So yeah, kissing might be a thing...

"What was that about?" Akoya innocently questioned.

"… They want me to kiss you." Ibushi almost cringed when he saw no change in the younger boy's expression.

He thought back to the talk he had with his parents without the other boy present, how the topic of discussion gradually changed from Ibushi's progress in school to his apparent lack of "drive" in his relationship. He expected that transition when Akoya left, even prepared for it a little bit. But he didn't expect them to like his "girlfriend" as much as they did.

"Oh, she's just darling!" His mother had cooed "And so pretty!"

His father nodded "Yes, I think you got a good one, son. I'm proud of you."

"I'm glad you like her." He awkwardly replied.

"I am too." Mom commented "I was worried you'd found some commoner girl without a lick of decency. I'm pleasantly surprised Akoya's as well-mannered as she is. Though, I suppose she's grown up in a similar environment to you… even if she isn't quite of our class."

"I'd still watch her, hun." Dad interjected "She might just be looking to get to our money."

Ibushi sat up straighter in his chair "Oh, no… Akoya didn't know the extent of it until I told her about this dinner."

"It's still best to keep a look out." His mother decided.

It was silent for a moment before his father spoke up again, trying to change the subject "So, Ibushi… how far have you gone with her?"

He almost choked on his water before coughing it down "What?"

"Well, have you kissed her yet?" Dad expanded "I haven't seen you do more than hold her hand."

"Oh, no, uh…" Ibushi stared down at his empty salad bowl "not yet."

"You don't have to hide it from us, Ibushi." Mom assured "We approve of her, right Dear?"

"Why wouldn't we?" Dad agreed "Akoya seems like a good girl for you."

"I'm not hiding; I'm being honest." Ibushi assured.

"You really haven't even kissed her yet?"

Don't get him wrong, Ibushi was glad the plan was working. But he was expecting at least some resistance from Mom and Dad when they first met "the girlfriend." Comments of "Are you really interested in this girl?" or "Do you really think she can make you happy?" were what he… almost wanted. So that then when the "breakup" occurred he could at least say "you were right; I'm gonna wait until I find someone that's perfect." It would give him time and, should the dreaded arranged marriage ever come up, options.

Ugh, they hadn't even prepared enough for this stage yet! Setting the whole thing up had been most important until now; discussing if kisses were okay wasn't even on the table yet! Ibushi sighed and supposed he and Akoya would have to improvise. But, for now, just staying back in the garden for a bit should be enough to satisfy his parents.

"I… kind of figured." Akoya admitted. Wait, what? They were on the same page here? "I uh… overheard them talking to you before I came back from the bathroom."

Ibushi blinked and his eyes widened a bit "You did?"

Akoya nodded "And they've been giving… pretty strong hints since I came back."

"I'm sorry." Ibushi turned away to look at the garden "I had no idea they'd go this far."

"It's fine; they're just trying to help you."

Ibushi chuckled. Yeah, help me get under your dress! Akoya cracked a smile. Then he started laughing into the side of his hand. What was- oh crap, did he say that out loud?!

"I thought you wanted that, Ibu-chan." Akoya made his voice sound particularly high (and whiny) as he spoke, throwing on doe eyes and a little pout for added effect "I mean… isn't that what people in relationships do?"

Ibushi was certain he was comparable to a tomato at this point "Not all the time!"

Akoya laughed again and slipped his arms through the sleeves of Ibushi's jacket. "I know; calm down." He quietly laughed for a few more seconds before calming down "Just trying to change the mood a bit."

"How come?" Ibushi wondered "My parents?"

"No." Akoya huffed "Did you notice anyone else in there?" Ibushi supposed his silence was taken as a no, so Akoya continued "Kinugawa's here too. He saw me and we talked for a minute in the hallway."

"Oh…" Wow. That reply was impressive Ibushi, just stunning.

"Yeah. I don't know how to feel about it either." Akoya pulled the other's jacket closer to himself, fiddling with one of the buttons "He usually keeps his mouth shut, but that doesn't mean he won't question me on Monday."

"From what I've seen, and what Kinshiro's told me about Kinugawa, you shouldn't worry too much. He's not one for conflict." Ibushi confided.

He could barely hear Akoya when he whispered "Then why am I still on edge?"

Ibushi ran out of words of comfort and turned his attention back to the garden in front of them. So far, they'd just stuck close to the back wall of the restaurant and hadn't ventured very far from the gate; just far enough to be out of sight really. But, now that Ibushi was looking at it for more than a few seconds, it was a prettier garden than he remembered.

He'd been back here before a couple of times and he'd seen it from the windows inside, but it seemed more complete for some reason. Ibushi scanned over the flowerbeds before him and noted the different species growing there. Chrysanthemums, azaleas, water irises… hello.

