In the middle of the ride, Reika settles more naturally this time, her posture shifting with the motion instead of resisting it. The evening air brushes against her skin, carrying the faint scent of sea and city, something in between that she can't quite name but doesn't mind.
"Hm… the breeze feels different at night."
"Scooter don't have warmer, too bad ma'am."
She punches his waist lightly while pouting. "I'm saying it feels nice."
"Just kidding… haha…"
Then, something in the distance catches Reika's eye.
Oh… isn't that…?
A faint patch of color beyond the roadside under the street light, half-hidden by the bend ahead drawing her attention.
…It bloomed nicely over there…
She leans slightly forward, peering past Renji's shoulder before raising a hand to point.
"Hey, Renji. Do you see that park at the corner? The one over there."
"Hmm? Which—oh…" Following the direction of her finger, he notices it immediately.
"Is that far…?"
"Not really… But we already missed the turn…What, you want to go? I can circle back."
"That would be wonderful."
"…Okie dokie…"
--------
The park opens up to a wide view of the sea, stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Reika steps off first, taking in the scene, then stretches her arms lightly as if shaking off the stiffness of the ride.
"Hmmmmmm…"
She draws in and holding a long breath, then let it go.
…So it really did bloom.
The clusters of soft purple hanging overhead, weaving through the steel framework above like a chandelier made of petals. Despite her effort to not show it too obviously, the excitement in her eyes give her away.
After parking the scooter safely, Renji walked to her, while stretches his own body too, clearly exhausted by the long drive.
"Reika-sama… You're not tired?"
"Not really…"
There's something lighter in her step as she walks, something unguarded he doesn't see often.
While Reika still walking around and looking at the flowers, Renji head straight to one of the nearest benches, his gaze shifts to the vending machine beside it, then back to her. Playful thoughts creeps in.
"By the way, do you even know how to use one of those?"
"Hmm? Those?" She stops mid-step, looking at his line of sight, then turning to him with a flat look. "…That's rude. I'm not that oblivious…"
"I'm just asking…"
"Sure, I've never used one… but it can't be that complicated."
She steps up to the machine and pauses. Rows of colorful cans stare at her. She stares right back.
"…Oolong tea for me. Thank you very much." He drops onto one of the benches as he doesn't even try to hide his amusement.
"Oolong… oolong…" she mutters the name until she finds it. Leaning in slightly, she read the instructions in the corner and following it step by step faithfully—even the angle of the coin.
After a brief hesitation. Then—
*Clang.*
The can drops loudly.
She retrieves and holds it out to him with a smug face. Renji eyes moved between the can and her smirk.
"See? I can do it~"
"Yeah, yeah, haha… Amazing." He takes the can, and cracks it open. "You're not getting anything…?"
"I am. So, anything interesting here?"
After taking a sip, he tilted his head to her. "Aojiru's pretty interesting…"
"…Renji... I know what kind of drink that is… So, let's not…" Her eyes move across the options again before settling on something else. "Hmm… this… Canned oden…? is it good?"
"It's fine… Just don't expect delicate, refined and complex texture out of it, ma'am…"
"I am aware." There's a faint pout in her voice, as she decides her pick.
*Clang.*
She picks it up and walks back, settling beside him at the same bench, this time without the usual distance.
"Wow, you actually went for it."
"Looks interesting enough ~hehe~"
"You have something to say about Astro Patty the other day… but you're picking this now?"
"I'm minding what I eat."
"I recall you've proudly said that you're not a picky eater…"
"I am not. But I have a clear boundary for junk food."
"That's canned oden on your hand, dammit…"
"This one is processed food. Learn the difference, Renji."
She opens it with a small, giddy motion, curiosity written plainly across her face as she peers inside.
The savory scent rises faintly—she prods at the content lightly to inspect the unknown, then, cautiously, she takes a bite.
"…Hm."
"Disappointed…?" Renji let out a knowing chuckle.
"…Well… taste fine…"
Another small bite follows, and she chewing into it quietly. For a while, neither of them says anything. The steady sound of the distant waves fills the gaps.
After finishing off her chikuwa, Reika speaks again, her tone softer this time.
"… Today, I feel like I've experienced quite a lot."
"Welp, we visited a lot of places today… You're tired, aren't you? Even if you pretend otherwise."
"I'm not tired… Haaah, never mind, you silly…"
Reika's mind replaying today's moment. It's as if she finally realized something.
