Chpater 52: Mahiro and the Little Garden

After seeing a small, pretty garden of flowers in a public park, Mihari decides to try and revive the little garden at home. Will Mahiro help out ?

## Features of this Chapter

### Social Setting

At a public park, then at home in the little garden

### Transition Development

Mahiro is conscripted to help out with the revival of the little garden, but then learns to appreaciate the work needed to bring about the desired results.

### Skills Learned

Co-operation in doing mudane tasks can be very enjoyable, if done correctly and with the right spirit.

MAHIRO AND THE LITTLE GARDEN

CHAPTER 52 OF THE MANGA

## Previously

Recently, Mahiro and Asahi spent a day together as two friends going about and doing many interesting things. Asahi urged Mahiro to quit being a 'home body', and get out and do something ! After all, Asahi is a tomboy, who wears boy's clothes for the most part, and enjoys 'getting into things'. Mahiro was reluctant to go with her, but in the end consented. The two did have a lot of fun. In the afternoon, the two entered a burger joint wherein Kaede works. Unfortunately, Asahi spills a large soda drink onto herself, and soaks her clothes. Yet Mahiro had a pretty dress with her that she had picked up from the dry cleaners, and Asahi changed into that dress. Lo and behold ! The tomboy Asahi now looks like a super cute, adorable little girl, instead of a rough and tumble tomboy !

## This Chapter's Story

On a particularly nice day, Mihari decides to take a walk, just for the relaxation and enjoyment of it. Soon, she comes upon a small circular garden in the middle of the walkway, and filled with a beautiful assortment of flowers. Suddenly, an idea comes to Mihari.....

Back at home, Mihari notices that the small flower bed at their home has been neglected for quite some time. It's nasty looking and full of weeks. Therefore, she resolves to begin to clean it up, and give it a new start on life. Soon, Mahiro comes by, wanting to know what she is doing ? Mihari explains the project, as Mahiro recalls that their Mom used to take care of it, way back when. Wasting no time at all, Mihari hands a spade to Mahiro, conscripting her to help out with the flower bed project. This Mahiro reluctantly does. After a while of good, hard work, the weeds were removed, the bed was cleaned up, fertilizer was added, and the soil was tilled. Eventually, Mahiro complains that her back is hurting her. For one so young.....chides Mihari. Yet, I'm older than you, bites back Mahiro. Ara~Ara (My, my), quips Mihari. Just to needle Mihari, Mahiro shows her a worm ! Sure enough, Miahri is frightened and taken aback. "You're so horrible....!", belts out Mihari. But this is what we did as kids, replies Mahiro, as she returns the worm to the soil.

All that is left to do now is to plant the seedlings. When that is done, Miahri loudly proclaims that **the flower bed has been revived !** Mahiro is somewhat cynical, stating that one can't eat flowers. Mihari suggests that they grow mini-tomatoes. Countering, Mahiro says to think bigger, think watermelons ! Searching on the Internet with her iphone, Mihari proclaims that one could grow them in a planter ! Soon, Mahiro can be found next to a planter, watering the seeds of what is to become watermelons. All the watermelons one can eat, chuckles Mahiro. And so nearly every morning, the two can be found at the little garden, tending to the flowers and the watermelons. Mihari sprinkles her own special 'nutrient mix' on the flowers, however, that scares Mahiro, yelling not to get that stuff near her watermelon plants ! Yet the flowers are doing great !

One morning, the two find Kaede and Momiji joining them in enjoying the little garden. Momiji remarks that flowers really accent Mahiro very well. Or so says Momiji, Mahiro thinks to herself. On another morning, Mihari finds Mahiro sitting in the little garden, looking like she is about 7 or 8 months pregnant ! What a shock to Mihari ! But it is only Mahiro hiding a watermelon under her shirt ! Mihari praises Mahiro for her work on raising the watermelon. But now is the time to eat it ! Doing the honors, Miahri prepares to cut it up. Seems so sad to do that. The watermelon tastes excellent, yet Mihari begins to cry. So much work went into it, only to be eaten and disappear in a few moments. This after Mahiro worked so hard to produce it. Well, maybe we'll do it again next year !

## Chapter Lookback

The Japanese to English trnaslator spoofs Mahiro---"I can't believe I ate the whole thing !"

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