A small idea that just happened to grow a little bit out of hand.
I'll try my best to update.
-Mitane
"Who are you?"
"My name's Hana."
"Your name means flower?"
"Indeed."
"That's weird."
"Well, what's your name?"
"Kaoru."
"That's a girl's name."
"Sh... Shut up! Why're you in this garden, anyways?"
"Because it's mine, of course."
"I thought it had belonged to a lady who had passed away a while ago."
"Do you remember her name?"
"Yeah. It was Atsui Nokukara. She's known for planting wonderful flowers. She had a daughter too, I think."
"Well, do you remember her daughter's name?"
"Um, it was Hana- W-Wait, what?! You're the famous gardener Atsui's daughter?!"
"Bingo. I inherited this garden from my mother. Why are you here?"
"I wanted to look at the flowers."
"Liar."
"Wh-What?"
"I can see it in your eyes. You're lying. Tell me the truth."
"Fine... I came here because my brother had to go with my mother somewhere and I couldn't come too, so I wanted a place to try and relax for a bit."
"I see. So you're really attached to your brother, then?"
"I never said that."
"You did, indirectly. You had wanted to go with them but you couldn't, so it shows that you wanted to be with your brother. That, and you want a place to relax. Maybe because you're missing them already? Or is it some seperation thing?"
"...You're smart."
"I know. Anyways, if you'd like a place to relax, I suppose you came to the right place. Come inside and have some juice, why don't you?"
"I thought people usually offer others tea?"
"Not a big fan of it. I prefer juice. Do you want tea? My mother loved it, and I still have some tea packets left by her if you want some."
"No thank you. Juice is fine."
"Alright."
"By the way, what's that key thing around your neck?"
"Oh, this? It's a key to my heart."
"A key to your heart...?"
"Indeed."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That's for me to know and for you to find out. Now hurry up and get inside, I think it might rain soon."
"Alright, alright..."
Kaoru Hitachiin could remember that day perfectly. The day when he had met such a mysterious, friendly girl who could practically read anyone like an open book.
She possessed a rather calm aura, almost melancholic. Her short chestnut colored hair had been just a bit messy, and her eyes were something that seemed to stay fresh in his memory. They were a bright, green-ish yellow color that seemed to draw him in like a moth to a light.
Three years had passed since then; after Kaoru had met her, his intent the next day was to visit her once more, but this time bringing Hikaru with him to meet her.
When the pair arrived to where Kaoru remembered the garden was, he was shocked as to seeing the small house near the garden boarded up, and the garden itself now just patches of fertile soil. After approaching the house, he noticed something shiny left on the doorknob.
Around it was her key; Hana's key. Her 'key to her heart,' as she had said. And with it was a note that read, "The pathway to learning another's secrets held deep inside their hearts is difficult. Even more so when you are faced with a door that needs a key to be unlocked. May you find the key, and hope that it is not the wrong one."
He had snatched up the key and note, slipping it into his pocket without Hikaru noticing. What an interesting experience it had been.
As Kaoru's mind slipped away from his reminiscing, he let out a sigh.
'Hana Nokukara, you are indeed a puzzle just waiting to be solved.'
