Slow Start Anthology ch8: A Bud's First Step

p67
>Hana-chaan!!

>Mfufu.
>Hold out your hand for a bit.
>My hand?

>Fufufufufufu...
>Come on! Hurry up!

>Hm.
>That reaction kinda hurts.

p68
>Geez!
>It's just a present!
>Take it, you thief!
>Thief!?

>Ah.
>These are...

>flower seeds...?
>Yes!
>I figured they'd be perfect for you, Hana-chan!

>Ah
>They were handed those out in front of the station.
>Hand-outs.
>We promised we wouldn't mention that.

>Flowers, huh...
>I think we raised those back in elementary school.
>Oh my, someone's lacking in girl power.
>What character is that?

>M-
>Me too... I don't think I've raised anything like this...
>but I've at least grown cherry tomatoes...
>Even though your name's Hana... [TN: "Hana" means flower, although Hana's name is written with the kanji for "flower" and "name"]
>That's pretty much the same category so you should be fine.

>I don't really know how to look after these...
>Someone like me...
>I'm sorry
>I appreciate the thought, though...
>Don't worry.

>As long as there are nutrients
>living things will grow.
>Oh my.
>Kamu-chan's probably the exception to that rule.

p69
>But still,
>she's right.
>As long as you give it plenty of water, sunlight, and nutrients
>it'll surely grow...

>Hana.
>Wanna give it a try?
>yeah!
>Yep.
>Eeeh!? But...

>If I forget to water it in the morning, it'll dry up...
>For something like that, you've just gotta make it part of your daily morning routine!

>That's right!!
>Jogging,
>watering,
>making Hana Juice,
>every morning!
>There's more juice now!?

>In the end,
>I decided to try raising the seeds I got.
>I wonder if they'll bloom properly...

>For now
>I need to find somewhere they'll get plenty of sun...
>Oh, Hana-chan.

>That's a cute flowerpot.
>You growing something?

>Shion-chan, too... Is this thanks to the sun...?
>??

p70
>The next day

>I wonder
>if the bud will appear soon~
>Fufu
>You were so worried about it yesterday.
>Hana seems to be having fun.

>Up we go.
>It takes a few days for buds to appear.
>And even when they do, it'll still take some time before it's completely grown.
>Wow, you sure know your stuff.

>Of course!!
>I'm raising my own flower, after all!!
>Tada~
>Sensei~
>Momochi-san's bringing unneccessary objects into the classroom~

>I'm looking forward to seeing the bud appear, too.
>Hey.
>Once it gets big, can we come over to see it?
>At Hana's place.
>Yeah! I'd love to see the flowers!

>Incidentally, I'm bringing my flowers to school for 24-hour observation!!
>Sensei~!!

p71
>Everyone will come over once they've grown big...
>I have to work hard to raise them.

>5 days later.

>10 days later.

>15 days later.
>Au... au...

>Oh dear.
>That bud isn't showing itself...

>I'm sure it's just a late bloomer, just like you, Hana-chan.
>Just like me...?

>xLate bloomerx
>Ronin
>Hah

>So even the flowers I plant become ronins...
>Th-
>That's not what I meant...?

p72
>You're not a ronin anymore, right, Hana-chan?
>So I'm sure
>the flower will be fine too.

>That's right.
>It's just a little slow in taking that first step.
>So let's give it our support
>and wait patiently.

>...

>G-
>Go for it!
>Fufufu

>The next morning
>...!!

>I-
>It's here!!

>Look, Shion-chan!
>When I woke up this morning...!
>Look...!!
>It sprouted!!
>Wow!

>Yet another graduate from Ronin Heights...
>Hm.
>It hasn't gotten that far yet...

p73
>Ooh!!
>Oh my!

>The bud sprouted!
>Good for you!
>What a cute bud.
>Ehehe

>I feel like a sea turtle after it's done laying eggs...
>There there
>You were a hard working mother...
>Non non.
>This is just the start!

>Next is where the beloved children face the grandiose game of musical chairs...
>I'm talking pruning!
>Uweh
>Fight hard, Mom.

>A flower came out of the but
>and it kept getting bigger.
>What a splendid bud.

>Ah...
>The very first two leaves...

p74
>A late...bloomer...
>With its duty fulfilled, this little bud has become droopy.
>I'm rather proud of it.
>It was so reliable.
>You did your best!

>Even a little first step
>is something
>I can do...!
>Alright!!

>Afterwards
>Aah!

>A homemade bookmark at this timing!!
>Now then...!
>Ehehe

>Lemme have a look!
>You're open!
>Wah!
>Oh?

>...It's a pressed...bud?
>Ehehe...