[b] Alexei [/b]

"No, nothing." Alexei replied with a thankful bow as Kotori accepted his request. On this they both turned and began their walk to the shop. Having exhausted most of the topics the day prior, there wasn't much of a small-talk between the two. Kotori was naturally reserved and Alexei was curt. As they walked away from the school, he finally decided to ask a doubt that had been bothering him ever since he had formed the notion of visiting the Shirohane Flower Store.

"Shirohane-san!" came a low grumble as he looked at the junior to face him. As she faced him, he looked at her straight and ask, " There is a query I need your assistance with." 

He didn't wait for her to accept as he knew that she was too polite to decline. 

"Do you like flowers?" he asked with a pause. Giving her enough time to register his words and form an answer. Afterall, it maybe taken as a weird question coming from a literal stranger whom you have met once. Plus, walking together they hardly looked to be suited to each other.

"What I mean is, would you appreciate a Ikebana bouquet if someone close to you gave it to you. Would you like the said person to present himself in it or what he sees you as?" he asked in an even tone. It didn't hold any allusion to a romantic chat-up. It seemed he was asking it out of genuine curiosity. His stoic face may throw one off, but his voice was something that held a lot of suppressed emotion in it.

"Please do not take it the wrong way, I just want your honest answer as it will help me decide with what I should do." it was a subtle hint to the fact that he wanted to inquire it for his order, but he didn't voice it openly because he felt it was rude to do so.