「これが僕の気持ちを植えた場所。」
This is the place where I planted my feelings.

BONUS: One of the OPENING QUOTES will be in the chapter. It is in bold and italic.

***

Dedicated to @beatkilla_

Enjoy, everyone~!

***

Today, I went to work happily. I was really glad to know that someone like Subaru always had my back.

"Good morning, Ms. Shiomi." The nurses greeted as I made my way to my office room.

"Good morning." I greeted back.

As soon as I got inside, I went over to my desk, sat down, and rechecked my files.

I was changing the progress on some of the patient records. Most of them really improved. Aki will actually be released next week, but she told me that she wants to keep on scheduling sessions with her and I was really glad to hear that.

Among all my patients, she's the one I'm worried about the most. She's only six years old and she already had such a traumatizing experience. Most of my patients are actually Alzheimer patients. Somehow, the rest of the psychologists in the hospital managed to pass all of them to me since they said that I had the most patience. I may be patient, but not on those pschotic psychologists.

"Doctor Shiomi. Calling Doctor Shiomi to Emergency Room 217. Calling Doctor Shiomi."

I ran out of my office as soon as I heard the intercom. When I arrived at the emergency room, all the nurses gave way so I could assist the patient.

He looked like he was in his mid-thirties. He was shaking; definitely traumatized. He had blood all over his hands and cuts on his arms. His right leg was bleeding nonstop. There was definitely a bullet in his leg.

"Ladies, get me a basin of water, a dry towel, a first aid kit, an empty basin, and a bottle of water." I said as I put on my surgical gloves then approached the man.

"Sir, please don't panic. We're here to help you. I'm Doctor Shiomi Haruna." I said.

"... don't.. panic..? Don't.. panic? Don't panic? Don't panic?!! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I SAW! HE WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! HE KILLED MY WIFE AND SON! I'M GOING TO KILL THAT BASTAR—"

"SIR, I TOLD YOU TO CALM DOWN! I AM A PSYCHOLOGIST! I CAN HELP YOU!" I yelled back at him as he piped down.

"..okay, sir. I'll just take this out and take care of your wounds. Please wash your hands. You may tell me the full story afterwards." I said as I received the first aid kit from one of the nurses and grabbed the tweezers.

***

Soon enough, I found out that this guy also experienced the same thing as Aki. Having their loved ones die in front of them. This world really is cruel.

Just as I was thinking of that. Someone knocked on my office door.

"Come in!" I said.

"Doctor Shiomi, this came in for you this morning." A nurse said as she handed me a beautiful bouquet of white roses.

"Thanks. From whom did it come from?" I asked as I checked if it had any card on it.

"A young man told me to give this to you. You were at the emergency room and he was in a hurry so I stepped in for him." She said.

"What did he look like?" I asked.

"He had gray hair and looked like a teen." She said.

"Oh okay. Thank you." I said then she bowed and left my office.

I quickly opened my phone to call my presumed sender.

"Yes, this is Asahina."

"Hi, Iori. Did you send the flowers?" I asked.

"Oh, you've received them? Yes, I did." He said with a small laugh.

"Thank you. They smell like vanilla. It's really calming." I said.

"That's good to know. I actually made it smell like raindrops at first, but then when I heard you were in the emergency room, I thought you might need something to cool your mind off." He said.

"Thanks, Iori. It really helped." I said.

"You're welcome. Are you perhaps free for dinner tonight?" He asked.

"I think so haha. I'll call you again if anything comes up." I said.

"Alright. Don't tell anyone about us meeting up for dinner. I'll be home by seven." He said then hung up.

As soon as the call ended, I couldn't help but feel both nervous and excited.

The way he invited me.. it sounded like a date. Oh damn.

But wait, why wouldn't he want anyone else to know about it? It's not like it's a date-date, right?

"Doctor Shiomi! Room 821! Emergency patient!" A nurse yelled as she knocked on my door.

I put the flowers in my vase then hurried off to the room. I did what I had to do then started to finish my daily tasks.

Today's a pretty hectic day..

***

"Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Shiomi!" The nurses bid as I took out my sign in card.

"Thank you!" I bid with a bow then walked out.

After work, I hurried back home to get ready.

"Welcome back, Haru-san." Yuusuke greeted.

