Kyouichirou and Big Sister Albi go out together alone sometimes. Kyouichirou says that they’re teacher and disciple and that she’s training him, but Big Sister Albi calls him “Master.”
If Kyouichirou is the student and Big Sister Albi is the teacher, why does he call her “Albi,” while she calls him “Master”? Honestly, I don’t get it. But it seems to make sense to them. I guess that’s all that matters.
Fumika is always by my side when the two of them aren’t home. Haruka, too. She comes by the Shimizu home about once every two days and spends time with me until evening. But it’s mostly Fumika who keeps me company.
When Fumika, Kyouichirou, and Haruka are at school, Big Sister Albi is with me. When she’s off training with Kyouichirou, it’s Fumika or Haruka.
They’re all trying their best to make sure I’m never alone. It makes me really happy and grateful. But I also feel really guilty.
“There’s no reason for you to feel bad, Jupiter.”
That’s what Fumika told me the other day while we were in the yard doing some gardening. Kyouichirou and Big Sister Albi were out training again. Fumika and I had planted some flower seeds a few days before, and they’d sprouted. We watched over them and sprinkled them with just the right amount of water.
An important gardening rule is to make sure you don’t overwater plants. Piling on a bunch of potting soil isn’t enough. You have to make sure the plants get enough air and just the right amount of water. You can’t give them too much love.
“I’m the same,” I told Fumika. “You don’t have to be so careful around me.”
At least, I think I’d be okay without someone by my side all the time…probably. I don’t mind being home alone. And I don’t have to worry about Keraunos anymore.
“Don’t say that,” she said. “I’m playing with you because I want to.”
“Gardening isn’t playing. It’s work.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true. I’m taking this very seriously, you know. This is serious fun.”
“You mean, if you’re serious about having fun, then work becomes play?”
“That’s how it is for me, at least.”
“Then what about cooking? And the laundry? And cleaning? And grocery shopping? That’s all play, too?”
“Yes, it is! Those are all lots of fun, for your information!”
“You’re weird, Fumika.”
“I don’t know about that…”
“Please try not to get fooled by some strange man in the future.”
“Well, well. My goodness. Here I am, making little Jupiter worry.”
Fumika widened her innocent-seeming eyes in fake shock. She acts gentle, but Fumika’s a lot more confident than she lets on. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, since she’s the head of the Shimizu household. Her broad-mindedness is only matched by her impressive broad-chestedness. Plus, even though she’s a serious person, she likes to joke around with me (though she wasn’t completely kidding this time). It makes her really fun to talk to. I love our silly chats.
“Gardening is much deeper than I expected.”
“It’s really easy. But you can always keep improving.”
The bright sun shone down on us. Despite the season, it was the perfect day for gardening. It was almost too nice out.
We had shovels, fertilizer, water, and a guidebook for flowers. I had my gloves on tight so my hands wouldn’t get dirty. The time we spend with the flowers in the garden is as important to me as dating sims are.
“That’s because flowers are alive,” I said. “It’s important to take responsibility for the lives you’ve planted.” I tried to sound cool as I carefully looked over the tiny green sprouts.
Not long after I arrived here, everyone asked me what I wanted to do. I told them I wanted to grow some flowers, so they prepared a flower bed for me.
The flowers we’ve planted are a type that blooms yellow in summer. The truth is, I really wanted to grow hydrangeas. But since I prefer to start with seeds, I decided to pick something easier. Once summer arrives, I want to see these little sprouts turn into beautiful flowers with everyone by my side.
I love how growing flowers makes me think about the future. Even if things aren’t good right now, as long as I try my best to stay alive, I’ll eventually see these seeds bloom—I remember saying that to someone once. They responded, “That’s a wonderful way to think of it.”
…I wonder who that was?
“Did you learn to raise flowers by yourself?” asked Fumika.
I shook my head. Then I thought for a moment and nodded instead.
“I spent a lot of time studying how to do it. Since they’re living things, I wanted to make sure I had enough knowledge to succeed.”
The truth is, I’m not sure how I learned about flowers or how long ago it was. My hometown was always covered in snow. No flowers grew there. And there’s no way it could have been when I was in the facility. So it must have been when I…
“Oh.”
I remembered. I learned a lot of new things when I came to this country and joined James’s Rosso and Blu clan.
“I knew someone who was like an attendant to me,” I explained. “I learned how to garden from them.”
“An attendant?”
“We didn’t really get along. I know it sounds mean, but I don’t even remember their name. I guess we didn’t know each other that well.”
That person probably just thought I looked lonely and spent time with me because it was their job. They only taught me what to do once, and then they went back to ignoring me.
I really didn’t like living there.
It was nice having a bed to sleep in and food to eat. But that was it. I was always lonely, always by myself. I hardly have any memories of my time there.
The only thing I still recall clearly is the flower garden. My dormitory was in the Mother of All dungeon—the home of the Rosso and Blu clan. And that’s where the special flower garden was.
It was always full of all kinds of blooms. To me, it was like a paradise full of life. The only memories I still had of my time in the clan were the moments I spent in that garden.
I had nothing else. It wasn’t bad or good. It was just nothing.
But…things are different now. This place is different.
“Fumika… Thanks.”
I finally have somewhere to stay where I won’t be lonely. Kyouichirou, Haruka, Fumika, and Big Sister Albi. I know I’ll never forget you. I want to remember you forever.
“I love everyone here so much.”
A smile spread across Fumika’s face like a beautiful flower in full bloom.