'Thank you, thank you, thank you ......!

Yeah. Lots of customers today too.
I'm glad.

...... But sometimes I still get a little nervous and can't speak properly. I'm sorry. ......

'Milly. Thank you for your time.
'a...... guild leader'.

The guild leader of the 42nd district flower arrangement guild is a very gentle and kind old lady.
She is a very nice person who is well-liked by everyone.

'You're all right for today, take it easy.
'Yeah, but ...... Miri, can you take care of your own store, right?
'Miry-chan ......, something happened to you, didn't it?
'......!

Great.
The guild leader knows everything. He says he's just been alive a long time. ...... You're like a ladybug. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out everything about Miri.

............ Oh, no, not at all. It's not that the ladybug knows a lot about you, or that she's watching you closely, but that she's kind to everyone, and that's why she's kind to you.

'Oh?Your face is kind of red.
'Huh, ......!That's not ...... true.'
'Hmmm. Millie, you seem to be having fun lately. You must have met someone wonderful.'
'Huh?
'Was it ...... Jeannette from the sunny pavilion?And Norma from the hardware store. The pharmacist, ......, or whatever you call her, the beautiful lady. You've met a lot of wonderful people, haven't you?
'Ah, ............, yes. They are all very nice people.

...... I'm surprised.
When you say "nice people", I thought you meant ...... people you like. ...... But, Miri, I don't know about that kind of thing yet...

It's a lovely sound.
It's as if the wind blew and shook the plate that Noma gave you.

'Oh, what's this?It's very nice.
'Oh, this was given to me by Mr. Noma.

Miri's flowers were used for the bouquet at the wedding of the ladies. The nectar-flavored candy balls were also said to be 'delicious' by many people.
Then, someone said, "Mirii's flowers will be a good luck charm to make your love come true.
Since then, many people have come to buy flowers from me.
Everyone leaves with a happy flower in their arms.

Are they giving them to someone they love?
When I imagine such a thing, it makes me feel happy too.

That's why Noma-san made this plate for me, saying, 'I'll make a plate that symbolizes love.
The plate is displayed in the most conspicuous place in the store.
Two birds are facing each other, each holding in its mouth two cherries connected by a branch.

It is too early to kiss, but you want to feel closer to the one you love.
Mr. Noma said that he tried to express such an innocent couple.

It was well received by the audience, and Miri thinks it's very nice.

I thought that Noma-san has a very, very girlish heart.

Surrounded by nice people, working hard at the job you love, and being able to support someone's happiness just a little bit.
There is no such thing as happiness.

The happiness that I'm feeling right now is all thanks to you, ladybug.
Ever since I met the ladybug, I've been so happy, so tranquil and so joyful every day. ......

......, and yet, Miri can't do anything for Ladybug-san.
Now that the ladybug is in trouble and suffering, Miri is ............

'Miry-chan.

A soft, warm hand stroked her hair.

'Please go somewhere and take a good rest. I'm sure your heart will feel lighter after that.'
'............ Hmm. I'm sorry. Thank you for ......, okay?'
'You're welcome.'

I'm going to take off my apron and leave it in my room.

Where do you mean, ......where should we go?

I know where I want to go.
But ...... Miri can't go there by herself. ......

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.

She slung her pochette over her shoulder, put her ladybug hairpiece back on, and left the house.
I'll leave the store to the guild leader. Thank you, guild leader.

The weather is fine.
There's a nice breeze blowing and it makes me feel a little better.



As I was thinking, "Well, it hasn't rained this year. ......," I heard a voice...

'Huh?Are you going out?

--The voice that Miri wanted to hear the most right now.

'Ladybug-san.
'Hey!I was thinking of going to the flower shop now. ...... Looks like you're busy.'
'Ummm!No, I'm not!I'm free!I'm so free right now!'

I shouted out loud.
Because, 'If you're busy, I'll see you next time,' said Ladybug, who seemed to be going away. ............ And then, just like that... ...I was afraid that I would forget about Mirii. ............

'Hey, how are you today?
'Oh, ......, I'm sorry, okay?I shouted too loud.'
'No, no, no. I'm just lucky to see something so rare.'
'Oh, ......, don't be embarrassed, don't be like that, .......'

I know it's rare, I know it's rare,......, and I'm feeling a little sorry for myself right now.

'If you're not busy, then you're done with work, right?
'Hmm.'

The guild leader took care of it, so Miri's work is done for today.

'You're heavily equipped for ......, aren't you?
'Huh?...... Really?I'm wearing light clothing.

