The morning after the time capsule was buried, the sun shone brightly over the garden. Ryo, Aiko, and Haruka were once again at their favorite spot, planning the next steps for the garden.
"We should plant more perennials. They'll come back every year and keep the garden beautiful with less work," Aiko suggested, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Ryo nodded, but his mind seemed elsewhere. Haruka noticed and nudged him with a grin. "Earth to Ryo! You're daydreaming again."
Ryo blinked and chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, just thinking about how far we've come. And maybe what's next."
Aiko caught the mischievous glint in Haruka's eye and decided to join in. "Yeah, Ryo. What's next? Another heroic garden project? Or...something else?"
Ryo felt a warm blush creeping up his neck but tried to play it cool. "Well, there's always room for new projects. Like, making sure the garden is...romantically appealing?"
Haruka laughed. "Are you suggesting a romantic picnic spot? Because that sounds like a perfect idea for you two lovebirds."
Aiko raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. "Lovebirds? Haruka, you know Ryo and I are just good friends. Right, Ryo?"
Ryo's heart raced as he caught Aiko's playful gaze. He decided it was time to turn the tables. "Oh, absolutely, just good friends. Who happen to enjoy spending a lot of time together. Alone."
Aiko's smile widened. "Alone, huh? Well, as long as we're just friends, I guess there's no harm in planning a special picnic spot."
Haruka pretended to gag. "You two are unbearable! I'm off to water the flowers. Try not to make the plants blush too much while I'm gone."
As Haruka walked away, Ryo and Aiko looked at each other, laughter bubbling up. "She's right, you know," Aiko said, her voice softer. "We do spend a lot of time together."
Ryo took a deep breath. "Yeah, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Aiko, there's something I've been wanting to say..."
Aiko's heart pounded. "Me too, Ryo."
Before they could speak, a sudden shout interrupted them. "Hey, lovebirds!" It was Kenta, Ryo's best friend, running towards them. "Guess what? They're hosting a couples' contest at the next school festival!"
Ryo and Aiko exchanged surprised looks. "Couples' contest?" Ryo asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Kenta nodded, grinning. "Yeah! It's supposed to be super fun. You guys should totally enter."
Aiko smirked, deciding to take the teasing up a notch. "Well, if we're just friends, entering a couples' contest would be...interesting. What do you think, Ryo?"
Ryo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I think it sounds like a challenge. Are you up for it, Aiko?"
Aiko stepped closer, her voice a whisper. "Absolutely. But be prepared, Ryo. I'm going to win this."
Ryo's heart raced, both from her proximity and the thrill of the contest. "Oh, it's on."
The rest of the day was filled with teasing and playful banter, their excitement about the upcoming festival building. As they planned their strategy for the contest, Ryo and Aiko couldn't help but feel that their relationship was on the brink of something more.
Later that evening, as they sat on the garden bench, the sun setting behind them, Ryo finally found the courage to speak his heart. "Aiko, I know we've always been just friends, but..."
Aiko placed a finger on his lips, her eyes shining. "Ryo, I've felt it too. Let's take that step together. Let's see where this garden of ours can take us."
In that moment, surrounded by the beauty they had nurtured, their bond deepened, blossoming into something even more beautiful than before.