The Rose Garden

Our 'Ten years from now' Promise - Chapter Two

"T-Takamura-san..." I stutter. "Hm? What?" she asks. "Nothing. Anyway, why are you here? Are you done with your work?"

"No, actually, I just wanted to go on the roof and see the scenery from up here. It's gorgeous. This town is so quiet and peaceful. It's like we are in a modern countryside. The countryside is quiet but it's nowhere this modern."

"Ha... I guess you're right."

"And besides, why do you study up here and not in the class room?"

"Because, I love the natural atmosphere. And the wind is blowing nicely too. Or maybe I could've just went home and find a tree to study underneath."

"That sounds nice to do." She walks to to my side and sits down."What are you studying?"

"This? It's math."

"Is math your favorite subject?"

"No, it's just a subject that I have a hard time on. I want to get into college with a paid scholarship so that I can't be a burden to my aunt."

"I see... Well if you like, I can tutor you if you need help."

"Really?!? If so, then that will be great."

"But you have to do one thing for me in exchange."

"What is it...."

"......You have to be, by my side all the time....."

"Huh?..."

"No, I mean, let's go to the festival together."

"The one that's coming up?"

"Yes, that one. I would like to watch the fireworks with you."

"Sure, but why me..."

"Why you? Because there is something I would like to show you on that day."

"That still doesn't answer my question. I mean, why me, out of all people?"

"That's for you to figure out when we watch the fireworks together."

"Fine..."

"Oh, can I ask you something?"

"What is it this time?"

"It's getting late and I don't want to be walking alone... so can you walk me home everyday?"

"Where do you live is the major question?"

"Don't worry about that. It's not that far."

"Fine. I promise to walk you home everyday."

"Thank you." She pats me on the head. She gets up and rushes to walk in front me. "Hm?" I look up and she was smiling while offering her hand to me. I accept her hand and she helps me up.

As we walk side by side, I forgot that she just transferred in so everyone, who were doing club activities, was wondering who was this cute girl. I was getting embarrass because everyone was staring at us. She notices that I was feeling uneasy. "What's wrong Panettone-san? You don't feel good?"

"Uwa... N-no... That's not it. Hehe..." She hops in front of me to take a better look. "What?..."

"Hm? You look pretty sick though." She leans in and touches my forehead. I was looking into her eyes because that was the only place where I can look at. "It doesn't seem like you have cold." She removes her hand and wonders what wrong with me. I grab her wrist and stare in to her eyes with the sense of authority. "Huh?!"

"Why don't we just head on home, okay?"

"O-okay..." I lead her to the entrance by her hand. We walk out the entrance and onto the sidewalk. I was breathing heavy because I couldn't stand their glares. "Why are you breathing heavy? That walk wasn't that long nor we didn't even run."

"Uh...." She looks back to the school and sees everyone looking back at us. She then goes back to looking at me. She paces her glare between the two groups and figures it out. "You don't like being stared at.".

"!?! N-no that's not it..."

"No that's completely it. You were completely fine when we were on the roof."

"Okay yes, I don't like being stared at but the reason being is because of you."

"Me?"

"Yes. You're the transfer student and your appearance makes you stand out. You're walking side by side with the school's smartest student and all of a sudden, cute transfer student is instantly attracted to him."

"No. There's another reason why I talk to you and want you to walk me home."

"What's the reason?"

"You have to figure that out by yourself."

"Again?" She locks her arm around mine and says,"Come on let's go home." We start walking back home with her clinging onto me. We walk by a local florist and I stop her. "What is it?"

"I want to buy something here." She looks at me and looks at the store. "What are you going to buy?"

"I'm going to buy you, a house warming gift. To help welcome you to our school and to our area." She smiles brightly and asks,"Do you want to know my favorite flowers?"

"No because I am going to buy you, my favorite flowers." We both enter the flower shop and the florist greets us. "Irasshaimase! Ah... Panettone-kun, whose this young lady?"

"Konichiwa! Saeko-sama~ She's a transfer student and her name is Aeimi Takamura. I wanted to buy her a house warming gift to help her settle into the area."

"Oh that's thoughtful of you. You are so grateful to meet him, Takamura-chan. He's a boy who can do anything. He has been known to be the area's caretaker."

"Really? Is that true Panettone-san?"

"Hahaha.... yeah that's true all right!" She looks around the stores and sniffs some of the flowers. I was picking up my favorite flowers which were: lavender,water lilies, and irises. I take them to the counter where Saeko can put them into a pot. "Nice choice, Panettone-kun~ These flowers are usually found in this season (August)."

"Not only that but they are also my favorite." She gives me the potted flowers and I give her the money. "Keep the change, Saeko."

"Arigato Gozaimasu!" We both bow our heads to each other. "Takamura-san, let's get going."

"Hai!" She calls out to me. She walks to the entrance and sees me. We walk outside and stood in front of the flower shop. "Here you go, Takamura-san." She accepts the flowers and stares at it with watery eyes. "Panettone-kun...."

"Yes, what is it?" She sniffs the flowers and says,"These are also my favorite flowers."

"Really? Wow... That must be pure coincidence or we must have a lot in common then."

"We might have or is it fate and destiny that brought us together?"

"Nah, completely a coincidence." We continue to walk home together. She keeps sniffing the bundle of flowers as we walk. I got to admit, she looks adorable when she does that.