[Novel] The Language of Anemone Flowers

The season I hate most of all has arrived.

I thought the year had only just begun, but before I knew it, it was almost June.
My straight hair that I woke up early to style, my skirt that I carefully ironed, and the new solid perfume I dabbed on my neck—it’s all ruined. Ever since I started high school, I feel like I’ve become especially bad at dealing with this indescribable, damp air. Using the plausible excuse that I was born in summer, I’ve only finished half of the English assignment that needs to be done by homeroom. On rainy days, I just can’t find the motivation.

But this year is a little different.
I’ve been looking forward to the rainy season more than at any other time in my life.
Because he... is coming back.

***

"Hey, can you spare some time after school tomorrow?"
It was when I was changing my shoes at the shoe locker, heading toward the club building a little ways from the schoolhouse after the fifth-period class ended. When I turned around, brushing off the palm that had been placed on my head, familiar large eyes were looking straight down at me. It was Yusuke.

"No way. I’ll be late for club activities, and my mom asked me to be in charge of dinner today."
Over Yusuke’s shoulder, I could see a crowd of girls waiting hesitantly and nervously. There must have been about ten of them. Oh, right, today was Valentine’s Day.

"Don’t worry. I already got permission from your mom. See you tomorrow, then. At the usual place after club practice."
Just as I thought he was going to pat my head again, he easily hoisted several bats and a mud-covered sports bag and hurried off toward the athletic field.

"Miwa! Hey, you forgot your racket."
When I realized it, my club teammate Mei was standing next to me. She must have seen me struggling while being glared at by the group of girls and decided to throw me a lifeline.

"Wow, thanks! Mei, you’re the only one who understands how I feel."
"Huh? You’re unusually honest today. Come on, you should cherish me more."
Mei patted my back while changing into pure white running shoes that made her long, slender legs look even better.
Ah, I bet Yusuke likes beautiful girls like her too.
A little surprised at myself for suddenly thinking that, I hurried off to the club meeting.

Yusuke has been my childhood friend since kindergarten. His family runs a popular flower shop in the shopping district. My mother, whose hobby is flower arrangement, and Yusuke’s mother have been close for a long time, and we know each other’s families well. We used to run around like little monkeys when we were small, but before I knew it, he had grown taller than me. Now he’s well over the average height, probably 175 centimeters. He’s completely obsessed with baseball, which he started in the third grade of elementary school, and he’s the ace and cleanup hitter. He’s in high demand by the local senior team, and I hear he even has a fan club in the next town over.

In contrast, I am a very ordinary student. My height and weight are perfectly average. My grades are maybe a little better than average. I joined the tennis club after entering high school because I wanted to try playing tennis again, which I had done once with my mother when I was little. I’m also a secretary for the student council, but honestly, I only took it on reluctantly because no one else would raise their hand, and I don’t really have any strong points.
Since we both went to the local high school, there are a few acquaintances, but I’m sure there are people who wonder about the combination of plain old me and popular Yusuke. It’s a hassle, so I don’t explain anything, though.

The next day, it was past 6:30 PM.

The "usual place" Yusuke mentioned is a park near the riverbed.
I’ve come here to watch baseball games, and I’ve made up with him while riding the swings. Come to think of it, I was even forced to play catch with him once to clear my head. When I think about how I’ve been pushed around by him since we were kids, I feel a bit frustrated.

I arrived at the park first and sat down on the edge of the familiar blue bench. Today, of all days, it was my turn for club duty, and since I was carrying both the water jug and the balls, my right shoulder felt like it was about to fall off.
Just as I dropped my bags with a thud, I heard a voice from behind.

"Yo. Sorry to keep you waiting."
"N-no. I wasn’t waiting, I just got here."
With a "Really?" and a laugh, Yusuke sat down right next to me, and he smelled different than usual. What is it... a new scent, like soap. His mud-covered uniform looked a little shrunken. Did he grow taller again?

"So, what was it you wanted to talk about so formally?"
"Before we talk about that, come with me for a second."
"Huh? Why?"
He hoisted my bags with ease and grinned.
"Hey! Where are we going?"
Whenever Yusuke smiles like this, it usually means he’s about to start some mischief. Oh no, I’m going to get dragged into something again.
Half-resigned, I decided to follow his back as he strode forward, grabbing my right arm. In the first place, it’s useless to resist. Yusuke is always walking ahead of me. He’s an annoying guy, but I know full well that he leads me in the right direction.

We barely spoke, and I think we walked for about 15 minutes.
Before I knew it, we had come out onto a back alley I had never seen before.

"Here, take a look."

When I followed the gaze of Yusuke, who had suddenly stopped, it was directed overhead.

"W-wow..."

A sky full of stars, more than I had ever seen before, was spread out above us.

