Chapter 400: 153. Mrs. Kasahara is petty_3
Fujiwara Reya had only one comment.
Fantastic!
In the room connected to the living room, woven mats were laid, with vases and flower arrangement materials placed beneath the low table, creating a cool and serene atmosphere.
After the servants brought in the flowers, they retreated. Mrs. Kasahara took off her black kimono jacket, revealing a kimono with tiny white dot patterns from Yuuki Ori-zome. The white kimono’s hem, sleeves, and shoulders were adorned with plum trees, appearing very elegant.
Beside her, Kasahara Fumi had white flowers in her hair, and her bright red kimono was very lavish.
Fujiwara Reya thought that the color red existed in this world solely to accentuate her nobility.
"Come in and sit," Mrs. Kasahara instructed, her face displaying the unique dignity of someone important.
"..." Fujiwara Reya found himself at a loss, obediently kneeling down opposite the mother and daughter.
On the table were some delicate snacks and tea.
"Eat," Mrs. Kasahara said indifferently.
"Having the director entertain me, it’s so...
"Hmm?"
"I’ll eat..."
Fujiwara Reya obediently picked up a pink sakura mochi, smiling at the noble lady.
Facing him, Kasahara Fumi was evidently holding back a laugh, her eyes piercingly watching him. With her years of criminal investigation experience, she could tell that this fearless rascal was ready to dash out the door at any moment.
The room had only a small fluorescent lamp for lighting.
The light wavered down from the ceiling, casting a bright and moist glow on the flower in her hair, creating a unique charm.
Her face, unlike those women who occasionally show the beauty of their hearts, was coldly impassive from any angle. Such a disguise was a natural gift that no woman could hope to perfect as she did.
"What did you do when you returned to Tokyo?" asked Mrs. Kasahara, holding a yellow rose in her hand.
"Ah, nothing much..." Fujiwara Reya barely had time to chew before swallowing the sakura mochi, "I just went to the bakery to have a look, then to Onmyo-ryo, to help Miss Miki register as a miko..."
"Ensure no mistakes."
"Understood."
"Is there something you need to report to me?"
"...uh," Fujiwara Reya racked his brain, puzzled: "No."
Outside, the rain continued, neither heavier nor lighter than in the morning.
With a yellow rose in her hand, Mrs. Kasahara said calmly, "You may start arranging flowers, please perform a salutation first."
"Greetings, master," Fujiwara Reya quickly brought his hands together on his knee, bowing respectfully toward her.
This restrained manner was so obedient.
Kasahara Fumi felt a deep sense of pride.
At that moment, Mrs. Kasahara turned her face, reciprocating the bow while saying, "Come over to my side."
"Sure." Fujiwara Reya crawled over and sat next to her.
This way, Mrs. Kasahara would be at the center position.
She selected a moss-covered pine tree and picked three yellow roses, then began her teaching.
"Choosing yellow roses was a good choice. It can make for an elegant arrangement." Mrs. Kasahara said while taking a lotus-shaped light blue container from Zhou Mian, "Fujiwara, consider the slightly indented part as the front."
"Alright. Please guide me." After bowing his head in thanks, Fujiwara Reya took the yellow roses in hand.
Under Mrs. Kasahara’s guidance, he attentively trimmed the yellow roses, using the mossy pine tree as the axis.
The fresh flowers, carrying a hint of cold rainwater, seeped from his fingertips into his whole body. However, Fujiwara Reya’s cheeks were warmly flushed, as Mrs. Kasahara’s breath blew onto his face while she watched him arrange the flowers from very close.
Once Fujiwara Reya paused, Mrs. Kasahara looked steadily at the work.
The green pine branches paired with yellow roses appeared quite elegant, yet the arranger’s craftsmanship was poor, leaving the crooked work looking clumsy.
"You’re making a mess of it. Such good roses have been wasted. You need to hold the roses straighter..." Mrs. Kasahara rearranged them slightly, "Focus. A person’s inner character can be reflected in floral arrangements, creating a lively bouquet is no easy task."
With a few simple adjustments, the entire work instantly took on an elegant and vibrant appearance.
"Hmm hmm, to reach this level, I’m still far off," Fujiwara Reya exclaimed admiringly.
For some reason, he felt that Mrs. Kasahara was subtly scolding him. The floral arranger messing up flowers — was she implying that he spoiled her two flower-like beautiful daughters? But the question was... he only flirted at most.
On the other side, Kasahara Fumi was also practicing.
Typically accompanying her mother in arranging flowers, whether she received criticism or praise, she felt happy.
"For the arrangement on the alcove, using a large pine is good. I’ll prepare it for you," Mrs. Kasahara said as she glanced at her.
"Alright, but I can’t do it alone," Kasahara Fumi responded.
"It’s okay, mother will help you."
"Great."
Mrs. Kasahara stretched her legs slightly, relaxing, and smiled at Fujiwara Reya.
"How should I arrange this flower?" Fujiwara Reya picked up a lily and asked.
"A lily, ah, there’s a story. Mrs. Kasahara took the lily from his hand and sniffed it lightly, "It was a spring afternoon, and I was in training at a temple on the mountain in Takamatsu, also on a rainy day like this. That day I was holding a paper umbrella, just about to descend the stone steps to pick some flowers for arrangement practice, when suddenly a flame flew past my eyes. The road was slippery from the rain, luckily I didn’t fall off the steps. I followed that flame, and finally, it stopped in front of a lily, waiting for me to pick it."
Listening to her speak, Fujiwara Reya’s mind instantly conjured a vivid and thrilling scene.