Tanpopo Yamazaki stared glumly at the bulletin board in front of her, oblivious of the rushing crowd surging chaotically behind her. She was too lost in her own thoughts to notice much of anything. I guess it was too much to expect a planting club here… or even flower arranging… or… or anything! TAnpopo remembered that eventful year in Tokyo where she had begun the planting club at Meio High. She smiled, laughing silently at the adventures they had had, and wishing all the more for those days lost to time to return. She shook her head free of memory. Hefting her heavy backpack, Tanpopo stifled a sigh and began the long walk across campus to her next class. And I can't even, she thought rebelliously, have just one class with Koki! They had gotten into the same university, but could only meet on weekends. Tanpopo fingered her shirt sleeve sourly and continued sullenly on her path. If only…
"HEY TANPOPO!" Tanpopo jumped about three feet in the air and was a bout to spin around when she was seized by the shoulders and was twirled to face her friend Meira, who was smiling gaily at her, her dark eyes flashing happily at being able to surprise her. Her sharp eyes took in Tanpopo's expression. "What's got you down? I never see you like this! But you know," Meira continued in mock thoughtfulness, "I better tell Kugyo to dump you and go for a more cheerful girlfriend-" Tanpopo pushed her playfully.
"Some friend you are!"
"Better than you, weed!" Meira retorted, her laughing eyes sparkling. Tanpopo rolled her eyes. She really shouldn't have told Meira about that nickname. Yes, that was definetly a mistake. She was too much of a clown to take anything seriously, not even being teased.
"But seriously," Meira said, "What's up? Where's my usual ray of sunshine?" Tanpopo couldn't help but laugh.
"The problem is that this ray of light has no plant to grow! I just can't believe that they don't have any kind of club to do with plants!" It was an old complaint, but Tanpopo couldn't help it. Meira sighed and closed her eyes in mock dismay.
"Plants this, flowers that and gardens everything! You know, I'm surprised you're not majoring in agriculture. But I am not," she continued, her eyes twinkling devilishly, "surprised that you aren't a Japanese major. What does the word 'horticulture' mean to you?"
"Huh?" Meira snorted.
"Exactly my point. If your head wasn't so full of dirt than maybe you could pick up a thing or two. As it is…" Tanpopo felt a tug of irritation and broke.
"All right, you win. What's horticulture?"
"You want to know?" Meira asked sweetly. Tanpopo nodded determinedly. "Maybe I'll tell you after your detention."
"What detention?" Tanpopo blinked. The usual ferocious grin took its place on Meira's face.
"Why, the one you're going to get for being late to class, silly!" Tanpopo stared at her, aghast, and suddenly took off running.
"You did that on purpose you evil fiend!" she yelled furiously over her shoulder. That's the third time she's done this to me! Tanpopo thought angrily. Next time…
As Tanpopo disappeared into her building Meira smiled and murmured, "Yes, evil friend that I am, I did do that on purpose." And, with a toss of her glistening black hair, Meira walked lazily to the gardens.