On the first night, Shizu and I returned to our respective rooms and turned in early for bed. As I rolled around in bed, my thoughts couldn’t help but head in the direction of Grandma Hina’s words.
“I’m so grateful to have you both here with me.”
The problems weren’t exactly the words themselves, but the slight hint of sorrow in her eyes. For a woman that had nerves of steel, this was an uncharacteristic show of weakness from her.
I can't sleep like this.
Shizu might’ve not noticed it because of her emotional state at the time, but I certainly saw a momentary shadow clouding Grandma Hina’s expression.
“A late night walk to clear the mind doesn’t sound too bad…”
And so, I left my room and walked out to the front porch. There, as if she had been waiting for me, Grandma Hina was seated, facing me with a smile.
She motioned to the empty space next to her.
“Sit down, Haruto. We have a lot to discuss.”
***
“Well, aren’t you two all grown up now?”
Seeing the two of us, Kanao Mitsuriya laughed at our slightly unfamiliar appearances. Although, it made complete sense, considering Shizu and I hadn’t seen her for quite a couple years.
It was now the morning after, and whether for better or for worse, Kanao had finally arrived.
I mostly knew her as Shizu’s cousin, since we didn’t interact much as kids, but her facial features were unbelievably similar to Shizu’s features.
Kanao had inherited the graceful elegance of her grandmother, with a tall, slender figure that moved with effortless grace. Her long, chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her back in silky waves, catching the light with a subtle sheen. Kanao’s almond-shaped eyes were a deep, mesmerizing shade of amber, hinting at a depth of wisdom and experience far beyond her years.
Despite her beauty, there was a hint of steel in Kanao’s gaze, a fierce determination that belied her gentle demeanor. She carried herself with poise and dignity, exuding an air of quiet strength that drew others to her like moths to a flame.
Dressed in a simple yet elegant kimono, Kanao seemed to effortlessly blend traditional style with modern sensibility. Her attire was understated yet refined, a reflection of her own understated elegance.
“Kanao! You finally made it! Where have you been?” Shizu exclaimed, jumping into Kanao’s embrace.
In response, Kanao hugged her tightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Sorry, something came up for a bit, but I’m here now! Your big sister is here to play with you.”
Then, she turned her attention to me. Rather, it was more accurate to say Kanao alternated her gaze between me and Shizu.
“Long time no see, Haruto. Have you been well?” Kanao asked.
It looked like she remembered me. Phew, I thought I was going to have to reintroduce myself.
“I haven’t been too bad myself. How have you been faring?”
Kanao sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. “There’s been a lot of annoying pests around me lately. They keep on sending me marriage proposals, despite my insistence on not marrying.”
As an average looking teenage male, I’ve never had to deal with anything like that, but I can imagine how troublesome it can get.
“My condolences.”
A teasing smile appeared on Kanao’s face, as if she had been waiting for me to say these very words.
“Then, will you help me? I heard from Shizuku that you’re still single,” Kanao looked at me with the eyes of a predator. “Won’t you help out this poor country girl by being her boyfriend? I’m sure it’ll help reduce the flies around me.”
“Absolutely not!”
“No way.”
Shizu and I denied her request in unison.
“Eh? It was just a joke!~ What’s up with all the serious faces?” Kanao grinned, enjoying the sight of Shizu’s flustered expression.
Once we settled in, Shizu suggested that we all make flower crowns together, a cherished tradition from Shizu and Kanao’s past.
We gathered in the backyard, where a vibrant array of flowers bloomed in the warm spring sun. The grass tickled our bare feet as we sat in a circle, surrounded by the sweet fragrance of blossoms.
Shizu led the way, her nimble fingers deftly weaving together stems and petals to create a delicate crown. Kanao followed suit, her movements slow and deliberate as she crafted her own crown with precision.
I watched them with a smile, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Despite me picking up a few flowers and attempting to fashion a crown of my own, my efforts resulted in a somewhat lopsided creation.
“Here, let me help you,” Shizu said, reaching over to adjust the flowers on my crown.
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling a warmth spread through my body at Shizu’s gentle touch.
Together, we worked on the crown, Shizu guided my hands with patience and care. It was hard being delicate and precise, so that the crown didn’t break in the process. However, it was entirely worth it once I got the hang of things.
A few tries later, my own flower crown was finally complete.
“Not bad for a beginner,” Kanao praised, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
My flower crown was a humble creation compared to Shizu and Kanao’s, but I was proud of it nonetheless. It was a simple arrangement of wildflowers, woven together with love and care. The vibrant colors of the blossoms contrasted beautifully against the verdant green of the stems, creating a striking display that was uniquely my own.
With my completed flower crown in hand, I glanced over at Shizu, who was still carefully crafting her own. The vibrant colors of the flowers seemed to pale in comparison to the radiant smile on her face as she worked.
Approaching her with a smile, I held out the flower crown I had made, offering it to her with a shy yet earnest expression.
"Shizu, I made this for you," I said softly, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for her reaction.
Shizu looked up from her work, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the sight of the flower crown in my outstretched hand. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she reached out to take it, her fingers brushing against mine in a brief yet electrifying touch.
"For me?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.
I nodded, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me at the sight of her genuine delight.
"Yeah, I thought it would look beautiful on you," I replied, unable to tear my gaze away from her.
Shizu's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she carefully placed the flower crown atop her head, adjusting it until it sat just right.
"Thank you, Haru," she said, her voice soft and filled with emotion. "It's perfect."
As Shizu placed the flower crown on her head, a soft breeze swept through the garden, causing the petals to dance delicately in the air. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm, golden glow over everything it touched.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Shizu sat there, bathed in the soft light, her eyes sparkling with joy and gratitude. In that moment, she looked like a true princess, her beauty illuminated by the simple yet elegant flower crown perched atop her head.
"I have to admit, Shizuku, that flower crown looks good on you," Kanao said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
Shizu blushed at the attention, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink as she glanced shyly at Kanao.
"Th-Thank you, Kanao," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kanao chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't thank me, thank your charming prince over there," she said, nodding in my direction.
I felt a blush creeping up my own cheeks at Kanao's words, but I couldn't help but smile at Shizu's adorable reaction.
"Haruto made it for you, after all," Kanao continued, her teasing tone impossible to miss. "He must have put a lot of effort into it, considering how perfect it looks on you."
Shizu shot me a grateful yet embarrassed glance, her cheeks flushed with color as she reached up to adjust the flower crown on her head.
At this moment, there was only one thought going through my head.
When did my childhood friend get so cute?
