Kenji: Fidgeting with the magnolia Look at this one! Do you think it's pretty enough?
Yeah, nice! How many did you bring?
Uhhh, maybe five or six? I couldn't decide which ones to choose, so I just picked a few of each type. Looks at the magnolias with uncertainty
Oh, cool! What's up with that one? It looks different.
Oh, this one's called the Asagao. It's supposed to bring good luck and prosperity. That's why it's considered a sacred flower in Japan.
Huh, interesting. Can I have it?
Uh, sure! But only if you promise to take good care of it. I don't want it to wither or anything. Hands over the Asagao magnolia with a nervous smile
Sure thing! Here, let me water it for you. takes the flower and pours water
Thanks! You know, Daniel, I never really knew you were into plants and flowers. I mean, you're usually so...distracted. Takes a deep breath
Haha, I'm actually not that distracted. I just...uh, got caught up in other things. But yeah, plants and flowers are cool. They're like another form of art, ya know?
smiles Yeah, I get that. Plants and flowers do have a way of brightening up a room, don't they?
Definitely! Anyways, uh, did you know that there are some pretty cool facts about magnolias? Like, did you know that they're related to magnon, the guy who sucks juice from flowers in Winnie the Pooh? Crazy, right?
Haha, that's actually pretty cool! I never knew that. But hey, I guess that just goes to show how much we can learn new things every day.
Yeah, totally! Speaking of learning, did you check out that new online course platform I told you about? You can learn pretty much anything, like coding or photography or even ancient Japanese calligraphy!
Oh, I did! I actually signed up for the photography course. I've always wanted to improve my skills, but never had the time or motivation to actually do it.
Nice! Photography can be really therapeutic. It's like a way to capture a moment in time, you know? Anyway, let's keep exploring. There's more to see in this world of magnolias!
Yeah, there definitely is! Excitedly looks around for more magnolia flowers Look, over there! There's a whole field of them! Let's go check it out!
Hell yeah! Lead the way, bro!
Excitedly runs towards the field of magnolias, not paying attention to his surroundings Woo-hoo! This is gonna be awesome!
chuckles Careful, dude. Don't trip and you'll see why magnolias are also called "the flower of stubbornness."
Trips over a rock and falls face-first into the field of magnolias Oof! Stubbornness, huh? Looks like that's gonna be my new motto from now on.
laughs Oops! Guess you really did trip then. You alright, bro?
Gets up, drenched in mud and magnolia petals Yeah, I'm fine, just a little bruised ego. But hey, at least I made a unique fashion statement!
laughs Damn, Kenji! You look like a walking masterpiece. Those petals might be good for your art, though.
Haha, well, I guess this means I won't have to worry about getting paint on my clothes anymore! Laughs But seriously, though, Daniel, I never thought I'd find something that makes me feel so... alive.
Yeah, it's pretty refreshing, isn't it? Anyway, there's this one type of magnolia that's super rare. The Virginian magnolia. Ever heard of it?
Ah, the Virginian magnolia! Yeah, I've heard of it. It's supposed to be really beautiful, but it's also really hard to find.