Once every hundred dozen years or so
When the sun doth shine
And the moon doth glow
And the grass began to grow...

Chapter One
So it begins.

One red rose to flirt with.
Two red roses for passion.
Three red roses for love.

"Ken, are you listening to me?"

One white lily for purity.
Two white lilies for eternity.
Three white lilies for death.

"Ken, I need you to tell me what you're thinking."

One...
One sakura blossom...
What...what was sakura again?

"Ken, please talk to me!"
"W-what?"
Oh, Akari-san. You startled me.
"What's on your mind, Ken? You can tell me, you know."
You say it like it's something easy. Perhaps it is for people like you, with your white cardigan and gold rimmed glasses. You shouldn't have dyed your hair red, Akari-san. It clashes with your eyes. You look tired. You should get some sleep. Have a mug of steaming tea one night, draped on the sofa with your dressing gown on, in front of the fire. It's very relaxing, you know.
"I was thinking about flowers."
There's no use in lying, I suppose. That's right, scribble it down in your little notebook. It's the one with the sheep on, isn't it? Yes, I thought so.
"What kind of flowers, Ken?"
"The ones at weddings...funerals...places like that."
"Are you thinking about Osamu's funeral?"
Ah, you see, now you've got that glint in your eyes, just like all the others. I don't like your tone of voice, Akari-san. You aren't on to something, as you like to make yourself believe. Oh dear me, it's time to leave. You can go back to your four star apartment, put on your fluffy pink slippers, chuck your notes on the glass table and pull up a good book. Forget about Ken, forget me, for am I just a figment of your pitiful imagination. Until next week. And I shall go back to my little house and curl up on the bed and think about committing suicide until Daisuke comes home, and he'll order tea and ask me about my day. Or something like that.
But there's still ten minutes to go. So you stare at me with your dull eyes, pen quivering in your hand, ready to capture a single word that might slip from my lips.
Well hah hah, I'm not as stupid as you may think. Mentally deranged, yes. Thick, no. Or have you forgotten I was once a world renowned genius, Akari-san? I still am, I think. I don't read the news. Or watch it. Whatever.
"Mm. Not really."
I almost feel sorry for you. You thought I was going to reveal something that would let you delve deeper into my sorry mind, didn't you? Maybe next time.
I want to go home now. It's time to go home now, Akari-san. Oh, I already said that, didn't I? Never mind. Except this time, it really is. I'm not even going to wait for you to tell me I can go. Respect your elders? You're only two years old than me.
Good bye Akari-san. Until next time. If there is one.

Oh, I remembered now.
One sakura blossom for peace.
Two sakura blossoms for dedication.
Three sakura blossoms makes you my god.

Be you angels?
Nay, we are but men.