Heroine Life

Chapter 11: Flower Blooming Nearby

After stopping at the cafe for a light meal, we got lost many times but eventually arrived at our destination, the botanical garden.

I heard that the botanical garden was beside the zoo, so I expected something small-scale, but it turned out to be much grander than I expected. The place was large and even had a greenhouse and other facilities.
Today is a weekend so there are many guests, but it doesn't look like it's quite as busy as the zoo next door.

"It's nice that we got in, but where should we go first?"
"Why don't we just start from the nearest place and go around? We'll end up seeing everything that way."
"That works... Oh, Chiharu. Would you like to see the brochure?"
"Yes, thank you."

I spread open the pamphlet Yuzuha handed me.
The map page shows a flower garden, a museum, a greenhouse, and other interesting places. How exciting.
I'm sure there are many plants I've never seen before. I hope they have some of my favorite flowers on display.

"Chiharu, you seem to be in a really good mood."
"She really does look so happy. It was worth inviting her."
"Hmmm... so Amabuki likes plants. Actually, a while ago when I was training, I saw her talking to some weed..."
"Let's go! There's no time to waste, so let's get moving!"

Of course, I did want to quickly look around but above that, it's embarrassing to be the topic of the conversation so I interrupt them, close the pamphlet, and start moving.
The four of them followed me from behind, looking at me kindly as if they were watching over an excited child.
It feels like they're treating me like a child but I just focus on walking faster to reach my destination.

"Fufu, if you don't slow down, you'll trip~"
"........"

Yup, they're completely treating me like a child.
I know I'll be teased if I respond, so I hold back my desire to retort and slow down.
Since I had come all the way to the botanical garden, I'll be wasting my time if I don't ignore these attempts to provoke me.

After walking around the garden for a while, we arrived at a large translucent dome-shaped building.

"This looks like the greenhouse."
"Well, let's go inside."

We opened the door and entered the greenhouse, where we were greeted by warm air and abundant greenery.
A peculiar sweet aroma tickles my nose. Is this the scent of flowers? Somehow, being here feels really calming.

"Oh, what's that?"
"Ah! Chiharu, please wait."

I found a tall tree and some colorful flowers that looked like they might grow in a tropical country, so I decided to get closer to take a better look.
I had seen these rare plants in books and on TV, but this is my first time seeing them in person.
I begin reading the nearby signboard with the name of the plants and explanations about them. Yuzuha reads the signboard along with me.
After satisfying my intellectual curiosity, I look around and see that Yuzuha is the only one next to me.
Wondering where the others had gone, I look around more. I hear them talking from somewhere.

"Wow... Amazing. This flower grows overseas."
"Uh-huh, what an interesting shape."
"It's a bit scary since it looks like it might be poisonous."
"Eh? I was just thinking that it looked pretty delicious."
"What?"
"What?"

"............"

The other three seem to be observing other plants a little further away.
Yes, I think I can take my time admiring the plants here without being disturbed.

"These flowers are very beautiful. This is my first time seeing them."
"Yeah."
"Wow, the color of these ones is amazing."
"Yeah."
"......Chiharu, you're captivated by the flowers."
"Yeah."
"You're captivated by me too, right, Chiharu?"
"Yeah.......... Wait! No! Definitely not!"

Having successfully tricked me, she smiled happily like a kid that pulled off a prank.
Since I was focused on looking at the plants, my half-hearted responses to her backfired on me.
Grrrr... Normally I wouldn't fall for these types of cheap tricks, but I let my guard down.
I must have been in much higher spirits than I thought.
When I reluctantly turn to face her, she shifts her gaze toward the plants again as if nothing had happened.
Some small flowers catch her eye and she stares at them.

"These flowers... they're pretty. I don't know what they're called, though, since there are no signs."
"Oh, that is the Arabian Jasmine. It is a kind of jasmine. In flower language, it means purity... I think."
"You know a lot about it."
"Yeah, I guess."

I saw the pretty white flowers Yuzuha was looking at several times in plant field guides.
I can remember the things I'm interested in and things that leave an impression on me. On the other hand, I completely forget everything I have no interest in.

"What are these red flowers called?"
"Umm... I believe they're called salvia"
"Wow, so these are salvia. I recognize the name. In flower language it means passion and wisdom, right?"
"Yes, that's right."

Yuzuha smiles happily at having hit the mark.
The next thing she points at is some deep bluish-purple flowers.

"Ah, I know this flower. They're called gentian, right?"
"Yes, correct. This is my favorite flower."



