Flower on the Sidepath

p1
>Just like how leaves and buds are pruned as they wither,
>the choices one can make in life dwindle every day.

>Without the courage to choose, they keep closing off.

>Was this really the best for me?

>It's my own life, so should I have just gone through it without making any decisions?

>>Resignation
>...Um.
>Chief.

p2
>>Nobody taught me the right way to live my life.

>I'm quitting my job.
>>A (Former) OL Who Was Lost in Life and Her One Night Adventure

>...And so, I quit.
>But I keep thinking about if this was really the right decision...
>I see...

>...Who is she?
>I'm pretty sure I came drinking here by myself...

p3
>Well, I may as hear her out.
>I
>was in a retaliating mood right up until I handed in my resignation.
>But

>nobody felt reluctant
>or gave me any bouquets.

>Never mind retaliating.
>I soon realised that my decision was meaningless.

>What I did wasn't choosing a different stem on the flower.
>It was pretty much cut off the entire head...
>Wah~
>I don't really get the analogy, but don't cry, okay!?

p4
>Erm.
>Hold on a sec...
>It should be in my bag...

>Here.
>For you, Onee-san!

>A bouquet...?
>Yeah. Just a small one I bought for myself, mind you.

>Anyway, you were right to quit that company.
>Let these flowers cheer you up...

>They smell nice...

p5
>You don't need to take things too seriously.

>It's not like you're a flower yourself, Onee-san.
>Why don't you enjoy a fun sidepath?

>Go make a bouquet with just the flowers you like.

>...
>Like you?

p6
>I'm not a flower either, y'know?
>The booze is kicking in~

>...Onee-san.
>You did well.

>My memories of what happened next are pretty vague.
>The next thing I realised was...

p7
>Ah. Are you awake?

>Eh...?

p8
>Wh-Where am I...?
>Who are you...?

>I'm Kanna.
>And you're Aoi-san, right, Onee-san?
>We did introduce ourselves.
>R-Right...

>And this is a love hotel.
>Lo-...
>Why am I in a place like this!?

>Eh~ You don't remember?
>And you seduced me so passionately too.

p9
>Sedu-
>I did!?

>Why would I do such a thing...?
>I'm trying to remember but I don't think I want to...

>...

p10
>I seduce... her.

>I... remembered...

>I've made yet another terrible decision...
>For now, I'll take my leave...
>Wait, wait!

p11
>Wanna do it?

>Do-
>Eh...?

p12
>Look, Onee-san! You'll be fine!
>You're more than capable of deciding your own life.

>You have the courage to invite someone like me to a hotel after the first meeting,
>so you'll be fine!

>Wanna take a fun sidepath with me?

p13
>Let's see...

>Do you not like being touched by hands and stuff?

>I'm not... against it.

>What about your hair?
>Well...
>Which is it?

p14
>Y-
>You can... touch it.

>Can you kiss?

>Ah, here I mean!

p15
>...

p16
>Ufufu. Not bad.

>Okay, next...
>Wah.

>...

p17
>What
>will you do next?

>...Let me decide.

p18
>That was my first time staying out all night...
>It's already noon.

>Ah.
>This is...

>Isn't this bouquet yours?

>Nope.
>It's yours now, Onee-san.

p19
>>Good work with your job. If you ever buy any flowers, show me.

>You choose, Onee-san.

>...

p20
>Which would you like?
>Ah... Erm.
>They're all so...

>...

>Um.
>Actually, I'll go with this.

p21
>Thanks for waiting!

>...Huh?
>What's with the bouquet?

>I chose it from over there.
>Oh~
>Nice. Is that for yourself?

p22
>A present for you!