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Chapter 27: Growing Flowers Together

I yawn as I sit at my desk during homeroom, finding it hard to resist closing my eyes, I give up and put my head down on the desk.

I feel someone tapping on my shoulder and look to my side, blinking in the light.  As my vision focuses, I see Mishima beside me. Using all the energy I can muster, I lift myself back up.

"Kamina-kun, is something wrong?" she says worriedly.

"I stayed up late last night catching up on reading for classes.  I spend a lot of the time I should be studying reading books on things that interest me."

"Really?  What are you reading right now?"

"You know how my dad and your uncle are collecting artifacts about the civilization they call the Mu?"

"Yep."

"Well, they named the civilization after one written about by an author named Churchward.  I was interested, so I'm reading his work about the Mu now."

"I see.  I knew you like to read.  I remember how surprised I was by all the books you have in your room."

"Yeah, I guess I do," I say as a smile.

"Who knows, since you like to read and learn, maybe you'll become a professor someday, Kamina-kun!"

I laugh and say, "Maybe, Mishima.  I guess we'll have to wait and see."

"Yep! Oh, I just remembered!"

I watch as she takes a piece of paper out of her briefcase.

She hands it to me and says, "Take a look at this, Kamina-kun."

I read it, 'The Garden Club is seeking additional members during this season to help before school.  Please consider contributing!'

"I was thinking we could join, remember what a nice time we had in the flower garden last year?"

I smile and nod my head yes as I remember that afternoon.

"Sure, Mishima, I'd be glad to do this with you, I think it would be fun."

"Really, Kamina-kun, that's great!  We'll go tomorrow then."

"Ok, Mishima."

She starts to move back to her seat, but suddenly stops, surprising me.

"I knew there was something I was forgetting!"

I'm about to say something when I see her reach into her briefcase again.  She gets something out, and turns around again to face me.

"Kamina-kun, I wanted to return your handkerchief, thanks for letting me use it last Saturday."

I take it from her and say, "No problem, Mishima, I'm glad that it came in handy."

"Well, class is going to start soon, so I'm going to sit back down."

"Ok, Mishima."

Mishima then goes back to her seat, and, after I put the extra handkerchief in my briefcase, I return to my struggle to stay awake during the boredom of classes.

The next morning, after my alarm goes off, I look at the time.  Confused, I pick up the clock and look closer, yes, it's definitely earlier than I usually wake up.  Then I remember, Mishima and I have joined the Garden Club.  I smile as I set the clock back down, and then get ready for my day.

I eat breakfast alone since my parents are still getting ready.  Before I leave, I write a note and put it on the kitchen table.  As I'm about to head out the door, I see my mother coming down the stairs.

"Ayato?"

"Oh, hi, Mom, I'm on my way out.  Have a good day."

"Wait, Ayato, where are you going so early?"

"I joined another club that meets in the morning."

"But why, aren't you already in a club?"

"Yes, but that meets in the afternoon. I've really got to get going or I'll be late.  I left a note about it on the table.  Bye!"

I run out the door, leaving my mother standing in the doorway.  I look back slightly and notice that she looks angry, but I dismiss it in my hurry.

The train arrives at Mishima's stop, and I smile as she enters.

"Good morning, Mishima."

"Good morning, Kamina-kun!  Are you ready?"

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."

After we arrive, we head to the Garden Club's room and see some people standing around.  After a few minutes, an upperclassman goes to the front of the room.

"Thank you for coming everyone, I'm the president, Kanzaki Ayumu."

He then points to a pile of papers. "Please take a copy of this.  It is a map of the layout for the garden.  The maps have certain areas highlighted, look at your map to determine which section for which you will be responsible.  The necessary tools are available outside, and regular members will be there to help you. Thank you again."

I notice people going over to the pile, so I proceed to go myself.  After I get one, I walk back to Mishima and show her.

"Ooo, we're doing the daffodil and tulip section, wow!" Mishima says.

I smile as I hold out my hand and say, "Shall we go, Mishima?"

She clasps my hand and says, "Let's go!"

We walk out into the sunlight, Mishima humming Katun no Sadame as we go. I look at the map and lead Mishima to our section.

"Here we are, Mishima."

"Great! How exciting!  What shall we do first?"

Hmm, I don't have much experience with plants, well, I do know they need water and that you're supposed to get rid of weeds.

"Well, why don't I start pulling up the weeds and you can water."

I pick up the watering can that is near me and say, "Here's a watering can, Mishima."

"Ok, Kamina-kun!" She takes it from me and walks off to fill it. I decide to wait for her to come back before I start.

She returns soon afterwards and says, "Let's start, Kamina-kun!"

"Sure, Mishima."

I proceed to remove weeds, using a hand shovel and my hands while Mishima starts to water.  Things go well initially, but then, Mishima gets especially enthusiastic and spreads the water over a large arc, which includes over me.  I decide not to look up so I don't worry her, but I hear her gasp.

She puts down the can, croutches down next to me, and says, "Kamina-kun, I'm so sorry!  I should have been paying better attention, but I was so excited to be doing this with you, I'm sorry!"

I look at her and smile, "Don't worry about it, Mishima, it wasn't very much, and I like your enthusiasm."

She smiles back, reassured, and then gets back to work.

A regular club member comes over soon afterwards, and gives us more tasks, which we do.

After we finish and clean up, we head back together.

"That was fun, wasn't it, Kamina-kun?"

"It definitely was."

After we go to our lockers, we meet up and go to the classroom.  When we enter, I see Mamoru and Asahina at their desks.  Noticing us, Mamoru gets up, walks over to us, and says, "Ayato, Mishima, you weren't on the usual train."

"Mishima and I joined the Garden Club to help before school."

Mamoru shakes his head yes, and is about to go back to his desk when he looks again at me with a perplexed look.

"Ayato, why is your uniform wet?"

I look at Mishima, who is blushing, and then look back at Mamoru.

"Well, that's a long story..."

Looking unconvinced, Mamoru says, "Hmm, okay…"

Mishima and I look at each other again, and break out laughing while Mamoru looks on confused.

Next Chapter

14th Birthday