26. Roots
"Chouji, you can't water the plant like that!" Shikamaru called from across the yard. He strode closer, snatching the hose out of his partner's hands.
Chouji gave the plants a questioning look, clearly confused. "What was I doing wrong?"
Shikamaru could not help but smile slightly. He turned his attention back to the flowers in his garden. "You have to make sure the water gets down to the roots. Watering the leaves doesn't do them much good. See? Those flowers over there, the ones you just watered? They're still drooping. But these ones here are already starting to perk up."
"Where did you learn all these things about gardening? I mean, you know way more than just how to water them." Chouji followed Shikamaru around the garden, standing a little bit behind him to stay out of the water's spray.
Glancing up at the clouds for a moment, Shikamaru unconsciously let the water overflow in the pot he was tending. He moved the hose along after a second. "I like to flowers. They're… nice."
Chouji raised an eyebrow. "Nice?"
Shikamaru nodded, motioning toward one of the bushes in the distance. A few butterflies danced around its blossoms, sparkling in the summer sun. "And they attract butterflies."
Smiling again, Chouji moved to stand a little closer to Shikamaru as they continued around the garden.
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Summer time and flowers and watering flowers… my life right now. Lalalala LAST WEEK OF HIGH SCHOOL EVER WUT?!