A Bouquet of Flowers [Anime\Manga like Story]

The First Bouquet

I looked through the rows of assorted flowers that lie before me on the back counter. Amaryllises, Anemones, Pink Carnations, Daisies, Hyacinths, Irises, Azaleas, Asters. Each one had a different meaning. Amaryllis meaning dramatic, Anemone meaning fragile, Pink Carnations meaning gratitude, Daisy meaning innocence, Hyacinth meaning sincerity, Iris meaning inspiration, Azalea meaning abundance, and Aster meaning contentment. Each one was unique. While I was at the flower shop trying to make the new floral arrangement, the bell that was on the door rang as it opened up. I looked up to see a man and his little daughter, neatly dresses up formally.

"Hello there. What can I help you with ?", I asked as I walked towards them from the other side of the counter. Since the store was a flower shop, there was a wide variety of different flowers to choose from, all separated neatly into the right vase. "Hello", the man said politely, "Do you happen to do floral arrangement here too ? Like bouquets ?" I nodded and smiled. "That's right", I replied, "Which flowers would you like to get today ?" He turned away from me and looked at the little girl. "Go on and get some if you'd like", I heard him say. The little girl smiled happily as she went around choosing different flowers. Of course, so did her father. They came back a couple minutes later with a couple red and white roses, red and white carnations, three pink roses, and a couple pink tulips. "Is this all you would like ?", I asked as I started to put them into a bouquet. The little girl looked around one last time and we back. "This too please", she said as she smiled, and handed me a Gardenia. I looked at the white flower, and smiled back. When I finished the bouquet, it came out perfectly beautiful. "What is the total cost of this ?", the man asked me as he pulled out his wallet. 'Lets see...', I thought. "It's going to be 25 dollars", I replied shortly. I handed the little girl the bouquet carefully as her father paid. I guess he noticed. "You didn't add the charge on the Gardenia ?", he asked as I gave him back his change. I shook my head. "No,I didn't", I replied, "But it's alright. It's a thank you from me and this shop. Gardenia means 'joy', so its a thank you for coming here." He smiled gently. "Thank you", he replied, as they both left the shop, leaving me all alone once again.

I sighed and turned around to face the back door where the unsorted flowers were still at. Now what would I do with these.... I pulled out three clear vases and started to split them all out evenly. When I finished, I placed the arrangements out on the main counter as decorations. There were some that remained, but I already knew what to do with them. I took the remaining flowers, closed the shop, and headed out. To that place. Then I thought about how long it's been, since the last time I've gone there. How long.. I wondered. I arrived at the place ten minutes later, not one person in sight. But it was what you would expect, since you were at a graveyard.

I walked down the stone path and found who I was looking for. Underneath the small shaded tree, was her grave. I knelt down to clean her grave. I then placed the flowers down, and lighted some candles. I put my hands together and started to pray.

'Its been a while... I'm sorry that I haven't visited in a while. How are you doing now... up in heaven ? Are you happy ? It's been 3 years now, since you left this place. Not much has changed, but at least that what I think. If you were standing here with me now, you would definitely say that things have changed. Your words have always been my guide. I still remember what you told me, on the very last day I was able to talk to you. Even now, when I think about it, I always remember you smiling. There's so much I want to tell you yet, I can't. It's sad.. To not be able to talk to someone. Oh yeah, there's something I wanna tell you. I met someone at school a couple days ago that I never noticed before. He and his group are probably delinquents.. Since they sort of look like it. Then again, I never know. Anyways, I bumped into him, and he had that cold aura. But it felt familiar. Do you remember when I first met you ? It's like sort of like that. I remember how long it took for me to get along with you.. Even though it happened without noticed. To tell you the truth, I miss the old days. I miss when you were still with me. I miss you very much. Of you were able to talk to me now, should you say the same ? Would you say the same.. Ceil ?'

I opened my eyes slowly and smiled. I stood up and looked at the grave one last time, before turning away to leave. 'Would you.... Say the same ?'

While I was walking back, I heard a group laughing. I looked at that direction and noticed that guy and his group. Fooling around maybe ? I ignored them and hoped that they wouldn't notice me. Not like they knew who I was anyway. Just as the crossing sign turned green, I heard someone shout. "Hey look Touya ! It's that girl !" At first I didn't know who 'Touya' was, until I remembered. Oh on. I quickly started to cross the busy street, as I noticed them trying to get to me. Once I got to the other side of the street, I immediately started to sprint, not even thinking about what I was doing. I'm guessing they must have had the same idea, but this time they wouldn't be able to catch me. Not now at least. I took a slight turn and stood behind a wall as I watched them all run past me. Yeah, definitely not now. I waited until they were all gone, and just when I thought they were, I got caught. Someone put their arm around my neck and shifted their weight.

"You sure got those guys on a chase huh ?", he said. The moment he spoke, I already knew who it was. I sighed and put my head down. Uuuuuuuugh...... Touya put his other arm around me, making it look like he was hugging me from behind. He rested his head on my head as we stood there. "You're an idiot", he said in amusement, "You should know you can't get away from me." I squeezed his arm, but not hard. "Who are you again ?", I asked in almost a sigh. "Names Touya", he said, "I'm that guy you bothered to stand up to." "Should I be afraid...?", I whispered. I felt him grin as he shifted his position, now moving his head to my shoulder. "You should be", he whispered into my ear, "Or else you'll regret it." Whether I should be scared or not.. Which on was it. "I don't know", I said out loud. He didn't reply to me, but he did something that made me jump. He let go of me as I quickly put a hand on my right ear. I looked up at him, as he stuck his tongue out at me. "Idiot", he said as he smirked, and slowly started to walk away. I stood there, speechless. He bit my ear and walked off as if it was nothing. I took a deep breath.

"WHO'S AN IDIOT !!!??", I shouted back at him. He turned around as he heard me and grinned. That guy... Touya. He's dangerous.