Akira did not remain at the pavilion after the short introduction. Moreover, her parents did not follow her because Sayaka wanted to get started on her painting. Sayaka was a bit nervous because she had not touched a brush for a while, so she did not mind her daughter leaving.

Akira walked from the pavilion and into the garden.

She did not have a special interest in flowers, but she was quite curious about the mechanisms the owner of the garden used to delay flowering. She was aware of a few methods used for managing early blooming.

However, these methods were primarily used on flowering bushes and herbs. For instance, techniques like pruning and pinching off buds were used to prevent premature flowering and ensure consistent blooming in some plants. The primary approach used for flowering trees was controlled water sprinkling.

However, the delay was short.

Of course, the assumption was that Mr Blossom was not using chemicals sprays to regulate the hormone levels in the trees.

As Akira walked around the garden in deep thought, she came across a young lady sniffing in tears alone. She was squatting in an inelegant position and looked pitiful.

Akira did not want to get involved in something messy, so she decided to walk away immediately. Unfortunately, she was discovered.

"Are you rushing off to tell everyone about my pathetic state?" The girl spoke up nasally. "No one will believe you."

Akira looked back at her and felt that the girl was probably not right in her mind.

"With your blotchy face, I won't need to tell anyone. They will see it themselves." She responded.

Sakuko felt embarrassed by the words and dug out some wet wipes to clean her face.

"I can see why no one likes you." She said as she tried to make herself presentable.

"Is that so?" Akira responded nonchalantly.

"You should know that Hanae has a lot of friends. She is quite well-rooted in the social circles in Mountain Ridge. Those girls will not make life easy for you." Sakuko said.

"I would like to see them try." Akira's voice remained even.

"Can't you try to react a little more naturally?"

"If I were to react naturally, I would ask you why you are crying alone in a corner?"

"Isn't it obvious? I have lost the future I worked so much for. I will never be an artist."

"Isn't that what you wanted when you challenged my aunt?"

Sakuko felt a little surprised by the words. "Why do you say that?"

"Anyone who has ever held a brush could see how unhappy you were. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say that someone taught you how to draw that landscape specifically for this occasion." Akira exposed her.

Sakuko looked at her warily. "How did you know?"

"There's a natural flow to drawing anything. You should know that. However, you were so focused on retracing the steps that you made some unnatural choices." Akira said.

Sakuko took another look at the girl whose name had been thrown into the mud. She did not seem like someone who would let wealth get to her head that she would drive her cousin crazy. There was probably an evil person fanning the flames to make her look bad.

Apart from Hanae, there was no one else who would do that. But according to rumours, Hanae was recuperating in the Willow Mental Wellness facility.

"You are smarter than you look," Sakuko said.

"And you are dumber than you look. Why are you forcing yourself to do something that you don't like? Can you force yourself for a lifetime?" She asked.

Sakuko looked miffed at being called dumb. She stood up to face Akira.

"You clearly don't understand how life works in our society. We do not have much of a choice about our lives. Everything is decided for you. Life is especially hard when you are a girl because you will never inherit anything." Sakuko said bitterly.

Akira smiled a little.

"Is that so? I think life is easier when you are a girl in this society. You already know that you will not inherit the family's billions. Nothing is holding you back. What's the worst that your family can do if you refuse to follow their arrangements? Unless in special circumstances, the most they can do is cut off your allowance." She said.

"It's not that easy."

"It is that easy," Akira said. "Most of the pressure that you will receive to follow the arranged path will be emotional unless you are very attached to the family wealth. You can choose to take control now or have regrets later. I am not telling you what to do. I am merely pointing out the obvious."

"Do you know anything about filial piety?" Sakuko felt annoyed.

"Filial piety is honouring your parents. You can do so without sacrificing your future. It's about the true intentions in your heart." Akira felt she had wasted too much time on the girl. "You should probably look for your worried mother."

Sakuko looked at Akira one more time before turning and walking away. Akira watched the girl with a smile. The young ones were always so excitable.

As soon as Sakuko was out of earshot, she turned in another direction.

"It is rude to eavesdrop while girls are talking." She spoke out coldly.

Mr Cherry Blossom stepped out from the trees with a gentle smile and faced Akira. His gloved hands were held behind his back as if he were some kind of wise expert.

"The Yamazaki ladies are quite special." He said softly. "And I was not eavesdropping. I saw you examining my trees and thought I could offer some assistance."

Akira looked at the man with a critical eye. He was not a bad-looking man, but he clearly had perverted interests. Otherwise, why would he follow her and listen to his conversation with that foolish girl?

He was quite a suspicious character.

"Is that so?" She asked with obvious distrust.

"Of course." He said. "Naturally, I was also fascinated to hear your take on the life of the upper-class society."

"And?"

"Of course, I agree with you. It is more satisfying to carve out your own path without the shackles of the so-called aristocracy." His eyes glinted with focused interest. "Now, what would you like to know about my trees?"