"See? Isn't it beautiful? I found this place when I came here alone before."
"I didn't know a place like this existed, even though it's near the park. Wow, it's truly amazing!"
"I wanted to show it to you."
Even in the darkness, I could tell he was smiling shyly.
He really hasn't changed at all in that regard. Whether it's something fun, happy, sad, or painful, he always tells me first. I wonder if this is what they call the bond of childhood friends.

"That's Orion, right? And over there is Sirius in Canis Major. It's the brightest star in the entire sky."
"Since when were you so knowledgeable? You sound like you're in the astronomy club, not the baseball team."
"Shut up. But, I've always liked looking at the stars, you know?"
"Did you? Oh, but you did have a space encyclopedia in your room. That brings back memories."
"You're a Leo, right? Do you know when you can see Leo?"
"Hmm, isn't it July?"
"The correct answer is around March. You can't see your own zodiac sign during the season you were born in."
"That's amazing, Yusuke! You're like a walking encyclopedia."
We continued our idle chatter for a while. Thinking back on it now, it must have been very difficult for Yusuke to talk to me.

"Hey, Miwa. There's something I want to ask you."
"Hmm?"
I had sensed since he called out to me yesterday that something was different from his usual self. But since he hadn't consulted me about anything beforehand, I had no idea what he was going to say.


Yusuke looked up at the sky once and took a deep breath.

"I've decided to go to Tokyo."

For a moment, I couldn't hear any of the sounds around me.

"Huh..."
"We had a practice match with a school in Tokyo last month, right? That high school asked me to come. They're a powerhouse school, but they said they're short on pitchers."
I hesitated for a moment, doing my best to strain my facial muscles so it wouldn't show. I felt like I might cry if I looked at Yusuke's face, so I decided to keep looking at the sky for a while.

"That's great! It's amazing. Going to Tokyo was your dream, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. I haven't told anyone but my family and teachers yet. But I felt like I had to tell you as soon as possible."
"...When are you going?"
"I'm thinking of going in a month. I'll be living in a dorm, and there are preparations to make."
"I see, that's great, really!"

It might have been obvious that I was putting on a brave face.
I knew Yusuke was looking at me, but I still couldn't hold back my tears, so I kept looking up at the heavens.

The star called Sirius was flickering like a teardrop.

"I'm sorry I won't be able to be with you."
"What are you saying? I'll be fine even if you're not here."
"I'm worried, about various things. You know, you're a bit slow."
"That's mean. I might be a bit scatterbrained, but I've become more responsible since joining the student council, right?"
"From my perspective, you're still reckless. Watch out for Kenta in your class."
"Why Kenta...?"
"Wait, you haven't noticed? That guy likes you."
"R-really? No way. You're the one who shouldn't be flirting with girls in Tokyo!"
"There's no way I'd do something like that, haha."

Before I knew it, we were both laughing loudly while lying in the grass.

"Yusuke. I'm proud of you. This is the first step toward your dream."
Yusuke propped himself up halfway, resting his cheek on his hand, and patted my head with his other hand.
In the February winter wind, the warmth of his palm seeped into my heart.
At the same time, I thought, 'Ah, he really is leaving.'

"Congratulations, really."
"Yeah."
"I'll be rooting for you."
"Yeah."
"I'll even join your fan club."
"Yeah."
"Call me or send me a LINE message once in a while, okay?"
"Yeah."
"I'll even listen to your problems."
"Yeah."
"If anyone bullies you, I'll go and beat them up."
"Yeah."
"Let me know when you have a big game. I'll watch it on TV."
"Yeah."
"So..."

It was only for a moment.

That day, we shared our first kiss.

It wasn't the bittersweet lemon taste described in manga; it was incredibly salty because of the large tears.

The Winter Triangle was shining in the sky.

***

The month that followed passed by with surprising speed.

After saying goodbye to our school friends and family, I went to the bus stop alone to see him off.

"Did you forget anything? Here, Mom said to take these rice balls with you."
"Thanks. Give my regards to your mom, too."
"Yeah. Well then, Yusuke. Take care of yourself!"
"Yeah, thanks for seeing me off. Oh, that's right. This is a parting gift. Decorate your room with it."

What was taken out of the bag hidden behind the large sports bag was a small bouquet, primarily of blue and purple flowers.

“Huh? It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Yeah. Thank you?”
“Why are you so full of questions? I’m planning to come back for a bit in June. Anyway, take care of yourself!”

Finally, he patted my head again, gave me a bright, happy grin, and boarded the pure white bus.

The cloudless blue sky seemed to be blessing the departure of Yusuke, who always brought the sunshine.

Filled with a very bright and clear feeling, I watched the white bus until its back disappeared from view.

When I looked up the flowers he gave me that day, I found out they were called “anemones.”
The flower language is “fleeting love,” “expectation,” and “firm promise.”
And also, “I believe in you and will wait.”

While gazing at the swag I had made into dried flowers with my mother’s help, I suddenly made up my mind.

When he comes back soon, I will give him a gift this time. It’s a little late, but I’ll give him my favorite chocolates. And then, a bouquet of beautiful anemones and white roses.