Flowers For Akito

A rest by the lake

It was already early in the morning when Akito had finally realised how much of an idiot he had been. Really, Akito the resident 'cool guy' of vivid street. The person anyone could turn to if they needed help. The guy who still lived with his sister, fell in love with a guy at first sight. "I can't accept that. Love at first sight what a joke," He scoffed. "I got one look at his face and couldn't get enough, how shallow." From getting out of bed and washing his face to putting his trainers on for his morning jog Akito mumbled away mocking his every action the day prior. "And I even told An. God forbid she keeps a secret I bet she'll tell Saki or one of her other friends..." Akito couldn't help but start his day in a mood, although his jogs usually helped him relax on a morning those just wouldn't do this time so for a second time he thought. "Maybe I should stray away from my usual route and explore. A change of scenery would do me good."

And with that he took a path out into the woods to the lake side close by. Personally he'd never been there but he saw one of Ena's paintings and couldn't help but prod at her to find out just where she'd been.

————————————————————————

The quaint sound of a knock could be heard from outside the door. "Come in!" Called the girl from inside. She had dark bags under her eyes along with her hair in a low ponytail and her bangs pinned to the side. To say the least her face held what could only be described as a severe scowl. "Akito I'm busy make it quick if you want something. I need to finish this art project before my deadline." She sighed. The boy slowly closed the door behind him as he turned to his sister. "Have you really been up since yesterday? Try not to overwork yourself." He said as if reciting words from a sheet of paper. "Is that all you came to say?" Grumbled the girl as she finally turned to face her brother. "Oh. Are you going out? What time is it? 11 pm? Already...? I've really got to fix my sleeping habits..." Akito scooched over to her side to point at what he really came for. "That painting. It's a still life right? So it's somewhere nearby right?" Asked the boy with a slightly dazed expression. "Umm right... are you feeling okay? You been eating? Don't be working yourself too hard okay?!" Chided the girl. "You're one to talk..." sighed Akito as he rolled his eyes finally breaking out of his momentary trance. "Answer my question. Where did you go when you drew that still life? I wanna plan out a new route for my morning jogs and that looks scenic it'll clear my mind." Ena stood up and pulled the painting off the wall from above her desk placing it on her window sill. "What got you all crabby. Anyway do you see that path? If you keep following it the same way to town it's just by there. But you know that one weird sign that says vivid street go the opposite way through the woods there's a dirt path there so I doubt you'll get lost. Also be careful if you're going anytime soon it's been raining these days so it'll be slippy." She assured.

The boy stared longingly at the window before giving Ena his thanks along with a snide remark. "Since when were you and outdoors person how did you even find this place?" Questioned the boy with a genuinely confused expression. "Ah... well I had to meet someone to come up with a deal I guess you could say. Anyway mind your own business I was nice enough to show you the way, get out already." She grumbled waving him away with her hand. "Yeah yeah I'm leaving now." Responded Akito. He took one more look out the window before he turned to leave. "Also. Akito take care of yourself you came back early so I'm gonna assume you cancelled practice or something. I won't force you to tell me what happened since it's clearly irking you but make sure to stay safe on your way there. You can tell me if anything happens okay?" Smiled the girl. Akito chuckled as he lent on the door frame "I'll keep that in mind. And by the way I'm not going to the lake I'm just getting some shopping done it's been a while since we last got some new food I'm tired of eating instant ramen all the time. I've already wasted the day away in my room so I'll get some stuff done while the stores still actually open." He laughed as he finally made his way out of the room.

————————————————————————

As the boy continued on his way through the wood the sound of birds whistling resonated through the sky. Squirrels scuttled past jumping and dancing at the load of nuts they had just collected. Even the trees swayed calmly in the wind. Why was everything around in a good mood but Akito. The boy dragged his feet in the leaves as if bringing himself there had been a task forced upon him, he just couldn't shake the thought out of that boy out of his mind. "It should be here...?" Grumbled Akito as he peeped through a clearing in the dense woods around. And to his dismay was a boy with split hair one a dark shade of blue while the other a light. He took a quick step back bumping into the tree just behind him alerting the unsuspecting boy just before him. "Are you alright?!" He called out as he ran over to Akito. A hand stretched out the stroke Akito's head feeling for any form of injury. "It seems you're fine." Chuckled the boy as he let out a soft sigh. Removing his hand from the gingers head he reached for the bouquet crammed between his arm. "You're the boy from yesterday aren't you? I got these ready...just incase I'd see you again." ".........Oh y-yeah! That's me. I'm Shinonome Akito and I work as a street performer in a duo called neon mirage." Muttered the boy as he stumbled to his feet. "Thank you for the flowers...". The split haired boy took a step back to accommodate for Akito's new found balance smiling as he handed over the bouquet. For a second the boy looked at Akito slightly perplexed at his quick introduction before continuing to not spoil the entertaining situation that had sprung. "A street performer? That sounds fun. My name is Aoyagi Toya and I'm a flourist at Aoyagi's blossoms. It's nice to formally meet you." Akito gave him a smile before walking over to the lake just in front of them dangling his legs over edge as he took a seat. "Just how did Ena find this place, it's in the middle of nowhere...?" "Ena?" Questioned Toya from over Akito's shoulder giving the boy a shock. "Ena as in the artist? I wouldn't have thought you two were siblings. Shinonome is a relatively common name." Laughed the boy. "Who said we were siblings..." Mumbled Akito. "Are you not though?" Questioned Toya with a sly smile as he placed himself beside Akito. "We are." Sighed the ginger boy as he threw himself backwards to face the sky. Following in pursuit Toya too did lay down and pressed Akito once more for another interaction. "Want to make a flower crown?" Akito gave him a frown as he turned to face the boy. "I'm not a little girl why would I want a flower crown????" "And I arrange flowers for a living. Do I look like a little girl to you?" Toya smiled once more. "Fine I give up. Let's make a flower crown..." sighed Akito.