Blossom ✿

S

繋ぎ続ける 僕たちの hyphen
結ばれた縁 途切れることない

✧✿✧

Ninth grade ushered in, and your excitement was palpable as you proudly showcased the visible growth in the stem emerging from the leafy part of your peculiar plant. The changes had you beaming, and with enthusiasm, you detailed the noticeable increase in length over the past few months.

Your dedication didn't stop there; you meticulously documented each development in your small green diary. Its pages held a chronicle of the twelve-year journey with a coloured sketch capturing the envisioned beauty of a fully bloomed Agave Americana.

I vividly recall that summer vacation, a time marked not just by the completion of our project – the Newton's cradle – but also by the visible changes in the way I perceived you. 

We embarked on crafting our own DIY version, and while I thought it was already quite an achievement, your artistic and crafty mind sought something more. Spread out on the carpet of your living room surrounded by our project materials, you expressed dissatisfaction, feeling that there was a missing element.

In the midst of contemplation, you suddenly erupted with excitement, catching me off guard and almost giving me a mini heart attack. Without a moment's hesitation, you shot up and sprinted to your room, returning with a collection of coloured ribbons, predominantly shades of blue and green. With a determined glint in your eye, you started skillfully cutting out lengthy pieces.

Your creative genius took charge as you suggested making small ribbon flowers, demonstrating the delicate folding technique. Watching you effortlessly craft a small, adorable blue flower from one of the ribbon pieces fueled my desire to replicate the same.

I naively believed I could master the art in one go, but soon found myself struggling with the first step, fumbling to shape the ribbon into a flower. Just when frustration threatened to overwhelm me, you came to my rescue. With a playful eye-roll that I feared would vanish into the back of your head, you reached for my hands and gently guided them towards you.

In that seemingly ordinary moment, when our hands touched, an extraordinary sensation washed over me. A fluttering feeling erupted in the upper part of my stomach, accompanied by a gentle warmth that tingled its way to my ears, painting them a delicate shade of red. My heart skipped a beat, and for the first time, I experienced a sensation that was entirely new and utterly exhilarating.

Though unfamiliar, it was undeniably the best feeling I had ever known, a rush of emotions I didn't want to end.

While you guided my hands through the intricate process of crafting ribbon flowers, I found myself noticing your appearance for the second significant time in the timeline of our friendship.

Your small, petite figure had undergone a subtle growth, yet it remained dwarfed by my already diminutive frame. The colour of your eyes had deepened slightly over the span of four years, retaining their enchanting lightness. Your nose, still small and adorable, stood as a timeless feature.

The most noticeable change was in your hair, once shoulder-length, now blossomed longer, cascading down your waist. Adorable was the only word that seemed fitting to describe your ninth-grade self.

During that year, I discovered myself stealing more glances in your direction, though I would swiftly dismiss it as mere zoning out whenever caught.

A trifecta of changes unfolded simultaneously – my feelings towards you, the evolution of your peculiar plant, and the length of your hair all underwent a subtle transformation. Now, in hindsight, I realize that sometimes even the smallest changes can bring about the most significant shifts, leading to unexpected and beautiful outcomes.

✧✿✧

会えない時間が 深めた絆
蕾は育ち 咲いた愛