SUPERMARKET FLOWERS ( t. oikawa )

03 | the mending heart

future.

No one saved her. That pathetic, little girl. Even Oikawa refused to.

So she saved herself.

now.

SUNFLOWERS STAND STARK UNDER THE SCORCHING SUNLIGHT. Sunbeams reflect off the water, and rainbows appear. Straw hat worn over caramel locks, Akatsuki Mana smiles. Summer break has reached its middle step, but Mana doesn't feel a single shred of anxiety.

Her aunt has been everything amiable, buying her new clothes and giving her a garden to tend to. Her room inside the titanic manor has also been the same size as her apartment. Complete with tatami mats, a comfortable futon and just about different flower arrangements whose scents gave her a relaxed feeling.

She's been creating bonds too, being friendly and the whole charade was certainly refreshing.

True, her skin has gotten a little darker after discovering her new hobby: gardening, but she likes the sun on her skin and the summer breeze on her face. It makes her feel reborn, and she feels a newfound sense of satisfaction after making those plants survive. If she had a favorite flower, it would be the geraniums, and the stargazer lilies.

The gardening and the splendor in this house was certainly lovable, but it was the familial vibe the entire place permeated that made Mana stay. The couple, Anenokoji Asahi and Anenokoji Kotone nee Akatsuki, were very hospitable.

Although they weren't what you would call 'close'- since Kotone was busy with business and Asahi was almost always on other countries expanding his empire- they made Mana feel a sense of belonging.

"Those sunflowers look very beautiful, miss," the gardener, Riko said with his trademark straw hat and big grin. "They would be perfect presents."

"I plan to gift Kotone-san and Asahi-san these," Mana says, reminded of her aunt's love for just about anything yellow. "I hope they like it."

"The mistress and master will love it, miss!" Riko chimes. "The master just about accepts anything from the heart and mistress Kotone absolutely adores sunflowers. They say she reminds her of her childhood."

Mana nods. "Her brother, my Papa loves sunflowers. He'd give us bouquets so we could feel better," she says. "Papa always said that he gifted flowers to his little sister to make her feel better. It's no surprise that Kotone-san loves them."

"I see," Riko says, nodding to himself. "Then she will really love them."

"Do you know any store which sells materials that I can use for a bouquet, Riko?" Mana asks, picking up the watering can to water the hollyhocks. "Someplace to buy paper and art materials?"

"I know quite a few, Mana-sama, but I'm sure the mistress would love it even more if you use vases," Riko informs as Mana continues watering the carnation pink flowers. "She has always liked porcelain."

"Business partners from China adore sending the mistress porcelain vases," Riko informs her, his posture similar to that of an intellectual giving a lesson. "Sadly, the mistress gives those vases away to each of us workers every week since she has no room left for them in their room and she's afraid that those will break if she puts them on the hallways because the children are so rowdy."

"I see..." Mana says.

Riko smiles at her. "Don't fret. Maybe you can ask Sayo, the head maid, to give you one?"

"I hope she does," Mana says and it's almost hard to believe that after weeks, a genuine smile from her isn't difficult to come by. Moving on is a strange process.