Yumeharu Stories Episode 5: Makoto's Day Off / Close-up! Store Manager 24 Hours! 1/3

Episode 5: Makoto's Day Off ~Close-up! Store Manager 24 Hours!~

― Makoto's Perspective ―

“Please let me interview you!”
“...Huh?”

Before I could ask what was so sudden, Mei Nitta explained the reason.
For a university independent study project, she wanted to cover a place her best friend loved. That best friend, Haruko Hasegawa, had passed away in a traffic accident before graduating high school.
Honestly, I wanted to refuse.

Haruko Hasegawa—...

I recall she had requested flowers, wanting to express her gratitude to her best friend. That best friend was her, Mei Nitta.
As a business owner, I suppose I should accept the interview.
But there are circumstances that make it hard to commit.
The Garden of God where [Yume to Haru] is located is not a place where living humans are meant to come. Things close to death come here. If they stay too long, they won't be able to return to the human world.

That's not all.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm a germaphobe, but having someone enter my territory is... unbearably unpleasant. I know, that's something I should just endure myself.
As I struggled to respond, Hiiragi answered for me.

“Why not? Let's accept it!”
“Hey, Hiiragi.”
“You said she had memories with her friend, didn't you?”
“That's true, but...”
“I understand your circumstances and your feelings, Makoto. So, we'll keep the interview within reasonable limits, and if it gets too much, I'll take over.”
“If you say so, fine. Understood... I'll accept the interview.”

When I answered, Mei's eyes lit up.

“Thank you very much!”
“I need to handle the paperwork, so come back in three days.”
“Yes, please do.”

After parting with Mei, I headed to see God.
To get permission for a living person to stay in the Garden of God for an extended period.
This procedure is quite a hassle.

(Can't be helped.)

As I filled in the necessary information on the documents, a sigh escaped me.

― Mei's Perspective ―

Three days later, at 9:00 AM.
By the time I finished getting ready, I was enveloped in a warm light with the gentle scent of sweet olive.
It was only for an instant.
The light carried me to the flower shop where Makoto-san was in the blink of an eye.

“Good morning. I'm looking forward to working with you today!”
“Ah, likewise.”

Makoto smiled at me.
Looking around the store, there were only vases and flowerpots lined up; there wasn't a single flower.
...Even though it's a flower shop?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Hiiragi answered.

"They bloom when a customer arrives. Isn't it mysterious?"
"Is it... a magic trick or something?"
"It's magic. The magic of love."
"The magic of love?"
"Flowers bloom when they are sought for love. When they are cherished. When love is born. That is when they bloom most beautifully."
"I didn't know that."
"Yes, humans don't know."

Hiiragi says.
My dear friend who is no longer with us, Haruko Hasegawa, received an amaryllis at this shop.
To give to me—...
She looked so very happy.

I wanted to know.
About this shop that Haruko said she loved. This shop that took Haruko away.
If she hadn't come to this shop, Haruko wouldn't have died.
I wanted to meet her.
The woman in the suit with the bright red hair.

My true intentions have not been noticed by the two of them.

"Mei Nitta. I have no interest in what you want to do, but if you say you intend to harm Hiiragi... then be prepared for the consequences."

She whispered in my ear.
...A devil's whisper.
I had no choice but to answer, "Yes."

At 10:00, the shop opened.
Still, the flowers did not bloom.
And no customers came.
11:00, 12:00, and not a single person had arrived.
It's too boring.
Makoto and Hiiragi seemed used to this idleness, spending their time reading or coloring. I also read a novel.

"Um, is it always like this?"
"Like what?"
"I mean, do customers not come?"

At my question, Hiiragi blinked a few times.

"Well, maybe one person every three days."
"Eh? Is the business okay?"
"You came here to do a report, right? ...Do you know nothing about this flower shop?"

Hiiragi furrowed her brows.
There were so many mysteries that I couldn't do any prior research.
How should I play this off...

"It can't be helped, Hiiragi. There aren't many people who can even come to this shop in the first place. It's said to be an urban legend in the human world... It would be strange if she did know."
"O-oh, I see..."

Saved by Makoto, I managed to get through it.
She replied that the reward is the customers' happiness.
She didn't look like she was lying.

(Is this person really the mastermind?)

I came here to avenge my best friend, but I feel like I'm about to forget my purpose.
Hidden from the two of them, I slapped my cheeks twice to psych myself up.

...
......
.........
............

In the end, not a single customer came, and it was 17:00. We would be closing in an hour.
Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Welcome!"

Makoto and Hiiragi stopped their work and welcomed the customer with a smile.
Along with the sound of the customer's footsteps, the scent of flowers gently filled the shop.
Flowers were blooming in the vases and pots throughout the shop.

“...Mei-chan”
“Eh?”

Nostalgic,
I wanted to see you,
I heard the voice of my dear friend.
When I turned around, Haruko was there.

Why—...

“I heard about you from Makoto, Mei-chan.”
“Mei Nitta. You should go and have a proper talk with her.”

Pushed by her, I sat in a chair at the back of the shop.
On the table, freshly brewed tea and tea snacks were prepared for two.

- To be continued -

Tomorrow at 7:00 PM
Yumeharu Stories 2026
Episode 5: Makoto's Day Off
~Is that reading?~ 2/3
will be released!

Wishing you all a wonderful flower life.

Makoto Fujishiro