Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!

...

...

Hari paced up and down her room casting a glance at the flowers every other second and a smile broke out on her face every time. She couldn't help the way a burst of happiness and excitement burst through her just by watching them.

Though, she was not sure what he was trying to say… just what kind of language did flowers have? She had to find out and she had to find out before tomorrow because he was waiting for her and he would be expecting an answer to whatever it was he was trying to say.

If only Neville had been here, she thought. He would have known and he would have been able to help her. Even if it was magical plants he knew most about he would also know some of the muggle ones. She was sure.

She had to find out but she couldn't ask Ryoma or Nanjiro… She grimaced at the thought. They would become super overprotective and never allow her out of the house again. At least Nanjiro would. While Ryoma would frown at her and sulk, he would follow her around the school and never let her out of his sight. And then he would tease. She couldn't handle the teasing, at least not right now.

Where was Hermione when she needed her?

Oh, in Britain. Right. Hari frowned slightly and glanced at the calendar that was hanging on her wall and saw that it was the 17th of June. Meaning that they were probably on their way or maybe already back home… oh, this time-difference was confusing her. Anyway, the school year was over.

She closed her eyes for a moment as she so easily was hit with images of Ron and Hermione on the Hogwarts Express, talking and laughing and not forget bickering together as they were on their way home to their families. Families, that would be waiting for them at Kings Cross Station and would be happy to see them.

Something Hari always had envied them. What would it be like to step off the Hogwarts Express and be greeted with smiles and hugs instead of scowls and impatient snaps to hurry up and stop being such a burden?

She could so easily picture herself walking with Ron and Hermione through the barriers that hid platform 9 ¾ from Kings Cross Station. Instead of being met by the Dursley's she was met by Nanjiro, Rinko and Ryoma. They would hug her and greet her warmly. Nanjiro would look at Ron and any other boy suspiciously while Ryoma would pretend he didn't like her hugs but being pleased by them all the same. Rinko would be warm and safe and calm. Like she always was.

She sighed knowing that this would never happen. She wouldn't experience this, but at least she had the real thing here. And it wasn't like she wanted to go back because she didn't. She wouldn't want to leave this place but she suddenly realised just how much she missed her two best friends.

Did they even miss her? She hadn't gotten a letter from them, but perhaps their owls couldn't reach her? She was in a faraway country. Oh no! She hoped Ron hadn't tried to use Errol because she was sure that the old owl would not survive a trip all the way to Japan.

She caught sight of the flowers again and she inhaled deeply. She was getting off track. The flowers. The wonderful and beautiful flowers that Seiichi had sent her and told her to figure out what they were saying.

Right.

She could do this.

She couldn't do this. How was she supposed to do this? She needed Hermione! But Hermione wasn't here, so who else could she ask?

An! She could ask An!

...

"So, why did I have to come over?" An asked when Hari opened the door for her. "What's the emergency?"

"Shush!" Hari said looking over her shoulder before she reached out and grabbed An's arm. "Come on."

An blinked but she followed Hari up the stairs passing a curious looking Ryoma who was on his way down the stairs.

"Hari?" Ryoma called.

"Later, Ryo-chan," Hari said without looking at him.

An waved over her shoulder at a bewildered looking Ryoma. Hari pulled her into her room and closed the door behind them with a sharp click.

An looked around the room and her eyes glanced over the bookshelves and the bed before landing on the desk and the flowers on the desk.

"Nice flowers," An said.

"I know," Hari said sounding stressed. "I have to figure out what they mean."

An blinked.

"What they mean?" she repeated.

"Hai," Hari said. "Before tomorrow. He's waiting for an answer and I have to figure out what the flowers are trying to say."

An looked at her confused and then looked at the flowers.

"The flowers are trying to say something?" she asked.

Hari looked at her and then at the flowers before she looked back at An.

"Ie," she said. "Well, yes. But, no. He's trying to say something and used flowers to say it and now I have to try to figure out what they mean."

An still felt confused.

"A boy?" she smiled. "A boy gave them to you?"

"Hai," Hari said.

"A boy gave you flowers?" An smiled wider.

"Hai," Hari said again.

