Cherry Blossoms

Author’s Note: This is a short story I wrote one day when I got a burst of inspiration during one dull school day. The plot developed in my head, and the characters and ending kind of…created themselves, if that made any sense. I felt like the way the two character’s friendship developed took on a life of it’s own. XD Anyway. This, out of the 5 short stories that I’ve written, is the only one I’m actually proud of. It’s not spectacular and brilliant, but I know for a fact that it’s not terrible. :) Comments and criticism are of course, extremely welcome.

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Aoi Surowatori leaned back against the tree. She breathed in the cool air and listened to the calm breeze.

Spring break had finally arrived. Just around 20 minutes ago, all the other students had rushed out of the school, eager to start celebrating their spring break.

She looked up at the old classroom building and continued to sketch it. She ran the pencil through the paper, lost in the lines and shading.

Sketching was what always kept her busy. It always managed to make her forget her problems for a little while; so now the thought that had been bugging her for the past few days was at the back of her mind.

The sound of two students talking as they passed by filled Aoi’s ears for a few minutes before they left, and the garden was still again.

Aoi wished it was always like this, this peaceful and calm in the school. Usually the garden was would be filled with the noise of the groups of the students. Never in her 2 years in this High School has it ever been this quiet.

Aoi was a sophomore in a High School located near the south part of Kyoto, Japan. She had lived in the same house for around 3 years, since her parents transfer jobs a lot. She had always assumed that was probably why she never made friends; she hated goodbyes.

She adjusted the sleeve of her uniform and shaded a window she drew.

***
Ichijou Hiruzaki continued to run through the building, searching frantically.

“Fuck, where is my phone?!”

He re-entered his classroom, 2-3 for roughly the 5th time and checked his desk again.

“It’s not here…” he brushed back his messed-up, dark brown hair and sighed. He’d looked everywhere he went today, and there was nothing.

“Man, that was a new phone…” he walked out of the building slowly. “This sucks…”

He stopped. Who was that? A girl was sitting on a bench, leaning against a tree and absorbed in what she was sketching. She looked familiar…

A few awkward minutes passed before he stopped wondering and walked over to her.

“Hey…”

It took a while before she responded. For a few seconds, he thought she was completely lost in her sketch, and was about to walk away when she looked up and smiled slightly.

“Hey. Ichijou, right?”

“Um…yeah. You’re…” he bit his lip as he tried to remember.

She gave a small laugh. “It’s fine, most people don’t know my name. I’m Aoi, from your Math Class.”

“Oh! Right.” He laughed at himself as he rubbed nervously at his nape. “You’re always so quiet in class.”

“Well, you know. No one really talks to me.”

“So why’re you still here?”

She tapped the end of her pencil to the sketchbook page. “I could ask you the same thing. But…nothing, really. I love the quiet, and our school has beautiful scenery. And you?”

“I, eh…lost my phone. And I can’t find it.”

“Have you tried looking in the lost and found?”

“Meh, they’re never effective.”

“How are you so sure?”

“They suck. Plain and simple.”

“Come on, at least try. Do you want your phone back?”

“Yeah.”

“Come on.” She closed the sketchbook and put it in her bag. “Let’s look.”

The two of them started walking towards the Administrative Building.

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this school so peaceful. It’s refreshing, actually.”

Aoi gave a small nod. “I bet it’s always like this when class ends. I don’t usually stay this late, most of the time I go home and study.”

“Huh. I wish I could say the same thing about me….but I kind of just go home. I don’t really…study or…anything like that.”

They stopped in front of the slightly worn door of the lost and found. And, after some awkward seconds of silence and just standing in front of it, Ichijou knocked and opened it.

“Ehm, good afternoon. Would you happen to have a cellphone?”

He gave a fairly clear description. The woman frowned and looked at the things on a nearby shelf. “Is this it?”


“Yes! That’s the one!” he reached for it and quickly turned it on, making sure everything was still intact. “Thank you!” closing the door, he started walking away.

“I told you so.” Aoi said, a small, amused smirk on her face.

“Yeah, yeah. I have my phone back, so insult me all you want. I don’t care.”

“So what do you want to do now?”

“I don’t know…what were you sketching a while ago?”

“Oh, um. Nothing important.”

“Come on. I want to see it.”

“It’s not even finished.”

“Then show me something that is finished.”

