"I'm telling you, Souten, the tour guide is a babe!" Rin said excitedly, gripping her friend's arm.

"Does Kohaku know you ogle other guys?"

Rin grinned but waved her off. "I'm allowed to look. To appreciate. Especially if it's on your behalf."

Souten rolled her eyes, letting herself be dragged off the bus and to the meeting spot. Their professor had given them the task of choosing a specific plant and photographing it in various settings and lighting.

Rin had chosen plum blossoms, which Souten thought was cheating since her father grew them in his garden, but Souten had gone with a lotus. She enjoyed capturing the ripples of the water and the rose-tipped petals, especially if there was a fish or an insect nearby.

"Come on," Rin said. "We don't want to miss him."

"Don't you mean it?" Souten asked, pointing at the travel brochure in her friend's hand. Apparently, there were flower tours now.

"I'm going to remind you of this moment after you fall head over heels for this guy, and I end up as your maid of honour," she said with a wink.

Souten groaned. "Love at first sight doesn't exist—"

"Welcome back, Rin! Did you find what you were looking for last time?"

Souten looked up and found the greenest pair of eyes she'd ever seen.

"Hello, Shippou! I was hoping you'd be running the tour today," Rin grinned. "I brought the friend I told you about." She nudged Souten forward, the man bowing slightly.

"Nice to meet ya. You gotta be Souten."

Souten could only nod mutely. Emerald eyes gave way to high cheekbones, a bounty of freckles covering his nose and matching the red hair on his head. Rin hadn't been kidding about how good-looking he was.

They continued to stare at each other for a moment, Shippou eventually rubbing the back of his head, heat blooming across his cheeks. "Wow, you're a lot prettier than Rin said."

Rin barely managed to contain her squeal, Souten's face turning as red as her eyes.

"We should get going." Shippou handed them each a map, casually asking which flower Souten was looking for, marking them on the map after she told him. "The most likely places you'll find them are here," he said, pointing to the edges of the lake they'd be walking around, as well as some hidden ponds.

"Do you normally do private tours?" she asked, noting the lack of other guests.

His cheeks darkened as he let out an awkward chuckle. "Well, I was technically off an hour ago, but Rin said it'd be worth it to do one more round, so…" He trailed off with a shrug, gifting her with a lopsided grin. "Guess she was right."

Souten might've kissed him on the cheek when Rin wasn't looking.

Maybe.