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After the class, Orion took his sisters' hands, and they weaved through the students bustling about the hallway. The hum of conversations floated around them as he glanced over at Luna and Aurora, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You know..." he began, his tone teasing, "it's been a while since just the three of us hung out." Before they could answer, he asked with an exaggerated, theatrical tone, "Do you wanna go on a date?"
The reactions from his sisters were immediate. Luna's eyes widened in surprise while Aurora's face lit up with delight. The two squeeled, throwing their arms around Orion, covering him in a flurry of giggles and kisses.
"Orion, you always know how to surprise us," Luna mumbled against his shoulder, her embrace warm and tight.
Aurora, pulling away to meet his gaze, chuckled, "So, where are you taking your two lovely dates, Mr. Suave?"
Orion pondered, tapping his chin thoughtfully. The town had so many places they could go. A cafe? Too cliché. A park? Might be too open. As he lost himself in thought, he remembered a secluded garden that he'd once stumbled upon during one of his solitary walks. A smile curved his lips. "I know just the place."
As they made their way out of the school grounds, Orion noticed two girls whispering excitedly, their eyes darting towards the trio. He grinned, deciding to turn up the theatrics for the audience. Sliding an arm around both Luna and Aurora, he winked at the two girls, leaving them both flushed and giggling.
Aurora rolled her eyes playfully, "Showing off, are we?"
He merely shrugged, grinning wider, "Can't help it if I'm blessed with the two best dates."
They walked through the town, enjoying the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves. The town square was alive with vendors selling exotic trinkets, musicians strumming melodies, and kids running around with their ice creams.
A short while later, they arrived at the entrance of the secluded garden. A beautifully carved wooden sign read, "Unohana's Garden." The wrought iron gates were adorned with intricate floral patterns, and the gentle fragrance of blossoming flowers wafted in the air.
The moment they stepped inside, it felt like they'd entered another realm. A serenade of bird songs filled the air, the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft gurgle of a hidden stream accompanying it. A winding cobblestone path led them through a canopy of trees, their branches intertwined like lovers' hands, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the ground below.
They reached a small clearing with a beautiful gazebo at the center, surrounded by a pond filled with blooming lotuses. The water reflected the azure sky, with golden fish darting between the flowers. Butterflies flitted about, their wings shimmering in the sunlight.
Aurora gasped, "It's... it's like something out of a dream."
Luna smiled softly, "Orion, this is beautiful."
He chuckled, leading them towards the gazebo. "I thought you both might like it."
As the three of them settled onto the cushions inside the gazebo, a gentle voice called out to them, making them turn. It was the owner of the garden herself, Unohana Retsu, her long ebony hair cascading gracefully over her shoulders, a serene smile playing on her lips. She wore a simple white kimono, with motifs of lotus blossoms etched in gentle blues and purples, seemingly blending her into the very garden she presided over.
"Welcome to Unohana's Garden," she greeted softly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Would you like to order something?"
Orion, in his typical fashion, replied with a smirk, "What would you recommend for the two loveliest women I know?" He exaggeratedly gestured towards Luna and Aurora, drawing a chuckle from both.
Unohana, a smile deepening, responded, "For such special guests, I would suggest our Flowering Tea. It blooms right in front of your eyes, revealing hidden petals and flavors."
Luna, intrigued, nodded enthusiastically, "That sounds delightful."
Aurora mumbled, mostly to herself but loud enough for her siblings to hear, "It's like a potion... and with owner being the one suggesting, it's bound to be magical."
Orion smirked. "Then, two pots of the Flowering Tea, please. One for them and one just for me."
Unohana chuckled, appreciating his playful spirit, "Very well. I'll be back shortly."
As Unohana left, Luna leaned in closer to Orion, whispering, "It's so peaceful here. How did you ever find it?"
He leaned back, gazing up at the sky. "On one of my introspective walks. Wanted to find a place that wasn't choked by the cacophony of daily life." He turned to face her, his expression softening. "I wanted to share it with you both first."
Aurora playfully nudged him, muttering, "Always trying to get some brownie points, huh?"
Orion responded in kind, nudging her back, "That's me. Always the charmer."
The trio's banter was interrupted by the return of Unohana, carrying three elegantly crafted glass teapots, each containing a bulb of tea. Placing them on the table, she poured hot water into each pot. Almost immediately, the bulbs began to unfurl, blossoming like a flower in spring, revealing delicate petals and releasing a soothing aroma.
Luna, her eyes wide in wonder, whispered, "It's... mesmerizing."
Aurora nodded, her gaze fixed on the blooming tea. "It's like... life. Unpredictable and revealing beauty when least expected."
Unohana, leaning in slightly, offered softly, "Life is much like this tea. Each moment unfurls new experiences, new joys. We must simply be patient and let things take their course."
While Luna and Aurora were utterly enchanted by the tea's breathtaking transformation, Orion's eyes narrowed slightly, a realization forming in his mind. The unfolding petals, the delicate center of the blossom, everything about the blooming process looked oddly... familiar. It was almost comically reminiscent of female genitalia, and he had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop a chuckle from escaping.
His inner thoughts raced, "Is it just me? Why am I seeing THAT in something so exquisite?" But as his gaze darted to Unohana, he caught a fleeting, mischievous smirk on her face. The realization hit him then: she'd done it deliberately.
"You crafty woman!" he exclaimed internally, still keeping a poker face externally, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. Unohana's intent, it seemed, was to cheekily catch him off guard, but now the tables would turn.
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