~Dec. 27 - A Sunflower in Midwinter~
(Flower Shop Aya - Sunset / Outside)
That evening when Takuto went to work there was a police car parked outside. Ayako walks out of the shop with the cops. They were there about the girl that resigned. It turns out she's gone missing, as well as another kid. Both went to the same prestigious school that Ryouta and Takuto go to. However, there aren't any clues. Their conversation ends when a customer shows up.
(Flower Shop Aya - Night / Outside)
Ayako goes to deliver the bouquet, leaving Takuto in charge of the shop.
Kou wearing glasses
Kou shows up, this time wearing glasses. The withered Pascali come to mind and Takuto asks about them. He's ashamed that they sold him bad flowers. Kou says they're fine. He assumes that Takuto's worried because he came back so soon. Kou explains that he's back because he wants to decorate another room with them. Takuto recommends a red flower that arrived this morning: "Black tea" (this might be Black Baccara). More Piscali came in too.
Kou takes his time looking around the shop. Takuto wonders about the glasses. He thinks about the person that taught him the names of the flowers and remembers why he likes Piscali--it's the meaning behind the flower (Pascali is connected to Easter). Kou asks about the devoutness of his family because Kou finds his reason unusual (although Christmas is huge in Japan, Easter is well...ignored). Takuto says it's because he grew up in a foreign country. Kou laughs and straightens his glasses. He's also from a foreign country. Takuto's surprised.
Takuto inquires about the glasses. Kou's wearing them today because he's working on translations, which are due in two days. Kou puts his business card on the table.
Translator
Haishima Kou
XXX-XXXX
Yokohama City XXXXXXXX
The name sounded familiar...he'd heard it recently but couldn't remember. Kou's going to need the bouquet delivered because it won't be possible for him to go outside when he's drowning in work. Takuto takes the card for the delivery and gives Kou the shop's card.
Kou orders more Piscali. The total cost comes to 100,000 and 4,000 yen.
...sometime later...
Ayako returns from her delivery. Business is slow because of the cold weather...and it's the end of the year. Ayako's going to be traveling from the 31st to the 5th so the shop will be closed.
Ryouta and Ayako
Ryouta arrives and introduces himself to Ayako. Takuto scolds him for being rude but Ryouta says he's here to buy flowers. Takuto tells him he doesn't care about flowers so Ryouta starts listed off flower names. Ayako's amused. Takuto sighs and tells him to pick what he wants. He chooses a sunflower and asks if they should put it in a vase on the windowsill. Ryouta asks how many he can get for 2,000 yen
...1.
Ryouta: "Eh!? Flowers are that expensive!?"
Ayako gives it to him for free. Takuto goes into the back room to clean up. He can overhear Ryouta and Ayako talking.
Takuto smoking
Takuto thinks about how bright and friendly Ryouta is with everyone, and then about the other night when he caught Ryouta on his bed. Takuto doesn't want Ryouta to become like "them". He fishes his cigarette and goes back inside. Takuto and Ryouta leave for the night. It's a 30 minute walk home.
Ryouta's phone rings.
The class ring hanging off Ryouta's phone is Takuto's. The phone call is one of the band members, asking if Ryouta found Takuto. They're all worried he'll be the next missing person. Takuto and Ryouta get in an argument. Takuto thinks it's stupid to worry since he's a man, but Ryouta argues that Takuto's beautiful like a woman so it's a problem. Takuto gets that quiet kinda of angry (and goes as far as says men liking men is bad...I think). Ryouta says he's sorry but he really is worried.
Ryouta: "I'm sorry if I made you angry. However, I truly want you to be careful."
Takuto:" ...I understand."
Takuto smirks and grills him on why he's not worried about his girlfriend. Ryouta says it's because he's too busy with the band to really date her.
Takuto: "Is that so? ...Don't die of frustration."
Ryouta: O_O;;
***Whenever conversations Takuto doesn't like go on too long with Ryouta, Takuto switches into this "evil" mode.
Ryouta brings up dinner so they decide to get some food. They start to leave when Ryouta sees petals on the ground.
A withered white rose
This time it's a full withered rose.
*heartbeat/red flash*
Takuto's voice can be heard asking about thorns.
Kou's voice: "No, it is perfect as it is."
The flower is a Piscali, with the thorns still on it. Ryouta asks what's wrong. Takuto forces a smile and says it's nothing. He quickly leaves.
Takuto: (Hashima---?)
'At that time, I did not understand why that person's face came to mind. '