[CC] First Date

Tsubaki was nervous. She contends one hand in the other without stopping, distracted. She glanced at her watch, realizing that the time hadn't passed since the last few times she checked.

She closed her eyes, breathing in and out of her lungs once to calm down. To tell the truth, she didn't even know why she was so restless, since it made no sense.

She was having lunch at the Lunch Rush cafeteria, talkinb about the rare flower that would bloom after 10 years and how she would like to see it in the city's Botanical Garden. She wanted one of her friends to be excited to go with her, but none of them showed interest. So when Kinako, who was passing by, said she would go with her, Tsubaki was very happy.

She had no interest in the orchid, Kinoko had been direct, but she would never refuse an opportunity to visit the various specimens of mushroom that grew there.

"Are you alright?" She heard Kinoko's voice and opened her eyes to find the girl standing in front of her. She was dressed in casual clothes, just like Tsubaki, and realized that she hadn't seen her out of uniform until now. For a moment she felt silly, questioning about the little time she had taken to choose her clothes. "Am I late?"

"You're just in time," she replied, smiling. "Where do you want to go first?"

"Oh! East of the park has a large collection of Chorioactis geates. They must be beautiful this time of year!"

Tsubaki laughed softly at her friend's excitement. She'd rarely seen her so happy that way. If She'd known how Kinoko would react, I would have invited her earlier.

Kinoko led the tour, as she seemed to know the garden as if it were her backyard. She had decorated the place with each mushroom growing, and along the way they stopped to see some flowers that Tsubaki liked so much.

They walked endlessly through the park, side by side. They talked a lot about plants, each sharing their own knowledge. But also, they could get to know each other a little more. Kinoko told of her childhood in Gunna prefecture and Tsubaki shared curiosities about her own family.

As the sky began to turn orange, showing the first signs of the sunset, Tsubaki couldn't hide her disappointment. She hadn't realized that the hours were passing so fast. So she wished  that the day would have more hours so she could stay there beside Kinoko. Or, that the day would never end.

"Was that the orchid you wanted to see?" Kinoko pointed the flower.

"Yes..." She replied, stretching the letters as she spoke. The flower was almost closing again due to the hour of the day. "If you look closely, you'll be able to see the pollen. It looks unique, just like the orchid."

"Looks like cotton candy!" Kinoko exclaimed excitedly, coming closer to see. "Oh damn it!" She complained, taking a few steps back. "There is something in my eye!" She despaired, blinking furiously. "Ishirara-san, help me!"

"Stay still!" Tsubaki shouted, also desperate. She took Kinoko's face in both hands, forcing her to stop. With her right she pushed the girl's bangs away and, moving closer, blew softly into Kinoko's eyes. "How is that? Better?"

"Yes," she answered softly, blinking slowly.

"You know, I never realized that..." Tsubaki began after looking into Kinoko's eyes for some time. "You're eyes are beautiful. You should make them more visible."

Kinoko blushed slightly. She wasn't used to compliments.

"Sorry to drag you on so long," she said, taking a few steps away from Tsubaki, feeling a little shy. For a moment she couldn't look into her friend's eyes. "You couldn't even appreciate your flower."

"Don't worry," she assured her, smiling. "I really enjoyed today, it was very interesting. I had a great time."

"Still!" Kinoko complained. "Next time this plant blooms, I'll bring you straight to it!" She looked determined and Tsubaki thought it was cute.

"Next is only 10 years from now..."

"It's a date, then!" She assured, turning her back and walking to the exit, giving Tsubaki no chance to answer.

Tsubaki smiled even more. She was happy, even with the day over. She couldn't wait for the next bloom.

Until their next date.