On a breezy spring afternoon, Mizuki, who had just moved to a new city for university, realized she was missing a curtain for her new room. Wandering around the nearby shopping street, her eyes fell upon a small flower shop. Through the glass, she saw soft pink ranunculus—and beside them, a young man carefully arranging flowers.
“Welcome,” he said in a quiet voice.
That was Ren. His eyes carried a shadow, yet his hands moved with a quiet gentleness. Something about him drew Mizuki in.
“I was wondering… is there a flower I could use instead of a curtain? Something to brighten up my room?”
Ren gave a faint smile.
“Ranunculus would be nice. Their translucent petals let the light in—and they bring a bit of spring with them.”
From then on, Mizuki began visiting the flower shop every week. After the cherry blossoms came sweet peas, then hydrangeas in early summer. Each visit brought a new flower, a new season—and gradually, her conversations with Ren grew deeper.
But then, something changed.
Ren stopped smiling. He stopped meeting her eyes.
Worried, Mizuki visited the shop one evening after it had closed. Inside, it was quiet, the lights dim. In the small garden out back, she found Ren sitting alone on a bench.
“Sorry for coming unannounced…”
“…No, it’s okay. Thanks for coming.”
And then, he began to speak—softly, slowly. He told her how he’d lost his younger brother in a traffic accident. That day, he’d been distracted by his phone, delivering flowers. He’d never stopped blaming himself. And every spring, as the anniversary approached, his heart would tighten all over again.
“Someone like me… trying to be kind to others… it just feels wrong.”
Mizuki couldn’t say anything at first. She simply sat beside him, and gently whispered:
“But Ren, the flowers you’ve given me—they’ve brought light into my days. So no… it’s not wrong at all.”
At that, Ren’s shoulders trembled. His tears slipped quietly into the night breeze.
From then on, they slowly began to walk forward—together. Mizuki didn’t rush to heal his wounds. Like a flower blooming at his side, she simply stayed close.
When cherry blossoms painted the town once again, Ren handed her a bouquet of white ranunculus.
“Ever since I met you… spring doesn’t scare me anymore. Thank you.”
Mizuki nodded, hugging the bouquet close to her heart. A soft breeze rustled the air.
It was the moment their own spring finally bloomed.
