CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BOTANICAL DATE
Reve looks Moriko over - despite the fact that Moriko never fully cares about her appearance, going for comfort and functional over vanity, she looks more carefully thought out as if she wants to make a good impression. The long-sleeved green shirt she wears highlights the green color of her eyes while carefully covering her markings and lacks any stains or tears - it's new. Her shirt tucks into floral print jeans and if Reve isn't mistaken, there's just a hint of lipstick on her lips. Even her hair is less tangled and braided delicately against her back.
"Let me get this straight," Reve can feel her headache building, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You and Haruhi are going on a date?"
Moriko looks at Reve with an innocent expression, her cheeks flushed as she avoids making eye contact with the girl. Kato grumbles from her place on the couch, only half awake and in her large cat form. Her two new companions sleep peacefully on top of her fur, the smallest one curling on the top of her large feline head. The white cat stands out among the fluff of black while the other one is barely noticeable on Kato's back, blending in effortlessly.
Moriko supposes that Kato's drowsy state combined with the fact that she would never move her new babies, is the only reason that Kato isn't screeching at her at the mention of a date.
"Yes?" Moriko's voice is hesitant and careful, "At least, I think it's a date. Haruhi is always so nonchalant that I'm really not sure if it is or not. But she invited me to the botanical gardens."
If a murder ever wanted to get you, all they have to do is say if you get in the van, they'll take you to the gardens, Kato mocks her lightly over the mental link, but her voice lacks the venom that she expected. Honestly sister, are you really going to open your legs for someone because they took you to the gardens?
Moriko's face warms, the tips of her ears and her chest turning a vivid shade of pink. Kato lazily opens her eyes to watch her, looking at her carefully.
"Not everything is about sex," she sputters over her words before continuing softly, "I - I like Haruhi. I think she likes me. I think that's enough."
Not everything is about sex, Kato muses, before seeming to accept it with a hum. Back home having kits is all that mattered. Didn't matter what gender you were as long as you had kids. Saving the species and all that shit.
"You didn't want to," Reve turns to her curiously and Kato's large feline shoulders mimic a shrug.
I love my species, but I never understood the hype - it - it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if she goes on a date with Haruhi, even if she is human. I mean - if they really do like each -
Kato mumbles incoherently before hiding her face with her paws. Her large form is technically too big for the couch - which at this point has become an overpriced cat bed - with her tail swinging over one edge and her front legs dangling over the other. Her ears flatten against her head as her chest rumbles at the looks she receives.
"Really," Moriko presses, hope gleaming in her eyes at the idea of her sister accepting the potential, "You would be okay with me dating a human?"
Reve's eyes watch the exchange with suspicion - with uncertainty. Something builds up in her chest as she wonders about the change in opinion and Kato's reluctance to explain further.
I said it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if you like each other, Kato corrects, her words mumbled and blurred together. If she tries something, I'll kill her.
Ah there's my sister, Moriko realizes as she swallows thickly. "Well I'm glad that we're all in agreement -"
"-Who said we were all in agreement," Reve speaks up, her arms crossed tightly against her chest, "You're going a date with a human - I knew you had a crush on her, but I cannot believe that you are going to be so careless and put us all at risk."
"I don't think -"
"No, you're not thinking," Reve snaps. Her powers swirl around her as her body distorts, a shade of pink and purple overcoming the room. "Did you forget why we agreed to the host club in the first place? Why are we here in Japan in the first place? Did you forget about the facility?"
Reve's eyes glow wildly as her powers flare, her control slipping as they all flinch at the mention of the facility. Kato's shackles raise, causing the large black cat on her back to jump down with disgruntled mewls, the small white one following soon after as Kato shifts with growls. Moriko's eyes gain a sunny gleam to them as she clenches her fists tightly.
"How could I?! How could any of us? They hurt us all Reve, but I am not going to let them win by refusing to move on and at least try to be happy. They took everything from me. You and Kato are all I have left, please just let me have this!"
At a standoff, the two of them stare intensely at each other, neither of them refusing to stand down. Kato paces back and forth, before she stands behind Moriko with flat ears and low, thundering grumbles of agreement. Reve glaces at her, swallowing thickly as she reigns herself in as Kato chooses Moriko's side.
