The Girl Who Made the Greenhouse Feel Different 🌷
Harrow International School Appi, Japan · The First Weeks of the School Year
A question Sachi couldn't forget
The next morning, Sachi stood in front of her classroom, holding her notebook against her chest.
She had a question she wanted to ask Yuri.
Actually, she had several questions.
But one kept returning to her mind.
Why doesn't Yuri go to class?
She remembered their conversation over strawberry milk. Yuri had paused before answering, then casually explained that she preferred the peaceful atmosphere of the greenhouse.
Sachi understood that.
Everyone needed somewhere to relax.
But something about Yuri's answer had made Sachi curious.
Does she really dislike classes that much? Is something bothering her?
Sachi frowned thoughtfully.
"I hope there's nothing wrong..."
Then she shook her head.
Don't jump to conclusions, Sachi. Just ask her nicely.
She glanced toward the classroom door.
"Besides, I have lunch break to look forward to!"
Her lips curved into a smile.
She was beginning to develop a rather peculiar routine.
Attend class. Think about Yuri. Try to concentrate. Think about Yuri again.
And, finally, hurry to the greenhouse during lunch.
Sachi didn't know when that routine had started feeling so natural.
She only knew that her school days had become a little more exciting since she met the girl beneath the tree.
And today, she had another small surprise planned.
One shortcake for Yuri
When lunchtime arrived, Sachi headed toward the cafeteria.
She had originally planned to buy her usual lunch and drink. But as she approached the dessert counter, something caught her eye.
A strawberry shortcake.
It had layers of soft sponge cake, fresh strawberries, and fluffy white cream.
Sachi stopped walking.
"...That looks delicious."
She leaned closer to the display.
Then, naturally, she thought of Yuri.
I wonder if she likes cake.
She remembered how Yuri had accepted the strawberry milk with that gentle smile.
Sachi's cheeks warmed.
Maybe I could bring her something again.
She looked at the shortcake.
Then at the price.
Then back at the shortcake.
"Okay. One for me..."
She paused.
"...And one for Yuri."
The cafeteria attendant placed two slices into separate containers.
Sachi accepted them carefully, feeling unexpectedly pleased with herself.
I hope she likes it.
Then another thought crept into her mind.
Wait. Am I becoming the girl who brings Yuri food every day?
She considered that.
"...Is that such a bad thing?"
She smiled and carried the desserts toward the greenhouse.
After all, she wasn't doing anything strange.
She was simply sharing something delicious with a friend.
A very beautiful friend.
A friend whose smile made Sachi's heart beat a little too quickly.
"...Oh, honestly," she murmured to herself. "I'm hopeless."
And yet, she couldn't wait to see Yuri.
Where was Yuri?
The greenhouse welcomed Sachi with its familiar warmth and quiet atmosphere.
She walked toward the large tree, carrying the two containers of shortcake carefully in her hands.
"Yuri?"
No answer.
Sachi looked at the wooden bench.
It was empty.
She blinked.
"Huh?"
She checked the space beneath the tree, then glanced toward the path behind it.
Still no Yuri.
Maybe she's sleeping somewhere else today?
Sachi looked around the enormous greenhouse.
She had only explored a small portion of it during her previous visits. The place was much bigger than it appeared from the entrance, with different sections for flowers, vegetables, and ornamental plants.
There were even several little seating areas scattered among the greenery.
Sachi walked farther inside.
"Yuri? Are you here?"
Then she noticed a familiar figure near a flower bed.
A girl with long black hair was standing beside a row of tulips, holding a watering can.
Sunlight filtered through the glass ceiling, illuminating her hair as she carefully watered each flower.
Sachi stopped walking.
There she is.
For a moment, she simply watched.
Yuri looked different when she was doing something with her hands. She seemed focused, gentle, and completely at ease among the plants.
Sachi tilted her head.
She's beautiful even when she's watering flowers...
She immediately pressed her lips together.
Oh, come on, Sachi! Get a grip!
But her smile gave her away.
"Yuri!"
Yuri turned at the sound of her name.
"Oh, hi, Sachi!"
Her face brightened with recognition.
Sachi felt that familiar flutter in her chest.
She remembers me. Of course she remembers me. We've been meeting for days now.
Still, she couldn't help feeling happy about it.
She hurried over, holding up the dessert containers.
"I brought something today!"
Yuri looked at them curiously.
"What is it?"
"Shortcake!"
Sachi presented the containers proudly.
"I saw them at the cafeteria and thought we could eat them together."
Yuri's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Really? For me?"
Sachi nodded.
