𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕖 - ᵇᶰʰᵃ (formerly "flower petals")

. ｓｔｅｐｈａｎｏｔｉｓ .

Stephanotis (also known as Madagascar jasmine) is usually associated with bridal bouquets, though it can also be grown as a free-flowering house plant. The word 'stephanotis' comes originally from two Greek words; 'stephanos', meaning 'crown' and 'otos', meaning 'ear'. In the language of flowers, stephanotis signifies 'marital bliss'. Stephanotis grows as a tropical evergreen vine that bears white flowers; it may only be grown inside if certain conditions are met. It is a beautiful but difficult plant, as it hates sudden changes in temperature, needs constant cool conditions in winter, and is attractive to various insects that may endanger it.

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Tuesday, 7:06 p.m. - the day after the entrance exams

You had found yourself within a seemingly wealthy development, and though you were sure the girl, Himiko Toga, as you remembered, wouldn't follow you into such a populated area, you continued to run just in case.

However, your running soon came to a rather aggressive halt as your body collided with another's, causing a chorus of loud noises.

Letting out a series of distressed, small sounds, your knees came into contact with the rough ground, your skin becoming torn and dirty. Your carnations had flown from your hands as you had first begun to fall, and as they neared the ground, you quickly pushed yourself onto your stomach, reaching out your arms to let the plastic container land safely within your scuffed palms.

A sigh of relief escaped your lips, your eyes still teary due to previous events as your head slowly spun towards the person you had run into.

Sitting to your left was a fairly tall man of average build, his brunette hair being fairly messy, or spiky, depending on how you looked at it. Regardless, as your eyes traveled to the ground, they caught sight of a pair of glasses lying next to the man's left hand, while a rather full-looking trashbag had fallen next to his right. Luckily, his glasses hadn't been scratched, or worse, broken.

This poor guy; he had just been minding his own business, taking out the trash, and you ran full-force into him.

Good job.

His head had slowly shifted towards yours, shocked gaze remaining as your eyes met. Before you could manage to get yourself up and apologize for your actions, a series of powerful steps had made their way towards the two of you.

"Masaru, what the hell happen- ... [l/n] ...?"

Gulping, you turned your head once more, wishing that you could just sink into the ground and hide. To your right was a seemingly young woman, her sharp, red eyes having softened upon the sight of you and what you assumed to be either her relative or lover.

Her hair was fairly similar to the man's, though it was a rather light-blonde, and far more ... spiky?

You weren't quite sure what to call it, but she looked incredibly similar to the hydrangea boy you had met the previous week.

Pushing yourself back so you were sitting atop your shins, you attempted to calm yourself down and apologize to both adults, however, as you parted your lips, the words seemed to have stuck themselves inside your throat.

"Hey ... are you alright?"

The woman had crouched herself down to your level, her hands having found themselves at either side of your face, forcing you to look into her worried gaze. The man had picked himself up, placing his glasses back onto his face before placing himself at the blonde woman's side. His eyes seemed to hold worry as well, causing a small sense of guilt to embed itself within the pit of your stomach.