SCARS & PETALS

The crisp morning air carried the faint scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery as Tsukiko stood at the bus station, her bag slung over one shoulder. She glanced down the road, the hum of an approaching engine signaling her ride was near.

Behind her, her teammates gathered in a small group, their expressions a mix of encouragement and concern.

Reika gave her a mock stern look. "Don't let that flower outsmart you, Dr. Takamura."

Midori smiled softly, pulling her scarf tighter against the chill. "Just stay safe, alright? No heroics."

Tsukiko turned to face them, her lips curving into a grateful smile. "I'll be fine. You all keep the lab running while I'm gone."

As the bus pulled up with a soft hiss of brakes, Souta raised a hand in an enthusiastic wave. "Bring back that Lunar Bloom, boss! No pressure or anything!"

"None at all," Tsukiko replied with a chuckle, stepping onto the bus. She turned back, catching their waves and smiles through the window as she found a seat.

The bus doors closed with a faint hiss, and as it pulled away, Tsukiko watched her team growing smaller in the distance, their hands still raised in farewell. Their faith in her was undeniable, and she carried it with her as the city slowly gave way to open fields and winding roads. The journey had begun.

After long hours

The bus rattled to a halt, its tires crunching against the gravel of the small countryside station. Tsukiko stepped off, greeted by a soft breeze carrying the scent of earth and wildflowers. The landscape spread out before her, a picturesque blend of rolling green hills, scattered wooden houses, and fields glowing under the morning sun.

She adjusted the strap of her bag, taking in her surroundings. Birds chirped cheerfully in the distance, their song interrupted only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the bark of a distant dog. The air here was different—cleaner, crisper, and alive with quiet energy.

A farmer passed by, tipping his wide-brimmed hat in a polite nod. "Welcome, miss," he said in a warm, weathered voice before continuing on his way, a bundle of tools slung over his shoulder.

Tsukiko smiled faintly, nodding back. She glanced at the map in her hand, tracing the path toward her destination. The area her research had pointed to was still a good distance away, nestled deeper within the hills.

She took a deep breath, the scent of fresh grass filling her lungs. "Alright," she murmured to herself, tightening her grip on her bag. "Time to find the Lunar Bloom."

Setting off along the narrow dirt road, the sound of her footsteps mingled with the rustling trees and distant laughter of children playing. The countryside seemed to welcome her, its serene beauty masking the challenge that lay ahead.

Tsukiko checked into a quaint local inn, the kind of place with creaky wooden floors and a faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. The innkeeper, an elderly woman with kind eyes, handed her a brass key.

"Room's at the end of the hall," the woman said warmly. "Breakfast is at seven, but let me know if you need anything before then."

"Thank you," Tsukiko replied, offering a polite smile before heading upstairs.

The next morning, she set off early, her notebook and pen tucked neatly into her satchel. The villagers were friendly, though wary of her questions at first. She approached a group of them gathered outside a general store, their laughter fading as she introduced herself.

"Excuse me," she began, her tone polite but firm. 

"I'm looking for information about rare plants in this area. Have any of you heard of anything unusual growing in the woods nearby?"

One of the men scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Rare plants, you say? Hmm, not much grows out of the ordinary here, miss. But you might want to talk to Old Man Takeo. He knows these woods better than anyone."

Another villager chimed in, "Yeah, he's up by the north field most mornings. Bit of a recluse, but if anyone knows about strange plants, it's him."

"Thank you," Tsukiko said, jotting down the name and location.

By nightfall, she was back at the inn, her room illuminated by the soft glow of a desk lamp. The window was slightly ajar, allowing the cool countryside breeze to drift in, carrying the faint sounds of crickets chirping.

Tsukiko's desk was a mess of open books and scribbled notes as she pored over every detail about the Lunar Bloom. Its elusive nature made it a puzzle she was determined to solve.

"The petals only glow under a full moon," she murmured to herself, running her finger down a passage in an old botany text. "And it thrives near freshwater, away from direct human interference."

Her eyes burned from hours of reading, but she refused to stop.