For that unknown guest, thank you! And a high five to you for being a shipper, too! :D

On we go, now. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 4

"Don't you just love the cherry trees when they're in bloom, Reina?" Mako said as they exited their house. "However, it is a pity my flowering trees are not to be appreciated today."

Reina sighed. How typical of my uncle to be proud of his trees. "They will be if they were planted all over the village, Mako."

"Oh, well." He glanced at the bento packs they were holding. "There will be great food today, so it is forgivable. I am certain Yun has prepared a feast!"

She shrugged her shoulders. Today was Cherry Blossom Festival, a day to sit under the pink-tinged foliages and share food with the villagers. Both Reina and Mako weren't the type of people to socialize often, but they were considerate enough to join festivals—as they do require attendance.

"Nothing to fret, my dear niece," Mako said, noticing her usual indifference. "I'm sure they will love the food we've brought. Especially my fruit shiratama. The ingredients are fresh off the orchard!"

"Mako, you don't even eat dessert that much."

He looked away, rather flushed. "Who says these are only for me? The food is meant to be shared."

Reina stared at her own bento pack, with hash browns freshly fried inside. She just decided at the last minute what to contribute for the festival: that morning, she asked Nori for some potatoes and used their last stock of oil, flour and herb cheese. She figured since they both liked the appetizer, they are obliged to share some with the townspeople.

They trudged towards the Town Hall in silence. They were welcomed by Yun and Ina who were preparing low tables for their outdoor event and the village children Rahi and Ying who were chatting under the cherry tree.

"Hello, Mako and Reina," the mayor greeted. "You're a little early, but we could use some help."


It was almost noon. Ayame and Hiro arrived a few minutes after them and volunteered to arrange the table at the grove. Gombe and Nori appeared next; the young woman helped Yun with setting the food in while her grandfather played with the children. Kana came later, apologizing to everyone for being late because he tended to Hayate before leaving the barn.

Everybody was there except for one.

"Where's Phillip?" Reina heard Nori ask. "Did he know there's a festival today?"

She shrugged her shoulders. It's a shame if he will miss today, she thought. But the festival wouldn't be so bad without him—

"Ah, Reina," Ina called, interrupting her thoughts. "Why don't you try checking up on him? Being new in town, he may not know yet. He does know you already, after all."

"Really, Reina?" Nori looked at Reina in wonder. "How come?"

Everyone seemed to ask the same question. Great, now they find it out. Thanks, Phillip.

Somehow, she should go to avoid further query. "OK, Ina, I'll get—"

"Sorry I'm late!"

Phillip came rushing in, a covered bowl in hand. He bowed hastily at Ina. "I had things to attend to at the farm. Sorry, Miss Ina."

The mayor chuckled. "It's OK. You're just in time, Phillip." She clapped her hands to call the villagers' attention. "Now, shall we start picnicking?"


"The flowers are so pretty," Nori commented, gazing at the cherry tree atop them. "Right, Reina?"

Reina nodded as she munched on Nori's vegetable stir fry. She noticed that the young seamstress was looking at her eagerly. "Do you like it?"

She smiled slightly. "Delicious as always, Nori."

"Thank you. Fresh vegetables are always the best ingredients." Nori then turned to the other young folks sitting together with them—Kana in particular, who was devouring Ina's curry rice hastily. "Um, Kana…we're not in an eating contest…"

Kana swallowed, and then grinned. "So good!"

Hiro, who was checking on Phillip's head bandages, frowned. "Kana, slow down. It is never wise not to chew."

The young animal shopkeeper chuckled. "I'm alright, Hiro. Nothin' to worry."

While Hiro was bickering about Kana's eating manners, Nori turned to Phillip. "Can I ask you a question, Phillip?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Is it really true that you and Reina knew each other before coming here to Konohana?"

"He was just my colleague, back at the university," Reina answered before Phillip could say anything. "That's all."

"Yep," Phillip agreed. Reina noticed that the twinkle in his gray eyes she saw when Ina asked that question the other day dimmed. Odd. "We were classmates at the university."

"That would mean that you are a botanist, too, am I correct?" Hiro asked. Phillip nodded.

"Phillip, what's Reina like in class?" Nori queried. "Can you tell us?"

They all looked at Reina, then at Phillip. What? How come I'm the one on everyone's attention this time?

"Yeah," Kana urged. "Is she this silent ever since?"

Hiro frowned again. "Kana!"

Kana raised his hands defensibly. "What? Isn't she?"

"No, not exactly silent," Phillip answered. "Well, she is, but once she speaks, she speaks with dignity." He fiddled inside Reina's bento pack with his chopsticks before continuing. "I remember one time when we had a group activity on observing cherry seedlings. Her groupmates insisted on just watering the plant and let it grow on usual sunlight, but Reina stubbornly brought a lamp to school and expose it there."

She knew what happened next, and Phillip confirmed it by saying, "Their leaves were the thickest in class. However, there was a storm for days, and class was suspended, so we weren't able to take care of them. By the time we came back, only their seedling lived." He suddenly saw the confused look on their faces. "Uh, it—"

"It was because of its thick leaves," Reina explained. "Thicker leaves have high photosynthetic capacity, so even with no sunlight and less water for a few days, they will still survive."

The twinkle returned when Phillip stared at Reina. She couldn't help being disconcerted. "That was the exact thing she said to the class. Might as well she said 'I told you so'."

She finally displayed her confusion. "How…did you remember it so well?"

He picked one hash brown and smiled. With the unreadable expression on his eyes, he had suddenly looked…charming. "You are something I could never forget, Reina."

Reina almost choked on her vegetable stir fry.

He took a bite. "Oh, and sorry about your hash browns." He grinned sheepishly. "They're really tasty."

"Geez, Phillip!" she heard Kana exclaim. "You cleaned off the whole pack! You're just as gluttonous!"

What? I love hash browns, too! Or anything made from potatoes. XD

Read and review, please! It's always appreciated. Next chapter's soon. :D