"I love gentian flowers."



(Huh?)

What was that?
A nostalgic voice appears and disappears in my head.
Not only the voice, but the image of someone vaguely floats in my mind.
I know... I know that person.

"I don't know what gentian means in flower language though...... Chiharu, do you know?"

I know.
But I didn't learn it from a field guide.



"In flower language it means..."



My heart is pounding.



"Because in flower language, gentian means..."





"Justice." "Justice."





It's clear now.

Finally, the voice in my mind became clear.

(......Ah, ah.)

The voice triggered fragments of my memories of the past to flood back in.
And at the same time, the feelings that I had locked away with those memories also came back to life, weighing heavily on my heart mercilessly.



Of course.



It's because I wanted to escape from this weight that I wanted to forget them in the first place.



(Why had I forgotten?)

Even if it's sad. Even if it's painful. I should have remembered.

"....................."
"Chiharu?"

Yuzuha looked into my face, worried about my strange behavior.
It's unfortunate, but she is not among the memories I recovered. However, I have a feeling I'll remember her soon.
After all, I finally managed to find a clue.

"...I'm alright."

I breathe deeply to catch my breath.

I close my eyes and slowly open them.
It feels like the world reflected in my eyes now looks a little different than before.

"I remembered some things from the past."
".................."
"I don't remember anything about you at all. But I finally remembered a few important things."
"......I see."

Yuzuha nods with a complicated expression. Is she happy or sad... I can't tell.
Does she want me to remember her? Or does she want me to remain oblivious? I don't know yet.
But I've already made up my mind. No matter what happens, I will remember and accept everything.
I am sure Yuzuha noticed. She knew that and intentionally hasn't said anything.

When I turn around, the three people who were looking elsewhere are now looking in our direction.
I steel my resolve and call out her name.



...I couldn't find Yuzuha in my recalled memories.



But ...

I found her instead.





"Natsu."





Her nickname that I haven't uttered in a long time.
If she is the girl I remembered, she'll surely respond. Though only if she hasn't forgotten me.



"!?"



She opens her eyes wide in surprise and her shoulders shake.

Ah, I knew it. She's-----





"...Haru."





---the Natsuki Uehara in my memories.



With a pale expression, what left her lips was the nickname she called me during our childhoods. The nickname the two of us decided on.
Natsu (Summer) for Natsuki and Haru (Spring) for Chiharu. The characters were different,  but she was extremely happy that both our names had seasons mixed in them.

"Natsuki, why..."
"...!! I'm sorry!!!"

She immediately interrupted my words with a pained voice, turned her back on me, and ran away from this place.
It was as if she was scared of me and rejected me.

"Natsuki!"
"Eh? W-what just happened!?"

Misora and Taira, who didn't understand the situation, were drawing closer.
As I was debating whether I should chase after her or give them an explanation, Natsuki had already disappeared somewhere.
She fled towards the exit, so she was already no longer in this greenhouse.

"Hey, Amabuki! Natsuki's behavior wasn't normal! What on earth did you say to her!?"
"...... I tried calling her by her old nickname."
"Huh? So why did Natsuki...... wait, old nickname?"
"Chiharu, are you and Uehara..."

I met Natsuki long before I met Misora. Long before I even met grandma.
It was so long ago, that even after recovering my memories, there are still things I can't recall because of the passage of time.

"Natsuki is my..."

There are many words that could be used to describe our relationship.
The one that fits best is probably...



"Childhood friend."



Now I can recall the past days I spent with Natsuki.
Even though... even though she was always by my side, why couldn't I remember her until now?

"Childhood friend... didn't you say you only met Natsuki in high school?"
"Yes, that's what I always believed up until now. But, I just remembered the past... my past with Natsuki."
"So does that mean Uehara knew about Chiharu for a long time but kept that hidden?"
"That seems to be the case, but why didn't she say anything?"
"Isn't that because Chiharu forgot about her?"

Oh, I see.
During our reunion in high school, I didn't remember her at all. She must have been disappointed that I was treating it like our first meeting and couldn't say anything.
In addition, I'm completely different compared to back when Natsuki knew me, so there's also the possibility she didn't even realize it until now.
Or perhaps...... she didn't want me to remember her.

"Chiharu."
"I know."

Staying here and just thinking about these things won't get me anywhere. I need to go after Natsuki and talk to her.

"My call isn't getting through. I sent her texts, but she's not replying."
"Let's split up and look for her together. It will be faster that way."
"I understand. Chiharu, please check the flower garden."