily routine has been shifted. After walking through the hallways I make my way outside. I take a look around while walking. The swimming team was all diving in the water, the dojo members wearing white robes. I stop and lo and behold the gardening area. I walk through the gate and take a look around. I didn't think the gardening club would be this huge. The area is loaded with so many flowers. All vary in different colors, shapes, and sizes. But despite how big and healthy this club is, no one is in sight. I slowly make my way in clenching the shoulder strap of my bag. I then hear some moving pots and filling the watering can with water around the corner of the greenhouse. I slowly turn the corner and. Eh? It's… Ayumi. Uhhhh should I say something? I'd look like a creep standing here just staring. "Uhmm Ayumi-san!" She jumps a little clearly startled by my quiet sneak. "K-Ken-san?" "I uh.. Saw a flier for gardening. Am I allowed to join?" I look around awkwardly smiling. Is there really no one else here? "Yeah, of course, you can join." She still has that gloomy look. Does she not want me here? "So uh, what exactly do I do?" "Well, I just plant new plants and water all the plants every day. Sometime during the summer, the school board comes to take pictures of the garden. But no one finds interest in gardening so it's just me." Wow, that's a lot. "That's a ton of work. Do you stay late after school?" "Yeah sometimes if I'm not fast enough." "That would explain why you're late then." She stares at me. "No, that's not the reason." "Oh sorry." The awkwardness. It's looming. I should have never said that. "So what should I do?" I ask, trying to disperse the awkwardness. Ayumi sighs. "Can you water the Peonies? They are pink flowers with yellow in the middle. They are next to the purple flower section." That's on the whole other side. Does she just not want me near her? "Okay, but before I go, do you know what Fate Grand Order is?" I say with a sparkle since it's my favorite game "Umm, I don't think I've heard of it sorry." "Oh, it's alright." I start walking to the other side to get to the Peonies. God damn it. Such an awkward ass and nerdy question. "Ken-san." I hear Ayumi call out my name from behind. "Uh yes?" "Can we move the formalities out of the way, to be honest with you I always hated speaking Keigo. It makes me feel so distant from people because I have to speak so respectfully when speaking." She explains. Is she alright? "Sure Ayumi-san uh I mean Ayumi. But are you okay?" She looks at me with a blank expression in her eyes and then down. "Yes of course." She turns back around and goes back to watering blue flowers. "If you say so." I walk over to the other side of the flower garden until I get to the Peonies. I stop in front of them, pick up the watering can, and look at them. I think to myself. They are just like me except there is one difference. They all do nothing. Sure they give beautiful aspects to the gardening area but what else do they do? Nothing. They sit there and live. They don't talk to anyone, don't do anything with their plant life, or partake in any activities. Just like me but there is one thing they do have. Friends. All of these other flowers here are accompanying another flower after another. But for me, there are no flowers to accompany me. I can't consider Ayumi a friend or flower at least yet. "Ken?" When will I get my flower? "Ken!" I Jump a little "What are you doing? You're spilling water all over your pants!" "Oh shit!" I drop the watering can and jump back. "Damn.." Ayumi drops to her knees instantly and starts wiping my pants with a dry towel. "Ah Ayumi, It's alright." She stops wiping. I pull out my phone and check the time. "Hey, look clubs already ended so I should head home." "Sorry, Ken." "What are you sorry for?" "This is my fault, isn't it? If you hadn't seen the flier then you wouldn't have gotten your pants wet." Huh? I stare blankly at her. "No Ayumi I just got caught up in my thoughts and that happened." She looks down at the ground slightly shaking. Is she about to cry? "Oh! I have an idea. How about we go to the city and submit the flowers to the flower festival?" Good thing I remembered seeing that flier on my last trip to the city. Ayumi looks up at me with tears in her eyes with her messy pink reddish hair. Some of her hair strands cover the front of her eyes. She nods and for the first time gives me a small. Genuine smile. "Woah uh, there's no need to cry! Look let's start packing up." Ayumi nods her head again and slowly stands up. I help Ayumi pack away the various soils and unused pots. After that, we get our bags. I and Ayumi walk out the gate. She turns around to lock the gate. "Ayumi." She freezes and turns her head to face me. "So.. Are we still going to the flower festival?" She looks at me probably deciding. "Sure." "Okay well. It's after school tomorrow. I guess I'll see you here." She nods her head again. "Cya." I walk into the school to get to the front with my head completely down. Didn't I basically just ask her on a date? Nononono It's just something friends do, right? But she's technically not even my friend yet we haven't even talked like that. I don't even think she'll show up. Maybe I'm thinking about too much. And AH-. I bump into a random person. They fall onto their butt and hold their head "Ah sorry I wasn't thinking." "Oi. fucking idiot!" It's a girl in a school uniform with long black hair. "Sorry I gotta go!" I ran home to avoid any type of trouble. At my door, out of breath I fiddle with my key and open the door. I stumble into my house and lay on the floor making a big thud. "Ken?" I look up to see my sister peeking around the corner. "Stop being an idiot and get up gosh." She walks off closing the door to her room. "Fuck you too." I say under my breath. I walk into my room close my door and put my bags down. I walk over to my desk and sit down in the chair. Grabbing some paper I start writing. "Objectives: Find my flower"