Aoi shrugged and breathed out a sigh that signified defeat. “Fine, whatever.”

They arrived in the garden and Aoi walked over to her bag and handed him the sketchpad.

“Wow…these are pretty good.”

“Hmm.”

“Here. Finish the sketch.”

They sat down by the stone bench, and Aoi started sketching again.

“You can talk while I do this, by the way.

“Oh, um. Okay. So how are you gonna spend your spring break?”

“With my family, mostly…”

“What about your friends?”

“…I don’t really have any.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t be so serious.” She laughed. “I’m a student too, you know.”

“Haha. Right. Well, why…don’t you have any friends? You’re pretty cool.”

“…thanks, I guess. But I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Well…if you say so.”

For a few seconds they sat in silence, where the only sounds were Aoi’s pencil running through the paper and leaves rustling in the wind. Ichijou brushed back a lock of hair and watched as Aoi continued to shade and add more lines. She was so absorbed in it he was almost scared to break the silence.

“Am I disturbing you?”

She shook her head. “No, not at all. But you’re being so awkward and quiet.” She looked up and smiled. “When I’m done, do you want to go to dinner, maybe?”

“…I have time, yeah.”

“Cool. Hold on, I’m almost done.”

She shaded a few more things. “There. Done.” She grinned and handed him the sketch. “It’s a bit rushed, sorry.”

“Rushed? I’d freak if I could draw like you can.”

She laughed. “Really, I’m not that good. Would you like to go now?”

“Um, sure.”

They slung their bags over their shoulders and walked out the school gate.

“The school is so empty…it’s really weird.” He took out his iPod and put one earphone on.

“Haha, yeah. So where do you want to eat?”

“Well..what do you want to eat?”

“Hmm. I’m in the mood for Tonkatsu.”

“Oh, I think I know a place. It’s a pretty long walk though.”

“It’s okay…I like long walks.”

“It’s this way.”

They started to walk through the sidewalk, mostly silent aside from the occasional car that passed by.

“What about you, by the way? What are your plans for the spring break?” Aoi asked after they passed by a house where two children were running around.

“Knowing my parents, probably nothing.” He shrugged. “I hardly see them around the house, anymore. So I guess I’ll probably hang around the malls with my friends.”

“I see…well. Since you already know I like sketching…do you have any hobbies?”

“Uh…I play guitar, mostly. That’s about it.”

“That’s cool. How long have you been playing?”

“Around…4 years, I think.”

She nodded and fingered a small lock of her light-brown hair. “I tried learning piano when I was young. I gave up after a few months.” She let out a laugh. “I don’t really have the patience to try learning anything music-related.”

“Haha. Well…we’re all different. It’s weird…I’ve always seen you around, but I think this is actually the first time I’ve talked to you.”

“Right back at you.”

“And it’s weird. When I talk to people I don’t really know…it’s really awkward. We barely talk and by the time I leave, I’m so relieved to get away from the silence. But…for some reason, it’s almost like I know you already.”

She shrugged. “If you say so.”

They continued their walk until they reached a fairly tall building.

“This is it.”

He lead her into the restaurant and they took a seat beside a window. After a few minutes of deciding what to get, the waitress gave them a friendly smile, repeated their order one last time and left them.

“We should hang out more now that it’s Spring Break. Get to know each other better, and all that.” Ichijou said cheerfully.

“…y-yeah….” Aoi looked out the window and sighed.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Ehm, nothing.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “Do you eat here often?”

He shrugged. “Often enough, I guess. The owner of the restaurant is a family friend.”

“Oh. That’s cool. It’s a very nice place…” she trailed off a bit dreamily, then reached into her bag and got her sketchbook, her pencil, and started to sketch again.

“The food here is great, too. But it is a bit expensive…”

“Why didn’t you say so? I can’t really…afford expensive things.”

“No, it’s my treat.”

“But-“

“No buts. I’m always willing to treat a friend.” He grinned.

“…a friend.” A sad smile was on her face, but as she opened her mouth to say something, the waitress came with the food.

“…It looks so good.” She muttered under her breath.

“That’s why this is one of my favorite places. Itedakimasu” Ichijou eagerly started eating.

Aoi slowly, almost hesitantly reached for the food with her chopsticks, and carefully put it into her mouth.

“Hey, that’s not the last bit of beef on this planet.” He laughed.

