Ooh, I see you guys ask questions about what really happened in the past few chapters. Well, unfortunately, I can't answer them now. Can't spoil you now, can I? Let's just go slow and let it develop, like a plant should. (Kinda Reina-sounding, huh?)

Anyway. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 6

Since that day, Reina would receive at least one kind of gift from Phillip a day. Usually, she would get chamomile, but occasionally, she would have some wildflowers and bamboo shoots. "You could use it for your research if you want to," he had once said. She did, but she saved some herbs for drying. One rainy night, she tried to use them to make herb tea from scratch.

He doesn't have to shower me with gifts, she thought as she waited for the water to boil. What is he doing, wooing me? One peace offering was enough.

They did keep the other part of the arrangement: getting to know each other, albeit slowly and awkwardly. On Reina's mountain visit days, Phillip made them to be his foraging days as well just to take time with her. They mostly discussed about plants, exchanging discoveries on their specific fields.

But that was it, she concluded, watching her cup getting full as she poured the tea. That was what he wanted, and I gave it to him. Nothing more.

She gingerly drank her own concoction, then frowned in disgust. I believe it's best to just stick to canned tea.

Reina smiled as she looked out from her window the next morning. The rain stopped, covering the whole scenery outside in dew and sunshine. A lovely day to be taking a morning walk. She got dressed and asked permission from Mako who was applying fertilizer to his trees.

It was still early, but everybody was bustling awake to tend to their chores. Reina decided not to say anything in greeting as to not disturb them. I respect focus on work, after all.

Still wanting to see more of the early morning view, she climbed to the mountain path. It didn't disappoint her: it was more beautiful than the scenery in town, with the flowers opening wide to the misty air and slowly-rising sun. This is one of the reasons why I want to be a botanist. Aside from the fascinating qualities of plants, they show beauty even people cannot exceed.

She proceeded to climb higher when she saw somebody with bushy chestnut-brown hair sitting by the river edge.

Phillip. Who else has bushy brown hair? She noticed him place a large notebook beside him then stand up to stretch.

She suddenly got curious. Hmm, I didn't know he is researching, too.

Phillip did a turn-around stretch, then met Reina's eyes. "Oh, good morning!" he called, waving at her.

She nodded in reply, staying in her spot as she watched him pick up the notebook and run towards her.

"What are you up to?" he asked.

"I'm off to see the view up high."

He turned to the sky. "A pretty morning, right? I would love to see it from there, too." He smiled at her. "May I come with you?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"I woke up early this morning, so I'm all done. So, may I?"

Remember what he said last time, she reminded herself. It would be fair for both of us. She shrugged her shoulders, giving him a silent permission to follow her.

"Wow!" Phillip exclaimed. "The view's nice way up here! It's different compared to when we will have the Cooking Festival."

"Pfft," Reina stifled a snicker. "No one can appreciate when everybody is on the mood to compete."

He chuckled. "My point exactly." He took his notebook and rummaged through his pockets. "Where is it?" he muttered. He finally found what he was looking for: a black mechanical pencil, with the eraser already shrunk due to frequent use.

"What are you doing?"

He flipped through the pages quick, but Reina was able to see their contents. Drawings? "Can you sketch?" she asked.

He scratched his head in modesty. "Oh, uh, yeah. I'm not that good, though."

She snatched his notebook and opened the cover. "Let me be the judge of that."

Most pages were filled with rough sketches of some plants, but there were some that were painstakingly drawn: nestlings on a low branch, a raccoon somehow dashing through the flowered path, or a sleeping bear under a large log.

She travelled her fingers onto the latest sketch, which was fish darting on clear water. "You should've taken Fine Arts instead of Botany."

"That was an option, but I consider drawing as a hobby instead of profession. And…" He scratched his head again. "I don't usually show this to people. Actually, you're the first to see them."

That's…not typical of him. "Why?"

He looked towards the view overhead. "Well…back at where I lived, my parents have always been practical. They always tell me to pursue a degree that would earn me enough to live. I mean, they respect my choices, but they don't see my talent as…profitable."

Reina thought of her own career choice. "But, isn't Botany all researching?"

He turned to her. "Not unless you work on a farm. I always find the idea of living in a farm nice, and I want to fulfill that by being a botanist. Now, I'm just happy to work here in Konohana."

A dream follower, I see. And I believe he did accomplish it. "Now I know one more thing you can do well aside from trying to converse with me."

Phillip frowned. "I'm not sure if that was a compliment I just heard."

For the first time since they met, she let out a light laugh. "Yes, it is. Simply said, you make great drawings, Phillip."

Reina then noticed the familiar twinkle in Phillip's eyes returning. "You said my name," he commented. "That's a first."

Oh, is it the first, too? "Of course I can say your name."

"You didn't say it before."

"Well, I'm saying it now." She cocked her head high. "Phillip, Phillip, Phillip. There, happy?"

He just grinned, the twinkle still there. "May I have my notebook back?"

She returned it to him and watched him use a new page. As she observed him start some light curves and lines, she pondered on what she thought back at the mountain path—the one that stated plants show beauty humans couldn't exceed.

I believe I could make an exception today.

I dedicate this chapter to the shy artists over there. Go ahead and show your masterpieces to the public! Who cares if they won't be appreciated by everybody? You never learn to improve if those works just sit by your shelves and not see the light of day. Who knows—there are people out there who are constructive critics, and maybe some who prefer your style! Art, after all, is everything perceptive.

Actually, there are more in the world of ToTT aside from Phillip who has bushy brown hair. Can you guess who?

Next chapter's soon! Rate and review, please! :D