I'm wearing normal clothes and a pochette. I'm dressed for a little outing. ...... Why are you so twitchy, ladybug?

'That Boston bag ...... is a pochette, right?That's what you wear when you go to the forest, right?
'Mm-hmm.

Heh heh. You remembered me, the last time we went to the forest together. I'm glad.
...... But why are you looking at your pochette with a wrinkle between your eyes?

'If you're not working, can I come with you?
'Really?

I'm so happy!

Actually, Miri, I've always wanted to go to the forest with Ladybug.
I've been thinking about it ever since the last time we went.

When the guild leader told us to 'relax somewhere', the first thing that came to mind was the forest. ...... And, if possible, with the ladybug.

Oh, ...... you're really amazing, ladybug.
It's like he can see everything you're thinking.
He can make all the things that I want to happen to me come true.
You're like a wonderful wizard.

'I wonder if I'll be okay in the forest dressed like this?
'Yes. I'm fine. I'll protect you.

I've got a pair of branch scissors in my pochette, so I can protect you.

'Then, I'll ask you.
'Hmm!............?
'Hmm?'
'...... Hmm. It's nothing.'

I start to say it, then stop.

It would be patronizing to say ...... instead.
Just being able to go to the forest with the ladybug makes Miri happy, but asking her to do a favor for her instead of protecting her is ......

'Then let's hold hands as a thank you.
'What?

............ Amazing.
How did you know?
How do you know what I want you to do? ...... You know what I want you to do.

'Well, I'm not sure if it's a thank you...'
'Yes!That's right!............?

Oh, ............ I may have ruffled a few feathers, ...... but I don't think Miri... .........About the ladybug............

'Haha. You're a spoiled brat.'
'......Huh.'

...... even though you're not.
But, ...... yeah. It's better to think that way, isn't it?For now.

'Well, hey.
'Mmm............hoy'.

Why not, 'yes'?


Ladybug's words were a little strange, and ...... a little ticklish to imitate.

The hands we held were warm, and the ...... heat seemed to have penetrated to my chest.


'Oh, you know...'

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it.
What you want to do today, Miri.
What I wanted to do with the ladybug.

'I want to eat an apple.'
'An apple?'
'Hmm. You know, when we went to the forest before, we ate them, right?Apples. ......'

Do you remember?
I've already forgotten ......, haven't I?

'That was delicious, wasn't it?
Hmm!

Oh, yeah.
You remembered me.
I'm so happy about that.

'So, I want to eat an apple with you again, just the two of us. ...... No, huh?'
'No, no. Let's eat together.'
'Oh, ...... that, you know, ............ again, the two of us, one apple, bite ...... ............'

Huh!
It's embarrassing!

No, it's not like that, okay?
It's not that I'm planning to do something indirect ............, you know?
I was a little nervous because I'd never eaten it the way I did before. ...... But I felt like it was really good. ......
Actually, when I went to the forest alone after that, I bit into an apple in the same way. ............ It didn't taste very good.
It was tasty, but it was ordinary.

I want to eat that delicious apple again.
Maybe it's because I feel like I can eat it with ...... Ladybug.

'Did you like the way he ate it?
'Oh,...... I feel like I'm doing something bad,...... I'm a little nervous, aren't I?
'For God's sake, don't become a delinquent because of me. ...... A lot of people are going to be mad at me.'

I've been thinking about the ladybug being pissed off by ...... Jinetto-san and Estella-san, and it's starting to make me crazy.

'......'.

It was sudden.
Ladybug-san held her head and let out a short moan.

'Ladybug-san!
'...... No, I'm fine.'
'But ......'.
'Hey, think of all the angry people you're going to ...... have to deal with.'

Oh ............
I felt like I was being confronted with reality.

The ladybug was fighting hard next to Miri, who was getting carried away on her own. ......

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. ...... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. ............
'It's okay, don't look at me like that. See?'

The ladybug's hand gently stroked Miri's hair.
The big ladybug's hair ornament sways.

'I'll remember you. I'll remember you all.

said the ladybug softly.
It was probably for Miri and the others, for everyone around them.

'Hmm......, I believe ...... that it's going to be alright.

Ladybug-san doesn't know Mirii's name now.
If he can't remember, he'll ...... forget about Mirii.

I couldn't help but squeeze my hand.
And then--

'It's okay.'

--That's all she said, and squeezed ...... my hand back.
That was enough to make me feel ...... okay.

After that, Miri and I walked without saying a word until we reached the forest.
We didn't say a word, but I was thinking a lot about ...... ladybug.