"Oh, hey, Yuusuke!" I greeted.

"Listen, uhm, Masa-nii said that he was on dinner duty but is taking too long at work today. Could you fill in for him?" He asked.

Oh gosh no. Not now please.

"Uh, sure, but I'm not going to be eating here." I answered.

Really? You just had to say yes didn't you?

"Why not?" He asked.

"I-I'm having dinner out with some colleagues at work." I lied.

Colleagues at work? Is this some joke to you, Haru? Oh for goodness sake. You and your big mouth.

"Oh, okay. I'll help prepare dinner so you can leave on time." He said.

"Thanks!" I said then hurried to my room, closed the door, and slid down.

"That was a close call." I said to myself.

***

I groaned in frustration as I kept on failing to lubricate my contact lenses.

I was freaking out real bad. Most of my clothes were scattered on the bed and my makeup supplies all over my desk.

After successfully lubricating my contact lenses, I got inside the bathroom and got busy curling my hair.

(A/N: Girls, relate?)

By the time I finished my hair and makeup, I was sweating like crazy and it was already six so I hurriedly got dressed and fixed my bag then went downstairs to help Yuusuke.

Usually, Ema and Subaru would be at home by this time as well but Yuusuke said that they still have something to do at their clubs.

(A/N: Did you guys forget that it's already a new year and that Ema and Yuusuke attend the same school as Subaru does? 😂😂 I hope not xD)

Making dinner wasn't too hard. At least for today.

I just reheated the leftover rice that Kaname-san prepared for lunch. Good thing there was enough for extra.

I chopped some mixed vegetables and sauted them in butter. Then I fried some pork chops and made curry sauce for it.

"Thanks again, Haru-san. Sorry for bothering you." Yuusuke said as he scratched the back of his neck.

"No problem. If they arrive late, just reheat those in the microwave." I said.

"Ok. Have fun!" He bid.

I waved at him then hurried out to see Iori sitting under the large tree in front of the residence.

"Sorry. Did you wait long?" I asked.

"No, not really. You look really nice." He complimented.

"Thank you.." I said with a blush.

I was just wearing a simple baby blue dress and flats, but I did do a little more work on my hair and makeup so I was really flattered.

"Shall we go?"

***

Due to this situation... somehow I feel embarrased.

Iori is driving us to the place. He's younger than me so as a woman, I feel really small somehow. As an adult, I feel ashamed as well since it should be my responsibility to do these kinds of stuff.

I'm really proud of Iori actually. He's really famous for making bouquets for weddings of relatives, contests, and competitions. He's really great at taking care of nature.

Recently, he got his license as well. He's not as good as me, Natsume, Tsubaki, Azusa, or Masaomi, but he's a fine driver that has been taught well.

As I was thinking of that, he suddenly reached out for my hand.

"We're almost there." He said with a smile.

This side of Iori.. it's a side that every girl would love to see.

(A/N: Ain't that right, ladies? 😂😂😂)

When we arrived, he parked the car then quickly got out to open my door. He then reached his hand out. I gladly accepted.

We had a simple dinner at an Italian diner. It was a very fulfilling meal.

"Thanks for tonight, Iori." I said as we walked out of the diner.

"You're welcome. There's still one place I'd like you to see." He said as he led me to the car.

He drove us to a park looking place.

"Where are we?" I asked as I placed my hand in his as I got out of the car.

"Somewhere special." He said as he tightened his grip on my hand and led me to a bunch of large bushes.

He then looked at me then entered in between the bushes. Inside, there was a beautiful garden.

It consisted of beautiful blue bells, a pond full of dazzling lily pads, and a medium sized bush full of my favorite sweet lavenders.

I walked over to them and inhaled their amazing scent.

"These lavenders are like a lullaby.. their scent is so sweet and calming." I said.

"You're like a lavender... lovely and kind."

Those words made my heart skip a beat.

I smiled at Iori then silently looked away, blushing from his compliment.

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and tucked me in his embrace. I shyly hugged back.

I swear, my heart was pounding faster ever than before.

I'm sure. I won't be able to sleep much tonight.

SCORES:
HIKARU - 1
UKYO - 1
YUUSUKE - 1
SUBARU - 1
IORI - 2

Published: May 16, 2017; 10:56 am