Chapter Text
Nadeshiko is from the Murase family. The Murase family is the richest family in Makochi, so growing up, Nadeshiko had a lot of time to herself. She could indulge in any activity, practice whatever she wanted, and had a family she could rely on.
However, before Bofurin was established, the town was dangerous. Regardless, the Murase family stayed stationed there.
Admittedly, Nadeshiko had a few “friends” who took advantage of her money or status, which is why she’s learned to be a bit more reserved about her private life.
The first meeting between Nadeshiko and Suo was at Pothos. Nadeshiko had found it during one of her walks. A cute cafe with a calm atmosphere.
She sat at one of the booths, school books and papers sprawled on the table. Nadeshiko had a half eaten grilled onigiri, her favorite, and Kotoha walked over to refill her tea.
Nadeshiko smiled as she thanked Kotoha who smiled back, asking about what she was working on. The two chatted before the Furin boys came in. Kotoha excused herself to serve them and Nadeshiko focused on her work.
Sakura, Nirei, Suo, and Sugishita had come in with Sakaki, a kid from San Middle School. Nirei panicked about the possibility of the conflict with Shishitoren ending Bofurin. Nadeshiko tuned out a majority of their conversation, but Nirei was quite loud.
Nadeshiko decided to pack her things up. Right as she was getting ready to leave, Umemiya barged in, gushing over Kotoha.
"Umemiya-san," Nadeshiko greeted.
"Murase!" Umemiya beamed with excitement, "How have you been?"
"Same as always. How was the fertilizer I sent you?"
"Good!" It helped his sprouts grow and invited Nadeshiko to the barbecue since she helped with the supply.
"Who's that?" Sakura asked. Nadeshiko wasn't wearing a Furin uniform, but she looked their age. Despite that, she spoke with Umemiya with some familiarity, even helping with his plants.
"'Murase'?" Nirei repeated as he looked through his notebook, "I don't have anyone with the Murase name in my book, but she could be the daughter of the Murase family."
"Murase family?"
"They're the richest family in Makochi," Suo said, "They're a financial company that supplies most of the stores and industries here."
Nadeshiko was about to excuse herself, but Umemiya dragged her over to introduce the other first-years.
"You already know Hiragi!" Umemiya said as Nadeshiko greeted him as well, "And Sugishita!" Nadeshiko took a second to connect the dots. They haven't properly met, but Umemiya mentioned a Sugishita who helped a lot with the garden. "These are the new first-years!"
Nadeshiko gave a smile, as Umemiya introduced them, "I'm Murase Nadeshiko. It's nice to meet you all."
Umemiya interrupted the first-years, talking about how Sakura and Sugishita had knocked down someone from Shishitoren.
"Really?" Nadeshiko said, a little worried. Umemiya reassured her that Bofurin wouldn't be taken down.
Nadeshiko didn't exchange many words with Suo, but her first impression was that he was a put-together young man and his eyepatch was a little interesting.
Suo only saw her for a few minutes, but his first impression was that Nadeshiko was nice, pretty, and expressive.
The next time Nadeshiko saw Suo, the two were walking to school. They exchanged greetings, Nadeshiko surprised as she had never bumped into him before. Suo made up a lie about taking a different route, but in truth, he was simply running a few minutes later than usual.
They got to talking, Suo said that the feud with Shishitoren ended peacefully, to which Nadeshiko was quite thankful.
"Relations with businesses on their turf suffered slightly, but it has been a bit laxer the past few days," Nadeshiko said, with a relieved look on her face, "Thank you and everyone else from Bofurin who helped."
Suo, smiling as always, brushed it off, "It's a pleasure to help you."
One of the shops they passed by was playing a piano version of a song from a popular show. Nadeshiko smiled, recognizing it and humming along.
Suo noticed, "What song is that?"
Nadeshiko answered, "It's nice to see it out in the wild."
Suo chuckled, "'In the wild'?"
Nadeshiko continued to go on about the show. The story is quite simple, but it's really the actors and writing that bring the characters to life. They continued the walk, Nadeshiko asking if Suo had any favorite media.
"I don't watch TV," Suo replied, mysterious as always.
"I understand," Nadeshiko said. Not everyone had the free time or interest to invest into those things.
Nadeshiko had made it to her school. She said bye to Suo, saying it was fun to chat with him. Suo returned the feeling, waving before heading off to Furin.
Nadeshiko thought Suo was well-mannered and kind. He listened to Nadeshiko, even if it was just to be polite.
Suo thought Nadeshiko was passionate. It's a family business and Nadeshiko is a first-year just like him, but she was in tune with the relations between businesses. Also, she was quick to introduce Suo to a show she liked, almost as if she was trying to get him interested as well.
The next day, Suo decided it would be a nice change of pace to walk with Nadeshiko again. Nadeshiko greeted him with a smile again, offering him some cookies she had baked the previous day.
"No thanks, I'm on a diet," Suo said.
"Oh? What kind?" Nadeshiko asked as she put her snacks away.
Suo didn't reply, keeping his usual smile. Nadeshiko was confused but decided not to press further, as he didn't want to answer.
"What do you do in your free time?" Nadeshiko asked. He wasn't into TV so maybe he has other hobbies.
"I train to keep the evil spirit sealed in my eye," Suo pointed at his eyepatch.
Nadeshiko was caught quite off guard, the smile slipping off her face as confusion took its place. She didn't expect such a joke from Suo. She laughed, "My, how hardworking."
They continued to talk, Suo, of course, avoiding personal questions, which Nadeshiko picked up quickly.
Nadeshiko learned Suo was a private person, much like herself, so she couldn't blame him. She did wonder why.
Suo learned Nadeshiko was quick to try to make whoever she was with comfortable.
They both learned that the other was nice company.