When we reached the forest, the ladybug was still trapped in the insectivorous plant.

'd*mn it, that thing!Why is he always after me?What the hell did I do?
'Oh, you know, ...... ladybug, you have a habit of touching things near you when you walk, ......'
'No, that's because. If there was ivy in front of you, you'd move away, right?'
'If you move away, it will be eaten.
'It's a trap!
'It's a trap!

Oh, ......, you didn't notice?
That's how they prey on you.

'If I'm born again, I'll be a creature that eats insectivorous plants!
'Well, ...... you don't have to be born again to eat them, right?Do you want to eat it?


'I don't want this sickening stuff!

Aww ...... ladybug contradicts herself ......

Kusu......
But the sulking ladybug is kinda cute.
If I had a younger brother, would he be like this?

'Oh, I feel like I've got a sister I can rely on.
'Mmm ......, aren't you a big sister?
'Most of the people I know, the younger they are, the more solid they tend to be.
'Umm...... that may be true, but ......'

I'm not sure what to make of that.
On the other hand,......, Rejina and others should be a little more ...... robust,......, right?I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.



For Miri, it was a familiar forest path.
This is the third time for the ladybug.
But the ladybug had noticed something strange before her.

'Ringo ......, you're not growing.
'Yeah, ......'

We arrived at a little open place where apple trees were growing in clusters - the place Miri and her friends called apple square, but ...... Ladybug was right, not a single apple was growing on the trees. But as Ladybug said, there was no apple on the tree.

'Oh, ......'
'Is it because of the climate?It was raining this time last year, wasn't it?
'Yeah, maybe .......'

There's not much rain this year.
The guild leader said that although Allbloom has a climate that doesn't change much, it has a delicate balance that helps food grow, and if there's not enough rain like this year, there will be a crop failure.

But ...... I was shocked ............ to see that none of them were growing.
I came here with the ladybug, but ......
If I could have let him eat that apple, ............ I would have thought that Ladybug would have remembered Mirii. ...... Because it was so delicious. ............

.......
It's getting dark in front of my eyes. ............

I wanted to cheer up Ladybug, but ...... I wanted to cheer her up, but ............
I guess Miri is ............ useless no matter what she does. ......

'Okay, I accept your challenge!
'............What?'

Suddenly, the ladybug pointed to an empty space ............ and said, "Are you pointing at the forest?I'm going to be loud in that outfit.
What is the challenge ......?

I'm sure you've heard of it. So this must be a challenge from the forest, "Don't be satisfied with the same thing as last time.
'From the forest ......?

...... Interesting.
Miri, I never thought of it like that.
I wonder how Ladybug can think like that?

If I could think like Ladybug and see the world from the same perspective as her, ...... I'm sure I'd see a much, much more vivid view.

Hmm. I'll take the challenge.

I'm going to imitate the ladybug again and say it.
...... I feel a little stronger now.

'So, what are you going to do?
'We're going to find it!If we can find something that tastes better than an apple, and we can eat it together, mission accomplished!
'Wow,......, that sounds fun!

It's like a treasure hunt, it's so exciting.

Let's go look for it.
'Yeah!Let's race to see who can find it first!
'What?A race?'

I've never heard of such a thing.
And yet, the ladybug was already running.
Oh, ......, that's not fair!

'Wait, ladybug!

I rushed after him. ............

'Ha-ha-ha!I'll try to catch up if I can.

Right in front of me, Ladybug-san was preyed upon by .............

'd*mn it!Why is it only me?
'That's why, ...... ladybug, you're touching plants all over the place, ......'
'...... Um, please help me ............ sis.'
'Hmm. I got it, little brother.

The ladybug is still a little cute when she's 'shun ......' with remorse.
I can't help it, I'll help you. ...... Mmm.




Then we walked a little further into the forest and finally found a cherry tree.

'Cherries?
'They're very different from apples, aren't they?
'No, no, they're both in the rose family. In a broader sense, they're related.'
'You know your stuff, ladybug.


'Hmm!
'...... but it's a lot different from an apple, isn't it?'
'...... Well.'

What I found were two cherries.
They were hanging together, connected by a thin branch.

They looked like ......

'Oh, ......'.
'Hmm?What's up?'
'Uh, yeah. It's nothing.'

The sight of the cherries reminded me of the plate that Noma-san made for me.
Two birds eat the cherries that are still connected to each other. ......

'Well, let's split them in half.

So said the ladybug as she tried to pick the cherries.

'Wait!

--I couldn't help but stop him.

