A storm wandered into the academy during the evening, making the school grounds empty, except for an unfortunate student who didn't realize it was thundering outside until it was too late, who was now running towards the school garden for shelter.
There stood Aerith, watering her flowers and writing down the size growth of the groups of plants. As she walked by the plants, they seemed to have danced along with her. The door suddenly swung forward, Azel, who was now drenched, quickly shut the door before leaning against it, catching his breath. This started her, causing her to quickly grab her staff. But after realizing it was just a student, she sighs.
"Don't scare me like that! Who are you anyway?"
He slowly turns around, following the voice until his eyes meet hers. His cheeks flushed softly, upset that he ended up in the same room as his crush. She smiled at him, stepping closer.
"Hey, aren't you that boy from potion class? Err...Azel was it?" His voice seemed to fail him, he opened his mouth but nothing came out. Seeing this, she stepped closer, looking at his damp clothes.
"There's a storage room in the back with some spare clothes and a bath. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold." She says before pointing towards a door, showing the spare room. He looked at her for a moment before giving a quick thanks before going into the room. Once stripping he heard a knock on the door.
"Um...yes...?" He says, holding the door to make sure she didn't enter.
"I wanted to give you something for your bath, can I pass it to you?" She says, slowly opening the door, moving a loofah out for him which he takes. Before closing the door, she hands him a rubber duck.
"He's a good friend of mine, he'll keep you safe!" Aerith giggles before leaving him alone to tend to the plants. He bathed himself, he switched into the spare clothes. It was a white shirt with a big rose at the front, saying 'I love plants'. It was a bit tacky, but he wore it along with some gym shorts. Once exiting the bath, she looks at him, smiling warmly at him.
"I hope the shirt isn't too tight, I made it myself" She steps closer, seeing the construction work.
"It fits...fine. but why did you make this?" He asks, making her stop close to him.
"It's for the plant club, silly. Never heard of it?" He ponders for a moment before shaking his head.
"How many people are in it?" He asks.
"Ha...well...so far just me...but I wish I had a second person!" She pouts, sighing softly. Not wanting to see her sad, he quickly responds.
"Well... I'm already wearing the shirt, so I guess I'm in the club now!"
She looked at him, tilting her head, curious about his response before giggling.
"It's not so easy! You gotta pass a trial first before you can enter." She grabs his arm, pulling him back to where the flowers are, causing him to yelp and stagger as they stand beside the rows of flowers.
"Answer my question honestly, then we can continue." Aerith takes a step forward, closing the gap between the two, causing him to blush softly.
"Azel. Why do you act so timid around me? And you're blushing too." His heart stopped, and his eyes began to dart away, barely choking out the answer.
"I-I don't! It's just the suddenness of all this..." Her hand went to his cheeks, gently pinching them.
"Hmm...sometimes in potion class, I noticed you staring at well..." She rebuttals, not convinced of his answer.
"I...it just...well...it's all a coincidence!" He shakes his head a little, her hand letting go of his hot red cheeks.
"Hmm... I see. If you can't answer honestly, then I don't think you're able to enter the club." He teases, signing softly, though exaggerated. She began to take a few steps back, as though walking away from him.
"W-wait!" He says, taking a few steps forward. She turned her head, smirking to herself for a moment before tilting her head.
"Hm? Did you need something?" She acts coy.
"I...I wanted to answer the questions again..." His cheeks still flushed, but he tried to calm himself.
"Oh? I hope you'll be truthful this time." she steps close once again, smiling warmly again.
He stopped for a moment to collect himself before speaking softly.
"I...I started because I think you're...um.w-well...cute" he mumbles out. Her eyes lit up, and a devilish smirk formed.
"Oh? And how am I cute?" She stepped closer, smiling warmly at him.
"Wh...wha? Well...I like your bangs...and um...you have a nice smile..." He says sheepishly, looking away. Her hands cupped his cheeks, gently pinching them again.
"See? Was that so hard?" She says with a giggle, bopping his nose. "Alright, you passed the question, now onto the ritual." She looks around for a moment before letting go of him, and handing him a flowering can.
"You should water the last of the plants. Do it well, and you'll join the club!" She explains to him, handing him the flowering can.
"Eh?" He holds it up, looking at the crude pictures of flowers painted onto it. "Why is this the ritual?" He walks by to the last of the unwatered plants.
"Well...I couldn't think of anything else on the spot...but that's okay! It's a plant club, you have to prove yourself a friend of the plants!"
"Y... yeah... okay...I'll do it." He knew nothing about what he was doing, but still tried his best, trying his best to water the plants. As if on queue, she walked behind him, her body pressed against his back as she moved her hand to his wrist, controlling it.
"You gotta relax. If you put too much water you'll hurt the plants." She whispers, helping him ease up on the watering. He followed her instructions, eventually watering all the plants evenly. She kept close, laying her head against his back.
"It seems you know just what it takes to water plants, and you didn't need my help! You just had to listen to the little voice in your head~" she giggles before slowly pulling away from him.
"Seems like you're just the person I need for the club!" she congratulates him, though still a bit close, he turns to face her.
"I-I...um...I guess I do..." She had a warm smile on her as she giggled at him.
"You just gotta have some confidence, dummy. Welcome to the Plants Club! Since you're the first person to join, you deserve an extra something." She closed the gap, giving a soft kiss to his cheek, his cheek going a soft red.
"A-Aerith...?" he says, shocked at the sudden forwardness,
"Don't think I didn't see your little doodles and notes about me either, but I quite enjoy them~." She coos, slowly moving to a chair. His voice stuck in his throat as he tried to speak out. He struggled to find the words.
"Here, just sit by me and relax. the rain will give us peace." She says before tapping the bench area next to her. After a few moments, he follows her instructions, sitting by her.
"See? I won't bite... unless you want me to ~" she teases, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Y-you're such a tease, Aerith!" He rebuttals, lightly tapping her head as some sort of punishment, but she only giggles, taking his hand and covering it with hers.
"Guess I just act like one when you're around...wonder why that is..." She says before closing her eyes, enjoying the shared warmth along with the peaceful rain hitting the school garden.