Chapter Text
Nene Yashiro shuffled about her cramped garden nestled in the house courtyard. It wasn't much room, but she had managed to fit all sorts of plants in every inch. Plants even hung in the trees. The plants were different sizes and spices; some she didn't even know the name of. Most of them were once bought at the only pitiful nursery in town, where the owner was more concerned with gossiping with the butcher and elders rather than taking care of her plants.
Nene felt the most peace here, as it was the only place in this dreary grey town that held the green life she found so beautiful. She often came here to share her thoughts and feelings with the listening leaves. This time was no different.
As she gently plucked off the dead leaves and poured water from her watering can, she lamented to her friends. "I know it is my duty as a daughter, but do I really have to marry someone I don't even know?" She sniffled as she moved a cracked pot to the side of the brick fence. "Why can't I find love for myself like all the other girls?"
That morning her parents broke the news of her sudden engagement. "It's for the good of the company," they had said as they happily munched on cookies while their daughter world slowly imploded. Her parents were overjoyed at the idea of marrying her off to the town nobles for the chance to gain more backing for their fish canning business. In a month, she will be Nene Minamoto, wife to the second son of the count family.
Nene sighed as she let herself sit among the pots and weeds. A spot of yellow caught her eye as a butterfly gracefully landed on her growing onion plant. Holding out a dirt-covered hand, she felt a tickle as the little bug crawled up her finger. "At least you are free little one."
The butterfly watched her just as she watched it. It's bright wings were beautiful and looked as though they pieces of the moon. Oh, the places those wings can go, maybe so far that this little town would be a distant memory.
Suddenly, a crash near the courtyard gate caused the butterfly to flutter away, leaving Nene staring wistfully after it. Hearing a curse and a grumble, she finally turned her head to the source of the crash. A tall boy with orange hair was scrambling to pick up broken pot pieces as he got soil all over his clothes. With a gasp, Nene shot up and raced over.
"My fern!" She cried as she grabbed at the plant from the loose soil in a panic. However, a hidden pot shard tore into her hand, and she leaned back with a gasp as she clutched her hand in pain.
"Miss!" The orange-haired boy kneeled next to a lady's huddled form." Please calm down! I need to stop the bleeding." He tore off some cloth from his sleeve and quickly tired it around the cut. It didn't seem quite hygienic, but Nene accepted it for the time being.
Catching her breath, Nene took in the scene once more. The boy in front of her wasn't someone she knew from the town, but he seemed familiar. His clothes, which looked expensive from the high-quality fabric, were covered in dirt, and a large suitcase was left beside him. The fern she had been nursing for nearly three years was tossed to the side, trampled in the maddens to cover her bleeding hand.
“You…wha-… My fern."
The boy's face flushed, and he bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Miss! I accidentally knocked it over when I was walking by…." He gave her a sheepish grin as his eyes scrunched with worry, "Is there any way I can make it up to you?"
The gardener considered the boy. He seemed genuinely remorseful and was nice enough to tear his fancy shirt to wrap her hand. And now that she thought about it, he was rather cute. Maybe even really cute. Like her type cute. His orange hair danced like fire against the dull backdrop, and his eyes sparkled with a blue kindness. She also noticed his canine teeth poked out, making it look like he had fangs, giving him a refreshing smile. A blush flared on her cheeks, but she hoped it was just from embarrassment from the panic.
She tilted her head as she sheepishly rubbed her head and gave him a kind smile, "I forgive you, but you'll have to help me clean up this mess first!"
"I'll help with anything you want, Miss!"
And so, the two went to work. Nene directed him to clean up the broken pot and soil as she carefully picked up the remains of her plant. Repotting it might not help the poor thing, but it didn't hurt to try. After some toiling and maybe a miracle, the fern was back in a new home and almost looked like it could live to see another day.
"You sure have a green thumb, Miss!" The boy commented, looking at the fern in amazement. "I couldn't even keep a cactus alive…."
"Well, I spend a lot of time with them. How else would I keep this little piece of heaven going?" Nene bragged slightly as she stuck her nose up. The boy laughed at her show of confidence.
"By the way, I don't think I caught your name-" Just as the boy opened his mouth to answer, a distant call came from the house. "Oh! That's my mother! I must go! Thank you for helping me with my fern!" Nene gave him one last smile, then dashed back into her house, leaving the speechless boy in the yard.
"…She had cute ankles."