Phase 3: The Gardens
A very subdued Hashimoto-kun led Megumi by the hand out of the packed aquarium to his next destination - the beautiful Lavender Gardens which was just a stone's throw away. His mind was hazy, swirling with various thoughts alternating between self-hatred and despair for making his girlfriend cry. Megumi, on the other hand, had quickly resumed her high spirits and was busy demolishing an ice cream cone Hashimoto had bought at the kiosk centred at the entrance of the Gardens.
"Here, Hashimoto-kun, have some!" She thrust the icecream to his face and giggled as he tentatively took a lick, some of the icecream getting smudged on his nose and lips. She swiped the stains off his nose and popped her finger into her mouth, savoring the taste. Watching her, Hashimoto felt his fears dissipate. So what if phase 1 had not gone well? There were still plenty of other opportunities to come. There were many great seating areas scattered around the Gardens, and he swiftly chose the perfect loveseat - a bench under a large overhanging tree in full bloom, overlooking a large field of lavender flowers which gave the Garden its name. Megumi had thrown the icecream wrapper away and plopped herself on the bench, gesturing to Hashimoto to join her.
He sauntered over and sat next to her - not close enough to touch, but just enough for her to feel the warmth radiating off his skin. Close enough for her to lean over, clasp her hand in his, and lean her head against his shoulder. Hashimoto greatly appreciated this display of physical affection - until he quickly realised their position was not optimal if he was trying to angle in for a kiss. While Megumi began lightly chatting about their mutual friends, Hashimoto was inwardly sweating, working out complex trigonometry and calculus in his head in a desperate attempt to figure out how to gently nudge Megumi towards a kiss without pushing her head away. Finally, Megumi popped her head up as she animatedly reenacted a particularly funny argument between two of her classmates. Still talking, she reached out and gently combed through the hair next to Hashimoto's right ear, catching him off guard. This was his moment, wasn't it? Hashimoto leaned in closer, closer, fluttering his eyes shut and hoping he would reach his target.
Hashimoto had not noticed the dark overclouds that had swiftly gathered while he was fretting over his precarious situation of maneuvering Megumi towards a kiss. A drop of rain hit him smack on the cheek and he opened his eyes. Then he closed them again, praying to kami and every other god in the world to hold the weather.
The heavens opened, and it began to pour, raindrops pelting down on the couple relentlessly.