An laughed, "and now you're freaking out trying to figure them out. Kawai ne! So, who is he?"

Hari flushed and bit her lower lip as she tried to stop the wild movements of what seemed to be butterflies in her stomach.

"Come on, Hari-chan," An said impatiently and dragged Hari with her over to the bed and they both sat down on it. "Tell me. Who sent you the flowers? Was it Saeki?"

"Ie," Hari shook her head. "It wasn't him."

"Then who? Come on, don't make me drag it out of you," An said bouncing a little as she leaned forward.

Hari looked at her for a moment and she could feel the faint burning in her cheeks telling her that she was blushing.

"Yukimura Seiichi," Hari admitted quietly and suddenly it felt even more real.

An blinked.

"I've heard the name before, but where…" An said thoughtfully.

"He's the Captain of Rikkai Dai's tennis team," Hari explained.

"Honto?" An said and looked at the flowers again. "And he sent you flowers?"

"Hai," Hari nodded.

"So, do you like him?" An asked.

Hari blinked and stared at An before she looked away.

"Um, do you know what flowers mean?" Hari asked changing the subject.

"Hari-chan," An whined. "Come on. Tell me."

"I don't know," Hari said after a pause. "I…."

An looked at her for a moment before she pushed off the bed and walked over to the flowers.

"What type of flowers are these?" she asked and Hari looked over at her relieved.

"I don't know," Hari said. "I know the lily, of course. And that's amaryllis; he pointed the one out for me once when we were at a botanic garden. I don't know that one or that one…but that's a daisy, and that's violets."

An nodded and looked at the flowers again.

"So you know the lily, amaryllis, daisy and violet," An said, "so that leaves three types you don't know."

"Right," Hari said.

"Okay, we can figure it out," An said. "Wait; did you say a botanic garden?"

"I went to one here in Tokyo with him once," Hari said. "He really likes flowers and gardening, and it was fun."

An stared at her and Hari was getting a little uncomfortable.

"What?" Hari asked.

"I didn't know you were already dating him," An said.

"What? I'm not dating him," Hari said. An raised a brow sceptically. "I'm not!"

"If you say so," An said in a voice that clearly said she didn't believe her and Hari frowned at her.

...

Hari managed to borrow a laptop from Ryoga who had given her a curious look when she asked but he hadn't asked anything so Hari counted it as a win. She just hoped he wouldn't start asking later. At least not in front of Nanjiro.

They spent the next hour searching for flowers and the meaning of flowers on the internet. There was a lot of information about flowers and their meaning so Hari read and read and read about it.

"Okay," Hari said having written down the list of flowers and their meaning. She couldn't help but stare at it and read it over and over again.

Amaryllis – pride, determination

Bluebell – humility, kindness

Chrysanthemum – cheerfulness

Daisy – Innocence, hope

Lily, calla – beauty

Morning glory – affection

Violet – loyalty, devotion, faithfulness

Her eyes read the words over and over and she couldn't stop reading them. Just what was he trying to say? Words like hope, beauty, affection… devotion, and so many more. They were wonderful words and they filled her with warmth and made her feel…something.

"Wow," An said looking over her shoulder and reading the list. "That's some statement."

Hari looked up at her and felt a rush of desperation go through her.

"What does he mean?" she asked. "What does he mean?!"

An blinked.

"He likes you," An said bluntly.

"He…what?" Hari asked almost incredulously. "No, he…can't."

"Well, the flowers says he does," An said. "The morning glory, for example, says he has affection for you and the lily says he finds you beautiful. The bluebell says he finds you humble and kind. The Daisy says that he has hope for the two of you. I could go on, but I think the flowers say it clear enough."

Hari sat back on her chair and stared at the flowers. She had stared at them so long that she knew she would always be able to remember them.

"But…nande?" she whispered.

Why would he like her? How could he? She was not good enough. She wasn't worthy of someone like him, he was so kind and gentle and, and…and perfect. So he was completely out of her reach.

"Nande?" An looked at her. "Why not? You're beautiful and funny, and kind. He would be lucky to have someone like you liking him back and he has clearly seen that."

Hari just shook her head.

"But…what if we have interpreted the flowers wrong?" Hari asked after a long pause. "What if that's not what he wanted to say?"

