Childhood Friend Heroine V2 Prologue

Prologue

The Withered Flower

Just as flowers need water, people need affection.

The ways it is given are diverse—from simple gestures like gifts and warmth to more complex expressions like harsh words and cold attitudes. People offer this water of affection to one another in their own ways.

But just as with a flower, this care does not guarantee that anything will sprout. Different flowers require different kinds of nurturing, and the same is true for people. Some can accept affection in any form, while others only recognize it when it is simple and clear. When two people’s needs align, something beautiful can grow. But when they do not, it is like pouring water into a vase with a hole; the affection simply drains away, lost.

“Father, I got a perfect score!”

“I see,” he replied, his voice flat. “For a child of this family, that is only to be expected. More importantly, I am in the middle of my work. If that is all you have to say, please leave.”

“Y-yes…”

And so it was that the girl, who craved simple, open affection, and her workaholic parent were the worst possible match. Her seed never sprouted, and she grew into a high school student convinced that this was normal, living a life devoid of love.

“You were working so hard all by yourself. I thought I’d help.”

Then, one day, a boy appeared before her as she toiled alone, looking lonely. He was kind and asked for nothing in return, offering his affection freely and without condition. It was clear, it was straightforward, and it was enough to make her seed finally sprout, blooming into the flower of love.

For a girl who had never known such a thing, it was far too beautiful, far too precious. She grew desperate to keep this flower from wilting, to have him pour his affection on her forever and ever.

But reality is a cruel thing.

Around him, other beautiful flowers bloomed, each one different from her own. In the end, it was not her he picked from the field, but another girl. His affection, once a gentle rain, now fell upon only one, and the girl’s flower began to wither.

Normally, one would discard a withered flower. But this was the only one she had. Even as it faded, she could not bring herself to throw it away. She held onto it, yearning for the day he might once again offer her his love.

Then, after some time, a miracle occurred.

She did not understand how, but time had rewound, taking her back to the days just before she met him. The moment she realized this, a resolution formed in her heart.

“This time,” she vowed, “I will have his love all to myself.”

And so, her story began again.

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