Chapter 771: Blooming Friendship
That's why, while Olivia's eyes flickered between the flower and June, overwhelmed by June praising her so much, June decided to make her wish true by blatantly saying what she wanted.
"And the truth is, Miss Olivia, I want to see more of those reactions...I really do."
"H-Huh?" Olivia's eyes widened at June's sudden confession, her breath catching. "Why would you...want to see something like that?" She asked, her voice soft but flustered, as if the idea itself was too strange to comprehend.
But June didn't back down, in fact, she leaned forward with the faintest blush but a shameless smile.
"Because. ." She said simply. "It's too cute. Irresistible, even. The way you light up when you see something you love, I can't look away. It makes me want to see more."
The blunt honesty left Olivia stunned, her hands tightening slightly on her lap. She averted her gaze, heart thudding, not used to being spoken of so openly.
But before she could mumble an excuse, June pressed on, her voice brightening with excitement.
"And lucky for me." She continued. "I have more flowers. Many more. Would you like to see them too?" Her eyes shone with genuine anticipation, almost pleading for Olivia to say yes.
Olivia felt her heart squeeze. She wanted to protest again, to insist it wasn't worth making such a big deal over.
Yet, the truth was undeniable, she wanted to see the flowers and more then that she wanted to bridge this strange gap between herself and June, to reach toward the friendliness June was so openly offering her.
So, after a moment of fidgeting, she shyly nodded her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "…I'd love to."
June's excitement bubbled over again. "Perfect. Just wait right here, okay? I'll bring them one at a time."
But Olivia frowned faintly, tilting her head. "I could just...come with you, it'd be easier. "
"No, no, no!" June shook her head quickly, almost bouncing with excitement. "If you saw them all at once, it would ruin it. I want to see your face, your reactions, each one, one by one. That's the fun of it." She gave a cheeky little grin. "So you sit right there, and I'll bring them to you."
And with that, June turned, already hurrying off again, leaving Olivia sitting in awe, the Frostbloom clutched to her chest like a sacred treasure.
Seeing June hurry off again, Olivia pressed the flower to her chest, cheeks flushed, silently promising herself she wouldn't overreact the next time.
'Calm down...don't embarrass yourself again. You'll scare her away if you keep squealing like a child.' She tried to steady her breathing, smoothing her dress, putting on the stoic mask she usually wore.
But the moment June came back, carefully carrying another bloom, a delicate cascade of soft pink petals edged in cream, glowing like dawn, Olivia's composure shattered.
"Oh my—! Th-that's a Summer's Veil! I—" She nearly bounced on the couch, hands clutching the pot tighter. "It's so rare to see one this healthy. The streaks on the petals, they're so crisp, so...so alive! And the gradient, ah, it's perfect, not a single wilt, not a blemish!"
She leaned forward, rattling off every tiny detail she adored, unable to stop herself. Her shy voice turned into a fast, excitable stream, cheeks pink with unrestrained joy.
June also didn't interrupt. She just stood there, holding the flower with both hands, smiling so softly that her eyes nearly sparkled. She looked at Olivia the way a mother might look at a child's first drawing, overflowing with warmth, pride, and affection.
And of course, June wanted more. So she went back...And again.
Each time she returned with a different bloom, yellow orchids, violet irises, a rare white rose with streaks of crimson, and each time Olivia lit up, gasping, ranting, fidgeting with delight.
The once quiet lingerie store slowly transformed into a garden of pots, vases, and scattered petals, as June kept bringing her treasures and setting them around the two of them.
Olivia's timid nature also dissolved more and more with every flower until she was leaning forward, pointing, sometimes even laughing softly as she compared notes with June.
What began as a simple show-and-tell turned into a full conversation.
They started talking about how they cared for their plants, the tricks they used to keep certain flowers alive, even how certain flowers reminded them of their childhood.
Olivia remained shy, her words hesitant at times, but they kept coming; while June, coddling and animated, encouraged every sentence with eager nods and gentle prompts.
By the time half the collection was spread around them, the two of them were sitting closer than before, facing one another with a coffee table buried in flowers between them and calling each other by their names in a friendly manner.
Olivia now was stroking the rim of a potted flower that looked extremely colourful and was smelly at the same time with a curious look in her eyes.
"I...I usually only read about this Vangrosse Vine in books. To see them so close, in such perfect condition, it almost doesn't feel real."