Maybe… He pondered as he left Akoya and knelt down before a flowerbed on the edge of the pond's perimeter. There was a whole patch of these familiar flowers, like the one he'd grown himself during his first year of high school. He smiled at the sea of long yellow petals, interrupted only by the spots of black in the flowers' centers. Maybe… the flowers will help him get his point across.

Ibushi plucked the best looking specimen from the patch and walked it back over to where Akoya stood, watching him with a puzzled expression. He wordlessly moved some of Akoya's hair out of the way and slid the flower's stem behind his ear.

Akoya immediately colored and took a step back "What was that for?"

"It's a Black-Eyed Susan." Ibushi explained "In the language of flowers, it means encouragement."

Akoya looked at the small flowerbed Ibushi plucked it from "I've never seen those flowers before."

"They aren't common around here." The older boy explained "I had to send away for seeds when I wanted to grow them."

Akoya was quiet for a moment before he stepped closer to his companion "What else can the flowers around here say?"

"Um…" Ibushi looked around the garden and found himself wandering farther inside, Akoya staying close behind "These bushes of chrysanthemums represent a lot of things, depending on their color. In general, they represent cheerfulness or friendship. But these white ones are associated with truth." He gestured to a row of flowery shrubs they were passing. Taking a turn to follow the perimeter of the pond, he continued "Then there's the azaleas, which could mean temperance or, in China, are a symbol of womanhood. Oh, and…"

Akoya didn't think that the night would evolve into Arima giving him a crash course in the language of flowers, but there they were. He was just trying to get rid of the awkwardness that settled in when Arima put the flower in his hair. It was a nice gesture, but… it seemed everything was making Akoya blush that night. He figured asking about the plants would change the mood again and, wow, was he right! Ibushi perked up in an instant and began walking down the path while voicing facts about what the flowers represented.

In a way, it was kind of cute: seeing him showcasing his knowledge like that. Normally Ibushi only spoke when he was spoken to or trying to keep the peace between Kinshiro and Akoya's bickering. Sure they'd spoken a lot since this fake-dating scheme was hatched, but it was fascinating to Akoya just how much a person can change when they talk about something that they love. Their eyes light up, their speech rarely falters, and they visibly relax as they speak. It was something amazing that people did and yet showing passion was so looked down upon. It was sad, really.

"… I'm sorry I'm rambling on now, I just think this language that's formed around all of these plants is so interesting." Ibushi slowed to a stop and looked over his shoulder at Akoya "I didn't bore you too much did I?"

"Huh?" Akoya jumped a bit when tuned back into reality "I spaced out, sorry…"

Ibushi visibly deflated "So I did…" A faint beep resounded and he fished into his pants pocket to take his phone out. He tapped on the screen a few times before turning his attention back to Akoya "My mom said they brought the car to the front."

"So we're heading back then?" The younger boy asked.

"Yeah, that's her way of saying 'I'm tired of waiting let's go.'" The older explained.

"Okay."

"Unless you want to stay here for a little longer?" Ibushi offered.

"No offense, but I'd like to go home." Akoya admitted.

"Alright." Ibushi typed a response before pocketing his phone again. Then, he reached out for Akoya's hand. "Let's hope we don't' get anymore… awkward questions."

Akoya took his hand out of the other's reach "Oh, I have an idea!" He opened his little clutch purse and plucked a tube of lipstick out of it before closing the flap back up. He quickly applied a new coat to his lips and rose to stand on his toes. He grabbed Ibushi by the shoulders and gave him a peck on the cheek. When he was squarely back on his feet, Akoya opened his bag again, used his phone's camera as a mirror, and fixed the little smudges his action caused. When he was satisfied, he put his phone and tube back and closed up the bag again. "Now they'll think something happened, right?"

Honestly, it was kind of funny to see Ibushi right after that unexpected display. He was staring at Akoya wide-eyed, the younger boy's gorgeous shade of pink lipstick adorning his right cheek just an inch from his mouth. Within seconds, the pink nearly blended in with Ibushi's flushed face. Akoya couldn't help but giggle.

Ibushi pulled at his collar "Y-yeah, they won't think…"

And that also set the poor guy up for more teasing from his parents later on. That was a plus. Just because they were "dating" now doesn't mean Akoya wouldn't push his buttons and mess with him when he had the chance.

"Come on." Akoya pleaded, grabbing Ibushi's hand with both of his own and dragging him along "They're waiting, right?"

"You know, this might do the trick." Akoya stopped when he noticed Ibushi's voice sounded like he'd fully recovered. When he turned around, Ibushi continued "You're blushing too." He smirked and successfully made Akoya blush more.

"Sh-shut up!"