An took one of Hari's hand in hers and squeezed it.

"We didn't interpret the flowers wrong;" An said surely. "We double checked, and then triple checked them with different sources. That is the meaning of these flowers and he really does like you, Hari-chan."

Hari bit down on her lower lip to stop the other protests threatening to come out of her mouth and tried to smile back at An who was looking slightly worried at her.

"Okay," she whispered.

"So, do you like him?" An asked curiously.

Hari felt like someone had hit her over the head because she felt like she was spinning as she remembered the way he smiled and made her feel flustered, he had the ability to make her feel like she was forgetting what she was about to say. And the way he kissed her hand…

Oh my. She did like him.

She really liked him.

She had been so blind. She had not recognised it, but it was obvious now that she thought about it. She thought about him constantly and wanted to talk to him, she even looked for reasons to call him. She hoped he was coming to Tokyo so that she could see him.

"I do," she whispered. "I like him."

An giggled as she pulled Hari up and into a hug.

"I knew it!" She giggled as she hugged her. "I knew it!"

Hari just hugged her back not able to really say anything as the realisation hit her.

She liked Yukimura Seiichi and he liked her. Possibly. Maybe. Probably?

...

The night was spent tossing and turning in her bed as she went over everything from her time spent with Seiichi and she couldn't help but analyse everything. He must think she was strange and weird. How could he, the Captain of Rikkai Dai(!), like her?

Hari jerked up in the bed and remained seated as she tried to figure out where that loud obnoxious sound came from before she realised that it was the alarm. She groaned as she reached out to shut it up and fell back on the bed staring up at the ceiling in the barely lit room.

She had only fallen asleep in the early morning, meaning that she had not slept much at all during the night. And not enough with that she had dreamt about her aunt and uncle. Them telling her that she was just an unwanted burden and always messed everything up. She ruined everything and put others in danger.

So what could anyone possibly see in her?

An's words from the day before came back and she wished that they were true. That she really was beautiful and funny and that Seiichi liked her because of that. That he saw something in her that made him think she was worth liking.

"Hari-chan! You up yet?" she heard Nanako's voice from outside the room. "You have to get up soon in order to have breakfast before school."

Hari sighed and pushed herself up again and threw her legs over the edge of the bed.

"I'm up," she called back and heard Nanako walk away.

Just then Hedwig came flying in through the opened window and came directly over to her and settled on the arm Hari held out.

"Hey, Hedwig," Hari smiled and stroked her feathers with her free hand. "You think Seiichi really likes me? That he could?"

Hedwig hooted softly and nibbled affectionately at her making her smile slightly.

After a quick shower and getting ready for the day she went downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Ohayo, Hari-chan," Rinko smiled.

"Morning, Okaa-chan," Hari said quietly.

"Are you okay?" Rinko asked worriedly. "You're pretty late this morning."

Hari shrugged and grabbed a toast.

"I just didn't sleep that well," Hari said.

"Are you sick?" Rinko asked and reached over to feel her forehead.

Hari blinked and shook her head but smiled slightly at the care shown. It pushed away some of the darker thoughts that had crept in during the night.

"I'm fine," she said.

"Alright," Rinko still frowned slightly. "I still think you look rather pale."

Hari took a bit of the toast and looked around and noticed that Ryoma wasn't there.

"Where's Ryo-chan?" she asked.

"He has already eaten and went upstairs to check on Karupin," Rinko said.

Hari nodded and finished her toast and glass of milk.

"Okaa-chan," Hari finally said and bit down at her lip while clenching her hands together.

Rinko smiled and looked at her.

"Yes, sweetie?" she asked.

Hari hesitated before she shook her head and got up.

"No, it was nothing," she said. "I should go or I'll be late."

Rinko looked a little worried but nodded and pressed a kiss on her forehead as she passed her.

"Okay, have a nice day," Rinko said.

...

Seiichi was nervous.

He couldn't sit still during breakfast and his mind went over his plans and he couldn't help but wonder if she would show up or not. Would she figure out what the flowers meant?

Yes, he really did believe that she would do that. If she wanted to. Did she want to?