June grinned, hugging a small pot to her chest.
"Well, I'll tell you one thing. Books don't prepare you for the smell." She leaned in, sniffed dramatically, then fanned her nose. "This one's strong enough to knock out a man twice my size."
Olivia blinked, then stifled a laugh. "Y-You're exaggerating."
"I'm not!" June pressed a hand to her heart, playing it up. "If Kafka walked in right now and took a big whiff of the bud, I bet he'd faint before he could say a word."
That broke Olivia's restraint. She laughed, an actual laugh, light and unguarded. June also joined her, and the two dissolved into giggles that bounced off the walls, mixing with the faint scent of lavender and blossoms.
When the laughter finally settled, they looked at each other, and both realized how close they'd become in such a short time.
"You know..." June tilted her head, smiling warmly. "I never thought I'd be sitting here, laughing like this, with Kafka's girlfriend of all people."
She paused, then added more softly.
"But I'm glad I am. You're...just too precious, Olivia. Truly. Every single one of your reactions is so precious. And honestly? You're fascinating to talk to."
Olivia flushed and shifted in her seat, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.
"I...I feel the same, June." She admitted in a low voice. "Usually, I don't get along with people. Most of the time, they just...avoid me. Or they're scared of me because of how I act, or how quiet I am."
She looked down, almost embarrassed to say it aloud. Then, with a hesitant glance up at June, she added.
"But with you...it's different. You're easy to talk to. I don't feel like I have to think so much about what I say. It's...comfortable."
June's expression softened instantly, her eyes lighting up like a proud older sister hearing something sweet.
"Oh, Olivia…" She leaned a little closer, warmth in her voice. "That means so much, really. I'm glad you feel that way. Because I'm also glad I met you. You're so much easier to talk to than I expected. And I'm happy you trust me enough to just...be yourself."
For a moment, both of them sat there, smiling softly at each other. The flowers scattered around the room gave the space a quiet glow, but the real warmth came from the newfound ease between them. Neither felt the weight of earlier chaos anymore, just the budding comfort of friendship, a fragile thing, but real all the same.
But June, ever perceptive, felt a flicker of something unresolved between them. She sat back slightly, her smile gentle, though her thoughts grew a little heavier.
'If I don't clear this up now, it might fester later...and I don't want that to ruin what we've started to build.' She thought.
So, breaking the silence with a calm, almost playful lilt, June tilted her head and said, "Olivia...I think I should be honest with you. You're curious about me and Kafka, aren't you?"
The words landed like a sudden clap in a quiet room. Olivia froze, wide-eyed, her lips parting before quickly pressing shut again. She wanted to deny it, to brush it off, but it was true, the thought had been lingering at the back of her mind ever since the chaos in the shop.
"I, um, I…"
Olivia stammered, looking everywhere but at June and seeing that, June couldn't help but chuckle softly, raising her hands as though she were surrendering.
"There's no need to panic, Olivia. I'm not accusing you of anything or...staking a claim or whatever nonsense you're imagining." She tilted her head playfully. "But it's pretty obvious, isn't it? The reason you and Kafka fought earlier...it was because you saw how close he and I were."
Olivia's throat tightened. She didn't respond immediately, just lowered her eyes and pressed her lips together. Slowly, almost unwillingly, she gave the smallest nod.
Seeing her reaction, June's smile softened into something almost maternal.
"I thought so. Which is why I don't want to leave this as some unspoken shadow between us. I've enjoyed talking with you today, Olivia, really, I have. And I don't want misunderstandings to ruin that. So, let me be honest with you."
Olivia opened her mouth, about to say something, that it wasn't necessary, that she didn't want to pry, that she didn't need to know. But June lifted a hand gently, stopping her.
"No, really. Let me." June insisted, her voice warm but firm. "I want you to hear it from me. I'll tell you everything, how I met Kafka, what we were, what we weren't. And after that...if you want, you can tell me your side too. No pressure."
The room grew quiet again. Olivia, though nervous, found herself straightening in her seat, clutching the Frostbloom a little tighter.
For some reason, June's words carried weight. There was no judgment in them, no hidden malice, just a calm, sincere honesty that made her feel safe to listen.
So she nodded, ever so slightly.
"…Alright." She whispered. "I'll listen."
June exhaled slowly, as if settling her own nerves, then smiled faintly. "Good. Then let me start from the beginning."