Itoku (遺徳)… If one day I'm gone, I wish I can have something similar like how Tetsuo is to his patrons…
"Renji… Thank you for today."
"Huh? Uhh... If anything... I should be the one thanking you... Thanks for helping me sorting out Tetsuo's place, Reika-sama.... And—" Renji lifts the empty oolong can in his hand. "—This..."
"Next time you can ask more than oolong, you know…"
"Shoot… I missed my chance… should ask for a steak then, haha…"
"Steak?"
"Yeah… back at Shimonoseki, Shira-san treat me to some fancy Wagyu-something-something…"
Hmm… Shira…? Treating him for a steak…?
Reika smiled gently at him, then, chewing on the last piece of the oden, she recalls something else.
"By the way… I've noticed you've been calling Shira… '-san' lately." There's a meaningful weight mixed with mischief behind her question, "Did something happen?"
"Eh…? Hmmm… Nothing much… It's just the morning after I moved in to your mansion, she told to drop the '-sama' on her because it sound insulting coming from me…"
"…Hoooo."
"What? Is something wrong…?"
Would you look at that… She doesn't hate him that much despite all of her comment.
The thought lingers for a moment, unexpected in its own way. Then she leaves him a glance, her voice smoothing out.
"Nothing wrong about it…"
Then another silence, both of them relaxing in their own way in this time and space, something rare in each their life, when Reika finishes her small treat, Renji trails off, while scratching his cheek like he still debating whether to say it or not.
"Reika-sama… today… well—whatever's been on your mind… I hope… I'm sure… you'll figure it out…" He reaches down beside him, picking up something that fallen from above, then he offers it to her with a wry smile. "…Probably… I think…"
Reika froze and gave a measured look between the small cluster of violet petals in his hand and his darting eyes.
Heh… of all things… Wisteria… seriously Renji…
The same flower she had been quietly admiring earlier, the one that never bloomed in her own garden no matter how carefully she tended to it.
"…Do you know what flower that is?"
Renji glances at it, then back at her. "Uhhh… A… flower that… just fell next to me…?"
There's a pause, then—
"…Pfft—" The laugh slips out before she can stop it, light and unguarded. "Ahahahaha~!"
"Gah! I regret trying to act cool!"
"That's your idea of acting cool? Hahaha!"
"I just thought—well, the flower looked nice, so… why not."
Taking a few breaths to adjust her own composure, she reaches out at last and take the small flower from his hand.
"Yes… it is a beautiful flower." Her fingers turn the stem lightly, brushing over the petals. "…This one is difficult to grow…"
"That so…? It's everywhere here…"
Renji responded absentmindedly while throwing his empty can to the bin across him to stave off his embarrassment.
…This man really is an enigma…
Reika watches him for a second longer, then sighed faintly—something softer settling behind her expression.
"Renji… One more thing."
"Yeah?"
Her gaze drops briefly to the Wisteria in her hand before lifting again, her clear amber eyes looking straight at Renji's.
"From now on… call me Rita… Just… Rita."
"Uhhh… I-is that really okay…?"
"I have already granted you permission. Do you need a written agreement?"
"…No…"
"Good. Then we have successfully completed our first lesson in listening comprehension."
Renji clearly still feels hesitant, then he speaks up again to divert her request.
"Is that your name…? How does 'Rita' come from 'Reika Hiraga'…?"
"Are you curious about it?"
"…Well…Yeah…"
"What would you do when you know…?"
"What…? I-I don't know… Should I do something after I know it…?"
"Perhaps? So, do you really, really want to know~?" She asked once more with playful hum.
"…If you put it that way… Now I'm really curious… but super scared of what it entails…"
"Hmm, I can prepare a list to make it easier for you…"
Reika then fell into deep silence, the teasing light left her eyes, as if mulling over something big.
Renji watched her complicated expression, after a while, he clears his throat. "On second thought—I-if it's something you'd rather not—"
"—It is my name… given by my mother…"
"…Oh."
"One day, I'll tell you the story behind it… But both are mine… Reika Hiraga… and Rita."
"I… see…"
Then, as if to lighten the mood again, she nudges him slightly with her elbow.
"So? Which suits me better?"
"Though question… I'm used to Reika-sama, but…" He glances back at her with a stoic smile. "I think 'Rita' sounds nice on you too, so, both suits you."
