Chapter 2: The Flower Blooming
After school ended, Yasmine quietly returned home.
"Welcome back, my sweet daughter!" her mother greeted with a warm smile.
Yasmine sighed. "Mom, can you just talk normally? It's… kind of irritating."
She never showed her shy side at home. With family, she could speak freely.
"How were your results?" her mother asked.
"I came first in the exams."
"As expected of my gorgeous daughter!"
"M-Mom! Please stop!" Yasmine protested, her cheeks pink.
Suddenly, the sound of tiny footsteps echoed through the house.
"BIG SISTEEEEEEER!"
A small girl launched herself into Yasmine's arms.
"What is it, Jemi?" Yasmine asked, bracing herself.
"You promised to buy me pudding! Where is it?"
(Oh shoot…) Yasmine thought.
"Sorry, Jemi… maybe tomorrow."
"You're a BAD, BAD, BAD sister!" Jemi pouted, smacking her with tiny fists.
"Ow, ow! Okay, I promise I'll get it tomorrow!"
"Promise?"
"Yeah, I promise."
"Then remember it!" Jemi huffed.
Their mother chuckled. "Will you take a bath first?"
"Later. I'll water the plants first," Yasmine replied.
In the garden, she carefully watered the jasmine flowers.
(Dad once told me these flowers resemble me. That's why he named me Yasmine. Back then, I didn't believe him… but now, maybe…)
One branch caught her attention: two jasmine buds. One had bloomed beautifully, the other remained tightly closed.
(I'm like that flower… unable to bloom.)
She stood in silence before whispering, "Okay… time to go inside."
---
Meanwhile, at Aijin's home.
"I'm home," Aijin called.
His sister Shuna smirked. "Well, look who's here. So, how'd your results go?"
"I came second. Eighty-nine percent," Aijin answered.
"Second? Oh, Mom's going to be pissed. Maybe I should tell her~" she teased.
"Do what you want," Aijin muttered, brushing past.
(My little-big sister is so annoying… At least my eldest sister isn't like her.)
"Aijin, are you here?" his mother called.
"Yes," he replied.
"Can we talk?"
They sat down.
"So, you came second."
"Yes."
"Did you study properly?"
"Yes."
His mother sighed. "Sometimes it happens. But Aijin, remember—we're pushing you because we want you to have a good future. Everything we do is for your sake."
"…I know," Aijin said softly.
"Good. Come to dinner after you've bathed." She left the room.
(Mom can be terrifying, but also kind. She scolds me a lot, but she's also the one who comforts me afterward. Still… sometimes, she goes too far.)
Then his father entered.
"Aijin."
"Dad?"
"You came second."
"Yes."
"That's fine. But be better next time, genius." He gave a small smile before leaving.
(Dad's different. He's the one who always encourages me, even when I failed. He doesn't pressure me—he supports me. I'm grateful for that.)
---
The next morning, students gathered in their new third-year classes.
"Aw man, Aijin, we're in different classes this year," Mui groaned.
"Yeah, but at least we're still in the same school," Aijin reassured him.
"True, but still…"
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out.
"Aijin!"
"Jirou."
"Looks like we're classmates again."
"Yeah."
Mui pouted. "Now I really wish I was in your class."
---
On the other side of the school—
"WAAHHH! YASMINE, WHY?!" Kei cried dramatically. "Why'd you have to be in a different class?!"
"I… guess… it's… fine," Yasmine whispered.
"Don't lie. You're shaking."
"Huh?"
"Of course you are! You're trembling like crazy!"
"…I'll be fine," Yasmine said, though her voice wavered.
Kei softened. "If anything happens, call me, okay?"
"Yeah… thank you, Kei."
---
When Yasmine finally stepped into her classroom, unease filled her chest.
"Look, it's Mizuno," a boy sneered.
"Yeah, the loser's here," another chimed in.
"Why'd you even come back here, nerd?" a girl added.
Yasmine's lips trembled. "...Help… me… Please…" she whispered.
Aijin entered the room just then, catching sight of the scene.
"Hey," he said calmly.
The bullies turned. "Who the hell are you?"
"Just a new classmate. I came to talk to that girl."
"You can't. We're busy, four-eyes."
"Don't insult my glasses," Aijin said flatly.
"Stay out of this!" one boy roared, throwing a punch.
Aijin caught his arm mid-swing and twisted it behind his back. The boy yelped.
"You don't know who you're messing with. If you did, you wouldn't have the guts to raise a hand at me. So… do you want to leave, or should I break your arm?"
"S-Sorry! Please, let go!"
Aijin released him. The bullies backed away, stunned.
"Do I need to invite the rest of you next?" Aijin asked coldly.
They scattered immediately.
He turned to Yasmine. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah… thanks."
"Good. Since we're in the same class now, let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Aijin Kuroya."
"Y-Yasmine Mizuno."
"You're the one who topped the grade." He smiled faintly. The bell rang. "Looks like class is starting. See you later, Mizuno."
"B-Bye…"
---
At lunch, Aijin sat with Mui and Jirou.
"Ugh, I'm depressed," Mui groaned. "Seventy-five percent. Thirteenth place."
"Why so down? That's good," Aijin said.
"Not compared to you," Mui muttered.
"Yeah, 89% and second place…" Jirou sighed. "Meanwhile, I got 48%. One hundred twenty-third place. Kill me now."
"Don't be discouraged," Aijin said firmly.
Both friends managed weak smiles.
Later, the homeroom teacher Ms.Usami announced, "For this semester, the class representatives will be… Aijin Kuroya and Yasmine Mizuno. The two class toppers"
---
That afternoon, the two of them cleaned the board together.
"Better finish quick, I want to go home," Aijin muttered, erasing the chalk.
Yasmine quietly wiped the other side.
"By the way, Mizuno…" Aijin said. "Why were those guys troubling you earlier?"
She froze. After a long silence, she whispered, "T-They… were my middle school bullies. They mocked me, hit me, called me a nerd.… I… I think I was just… born cursed. Unlike my name."
"That's nonsense," Aijin cut in firmly.
"Huh?"
"First, you're not cursed. You just haven't found your way yet. Second, bullies are nothing more than animals. And third—your parents gave you a beautiful name for a reason."
"But I heavily rely on kei… I can't even stand up for myself…"
"Then rely on others first. If you want to stand on your own, you have to let people support you."
"But… I only have Kei…"
"Not anymore." Aijin straightened, looking her in the eye. "From now on, I'll help you. Whether you like it or not. And—" he smirked, "—I want you to be my rival. Not just in exams, but I also want you to be my friend."
Yasmine's eyes widened, sparkling.
"Ah, shoot, I need to go. See you, Mizuno," Aijin said, waving before leaving.
Yasmine stood frozen, replaying his words.
Her father's voice echoed in her mind: "Yasmine your name means this flowers and do you know what the meaning of jasmine flower. It's means a gift from God. Just like I got you as my gift from God."
Aijin: I also want to be your friend.
Her cheeks flushed red.
And at that very moment, in her garden… the jasmine bud that hadn't bloomed finally opened its petals.
[ End of Chapter 2 ]