He frowned slightly. He was thinking too much. It wasn't normal for him to do that. Well, he loved to think and figure things out but he would observe and analyse from a distance. It was part of what made him a good tennis player and a good captain. But with Hari… he wanted to figure her out, but he didn't want to sit back and do it. He wanted to talk to her and be around her. And every time he thought he had her figured out, she did something that had him confused again.

He loved it. She was such a weird and amazing girl and he hadn't even noticed when he started to like her before he already did. Maybe it even was that first conversation on the bus when he first met her and she talked out loud to herself. He had thought she was interesting then and hoped he would run into her again.

Then he had seen her at the train station back home and he hadn't been able to really believe that she was really there and they talked. He talked more than he normally would and he didn't even realise it until he was on his own later that night and thought back at their meeting.

He had asked her to meet him the next day then and had said it wasn't a date. But he had wanted it to be a date. He had kept seeking her out, calling her and thinking about her and before he knew it he was in deep.

To be honest with himself he did think that the last few times they had met, the walks by the river, had been dates. In his mind, they had been and he really wished that it was true. He knew she didn't think of it as dates and that she thought they were just friends that were hanging out.

But he would change that. He would make it clear for her that he liked her and that he wanted her to be his girlfriend.

"Seiichi-nii-chan?" Minoru looked at him curiously.

"Ah, hey, Minoru-chan," Seiichi smiled.

"What are you doing?" Minoru asked.

"I'm trying to plan a date," Seiichi said honestly.

"A date?" Minoru asked with a smile. "With Hari-chan?"

"Hai," Seiichi nodded.

"About time," Minoru grinned and sat down. "Can I help?"

Seiichi blinked and looked at his cousin.

"You want to help?" Seiichi asked.

"Mochiron," Minoru nodded. "I like Hari-chan."

"You do, do you?" Seiichi leaned back in his seat at the guest room he was using during his visit. "Well, I guess you can help me if you want."

Minoru beamed.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked.

...

Momoshiro watched Hari who was not paying attention in class and was staring out of the window looking distracted. Her head was resting in the palm of her hand and her other hand was doodling at her notebook.

He wondered what she was thinking about. Normally she would take notes and share them with him after class, but now…she wasn't. He couldn't help but watch her with a curious look.

The teacher either didn't notice or didn't care as he went on with his lecture without commenting on Hari's distraction and Momoshiro was getting more and more curious.

When the teacher finally ended the class and the others got up talking and laughing Momoshiro stood and looked over at Hari again to find her still staring out of the window not showing any sign of moving or that she knew that the class was over.

Momoshiro looked over and saw that Kaido also was watching Hari before he looked back at him and they exchanged a puzzled look.

"Hey, Hari-chan!" Momoshiro called loudly walking over to her and nudged her making her startle and look around before looking up at him.

"Ah, Momo-chan," she said. "What?"

"The class is over," Momoshiro said and exchanged another look with Kaido.

Hari looked around and frowned.

"Oh," she said and started to gather her book.

"What has you so distracted, Hari-chan?" Momoshiro asked.

"Nanimonai," she said without looking at him.

"Nothing?" Momoshiro repeated incredulously. "You haven't paid attention to any of the classes today."

Hari just shrugged and pushed the last book into her bag and picked it up and threw it over her shoulder.

"Come on, Hari-chan," Momoshiro whined. "Tell me."

"It's nothing," Hari said, "I'm just tired."

Momoshiro pouted at her but she ignored it.

...

The tennis practice felt like it lasted forever and went by way to fast at the same time for Hari. She knew the others were watching her and that Momoshiro had told them about her odd behaviour during class today, but she ignored them because she didn't have the extra energy to be upset or concerned about them now. She was nervous enough before seeing Seiichi again and finding out if he really meant what she thought, hoped, he meant with the flowers.

When Tezuka ended the practice Hari didn't linger to talk to anyone but went to change and get ready for meeting Seiichi. She had brought a change of clothes so she didn't have to wear her school uniform something she was very pleased about.

She used longer than normal to get ready going back and forth on what to do with her hair and almost wishing that she had make-up to put on before she shook her head and walked out. She was not going to be one of the girls who spent hours putting on make-up because of a boy.