'What is it?Can't you eat these?
'Yeah, ......, no, I mean, ............'

Oh, ......, what should I do. I'm so embarrassed.
But ......

'Well, it's a challenge to eat together, so ......'
'Eh......, like this?'

Knowing what Millie was trying to say, the ladybug picked the cherries off the branch.

'And ...... this way?

Then he lifted up the connected branch and brought the cherries between himself and Mirii.

............ Huh. ...... I'm nervous.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

I'm so nervous that my face is red, ...... and my voice is so strained that I can't speak at all, ...... but...
It's not too early to start kissing, but you want to feel closer to the person you love.
It's still too early for that, but ............

I'm sure it will be very delicious when we eat together.
I promise you, it's delicious.

Don't forget about today.
Please don't forget about Mirii ...... and don't forget about .............

'I'm ...... just coming .............'

Put your face close to the cherries.
Then, the ladybug's face will come closer from the other side.
Piiiiiii!
I try to hold back the urge to run away.

No!
It's a challenge.

Before Mirii could hesitate, the ladybug put her mouth on the cherry. One step closer to nibbling. He's looking at me like he's kissing a cherry.

I'm going to approach this,............, aren't I?

I'm going to ...... be choking.
Calm down ...... soo ...... haha ............

Slowly approaching.
It's like kissing, face to face .............
Ladybug's face is ............ red, huh?
What's that? ...... Ladybug is embarrassed, too.

When I thought that, Ladybug suddenly looked so cute. ......

'Yeah!

I made up my mind to bite into the cherries.

I ate the connected cherries together, just like the bird on Noma's plate.
I was ...... much, much more nervous than an apple. ............ I was so nervous I didn't know what it tasted like.

As soon as she put the cherries in her mouth, her embarrassment overtook her and she jumped back. I'm sure you'll agree.
...... My heart hurts. ............

A few hard cherries roll around in your mouth.
I can't ............ see the ladybug's face. ......

'Oh no, ...... this is indeed ............ nerve-wracking.'

The ladybug's voice made my ears turn bright red.
Did I ...... overdo it a little?

I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.
I'm not. I'm not. ............

Because this is ............ a way for the ladybug not to forget about Miri,......... ...

I'm not going to forget you now. I'll never forget about Miry.

.............

I turn my head.
Then I saw a slightly red-faced ladybug with a shy smile on her face. ......

'Well, I was so nervous about the cherries themselves that I didn't know what they tasted like at all.'

Says the same thing that Miri was thinking.

'Hmm ...... Mirii too'.

I was told not to say my name in front of Ladybug-san, but ............ it's okay now, isn't it?
I'll say it as many times as I can so that I never, ever forget it.



I've been told to keep my life as normal, but it was still difficult.


Because the ladybug is already in Miri's daily life, and that's the norm.

She's finally back to normal.

But now...

'Well, I didn't get a good taste, so I guess I'll come back for something else.
'What?

Next time: ......
I've made a promise for next time.

'Hmm!I'll come with you next time.

Really, Ladybug, you're always making what I want to happen happen ......
That kind of ladybug, Miri, is ......

'Oh, seed ......'.

Then the ladybug groped her breasts.
Did you ...... drink them?Cherry seeds.
Miri's are still in her mouth, but it's ...... embarrassing to peck at them in front of the ladybug.

'See?
'......What?'

The ladybug holds out her palm upwards.
Oh, yeah, ...... 'peck'?

ugh...... ugh............ challenge. Today is challenge day. ......!
Yeah!

'...... peck'.

Place the seed in the ladybug's palm, trying not to drool on it.
............ and. There was a different seed on the palm of my hand than the one Miri had released. A seed I've never seen before. .................. What?Is this the seed of a parasitic demon plant?

'Oh, no, ...... I got the seeds of the demon grass, so I thought I'd show them to you. ......'
'Sneeze!I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

I removed the cherry seeds and rubbed the ladybug's palm.
I'm sorry for making you dirty, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

I don't want the seeds to germinate here, so I'll just take them back to .............
I have to wipe off all the drool!

'Millie.'
'...... Huh?
'I'll never forget what happened today.
'Forget it!

Not only my face, but my whole body turned red.
My face and heart were so warm and hot.

The sound of the ladybug's voice laughing, 'Hahaha', was both pleasant and embarrassing to my ears. ......

Eat cherries and feel closer to ............ me too much. ......

But thank you for remembering me, ladybug.


I still don't know much about love or romance or anything like that. ............

But you know what, ladybug?
I thought that I love you very, very much, ladybug.