"Of course!"
Yuri placed the watering can aside and accepted the dessert.
"That's sweet of you. Thank you, Sachi."
She smiled.
Sachi nearly forgot what she was going to say next.
Her smile again.
Please, heart. We're only exchanging cake.
Yuri glanced toward a small seating area nearby.
"Would you like us to sit over there?"
Sachi followed her gaze.
"Oh! Sure!"
They walked together toward the seating area, where a little wooden table stood beneath the glass roof.
Sachi looked around as they settled down.
"This greenhouse really is amazing."
Yuri opened her shortcake container.
"You think so?"
"Yes! I mean, look at this place!"
Sachi gestured toward the plants and winding pathways.
"And there's even a little lodge here! You can sit down, eat, and relax. This feels less like a greenhouse and more like a mini hotel or something!"
Yuri laughed.
"A mini hotel?"
"Yes! If someone told me there was a restaurant hidden somewhere in here, I'd believe them!"
"Well, we do have a few places where people can sit and have their lunch."
"See? I knew it!"
Yuri smiled at her enthusiasm.
"You really seem to enjoy exploring."
"I do! Although, sometimes I explore so much that I get lost."
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes?"
Sachi gasped.
"Excuse me! That happened only because this campus is enormous!"
"Of course."
"You're not supposed to agree like that!"
Yuri laughed again.
And just like that, their lunch together began with teasing, laughter, and two slices of strawberry shortcake.
Sachi was starting to realize that spending time with Yuri was much easier when she stopped worrying about making a good impression.
Unfortunately, she still worried about making a good impression.
Especially when Yuri smiled at her.
The secret behind Yuri's absences
After taking a bite of her shortcake, Yuri nodded appreciatively.
"This is delicious."
Sachi brightened.
"Really? I'm glad!"
"You chose well."
Sachi tried to hide her satisfaction by taking a bite of her own dessert.
She likes it!
She was ridiculously happy about this.
For a little while, they chatted about ordinary things. Sachi told Yuri about a teacher who spoke so quickly that she could barely finish writing her notes. Yuri listened with an amused expression, occasionally asking questions.
Eventually, Sachi remembered why she had been thinking about Yuri that morning.
She placed her fork down.
"Um, Yuri?"
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
Yuri looked at her.
"Sure. What is it?"
Sachi hesitated.
"Is there... something wrong with going to class?"
Yuri stopped eating.
For a moment, the only sound between them was the faint rustling of leaves.
Sachi quickly raised both hands.
"Ah! I'm not trying to pry! I'm just curious because I hardly ever see you in the classrooms."
Yuri looked at her, then let out a small breath.
"Well..."
She leaned back in her chair.
"Don't laugh, okay?"
Sachi blinked.
"Why would I laugh?"
"Just promise me."
"Okay! I promise!"
Yuri studied her for a second, seemingly deciding whether she should explain.
Then she spoke.
"It's because I can remember almost everything I learn."
Sachi stared at her.
"...Huh?"
"I have a photographic memory. When I read something, I can remember it very precisely. Lessons, pages from books, things I've seen before..."
Yuri shrugged.
"It's always been like that."
Sachi's mouth fell open.
"Wait. Seriously?"
Yuri nodded.
"So, for me, sitting through a lesson about something I can already learn from a book feels a little unnecessary. I can study on my own, and I usually get perfect scores on my exams."
She paused.
"Besides, the teachers know about my memory. They don't really mind as long as I keep up with my work and do well."
Yuri smiled casually.
"So, I prefer staying here."
Sachi stared at her for several seconds.
Then she leaned forward.
"...Yuri."
"Yes?"
"Are you a computer or something?!"
Yuri burst out laughing.
"What?! No!"
"Because that sounds like something a computer would do! You just look at something and remember everything?!"
"Not exactly everything in the universe!"
"But still! That's amazing!"
Sachi leaned back, looking at Yuri as though she had just discovered a new species.
Yuri laughed at her expression.
"You promised you wouldn't laugh at me."
"I'm not laughing at you! I'm amazed!"
"You look like you're about to ask me to demonstrate."
Sachi considered it.
"...Can you?"
Yuri stared at her.
Then both girls burst into laughter.
"You're unbelievable, Sachi."
"I'm serious! I want to see if you can remember an entire page!"
"Maybe another time."
Sachi pouted.
"Fine..."
Yuri smiled and took another bite of her cake.
Sachi watched her for a moment, thinking about what she'd just learned.
So that was the reason.
Yuri wasn't avoiding classes because she couldn't keep up. She simply learned differently, and the school had given her the freedom to manage her studies in a way that worked for her.
