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(SPY X FAMILY FAMILY PORTRAIT SPOILERS BELOW)
You're an elderly person who worked at the most famous hospital in the national capitals city, Berlint General Hospital. Minding your own business most of the time, you enjoyed the peacefulness the garden had for you. Baing a gardener taking care of the patch of land behind the hospital, you would often see two patients regularly conversing inside.
It wasn't unusual for patients, most likely couples, to meet at that spot. It was a secluded area, a peaceful one at that, so seeing them here wasn't a surprise.
Finding it cute, you usually gave them the privacy to talk. Although on occasion you would have to work on the garden a few times, listening in on their conversations was at most a coincidence.
The girl was a full time patient in the hospital, she resided in a private room. Her name is Alessa, a beautiful young lady who has unfortunately lost her sight due to a neurological illness. Finding peace in the garden though, you usually helped her navigate through the place the first time she discovered it.
Alessa oftentimes sang to pass the time, being in a hospital though, she knew it wasn't polite to disturb other patients so she'd usually be in the garden to sing her heart out. And when she does, you'd be there, tending the white roses and other plants, making sure the garden stays beautiful.
One day however, a curious fellow seemed to have wandered inside without noticing. Must have been in deep thought if he were to wander here.
He wore square glasses, and had curly hair, and he was becoming quite a regular at the hospital. Having been there when they first met, you heard his name is Franky.
Seeing two pairs together made you smile when you worked. Having a garden be a place of peace between two people was something you considered an accomplishment.
Both of them would regularly meet up at the garden. Having a smile on their faces, you couldn't help but root for them. They both looked cute together to be honest and hoped for the best that they'd get together in a relationship.
You'd sometimes converse with the pair, making good friends as the time passed by. Sometimes you'd talk to Alessa, when she's alone, and oh it made you so happy to see her smile. At times you'd also talk to Franky, conversing with him a few times right after he and Alessa would part ways for the day.
Least to say that they were both kind souls, they deserved each other and you wished them the best.
However, after the revelation of knowing that Alessa was then having a surgery, you noticed something was off. Being in the place the conversation was taking place, you couldn't help but listen in.
When Alessa told Franky she was having a surgery next week, he was ecstatic and happy for her. But right after that, you noticed how his happiness seemed to have faltered. Ah...you realized, was he insecure?
Yes, it seemed he was. His comment on his appearance was being some sort of troll. He didn't look too bad to be honest. His looks may not be of a handsome man such as Dr. Forger, but he should not be ashamed of himself for it.
Taking a slight peek at the pair, you noticed Franky looking troubled before they both parted...oh dear.
After the surgery, least to say you were disappointed at Franky, but understood why he did it. Wearing a mask, he truly looked charming, but he was still nonetheless making a mistake.
Meeting Alessa at the garden, she was excited to see Franky. But the face she saw wasn't his, no it was a mask. Conversing that he had to leave the country, you felt Alessa's heart broke as Franky announced the news to her.
Having hearing the most heartbreaking love song, you couldn't help but feel sad for the both of them.
Franky couldn't see past his judgement you assumed. Alessa could have accepted him. His features, his quirks, it didn't matter to Alessa. But perhaps...perhaps he knew she would have accepted him despite his appearance, but you supposed it was more so important for him that Alessa gets together with a more handsome man. Franky most likely deemed that she is worthy to be with someone else. Someone who's as beautiful as she is, and that someone was not him.
It annoyed you to no end how foolish Franky was acting. Although you understood why he did it, you still couldn't help but feel that this love story has been wasted for nothing.
And so deciding for yourself that you could not let this be the end of such a wonderful and adorable relationship, you took it upon yourself to take action. Having seen multiple young couples that did not need to break up in this garden saddened you before, making you wish you didn't just mind your own business. And this was one of those instances.
___
Before Franky could leave the garden, you appeared from the bushes holding a few gardening tools.
"You're making a mistake you know..." You suddenly spoke up, making Franky and Loid instantly look back at your direction.
Franky slightly jumped, he didn't expect you to be there. Although he has heightened senses, you always were quiet when working. 'What the...' Twilight and Franky knew you. You were kind, generous, and a quiet elderly gardener who was oftentimes sweet to all that came to visit behind the hospital. You were not a threat, but it was quite surprising to see you. Calming down, he felt embarrassed for you to have seen him with the mask on, "Uh how long have you been there?"
"Long enough to see you screw up!" You spoke turning to give him a look.
"You young people these days..." You spoke, sighing in disappointment before bending down, facing the bush.
"Well, I mean. I think it's for the best you know!" Franky replied defensively.
