"Wait!"
I shouted after her. But it's no use. She went into the forest and I can't pinpoint exactly where.
She wanted to leave after hearing that the music would intensify. I don't blame her for that. I wanted to leave too. But, not like this.
I still haven't given her the necklace yet.
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I debate the idea of entering the forest when Present Mic, true to his word, blasts some ear-splitting music from the loudspeakers. And I'm not the only one covering my ears. Having decided, I rush into the forest.
Tens of meters away from the eardrum blast source, its sound starts to quiet. I walk further into the forest, and as I do, the sound of the music lessens and the voices of nature rise. Chirping. Cricketing. Crowing. Shuffling. Rustling. I look around for any sign of Hanada-chan, but I don't find any. I don't hear the sound of human footsteps, or breathing, or the rustling of fabric. It's like she's vanished into thin air. I search for about another ten minutes and then give up. I head back to the party confused and upset, thinking she'll come back in her own time.
Where did she go? She didn't even wait for me. I didn't think she would leave a friend just like that. For all of her "etiquette training", this was unexpected. I mean, I get that she wanted to avoid the music. But still. I feel offended.
I reach the table where Hanada-chan and I were dining. To my astonishment, there are some of those hyacinth blooms that she adorned her hair with. Except they're purple instead of white. They are placed in the center of the table in the shape of a hyacinth flower.
This is supposed to convey a message, I think, remembering the moment she gave me a daffodil. Pulling out my phone, I search for the meaning of purple hyacinths. The results show that the flower symbolizes the concept of asking for forgiveness.
My irritation lessens a little. What a smooth way to say sorry. So she does feel a little guilty for abandoning me like this. Nice to know she learned apology lessons as part of her "etiquette training". Clearly, she's not coming back, but I hope she'll explain why she charged toward the forest like that. I'm surprised I couldn't catch someone who walks with a cane.
Feeling no motivation to stay any longer, I book a taxi on my phone and wait. I don't know why but I tuck the blooms into my pockets. When I receive the notification that the taxi has arrived, I look back at the forest one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Of course, I don't. I turn toward the school gates and leave.
On the ride home, my thoughts drift toward Hanada-chan. I feel like for every piece I find, I am missing ten more pieces. I'm filled with so many questions, and I don't feel any closer to solving her mystery.
But I'm determined nonetheless.
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Blossoms of the Dark
RomanceHanada Selene. Todoroki Shouto. Two troubled souls living troubled lives. But they somehow find solace within each other. They first met in a dream, and later again in real life. Both of them were initially wary of each other. But with time, the...
