•Clovers•

Three leaves

I was sitting against a tree, feeling the cool air rush past me as I read a gamer guide Chiaki had given me.
It was a perfect day.
The sun was out, shining a mild temperature onto the land. The grass flowed satisfyingly with the breeze, which was warm yet cold, a nice mixture.
This was a part of the island I had found when exploring beyond trees. There were no surveillance cameras, so there's no way Monokuma could follow me. Clearly, this part was off limits, but that made it the perfect place to read or do whatever in peace.
As I was reading, I started to hear footsteps.
Huh? Who could've possibly found this place?
Looking up, I saw a cotton candy haired boy with a green and red jacket walking slowly through the field around the tree, seeming to carefully watch the ground.
Nagito? Why would he come in a place like this?
I put the book down and stood up, took a step forward, then hesitated.
Is it really safe to approach him?
Part of me wanted to keep reading. Nagito clearly didn't know I was here. But curiosity won over and I hesitantly continued forward.
"Hey," I called.

Nagito turned and looked at me.
"Hey, Hajime! How did you get here?"

"I was here the whole time, you just didn't see me. Anyways, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, am I bothering you by being here?" He looked down and sighed. "I'm sorry. I truly do hope my presence isn't bringing despair upon you."

I rolled my eyes. This again. "No, it's nothing like that. Just... tell me what you're doing here."

"Oh!" Nagito looked back up at me. "Do you happen to know if there are any clovers?"

"Clovers?" Why would he need clovers?

"Yes, Yes! I heard they're really rare, so I've been exploring every corner of this island in search to see if there is one."

I didn't know what to say for a moment. Clovers.... being rare?
"Clovers are one of the most common plants to find. How have you not found one yet?"

"Oh, well.. they have four leaves, don't they?" He recalled.

I just stared back at him.

"A-am I wrong?"

"Well, sometimes, they do, but-"

"No! All clovers have four leaves, didn't you know?"

"Some have three." I reminded him.

"No, they can only have four! That's what I've known, anyways.." a flicker of doubt sprouted in his gray-green eyes. "But I'm sure I'm not wrong on this! I mean, wouldn't someone have pointed it out before if I was wrong! Right?"

Oh... he's just mistaken.
"So that's why you can't find any... that makes sense. Well..." I bent down and plucked a clover out, then stood back up and presented it to him.
"Isn't this a clover?"

"Huh-?" Nagito took a small step back as he gazed at the clover in my hand, as if the sight shocked him that much. "3 leaves...? How?"

"See? What did I say?" I smiled. "Some have 3!"

"I... What...." he kept staring, astounded. Has he really never seen one like this?
"Can I.. can I have it?" He suddenly asked, breaking his gaze after what felt like a minute.

"Huh?"

"Please? Unless you want it, of course, heh.."

His pleading confused me. It's just a clover...
"Eh, well, yea. I have nothing to gain from having it anyway."

I gave the fluffy clover to Nagito, and he stepped forward, excitement shining in his eyes and glowing in his expression in general.

"Thank you!" He let out once it started to calm down a little.

"You're welcome..?" I still didn't understand the enthusiasm, but I went with it. "Hey, there's a patch of those somewhere among the land behind the tree I was sitting by if you want any more, though I don't know why you would-"

I didn't even finish my sentence when he darted away.

What have I done... well, why should I care? I can go back to reading now so I can finally try to be closer to the same level of gaming as Chiaki.
I trotted back to the tree and sat down, picked up the gamer guide, and continued where I left off.