The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (薫る花は凛と咲く)

Rintaro.

Thanks for waiting.

Sorry I took so long.

Don't worry, I just got here myself.

I'm sure...

today will be a day I'll remember for the rest of my life.

THE FRAGRANT FLOWER BLOOMS WITH DIGNITY

KAORUKO WAGURI VOICE CALL

Come to think of it, I've never been the one to call her.

KAORUKO WAGURI VOICE CALL

Hello?

Sorry for calling out of the blue.

Is now a good time?

Yeah! It's okay.

Thanks for today. I didn't get to thank you in person.

Same here.

I had a lot of fun doing fireworks with everyone.

Yeah, me too.

And...

about what I blurted out while we were lighting the sparkles...

sorry if I made things awkward.

Well, I...

But...

I'd really like to meet up again and talk about it.

If you don't mind,

could we find some time?

Yeah, all right.

Thanks.

So... would it be okay if I chose the place?

Yeah, no problem.

Then...

A festival.

What?

I'd like to go to a summer festival together.

Ms. Waguri!

Yes!

Well... I...

Rintaro.

Are you hungry?

What?

FRIED NOODLES SHAVED ICE

I ended up making her worry about me.

She must've noticed I was nervous.

Tastes good?

Yeah!

Ms. Waguri, you've got a piece of candy on your cheek.

Where? Here?

You don't have to panic like that.

C'mon, don't laugh so much.

Sorry.

Shaved ice!

Looks so good.

I saw a stand over there. Wanna go?

Yeah, let's!

I really do like seeing Ms. Waguri's smile.

I hope they've got a good selection.

Yeah! But I wouldn't know which to pick.

I'm so full.

Yeah, I ate a ton.

You okay? Want to sit down and rest somewhere?

I'm totally fine, but...

Actually, maybe we should rest a bit.

Here you go.

Thanks.

So good!

Ms. Waguri, are your feet okay?

Oh, these?

I'm totally fine...

I ended up having a lot of fun at the festival.

But Ms. Waguri went out of her way to make time for me.

I need to tell her.

Ms. Waguri.

Yes?

I love you.

I love you.

I always thought I'd be fine with the way things were.

That just being able to see you smile was enough.

And I didn't want to cause you trouble, with our schools being on bad terms.

But during the fireworks,

when I realized our time together would end,

I felt so lonely.

And... when I realized

this must be what everyone in relationships feel...

those words just slipped out...

I know what I'm saying is incredibly selfish and greedy...

that I'm being self-centered.

But even so, I don't want things to stay the same.

If "going out" with someone means being able to spend even more time...

with the person who gives you courage and joy...

then that's what I want.

Ms. Waguri, I want to be with you more.

So please, go out with me.

Sorry... I know I'm putting you on the spot.

Like I said, I'm just being selfish.

But...

You're not being selfish, Rintaro.

What?

Do you remember the day we first met?

Yeah.

You were at my family's shop.

I don't think the day you remember is the same as the one I do.

We actually talked before then.

And on that day, you saved me.

I... saved you?

Yeah.

Actually, I started going to your family's cake shop

because of you, Rintaro.

Even now, I remember it all so clearly.

Last winter.

It was snowing that day,

and I'd forgotten my umbrella and scarf.

I was just thinking I should hurry home

when I happened to pass by your family's cake shop.

Back then, I was going through a lot.

Even though I'd always loved cake, I didn't really feel like eating any.

But I was drawn in by the warmth coming from the shop,

and I found myself stepping in.

And there you were, Rintaro.

So I ordered a cake, and when I took a bite,

the taste was so warm and comforting.

It was the first time in a while I'd had something that delicious.

I couldn't help but cry right there.

And that's when you came to cheer me up.

What?

You don't remember, do you?

Yeah, I don't remember.

I knew it!

Sorry! Wait! Just give me a sec, I'll remember!

It's okay. You don't have to remember.

If anything, I'm happy you don't.

Looking back now, I've realized something.

You probably would've done the same thing

no matter who was there.

But even so, you saved me.

The kindness that comes so naturally to you

was something special to me.

It made me so happy... that it hurt.

So it's okay. You don't have to remember.

It's okay.