Hari was pleased and relieved to see that the others had already left when she exited her changing room. She really didn't want to answer questions and see their speculative looks.

She walked out of the gates and was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't notice the person standing by the gates until he spoke.

"Hari-chan."

Hari jumped and turned to see Minoru standing there with a smile.

"Minoru-chan," Hari said confused. "Um. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to escort you to Seiichi-nii-chan," Minoru said importantly.

"You are?" Hari asked.

"Yes, he said that if I didn't then it was almost certain that you would get lost and then use too long until you came," Minoru said.

Hari scoffed but smiled slightly.

"Really now," she said and looked at Minoru. "Then I guess you should lead the way, then."

"So, you're coming?" Minoru asked eagerly. "You're really going to go and meet Seiichi-nii-chan?"

Hari knew she was blushing but she tried to ignore it as she nodded.

Minoru beamed making Hari feel a little better and calmer than before. She walked beside the younger boy and listened to him chat away as they made their way to the botanic garden. Hari allowed the chatter from Minoru to keep her calm and distracted. Or as calm and distracted as she could be under the circumstances.

She really couldn't believe that she would get so worked up and nervous because of a boy. It just hadn't occurred to her that she would be. But then again, she hadn't really liked many boys before. So she had not much to go on thinking that.

"This is as far as I will go," Minoru finally said and stopped.

Hari realised that they had arrived and looked around. They were just before a bend in a path and there were trees around them and a lake to the right and she remembered seeing that last time she had been here. But she could not see Seiichi.

"Okay," Hari said. "But where's Sei-chan?"

"He's that way," Minoru said nodding forward. "Just follow the path and you'll see him."

So he trusts her to manage that, did he? She thought dryly.

"Okay," Hari said again. "Well, thank you for showing me the way, Minoru-chan."

"No problem!" Minoru grinned turning to walk back the way they came before he hesitated and turned to look at her again. "I'm really happy you came to talk to Seiichi-nii-chan. He was really nervous about you showing up or not."

With that Minoru turned and ran away leaving a bemused Hari behind.

...

Hari stood still for a minute and let the worries she felt run through her mind. If she walked further she would be faced with Seiichi and she would know. She would know if he liked her or if she had misunderstood and found that he just wanted to congratulate her on her first match. That he only saw her as a friend. That would hurt, but it was to be expected because she really wasn't someone others liked like that.

So…should she turn around and leave? She could… There was still time, but…

Oh, this was getting ridiculous! She was a Gryffindor even if she wasn't at Hogwarts anymore and that meant that she would face whatever was around the bend in the path and she would do it with her head held high. She would not listen to that little voice in her head that told her that she was not worth it and that she was never going to be happy.

Inhaling deeply she forced herself to calm down before she started to walk and soon she rounded the bend in the path and stopped abruptly. She couldn't help but stare as she saw the scene in front of her.

Underneath a tree was a blanket spread out over the grass and a basket was placed in a corner of the blanket and she was sure she saw some glasses there as well but what caught her attention the most was Seiichi. He was standing there watching her with a small smile that told a whole story on its own, relief and something more that she wasn't sure she read correctly but it had her blushing.

She forced her legs to move again and started to walk over to him and felt really self-conscious as she did so. The butterflies in her stomach were fluttering around like crazy and she felt the palm of her hands getting sweaty and she resisted the urge to rub them against her thigs to dry them.

"Hey," he said softly when she reached him.

"Hey," she answered in the same tone.

They stared at each other for a long moment. Hari could not have said how long she was lost in those violet-blue eyes and she didn't really think she had appreciated just how unique that mix of colours of eyes was before.

Finally, he smiled and stepped aside.

"Please, sit down," he said formally and a little stiffly.

"Okay," she smiled and sat down and was pleased when he sat down close beside her. She could feel the warmth coming from him as he sat beside her.

She was not sure what to say or how to break the silence between them and she had the feeling that he was just as nervous as her and that somehow calmed her down.

But he was the one who had asked her to come… so why didn't he say anything? Was he regretting it? Maybe he was wishing that he hadn't sent her the flowers…

She inhaled and pushed the whispers of doubt out of her mind (again) as she tried to find her voice barely aware of her hands fiddling with the hem of her shirt as she did so. She looked over at him and saw that he was still watching her and his eyes had this intensity to them that she hadn't seen before.