Her eyes widened in an almost childlike wonder as she tasted the beef. “It’s so good!”

Ichijou couldn’t help but smile. He never saw anyone so happy about some Tonkatsu. He found it cute really…

They ate the rest of the meal in silence, and afterwards, he offered to walk her home. The sun had already set, and they walked through the calm, quiet street, the sound of crickets filling the air.

“Ichijou…thank you. Thank you so much…for everything.”

“No problem.”

“Do you really consider me as a friend now…?”

He nodded. “Of course. It’s really fun talking to you.”

A small, sad smile formed on her lips. “That’s the first time anyone ever said that to me…” she swallowed back tears. She couldn’t cry. Not now.

After a few minutes, she looked up. “This is my house…” she walked slightly to the door and stopped, slowly turning around.

“Are you free tomorrow?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I’m sorry….I can’t. I-“ She bit her lip and turned around. “I’m leaving for America tomorrow.”

“For Spring Break?”

“…for three years.”

“W-what?”

“…goodbye, Ichijou.” She entered her house and leaned against the door, tears running down her cheeks.
***

The Next Day.

Ichijou put down the guitar and walked over to the large window. What was wrong? Why was he so depressed? He barely even knew her!

Damn it. Damn it all. Why? He had never felt this way for anyone…He had only talked to her ONCE. One time…it wasn’t even a full day. But…there was something about her…God damn it…he had only met her yesterday! He had no reason to feel this way…he couldn’t possibly feel sad that she was leaving…

He checked his watch. Almost noon. He sighed and took his jacket from his chair. He would go out for a walk. That would probably clear his head.

The park was filled with the sound of screaming children, and the ground was filled with sakura petals…Ichijou sighed and sat down on a nearby bench. The one girl he was actually interested in…oh, damn it! What was he saying?! It was only one day! One conversation! A couple of exchanged lines…

“…hey.”

He looked up and his eyes widened when he saw the same light-brown haired Aoi.

“W-what’re you doing here? I thought…”

“We’re leaving at 8 in the evening, apparently. So I thought I’d get one last sketch of Japan before you know…I leave.”

“…oh.”

She sat down beside him. “…I know it’s stupid to say this after only talking to you once…but I think I’m going to miss you, Ichijou.”

“I feel the same way…oh, I know! Give me your cellphone number. I’ll text you everyday.”

“…I don’t have a cellphone.”

“Oh…well. Uh. “

Aoi rested her head in her hands for a while before looking back at him. “Please…just stay with me here until I have to go…”

“S-sure.”

“Thank you…I don’t want to go, honestly. I mean…my Dad always has to transfer jobs. That’s why I don’t have any friends…The more you have, the more you have to lose…”

“I guess…”

“But yesterday…I felt what it was like to actually have a friend…and I realized I was missing out on so much…”

Aoi brushed back a lock of her hair. “Goodbyes will always hurt, that’s true. But hey…life is about the good times…right? And I guess I should focus on that instead. So…when I’m in America I’m going to try and make a few friends there…”

“I’m sure it won’t be hard for you.”

“Haha…but seriously…thank you for making me realize that.”

Several hours passed by, with Aoi and Ichijou just talking, then later on watching the sun set.

“I…have to go now.”

“Oh…um. Okay then.”

They stood up and Ichijou rubbed at the back of his neck. “I hope I see you again sometime…”

“Me too…so…goodbye. Um…” She nervously walked closer and stopped for a while, deciding whether or not she should do it…then gave him a kiss on his cheek and ran off.

“…Aoi.” He sighed and put his hand in his pocket, and started walking home, cherry blossoms continuously falling on the ground.

***

My name is Ichijou Hiruzaki. Years ago, I met a girl named Aoi Surowatori. I know it’s stupid to say that I loved her…I mean, I’ve only had two conversations with her. But I’ll never forget the moment I saw her walk away.

I’m a songwriter now. I write for a lot of hit artists. They like my songs, apparently. A lot of the songs I wrote were about her…I wonder if she ever hears them.

And sure, I’ve met a lot of girls. I’m currently dating this girl I met in the songwriting business; Aki Takohoto. She’s nice and all. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I like her. But the way I felt for Aoi…was really different. A different feeling from all those other girls. I don’t know…it’s just. There was really just something about her.

It’s been around 10 years since then. I haven’t seen Aoi again. In all honesty, I’ve given up hope that I ever will.