"Ah. Words from the bargain-bin compliment—refuge of men who have nothing better to offer. I suppose they serve their purpose…"
"…Red-handed, huh? Haha…"
"Your face is practically a subtitle track."
"Haaah… I wish I can play that cool, serious-mysterious vibe Shira-san has."
"Oh, not every flower asks for the same season."
Reika lets out a quiet giggle at the thought, as she watches his reddened cheek from the side, her gaze held something unspoken settling quietly within it.
"Welp, want to stay here longer? Or we head back?"
"Let's head back." Reika stood up, and walked ahead.
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The ride back to WaraGyo felt more comfortable each second passed. At some point, the steady motion and the sea breeze begin to lull her with drowsiness. Without thinking too much of it, one hand she placed on his shoulder, and one hand resting lightly at his side began to move.
Then, gradually, both arms linked around his waist and she leans forward.
"…W-what—huh!?"
Clearly startled by the sudden change from his passenger, Renji tries his best to stabilize the wobbling handlebars. Her body presses against his back, soft warmth trusted fully on him.
"H-hey! what are you doing, Reika-sama? That's dangerous!"
"…I'm not doing anything dangerous…"
"No, I mean—"
Hehe… His back is soooo warm…This is… quite comfy…
Moreover, her arms circling him completely now, holding him in place as she rests her head over his shoulder.
"Just focus on driving… I'm a bit sleepy… Otherwise I might fall…"
"T-t-that's not the issue—"
"What…? Having dirty thoughts~?"
"N-No! That's not—Agggh, forget it…!!"
His face burns, the heat creeping up to his ears. Reika notices the faint redness behind his ears, and the tension in his shoulders.
My, how cute…
"And Renji…didn't I tell you earlier…? Call me Rita."
"C-come on… you're asking too much…"
"Oh?" Her arms tighten slightly around his waist, with teasing lilt. "Stop pretending you're not happy about this…"
"Please give me a break…" He sighed and totally defeated. "…Just d-d-don't hold too tightly…" A small cough and clearing his throat, he mutters. "…Rita… san…"
Hehe, fair enough…
A light and satisfied laugh escapes her lips. She eases the pressure just a little, though she doesn't pull away. Instead, she settles more comfortably against him.
Maybe I'm overdoing it…But oh well…
She could feel her own heartbeat picks up, a warmth spreading across her cheeks. To distract her thought, she turns her gaze outward—the blurred coastline on one side, the distant outline of the night Tokyo cityscape on the other.
It really does feel different… from inside a car.
Usually, he's in front of me… driving… slouched…
Now he's in front of me… driving… slouched… and warm.
Fragments of routines begin to line up in her mind.
"Hey… you don't wear perfume? Or cologne?"
"…What is this…? Your classy way of saying I smell?"
"We really need to discuss your impression of me one of these days."
"Haaah… Can you blame me…?"
"I'm just asking…"
"Well, no. I mean… come on… I don't exactly have the luxury for that… Sorry if I smell, Rita-san."
"I didn't say you smell."
"Haha…Good to know."
"But you can afford it now… your salary is more than enough."
"… Now that you mention it… But… nah… still not really my thing…"
"Hmmmm…"
"What? Should I?"
"Never mind. I doubt there's a scent that would suit you anyway."
"…Seriously? And I'm not supposed to take that phrase the wrong way?"
"… Interpret it however you like…"
"Ha.Ha.Ha.Ha… and you? You always use the same one, don't you?"
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
"The perfume… your scent is kinda same every time…?"
"… Renji… The way you phrase that is really questionable…"
"Hey! You know what I mean! Don't twist it!"
She lets out a laugh then answering him seriously.
"Hmmm… I think most people generally stick to one they like…"
"That so…?"
"At least I stick to one that I like…"
"Huh. Cool… So it's like… identity or something?"
"Haha… not that deep… I can't say about others preference much, but me? I just like mine."
"…Well… yours does smells good…"
For a brief moment, something small and unexpected stirs in her chest. Yet, she covers it, as always.
"Alright… that counts as sexual harassment."
"What!? No!! I meant the perfume! Come on, you know it!!"
"Hehe, I might have to cut your salary for harassing your superior."
"Hey—seriously!? I didn't even—ugh, forget it. FORGET it! Let's drop this topic."
"I will not forget this…"
"Please… forget it… Rita-sama."
Another soft laugh escapes her.
Nope~
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