It made sense.
Still, Sachi couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
She had hoped Yuri might have another reason to come to class.
Then an idea occurred to her.
"But I still hope I'll get to see you in the classroom someday."
Yuri looked up.
"Why?"
Sachi smiled mischievously.
"Because then I can ask you for help before exams!"
Yuri laughed.
"That's cheating!"
"Not if you're just helping me study!"
"You're going to ask me for the answers, aren't you?"
"No comment!"
Yuri shook her head, still smiling.
"You're terrible."
"And you're too smart!"
Their laughter filled the little seating area.
Neither of them noticed how naturally they had begun to talk to each other.
There was no awkward silence anymore, no need to search desperately for something to say.
Sachi could be herself.
And Yuri, who usually preferred the company of books and plants, found herself enjoying a conversation that had nothing to do with either.
One more question
The lunch bell rang before Sachi was ready to leave.
She immediately stood up, grabbed her bag, and checked the time.
"Oh no! I need to go!"
Yuri looked toward the exit.
"You should hurry."
"Right!"
Sachi gathered the empty containers and stood beside the table.
"Thank you for eating with me, Yuri!"
"Thank you for the shortcake."
Yuri smiled.
"I enjoyed it."
Sachi returned the smile.
Then Yuri suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Wait, Sachi."
Sachi turned around.
"Yes?"
"What class are you in?"
Sachi blinked.
"Oh! I'm in Class 2-3. It's in the building near the cafeteria."
"Class 2-3..."
Yuri repeated the information thoughtfully.
"I see."
Sachi tilted her head.
"Why?"
"No particular reason."
Yuri took another sip of her drink.
"I was just curious."
Sachi smiled.
Yuri was curious about me?
She had to resist the urge to celebrate.
"Well, now you know!"
"Yes, I do."
Yuri glanced at the clock.
"Go on. You'll be late."
"Ah! Right!"
Sachi hurried toward the door.
"Bye for now, Yuri!"
Yuri lifted her hand.
"Bye, Sachi."
And once again, Sachi left the greenhouse with a smile on her face.
Yuri watched her disappear through the doorway.
Then she looked down at the table.
Two empty shortcake containers.
Two forks.
And the memory of a girl who had spent her lunch break asking questions, laughing at her jokes, and somehow making the greenhouse feel less quiet.
Yuri leaned back in her chair.
"Interesting girl."
She smiled to herself.
Then she picked up her book.
But this time, she found herself wondering what Sachi was doing in Class 2-3.
The day Sachi didn't come
The days that followed settled into a comfortable pattern.
Whenever lunch break arrived, Sachi would usually make her way to the greenhouse.
Sometimes she brought strawberry milk.
Sometimes she brought snacks from the cafeteria.
Sometimes she arrived with nothing at all, carrying only stories about her classes and whatever interesting thing had happened that morning.
And Yuri would listen.
She learned that Sachi was enthusiastic about almost everything, especially when she was talking about something she enjoyed. She could be clumsy, occasionally dramatic, and very easy to tease.
But she was also thoughtful.
She remembered little things Yuri said.
She asked questions because she genuinely wanted to know the answers.
And she never treated Yuri as though her family name made her more important than everyone else.
To Sachi, Yuri was simply Yuri.
The beautiful girl beneath the tree who liked her peace and quiet.
And to Yuri, Sachi was becoming a familiar part of her afternoons.
Until one day, Sachi didn't come.
Yuri sat beneath the large tree with a book resting on her lap.
The lunch bell had rung some time ago.
Students had passed the greenhouse entrance, talking and laughing as they made their way back to class.
But Sachi hadn't appeared.
Yuri glanced at the clock.
Then she looked toward the door.
She's late today.
She turned a page.
A few minutes passed.
Yuri read the same paragraph twice.
She glanced at the door again.
Maybe something happened in class.
She checked her watch.
"...She's not coming today, I think."
The words slipped out quietly.
Yuri looked down at her book.
It wasn't as though Sachi had promised to come every day.
They were friends—or, at least, they were getting to know each other. Sachi had her own classes, assignments, and other friends to spend time with.
There was no reason for Yuri to expect her to appear every lunchtime.
She understood that.
So why did the greenhouse feel a little quieter than usual?
Yuri sighed and returned to her reading.
For the first time in a while, the peaceful silence she usually enjoyed seemed a little too empty.
"Sorry I couldn't come yesterday!"
The next day, Sachi appeared at the greenhouse with an apologetic expression.
"Yuri!"
