Blossoms of the Dark

XXIII Shouto: Gift

I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, giving a final look at my suit.

It's a white tuxedo with a navy blue shirt. I debate wearing a tie and decide to go without.

I comb my hair back to give a matching hairstyle with the suit, and I rub some hair gel through it to keep it in place.

I look back at the mirror to check my final appearance, and I think I look good.

I have to ride the train to get to the school, but I have 15 minutes to spare before I leave for the train station.

Bored, I gaze around my room, stopping at the daffodil resting on my nightstand. I know that flowers have meanings, and I'm curious to know why Hanada-chan gave me that specific flower. She was blushing while giving it to me. I search for the meaning of daffodils on my phone and discover that it means new beginnings and new friendships. So it was a friendship present. I smile to myself, liking the gesture.

I stop smiling immediately as I realize that I should give her something too.

I look around my room, but I don't find anything gift-worthy. Confused, I wonder about what I should give her. Flowers? But she just gave me one. Would it be uncreative and lazy to give her one back? Jewelry? But we've only just become friends. Do friends give each other jewelry after their third meeting? Would it be too bold? Chocolates? It's not White Day yet.

Not having any idea what to do, I leave my room to find my older sister, Fuyumi. She's in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"Hey Sis, I gotta ask you something?"

"What is it, Shouto?"

"I made friends with a girl today. She gave me a daffodil to commemorate the start of our friendship. I want to give her something too. But I don't know what."

She's quiet for a few seconds. Then she exclaims, "Oh, I know! You could give her a piece of jewelry. Not like diamonds or anything extravagant, but a simple charm on a chain. I have a lapis lazuli pendant somewhere. I don't wear it anymore. You can give that to her. Lapis lazuli is a gemstone that also symbolizes new friendship. I'll give it to you once I'm done making dinner."

"Oh. Thanks."

She stares at me with emotional eyes. "This is the first time you've made a friend, Shouto. I'm happy for you. If she got you to open up, she must be special. What's her name?"

"Hanada Selene. And, I haven't exactly opened up to her yet. Today was our third encounter." I still believe she's connected to the dream girl. If she actually is her, then this would be our fourth encounter. "But, yeah she's special. Really mysterious. I think that's what made me want to befriend her."

"Well, Shouto. Best of luck!"

I smile softly. "Thanks, Sis."

Five minutes later she finishes cooking. I follow her to her room where she pulls out a blue pendant in the shape of a teardrop hanging on a chain from her jewelry box.

"Here!"

I take it from her and thank her once more.

Wrapping it in a handkerchief, I tuck it into my pocket and leave the house to go to the train station.

But just as I'm about to cross the front door, Endeavor opens it. His face was the last face I wanted to see today. We stare at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. He opens his mouth to say something. Probably something infuriating like all the times before. I don't want to spoil my mood, so I simply shove past him. I don't look back to see his reaction.

On the ride to the school, I keep thinking, hoping really.

I hope she likes the necklace.

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