"Fine. I know when I'm outvoted, but when this goes south, just remember that I was the one trying to protect us."
Despite the bad note it starts on, Moriko tries her best to swallow it down and move on. She refuses to let it ruin her time with Haruhi, with her longing to have fun being too strong to ruin. When she arrives at the entrance of the garden, it makes it all worth it.
Haruhi is already waiting for her. They opted for a sundress that circles around them when they turn to greet Moriko, their smile bright and large. Moriko feels the arrow go right through her heart as she matches the smile as her cheeks flush.
"I hope that this is okay," Haruhi's voice is soft with a thoughtful expression on their face as they lightly tap their chin, "I've never really been one for dates, but I thought you'd like it here since you really enjoy flowers. Plus, I haven't been here since I was a kid so I thought it would be a cool place to come see again."
The casual confirmation that this is a date sends Moriko reeling, her heart beating against her chest rapidly as the smile on her face becomes more sincere and shy. Haruhi notices the lack of response from Moriko and grins sheepishly, scratching at the back of their neck.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to ramble."
"No - It's - It's okay," Moriko reassures, "I like hearing you talk and I think you did a great job choosing a location. Hey, maybe after this, I'll cover lunch for us, okay?"
Haruhi looks stunned for a moment, a light blush on their cheeks with a breathless oh at the compliment. They don't get much time to spend on it as Moriko starts to guide them both through the entrance to the gardens.
Haruhi watches the gleam of joy in Moriko's eyes, the way that her entire face lights up as they enter, her focus on all the flora around her. A warmth spreads through her chest and hesitantly, she grabs Moriko's hands and entwines their fingers. Moriko pauses at the touch before she looks at Haruhi from over her shoulder, beaming, and returns the gesture, squeezing her hand tightly.
Their walk through the gardens is casual, slow with no rush as they take the time to enjoy each flower that they come across. Haruhi stays patient and always finds something to admire when Moriko spends more time focused on one particular plant. Every time Moriko reaches to touch something, a reprimand is on Haruhi's tongue, always used to correcting the hosts' brash and impulsive behavior. Yet they swallow it down when they notice the gentle, slow way that Moriko's fingertips brush against a stem.
Everything Moriko does is like that. Slow. Precise. Quiet. Never too loud or brash unless the situation calls for it and it's justified. Never impulsive like everyone Haruhi met at Ouran. She's not even like either of her sisters - not silently cold like Reve nor as hot-tempered as Kato. She's perfectly balanced like a flower that is perfectly cared for.
Haruhi's eyes are soft as they watch Moriko whisper encouragement to any flower that is starting to wilt, praising each one that is bloomed, and discretely water any that look dry with cupped hands full of fountain water. Thoughtful - that was the word to describe Moriko. Thoughtful. Always caring for others, always thinking about the way that they feel.
"If you had to pick a favorite," Haruhi asks, watching Moriko preen one of the flowers, "Which one would it be?"
"Flower?" Moriko guesses and at Haruhi's nod, she pauses before continuing, "I don't think I can pick a favorite. I love all the flowers and plants. I think everyone deserves a chance, even the most thorny rose or prickly cactus and I think there's always the perfect flower for everyone. What about you, Haru-chan?"
They almost feel a little silly answering after Moriko's heartfelt explanation, but Haruhi softly gives her answer.
"Lilies," Haruhi's voice is soft and tender, "It was my mom's favorite too."
Moriko nods in understanding with a soft smile as she stands up, whispering goodbyes to the flowers. One hand behind her back, she faces her palm toward the sun and focuses her energy. It takes a moment, with the forming of the stem sprouting from the center of her palm before it blossoms. She barely feels it when she picks it from her hand, stem and all, careful of the petals.
"Well, I guess this was the right decision then."
Haruhi watches her curiously as Moriko reveals her hand. A lily flower delicately laying on her palm. Haruhi takes it, gently and carefully, looking it over with wonder. The lily is perfect, for the lack of words. Delicate. Beautiful. With no marks of being eaten away by the bugs in the garden, no stains. The petals are so soft and with an unfamiliarly bright shade of white.
How did she -?
"Moriko-chan," Haruhi lightly scolds despite the smile that is threatening to break, "You shouldn't go picking the flowers."
Moriko's eyes twinkle.
"I didn't pick them. Promise."