"Well you might think that, but you know what I think? I think it's a waste," you replied back, before tending back to your garden.
Calming down, you continued, "You know, I've seen numerous numbers of beauty in the world," snipping a branch from the bush you paused for a moment, "If it's your looks your worried about, well young man you shouldn't. As far as I know you're just as beautiful as these white roses here. If we all saw each other's beauty from within, I'm sure you'd just be as handsome as Dr. Forger," carefully taking a white rose from the bushes, you stood up and turned to face him.
"Now here, take this and go back to Alessa okay?" Handing him the rose, you patted his shoulder, "Do this old gardener a favour and tell her the truth." Turning back from him you gathered your gardening tools before heading to the shack nearby.
Franky stood motionless, holding the rose you gave him. Looking back at it, he sank into deep thought, 'You were probably right. You probably know all about romance huh? Being someone your age, I guess I should trust you...' Sighing, Franky finally removed the mask. He was sure you'd force him to go back to Alessa and talk if he didn't obey.
But we're you right? Are you sure he's worthy of Alessa? I mean look at her, she's a shining jewel compared to him. If only his physical appearance was as blessed as Twilight's... But is that all there really is to a person? Of course not. Being beautiful on the inside matters too, Franky knows that. But still though he couldn't help but doubt himself to no end.
As Franky was thinking to himself, you spotted Twilight from afar and called out to him. Whispering something to his ears, you ordered him to go and call Alessa to come back. If Franky wasn't going to her, might as well bring the lady back to him. Agreeing to your plan, he quickly disappeared to the hospital.
Then, a familiar voice called out his name. Oh...
"Is that you, really you?" Alessa spoke out, her eyes still watery from earlier.
'Alessa?!' Franky thought to himself, who-? Seeing Twilight sneaking closely on the side, Franky could see the smile on his face. 'Oh Twilight curse you!' After Twilight nodded back at Franky though, he disappeared. He knew it was best to leave this to Franky now and giving privacy was incredibly important given how private this issue is.
Frank hesitated to turn, he stayed quiet. He could run, run right now and leave Alessa be... But he didn't, his feet was frozen on the spot. He didn't know but he just can't go yet... and so he stood silently, and for a moment it stayed that way.
From behind, Alessa could see the rose on his hand, and on the other...a mask? Realizing now, he looked different. His hair is now curly, it's colour possesing a deep, dark brown. Connecting the dots, her eyes widened before realizing what Franky did.
"Oh Franky...you know I don't care at all how you look," Alessa spoke out loud befor ehe proceeded to walk closer to him.
Sighing, Franky was still too hesitant to turn, "I know..."
"Please, turn around and face me," Alessa spoke softly, now standing right behind him.
Running out options, Franky was trying to think of a way to possibly deflect Alessa's request. Should she really see him? It really doesn't matter now huh? Now that she knows it was all just an act doesn't she deserve to know the truth now?
Sighing, Franky closed his eyes, 'Here goes nothing...'
Taking a deep breath, he exclaimed, "Ta-da!" Franky spoke, like a magician showing off a trick as he turned to face her. His heart skipped a beat, a sense of dread washing over him as he expected rejection.
But then, it didn't come? Alessa stayed silent for a moment. She gazed into his eyes before taking in all of his facial features. Raising her hand, to his surprise she gently held his jaw. She took in his face shape, the earring on his left ear, the wide glasses he wore, his curly hair...he looked... "Adorable!" Alessa exclaimed before hugging him.
"What?" Franky asked wide eyed as she pulled him into a hug.
"Oh Franky you're so silly you know that?" Alessa spoke, teary eyed once more as she let go of him.
"Alessa can't you see?!" Franky spoke out, confusion rushing over him as he finally confessed in the heat of the moment what's been really bothering him, "I'm nothing compared to you. You... deserve to be around beautiful things you know?"
Sighing, Alessa cupped his face once more, "Oh Franky, you are beautiful!" She exclaimed truthfully, a smile widening on her fragile face, "And you deserve to be with me..." She continued, her voice lowering before she pulled him into a kiss.
Franky couldn't believe it. Was this real? Really real? He couldn't believe it. It must be a dream! But now as he felt her lips gently touch his, his heartbeat loudly like a drum as the temperature on his cheeks rose fast. Letting himself finally accept, he dropped the things he held and embraced Alessa.
Letting go, he couldn't stop looking back at her. Oh man...he guessed you were right, it would have been such a waste to have simply left it off like that. Franky felt glad to have turned back... He should thank you and Twilight later.
Looking back at the couple, you smiled once more, finally satisfied with the outcome, "Young people these days..."