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❟❛❟ CHAPTER TWENTY ❟❛❟
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING, AKAME?" Jirou's voice cut through the quiet dorm. She was lounging on the sofa with Uraraka, Mina, Tsuyu, and Hagakure, their attention on a movie playing in the background.
Akame, standing by the door, glanced back. "I'm heading out for a bit. I need to get some flowers for my room," Her tone was distant, her mind already elsewhere. The dorm was unusually quiet despite it being the weekend.
"Where is everyone else?" she asked casually.
"Yaoyorozu's having lunch with her family," Tsuyu replied, her eyes not leaving the screen.
"And the guys went to the gym," Mina added, kicking her feet up on the couch.
Akame nodded, relief flickering through her. At least these leeches wouldn't be around to insist on joining her, "Do you need anything while I'm out?"
"Akame-chan! Can you find me some flowers for my room too? Something that suits it!" Hagakure chimed in, her invisible form giving a slight bounce.
"If there's a cactus, grab one for me pleasee," Uraraka said with a grin. "Something small and cute. My room feels a little plain."
"Alright," Akame nodded. "I'll be back soon."
Akame's destination wasn't far—a familiar flower shop in Tokyo, her mother's favorite. She had asked for permission to leave for two hours, though she hoped she wouldn't need all that time. The solitude was what she craved, a rare moment away from the overwhelming expectations of being a hero-in-training... and from the confusing feelings she had no desire to face.
The bell above the door tinkled softly as she entered the shop, and the scent of flowers wrapped around her like a warm embrace. She inhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing slightly. Rows of colorful blooms lined the shop, each petal perfect in its own way. She moved through the aisles, quickly picking out a small cactus for Uraraka and scanning the flowers for something Hagakure might like.
"Oh, irises," Akame's voice was soft as she wandered into the row of flowers, her fingers brushing lightly against the vibrant petals. The display was a burst of colors—purple, white, black, pink, red, yellow, orange, and even blue—each bloom more delicate than the next. She paused in front of the deep violet ones, drawn to their quiet elegance.
"Hana-san," Akame called out quietly, her gaze still lingering on the irises.
"Coming!" A familiar voice replied. A woman with bright blonde hair tied in a neat ponytail emerged from behind the counter, her smile warm and welcoming. "Ah, Yukie-chan! Long time no see. Are you buying flowers for XunYi-san?"
