A Flower Has Bloomed (My Forged Wedding Fanfic)

5 - Our Golden Friendships

After the show, proud parents and guardians didn't miss the chance to thank the teachers, instructors, or even Haruka himself. Ayame was amazed to see that her flower arranging friend was no longer just an artist, but also a well known public figure.

Sure, she had seen him back home on TV a few days back, but back home, he wasn't such a big deal. Now that she saw him greet his bashful 'fans' it became a reality, and she was starting to feel otherwise.

Although ikebana was being promoted, Haruka was being promoted more so than his art itself, which didn't sit well with Ayame.

She had no say in anything though. It's not like she could say anything.

Most parents had filed out when, a young couple came up to Haruka and addressed him less formally than the others. It was Haruna and Yamato.

As soon as Haruka set his eyes on Haruna, his face lit up with a visible glow of happiness, that was undeniably apparent. They were friends.

Despite what had happened between them in the past, their misunderstandings and such, they had grown to forgive each other and reconcile as good friends. Even Yamato had began opening up to Haruka.

Harue, the boy that Ayame recognized and considered more talented than the rest, ran past her to unite with his guardians. As soon as they noticed him, all attention was set on him, he received praise. Yamato ruffled his hair affectionately with a smile.

Ayame watched them from afar. Haruka seemed so happy and full of life. She was glad to see one of her close childhood friends grow up to be a kind and gentle man. A person who can smile easily, a person who is content with his current life.

Though, a feeling of unbearable isolation surged from within her. This was her friend, one of the closest friends she had ever had. She couldn't shake off the fact that when they had reunited, Haruka seemed, so distant, and almost unreachable. Even though it was natural that things would be this awkward at first, it still bothered her that she couldn't do much about it.

'I said it myself, he 'was' one of my closest friends...' she thought to herself dreadfully before turning away and getting ready to leave.

Across from her, Yamato and Haruna where getting ready to leave together with Harue. They wave goodbye to Haruka as they disappear into the hotel doors.

As they begin making their way home, Haruna's phone receives a text. She stops in her tracks to read it after seeing whom it was from and the subject title.

Yamato stops walking for her to check it. "Who's it from?" He asks a bit concerned at her sudden hault.

"Kunihiko...."

Kunihiko had invited them to have dinner at the bar. He said they would throw a small party for Harue, since it was his first live ikebana event, and also to make up for their absence at the actual exhibition.

Haruna sent him a thank you text, full of gratitude. She was glad that this was planned, because she herself hadn't really prepared anything special. Harue enjoyed spending time with the Long Island gang, so this little gathering would be fun.

She whispered the plan to Kougami and smiled, also looking forward to it.

"Let's have dinner at Kuni's, yeah?" Haruna told Harue casually. He smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

-------------------------------------------------

"Come to Long Island NOW! hElp." The text read somewhat desperately.

Or at least what seemed to be desperate.

Fumiko coked her head in confusion, She wasn't really done moving in completely yet, and she had to start work tomorrow. The text from Kunihiko couldn't have had worse timing to require his 'help'.

She groaned as she got up from unpacking one of her last boxes. She was so close to finishing, and she hated leaving this half way done, but her uncle needed her, and the sense of responsibility beat her perfectionist side.

She quickly slipped on a black dress shirt and dark jeans, considering she was probably going to help her uncle as a waitress.

Fumi dashed out of her little dorm and quickly made her way over to Long Island.

When she gets there, she's surprised to see, at least from outside, through the window, that it pretty empty.

"Huh? He needed my help for...this?" She mumbled to herself while opening the more or less heavy door.

As soon as the bell chimes, she's pleasantly startled with a loud surprise from behind the bar's counter.

"Welcome Back Fumiko!" The 5 men shout cheerfully upon her entrance.

Frozen by the unexpected surprise, she loosens up and laughs. "Oh my god! Thank you!"

Right behind her, the door opens again, this time revealing the small family of three that had just came back from the ikebana show.

Haruna's mouth gapes open when she sees one of her closest friends before her.

"Fumi!"

"Haruna!"

They both run up to one another, fangirling, elated to see each other again.

Harue runs up to Fumiko as well reaching up to her after she lets go of Haruna.

"Harue! I missed you guys so much!"

Yamato walked up and patted Fumi on her head as she still held onto Harue. "Welcome back." He smiled at his good friend.

Everyone joined into the little group to greet Fumiko back, and soon, everyone took a seat to chat over a dinner meal that Kunihiko had coaxed Yamato into helping him prepare.

"So what's up Fumiko? What're you doing back here? I thought you had found a kick ass job back in Kyoto!" Yuta asks cheerfully.

"Where are you staying at? If you need a place, then you're more than welcome to come over to my apartment-" Saeki continues the questions. Takao frowns and follows by scolding him for his lewd offer.

Everyone ate happily as they chatted over a wonderful meal. Laughter and smiles filled the room, and joy was most certainly present.

Though the questions that were asked for Fumiko, never saw an answer that night.