"Um," she swallowed, "I…uh…I liked the flowers. Thank you."

Baka, she thought, she couldn't even say it without stuttering like an idiot?

"You did?" he asked quietly and she heard the nervous tone in his voice now. "Did you figure out what they meant?"

She felt her cheeks burn and forced herself to look at him and meet his eyes.

"I…I think so," she whispered. "I found some meanings for them and I checked them several times, so…I think I found the right meaning."

Seiichi smiled slightly and adjusted a little so he was slightly more turned toward her and could more easily look at her.

"And…you still came," he said.

"I…I did," she nodded.

They looked at each other again and Seiichi wondered if Hari was aware that she was chewing on her lower lip as she stared at him and thought that she looked adorable even if she was nervous or maybe it was because she was nervous that she looked so adorable?

"I meant it," he said breaking the silence. "I like you, Hari-chan. I wanted to show you and prove it to you that I'm serious about you and what I feel."

Hari inhaled sharply as she heard the words from him and confirming what she thought he was trying to say. What An had been so sure that he was trying to say.

Her heart beat faster and she was almost worried it would beat itself out of her chest, but she couldn't focus on that as she tried to process the words he had said. He liked her. He liked her.

Happiness. She felt an overwhelming sense of happiness burst through her as she thought it. He liked her. He liked her.

Then the doubt came rushing back like a tidal wave and threatened to crush the happiness she felt. Why? Why? The little voice whispered louder and louder in her ear. Why would he like her?

"Why?" The question blurted out before she could stop it and she looked up at him with wide eyes and he frowned slightly.

"Why?" he asked sounding confused.

"Why do you like me?" she asked.

"I thought you said you had figured out what the flowers said," he said making her glance up at him.

"I did," she said, "but…"

He smiled kindly and reached out and tilted her head up.

"I like you because you are special," he said, "you are kind and humble like the bluebell symbolise. I love how much pride you show in your tennis and how determined you are in improving yourself, like the amaryllis. You are the most cheerful person I know just like the chrysanthemum, and it's infectious and I always become in a better mood by spending time with you. The daisy is for the hope I have for us, the hope I have for your liking me as well and the innocence I sense around you even as I know that you have been through something terrible. I chose the lily because you said it was your favourite flower and it also represents your beauty. The morning glory is for the affection I already feel for you and it has grown so fast that it even scares me sometimes. Finally, the violet symbolises the loyalty you have to your family and friends, and the loyalty I feel to you. It's also for the devotion I feel for you and the promise of faithfulness, I will never betray you in any form, Hari-chan."

As he spoke she felt the doubt inside of her being pushed away and the walls she built up being torn away one by one as his words washed over her. She couldn't help but stare at him with wide eyes as happiness, elation filled her again and there was nothing she could do about the smile that stretched on her face.

"Wow," she said quietly when he finished. "I… No one has ever said anything like that to me before."

His hand grabbed hers and squeezed it almost painfully.

"Hari-chan," he said quieter now. "Please. Tell me your answer. I have to know…"

Hari swallowed and knew tears were in her eyes as she looked at him.

"I like you too," she said and was surprised that her voice didn't shake and was quite steady and firm.

His smile was wide and relieved and she blushed as he raised her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand before he moved his hand to the side of her face, cupping it in his hand as he stared into her eyes and she realised suddenly that he was close. Really close.

"May I kiss you?" he whispered.

She felt her eyes widen slightly before she nodded unable to form words. But luckily he didn't need words because he leaned forward and she felt the soft pressure of his warm and slightly chapped lips against hers.

Before she wanted him to, he pulled back and smiled a small and happy smile that she had not seen on his face before. He used the hand that was still resting against her cheek to push her hair away from her face and behind her ear and she felt the path his fingers took tingle pleasantly.

"I'm so happy to hear that," he finally said quietly.

She smiled back and tried to catch her breath again as she felt her lips tingle by the soft kiss. Her first kiss. It had been chaste, but perfect. It was a perfect first kiss and she couldn't keep the smile off her face or the blush away from her cheeks. But she didn't care.