Yuri looked up from her book.
"Oh, hi, Sachi."
Sachi hurried toward her.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come yesterday!"
Yuri blinked.
Then she closed her book.
"Yesterday?"
"Yes! I had so much to do for one of our lessons, and I ended up studying in the library during lunch. I didn't realize how quickly the time passed."
She bowed her head slightly.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
Yuri stared at her for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"Oh, no, it's okay."
Sachi looked up.
"Really?"
"Of course. You don't need to come to the greenhouse every lunch break."
Yuri's tone was light and casual.
"You have classes and things to do. I understand."
Sachi relaxed.
"That's good to hear."
She sat beside Yuri.
"I was worried you'd think I was avoiding you."
Yuri paused.
"...Why would I think that?"
Sachi scratched her cheek.
"I don't know. I just thought I'd explain."
Yuri looked at her.
For a moment, she wanted to say something.
Something like, I did wonder where you were.
But she couldn't quite understand why she had been watching the door in the first place.
So instead, she smiled.
"Well, you're here now."
Sachi's expression brightened.
"That's true!"
She pulled out a small snack from her bag.
"By the way, I brought something today."
Yuri laughed softly.
"Again?"
"Hey! It's not always food!"
Yuri glanced at the snack.
"...What is it?"
Sachi grinned.
"Something delicious."
Yuri shook her head.
"You're impossible."
But she accepted it anyway.
And their conversation resumed as naturally as before.
Neither of them mentioned the previous day again.
Yet Yuri felt relieved.
She wasn't sure why.
She simply knew that she was happy Sachi had returned.
An unexpected habit
As the weeks passed, there were other days when Sachi couldn't make it to the greenhouse.
Sometimes she had assignments to finish.
Sometimes she needed to visit the library.
Sometimes her classmates invited her to eat with them, and she decided to spend her lunch break in the cafeteria instead.
Sachi never intended to make Yuri feel lonely.
She simply had a life outside the greenhouse, and she was slowly finding her place in her new school.
But whenever she missed a day, Yuri found herself looking toward the entrance.
At first, she would tell herself that she was merely curious.
Then she would return to her book.
But after a while, she began noticing things she had never paid attention to before.
The sound of footsteps approaching the greenhouse.
The voices of students passing outside.
The lunch bell that reminded her that Sachi might come by.
And the little disappointment she felt when the afternoon passed without seeing her.
It was unfamiliar.
Yuri had always liked being alone.
She had chosen the greenhouse because she could spend hours there without anyone disturbing her. She could read, tend to the plants, or simply close her eyes beneath the tree.
She had never needed someone else to make the place feel comfortable.
So why had that changed?
One afternoon, Yuri was reading when she heard laughter outside.
She glanced toward the entrance.
For a fleeting moment, she thought it might be Sachi.
It wasn't.
Yuri lowered her gaze to the page.
"...Oh."
She turned another page.
Then another.
But her attention kept drifting toward the door.
She finally closed the book and leaned back against the bench.
"This is strange."
She looked up at the branches above her.
Sachi hadn't done anything special.
She simply came to talk.
She brought little treats, asked endless questions, and laughed at Yuri's jokes—even the ones that weren't particularly funny.
And somehow, that had been enough to make Yuri look forward to seeing her.
Yuri let out a quiet breath.
"...I wonder what she's doing right now."
The question lingered in the air.
She had never been particularly interested in what other students were doing during class.
Yet now she found herself wondering about Sachi's lessons, her classmates, and whether she had found her favorite places around campus.
Yuri glanced toward the greenhouse entrance once more.
Then, slowly, she sat upright.
What if I went back to class?
The thought surprised her.
She hadn't seriously considered it in a long time.
She could still study on her own. She could still remember her lessons perfectly. The greenhouse would always be there whenever she wanted to return.
But perhaps she had been too comfortable doing things her own way.
Perhaps there were things she was missing.
And perhaps...
Yuri's lips curved into a small smile.
I'm curious about what Sachi is doing in class.
She looked down at her book, then toward the distant school buildings visible through the glass.
For the first time, returning to the classroom seemed like something worth considering.
Not because a teacher had asked her to.
Not because her family expected anything from her.
But because a certain girl had made her curious about the world beyond the greenhouse.
Yuri rested her chin against her hand.
"...Maybe I should try going back to class."
She paused.
Then smiled to herself.
"Just once."
The greenhouse remained quiet around her.
But for Yuri, something had begun to change.
And she hadn't quite realized just how much she was beginning to look forward to seeing Sachi every day.
End of Chapter. 🌷