25 Along the Pollen Trail (1/2)
It was the 6 PM action time, and the whole Lumen Park was only lit by the dim lights. The only thing that glowed in Arata's sight was Cora's light hair of pale blond, given to her by her German ancestry. He could not take Cora to anywhere loud and energetic because it was a complete clash to her interests and personality. Even eating out would be tasteless as Cora was restricted from drinking any kind of beverage recklessly. The only place suitable for her was the dating spot that she always loved throughout her route: the Lumen Park Flower Tunnel.
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your destination choice gave a boost of 50 to Exchange Student Cora Handel's Date Meter! It is now at 50/100! Keep on going!]
The dim tunnel was made darker by the canopy of the trees sheltering the flower from too much heat from the sun. The sun was setting, and the flower tunnel was not a good place to see it. However, Cora enjoyed the place nonetheless. She liked the flowers more than the sights after all.
”I rarely see the flowers before they bloom. Look at all the buds on this plant, sempai!” Cora knelt before the bed railing next to the walkway. She caressed the plant that was working hard in making its flowers bloom. ”Do your best, mother plant!”
”Don't get too close, Cora. You might inhale some pollen.” Arata laughed as he bent down to see theplant Cora referred to, but did not go as close as she did. He looked over the overly excited girl, as her gaze only laid at the buds. The player then looked around some more, seeing a few blooming flowers further into the flower tunnel. He turned to her. ”Cora, there's a lot more over here.”
”Ah! Lemme see them!” The school siren jogged from one place to another, bending down to see the budding flowers and the newly bloomed ones. Her hair and skirt fluttered along her movements.
Arata felt so blessed being able to see this kind of scenes again; he did miss Cora's light-hearted route until the part where she was heavily discouraged to continue with her three-year program. Then again, her route was the least sexy among others; even her intro Encounter was toned down.
”Sempai! Look here-” She was cut off by loud coughing. It seemed that she just inhaled pollen and had to wheeze to get it out.
The male quickly searched his inventory, which was accessible during dates. It was in his backpack, but a lot of wild things came by as he kept a lot in his max capacity inventory. He pulled out a water bottle, twisted the cap open, and gave it to her. She drank a lot to clear her air path before chuckling. She wiped her eyes free from involuntary tears, before drinking more of the water again.
”Maybe I shouldn't get near the grass.” Cora wiped the rim of the bottle's mouth before handing it back to Arata to be capped. ”I'm sorry for worrying you, sempai.”
”Take care of yourself some more. Geez.” He reacted like imitating Yukari before laughing out as Cora got the joke. He then came to pick her up from the ground, helping her up to get to her feet. He then sat at the wide cement railing next to the flowers. ”Did it take a lot of convincing from them to have you have the solo? It's going to be your first since you joined them.”
”Ah, not really. I was just scared I might mess up the song when we're up on stage.” Cora sat next to him, minding about their distance. Even though she was a certified Arata girl, she was still wary of getting rather close to the king out in the open. Their last intimate contact was in a closed part of the school. She then ignored her insecurities as she felt the need to reply some more. ”Though there were some students who thought that I got the solo because I was related to the principal.”
”I'm pretty sure you just proved them wrong with how well you did in the practice!” He laughed out, before digging into his bag.
”I think so, too. I saw them all smiling at me after the practice.” Cora giggled before blushing faintly. ”If you weren't there, I don't think I'll be able to feel confident. Thank you for seeing me.”
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your pep talk gave a boost of 10 to Exchange Student Cora Handel's Date Meter! It is now at 60/100! Keep on going!]
Arata had to refresh his mind what kind of gifts would she like the most. He then took out a small instant camera with limited shots of ten. He remembered for it to be an event reward, and the films could be bought from the premium shops only at a limited sale, that randomly appeared every month. He just got ten from the last sale when he binge-shopped level 100 items. He aimed the view at Cora who instinctively smiled for the camera.
Click! The photo came out shortly, for him to collect from the camera's slit. Since it was not advised to shake it, he just placed it down on the flat seat next to him. The man then slid off his seat and decided to take pictures of the Cora as soon as the lights came on in the tunnel. It was already too dark to see most of the place after all.
”Did you know they were about to light the place?” Cora was in awe as the lights turn on. She then giggled as she watched him try to get a good angle like a professional photographer.
”What are you talking about? They turned it on because I'm taking photos of you.” Arata almost murmured, letting his smugness slip out a little. He took three more and laid them next to each other, sitting on his earlier space beside Cora.
”That's impossible.” The siren covered her face as she blushed wildly once again, hiding it along with her sweet smile.
”Eh, you're red like a tomato again!” The man laughed out as he went to his seat and put the instant camera back into his inventory.