...

"Woah," she said when he pulled out food from the basket and started to spread it on the blanket in front of them. "You really are prepared."

"I guess I am," he smiled and glanced over at her.

She watched him work in silence and couldn't help but the smile that was on her face or the fact that her heart beat a little harder than normal but she didn't mind.

"I got our food from that restaurant we went to," Seiichi said, "you know, with that old married couple."

"Really? Great! I loved their food!" Hari smiled.

"I know you did," Seiichi said.

Hari smiled again and looked at the food. He had really gotten the food from them because he knew she loved it.

"So, you had Minoru-chan come and pick me up from school," Hari said after they had started to eat.

"He wanted to help and I thought it was more likely that you got here without getting lost that way," Seiichi said.

"I don't get lost all the time," she pouted and Seiichi laughed.

"Sure," he said. "Well, he helped to get this ready and he wanted to see you as well, so it worked out fine with him going to pick you up."

Hari looked at him and nodded. She wasn't really upset.

As the meal went on the talk came more easily and Hari relaxed more and forgot to be nervous as he told her a story about his team.

...

Hari laughed and Seiichi couldn't help but notice the way her eyes seemed to shine and how her face lit up. It made him smile as well and he never wanted her to stop looking like that. Happy and smiling because of him.

"It's getting late," he said and glanced at the clock. "The botanic garden closes soon."

"Ah, that's too bad," Hari said and looked around. "I guess we should pack up then."

Seiichi nodded and let go of her hand reluctantly so he could start to gather the things and put them back into the basket.

"Oh, you don't have to do that," he said when Hari helped.

"Nonsense," Hari said. "Of course, I'll help."

Together they packed up and folded the blanket together. She blinked when he just let it stay on the ground though.

"Minoru-chan will get it," he said. "He said he'd take it back."

"He hasn't been hanging around here just waiting, has he?" Hari asked looking around like she was expecting to see the younger boy hidden behind a bush or a tree.

"No," Seiichi laughed. "I'll text him and say it's clear. He has been meeting some friends close by."

"Good," Hari said and blushed as Seiichi offered his arm to her but she smiled as she accepted it linking her arm through his.

They walked in silence for a while and all Hari could think was that Seiichi was right next to her and that his arm was linked with hers.

...

"Thank you for coming today," Seiichi said when they reached her house and they paused outside the gate. Hari smiled shyly up at him and felt herself blush for the millionth time today but she did her best to ignore it.

"I feel like I'm the one who should be thanking you," Hari said. "For doing all this…the flowers, the picnic, the food… everything. It was perfect, Sei-chan."

He smiled and stepped closer to her and reached out so he was now holding both her hands in his and squeezed them lightly.

"You deserve it," he said.

They stared at each other for a moment longer and Hari felt her heart beat faster in her chest and she worried that he would hear it.

"Hari," his voice was quiet and more serious now.

"Yeah?" she said breathlessly.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.

"Yes," Hari said right away and smiled at him. "I will."

He smiled that special little smile of his that she had dubbed her smile and when he leaned closer she was ready and closed her eyes just as his lips were against hers for the second time and her mind went pleasantly blank as she returned the kiss.

He pulled back and again he reached out and pushed a strand of her hair back from her face and behind her ear letting his finger trace down her face and to her shoulder as he did so before he pulled away completely.

"I'll call you tomorrow," he promised and she could only nod.

She watched him walk away and raised a hand to her lips that were tingling slightly and still felt warm from their kiss. She sighed softly as she smiled.

...

...

AN: So, what do you think? :)

What do you think about the flowers? I found the meaning of the flowers on the internet. I do not know very much about flowers and their language so I have relied on the information I found on the internet. But from what I can tell, the meaning I found is the correct ones. I found the same on several sites so it should have some truth to it. :)

Thank you for reading and supporting this story XD

Japanese words used:
Hai - Yes
Ie - No
Kawai ne - That's so cute
Honto - Really
Nande - Why
Okaa-chan - Mom
Ohayo - Good morning
Mochiron - Of course
Nanimonai - Nothing
Baka - Idiot