It was a fairly warm autumn day, but cloudy enough to give a bit of a chill to the air. The trip to the Fukuoka Zoo and Botanical Garden didn't take long and after meeting Ryushi and Kana at the entrance and getting their tickets, Hanako and Keigo joined their friends as they began to make their way through the grounds- going from exhibit to exhibit.

Keigo and Ryushi found they were often left behind as Kana dragged Hanako just ahead a bit to the next thing, but it did give them time to talk a bit and catch up. Among their conversation, Ryushi's notes on Keigo's relationship with Hanako did not go unnoticed and Keigo found that he wasn't entirely sure that he wanted to confide in his old friend- more so perhaps because it would mean admitting that he had feelings for Hanako and that would make the reality of it all that much clearer.

After an hour and a break for lunch, Ryushi and Kana went off to explore the zoo on their own while Hanako and Keigo started making their way towards the botanical garden. As they walked, Hanako noticed they were near the aviary and Keigo couldn't refuse her when she asked so excitedly and adorably if they could stop there for a bit.

Keigo followed her into the aviary, unsurprised by the fact that the birds seemed to flock to him. But what did surprise him is how many flocked to Hanako as she took some birdseed from the aviary attendee and began to feed the birds. He watched as the small birds clustered around her- some in her hand as they gobbled up the birdseed, some on her shoulders and the arm that was outstretched, and one even landed on her other hand and nuzzled her cheek when she brought her hand closer to say hello to the little creature.

Hanako had never really interacted with birds like this before, not even with Akira and Satsuki at home. She was thrilled and when she saw Keigo's soft smile and a twinkle in his eyes as he watched her, she couldn't stop the blushing as it spread over her cheeks and ears- nor did she want to.

When they had finished at the aviary, Keigo led the way to the botanical garden and watched Hanako's eyes light up at the sight of the flora still blooming even in the chilly autumn air. His smile grew more and more as they walked through rows of hagi, obana, kuzu, nadeshiko, ominaeshi, fujibakama and asagao flowers, among the other plants that also called the garden home. He watched as each flower and plant that she touched with such loving care and gentleness bloomed and grew that much more, just as Uwabami's flower had at the charity dinner party.

As they walked through the rest of the garden, Keigo noticed just how at home Hanako was and how much he found it endearing to see her like that. He was surprised too when Hanako looped her arm through his and stepped closer to him as they walked, offering him a sheepish and unsure smile as though she was silently asking him if it was alright. He didn't mind in the least and just smiled, his heart melting as her uncertainty was replaced with delight.

Before long, they came to a bridge that passed over a creek and under rows of ginkgo and Japanese maple trees colored in brilliant reds and yellows.

"Looks like this goes towards Minami Park," Hanako said, noticing the signs.

"We should start heading back and see if we can find Ryushi and Kana," Keigo added. "Too bad, I'm rather enjoying the time alone with you."

Hanako blushed. "I guess it did sort of turn out to be a date after all, didn't it?" She joked, but what came next caught her off guard.

"You're right, it is like a date."

Hanako looked up at Keigo when he made that comment, but before either of them could say anything more, Keigo's phone rang.

"Hello?"

Hanako tried to process what he said, to figure out if he was just teasing again or if he was serious, and got so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Keigo when he returned his attention to her.

"Hanako?"

Hanako didn't pull away from her thoughts until Keigo lifted up her chin and leaned in really closely. "W-What are you doing?"

"That got your attention," Keigo chuckled. "You spaced out on me for a moment there, you alright?"

Hanako nodded, convinced that he would be able to hear how much her heart was pounding in her chest. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Wanting desperately to change the subject, she pushed back from him a bit, lowering his hand as she cleared her throat. "Is everything OK?"

"What, the phone call? It's fine, Ryushi just called to let me know that Kana had a family emergency come up so he's taking her home." Keigo reached up to pluck a leaf from her hair that had fallen from above them. "Looks like it's just the two of us."

"I guess so," Hanako felt incredibly nervous for some reason.

"What do you feel like doing with the rest of the day?"

"Well, we've seen all of the zoo so there isn't really much left to do here unless you want to see the rest of the gardens," Hanako said, thinking aloud. "There's a museum not far from here, near the Fukuoka Castle Ruins. We could check that out, if you'd like?" She glanced up at him and her blush deepened anew. "Or if there's something you'd rather do we could go with that instead. I-I don't mind either way."

"Museum sounds fun."

Hanako looked down at her phone as she checked the routes. "Well, it's a half hour walk or bus ride, and it's less than ten minutes if we took a cab."

"Or we could just fly there," Keigo said casually.

"What?" Hanako looked back up at him as she tucked her phone back into her purse, but then she squealed as he scooped her up in his arms before taking to the skies. "Keigo!" Hanako threw her arms around his neck and clung to him as he flew them across town to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins, landing in front of the Korokan Ruins Museum.

Keigo chuckled and looked down at her. "You alright?"

Hanako nodded, but she nuzzled closer to him. "J-Just give me a moment."

Keigo kept his hold on her, but he set her legs down and steadied her until she was ready. When she stepped back, he reached up and lifted her chin. "Better?"

Hanako blushed and nodded. "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting that."

"I'm sorry, I should have given you a better heads up or even asked you first," He tucked her hair behind her ear. "Hope I didn't scare you."

Hanako leaned into his hand, offering him a smile. "Just surprised me is all. Maybe next time, with better warning, I'll be able to enjoy the view instead of burying my face in your neck."

"I didn't mind," Keigo chuckled. "I thought it was pretty cute." As Hanako's blush deepened and she tried to hide it, he offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

Hanako nodded, slipping her arm through his. "Let's."