𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬𝑹 || 𝗞𝗻𝘆 𝘅 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁

『 Target Sighted 』

Aoba was discharged from the hospital but wasn't allowed to work in the lab until he was fully recovered and taking care of his needs. He hadn't been eating well and had explained to the Burns family of his worries. Chief reassured the man that the rescue team would make sure he was safe from whoever was stalking him.

" I feel bad that you guys are involved in my affair. " The botanist sighed, leaning his back against the car's seat and stared out of the window. " Thank you for driving me back to my homestay. "

Chief glanced at him. " It's not a personal affair anymore if it involves your safety. Mr Aoba, do you know anyone that has possibility to actually stalk you? Someone holding a grudge? Anything can come in handy in apprehending your stalker. "

" I...I don't think I have any enemy. I like to keep myself low and unnoticeable most of the time. I haven't done anything impressive so far and I got along pretty well with my colleagues. " Aoba played with his fingers. " Whoever is stalking me feels...weird. Like, I feel the gaze on me but it doesn't feel...human? Nevermind, it's silly. "

" Where and what time do you usually feel yourself being watched? "

" Always when I am working on my project. No matter the time, be it late at night or in the morning. Usually late night and early morning since I work at that time mostly. "

" And all your stalker has been doing is messing with your project? "

" Seems like it. "

The two of them finally came to their destination and Chief Burns turned to him in his seat. " Mr Aoba, I think it's best if you stay with the Greene for a while. Being alone with a stalker on your tail makes you vulnerable. If they even go as far as travelling from Japan to Griffin Rock, chances that they might resort to inflicting physical harm would be high. "

The blue-haired man thought about it for a moment, before giving a curt nod. " Then...can you drive me to their place after I pack my stuff? "

" Sure thing. "

⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊

A few days passed and everything seemed to be just fine. Aoba had gotten enough rest to continue working ( Frankie would hit him with a wooden spoon if she ever found him sneaking into the lab at late night again ) and the flowers he planted were in a great condition thanks to the highly techno garden lab Doc Greene provided for the botanist. Since the Blue Spider Lily needed to keep with extreme care, Aoba always made sure the flowers had all their needs everyday.

" Maybe if we can make more of this species, we can put it in the Sky Forest? " Frankie asked as she watched Aoba peering into the microscope.

Aoba looked up. " The Sky Forest? "

" It's an idea of a tower with flora inhabitants I made for a competition a few years ago. It's for the ecosystem and is located at the Wayward island. " The girl explained, looking quite proud of herself.

Doc Greene chuckled, patting his daughter's head. " Always the genius, my little Einsteins. "

" How fascinating. I look forward to planting the Blue Spider Lily in this Sky Forest if the condition fits. " Aoba smiled.

" They look pretty healthy now. " Frankie said, looking at the rows of blue flowers in the garden lab.

" They're unpredictable. They wither so quickly I never know what the cause of it. " Aoba picked a tab from the table. " Different weather, water type, the soil...nothing makes sense. They act like they choose when to bloom and when to wither, no matter what the conditions are. The first time I saw this Blue Spider Lily was when I went hiking with a friend in the mountain. It was the only place I could find the flower. Even then, it took me years to find and collect the flowers back to my lab. So fragile and unpredictable, this flower. "