Poppy and Lotus [COMPLETE]

•❀Thirteen❀•

"You know I'm only doing this so you'll stop whining, right?"

"I refuse to believe that. You're having so much fun with me."

Despite sticking so firmly to my word, I can't help but giggle as Ren and I lay on a picnic blanket in my favorite spring field. The weather was absolutely perfect today. Bright, sunny...the right amount of breeze...The atmosphere was warm and comfortable...I could lay here all day.

And yeah...maybe with Ren, too!

I had finally considered going on my first date with Ren, and I had to admit, I was having a lot of fun. Ren claimed I should make him a bento to apologize for the delay of our date. I didn't want to argue, so I went ahead and made him what apparently were his favorite foods without knowing and he kissed me on my cheek as a thank you.

I was sure we looked super lovey dovey on the outside...

All too often we'd get a few glances in our direction from elders who thought we were just so adorable. It was pretty embarrassing, really, but it was all so exciting at the same time. I'd never gotten a chance to see Ren outside of school and get to know him this way, so it was all so fresh and exciting. Our relationship was slowly blossoming into a bright, vibrant flower.

"Alright, you are pretty fun."

"And you're an amazing cook. You should make me a bento every day for lunch!"

"That's too much work! Besides, there's so much I need to put into the —"

"Please don't mention that club while we're out! We are not talking about the club!" He puffs his cheeks out like a child and shushes me before I can finish my sentence. Just about every time I mentioned the club, Ren would act like it was "another guy trying to steal me from him" (his words exactly).

"Okay, fine! You are so childish..."

"You drive me insane, Ayame..." Ren sighs like he's had a hard life and turns to grin at me. We're lying on our backs, our heads turned to the side so we can gaze at each other. Ren had such honest, beautiful eyes...

I couldn't deny, when I was around Ren, it felt like the world around us was getting just a little bit more bright and fun...He had so much excitement in his eyes, a ceaseless flame that never went away, even when I shot him down for his silly antics!

And to think, I'd still assume he was just another playboy if I hadn't kissed him that day...

Ren's smile doesn't fade, but he starts to look at me expectantly. When I realize what it is he wants, I smirk at him and lean forward, pressing our lips together for a sweet, although very brief kiss. When I pull away, Ren is practically beaming. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into him. I let out a laugh as he nearly squeezes the life out of me and try to speak through my giggles.

"You know, Ren...I — OWW! I think I'm really starting to like the lotus flower. More than I used to, anyway..."

Ren pulls away again to look me in my eyes. His cheeks have turned a sweet red color and a warm look is in his watery eyes. I hoped he understood my true meaning, although I wasn't brave or ready enough to put it bluntly.

I've almost gone crazy waiting for his response when he kisses me one last time and mumbles against my lips.

"Is that so? Well..I've sort of always liked poppies."