Things You Can't See Until You Try
While walking through a park, I found Haydee crouched in front of a flowerbed.
Flower-watching?
...Ah. It's you.
I'm just...
I had a little time to kill.
Looking at flowers... somehow calms me.
You came to the park just to look at flowers?
...Is it weird to come to a park to see flowers?
Mm...!
...What's with that reaction?
Hey...
You're hatching another weird plan, aren't you?
How about growing them yourself?
...What?
Grow them...?
Flowers...? Like in a pot?
Good idea, right?
*Sigh...* You're badly mistaken.
I prefer looking at flowers.
Not growing them.
So I'll pass—
I refuse your refusal...!
...?!
W-where are you taking me...?!
You never listen...!
Oh, back again young lady?
What flowers are you here to look at today?
We're not here to browse!
Hmm? Then?
We're here to grow them!
...Hey.
If you're going to have everything your way, why even bother to ask me?
Really? You decided to try growing flowers?
I'm telling you. This is his idea, not mine—
That is wonderful!
Tending flowers is so rewarding!
There nothing more moving than watching your plant sprout and bloom!
...Great, now there are two people who won't listen.
You both only say what you want.
*Sigh...* So, what do I do?
In the end... we bought a bunch of stuff.
...More like forced into one.
I said I had no interest in growing them...
Flowers wither and die.
I don't want to waste my time and effort in vain.
...It's all futile, pointless.
You never know until you try.
Some knowledge doesn't require experience.
Although I doubt you have the intelligence to understand that.
Still grumbling, Haydee carefully pushed seeds into the potting soil.
*Sigh...* Do I really have to start from seeds? Just give me the flowers already.
You'll enjoy it, I promise.
Fine. Stop staring at me with those expectant eyes.
I said I'd try.
But I doubt something as pointless as this will change anything...
How are your flowers doing?!
Will you at least knock...?!
And no, not even a sprout.
You're so impatient...
Has it sprouted yet?!
I'm regularly watering it so stop asking...!
Am I giving it enough sunlight?
...It's by the window, so it should be fine.
How's our cute little Daisy doing?!
...Who said you could name it Daisy?
It's growing, so stop fussing.
...Growth promoter? They have all kinds of stuff these days...
Well... I guess it won't hurt. I'll take it.
Anyway, didn't I tell you to knock before coming in?
Barge in again without permission and I'll throw you out, got it?!
The morning sunlight streamed through the window.
Haydee nonchalantly gazed at the pot where a single flower had bloomed.
...It really bloomed.
Because you took such good care of it!
...Because someone kept breathing down my neck.
You're the first person to be this annoying.
Even Cristelle wasn't like you.
It doesn't feel... bad.
...
Honestly, I might be a little happy.
How should I phrase this... I feel... alive?
See? Aren't you glad you listened to me?
...I was going to say thanks.
But seeing you gloat makes me not want to.
...
...Hmph. Anyway...
Thanks.
I think... it helped me clear my mind a little.
And so, I'll grant you one wish.
Is there anything you want?
If it's money, I've got it. So just say it.
A wish... I do have one thing.
What is it?
...Huh?
You want me to go to the New Year's festival with you?
You sure that's enough?
More than enough.
...I still don't get what goes on inside your head.
Even so, her fingertips were gently stroking the new petals.