CH 55

“Hanami?”

(T/N: Hanami= Cherry Blossom Viewing)

In April, when the spring vacation was almost over, Kaede suddenly said she wanted to go to hanami.

I had no part-time job today and it was Saturday, so I had no reason to say no, but …

“Yes! Would you like to go with me to see cherry blossoms?”

“I’d love to, but what’s up with you all of a sudden?”

“I wanted to see the cherry blossoms.”

“Okay, but I’ve got some things to do in the morning, so can we do it in the afternoon?”

“Yes! Of course.”

I happened to have plans in the morning, but I was relieved when she said we could go in the afternoon.

Kaede flashed a happy smile at me.

◆◆◆◆◆

“Welcome~”

“Hello, I’m Hayasaka, I have an appointment.”

“Yes, How would you like it done today?

“Well,… I don’t have any particular hairstyle in mind, but please make sure I can stand proudly next to the person I like.”

“Understood!”

Did I make a mistake in requesting… I said to myself, and I was getting more and more embarrassed.

I knew they were a pro. By the time they finished cutting my hair, the person I was a few hours ago was no longer there.

I felt as if I wasn’t myself anymore.

“Thank you very much.”

“I hope things go well with the person you love!”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

I replied shyly.

It was well past noon. I walked quickly toward home.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome home….”

Kaede looked at me and kept staring at me, absentmindedly.

“You got a haircut.”

“Yeah, It doesn’t suit me…?”

“No! Um, um, you look too cool, how should I say it…”

“That’s enough…”

She bowed her head and said she was sorry and I wanted her not to apologize for that.

Cool, just hearing her say this made me glad I cut them off.

After a short break we left the house to see the cherry blossoms.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since we went out together.”

“Yeah… We only go out together when we work part-time.”

“Yeah,, I’m very happy right now.”

She said and gave me a big smile.

After walking for tens of minutes, I felt that it was about time when I saw the cherry blossom petals dancing in the air.

Part of me wanted to see the cherry blossoms as soon as possible, and part of me still wanted to talk with Kaede.

“Uwa~! It’s so beautiful~!”

“Oh, yeah….. when was the last time you came to view cherry blossoms….”

“Let’s go over there!”

“Okay, okay.”

She grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

The spot there was full of boyfriends and girlfriends.

By that I mean there were lots of couples.

It was embarrassing to be there. But Kaede grabbed my sleeve tightly.

“Even if it is temporary, we’re a couple too, right?”

“Well, that’s right, but… this place is a little…”

“I understand…”

Kaede had a sullen expression on her face. I felt my chest tighten when I saw that.

As we were walking, a child fell down in front of us. I saw it and immediately ran over to him.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine!”

He said that and ran away. His leg was bleeding, but he was indeed a boy.

Normally, Kaede would have rushed in before me, but she wasn’t even next to me, so I wondered what was going on and found her halted behind me by a couple of blondes.

“Hey hey, it’s fine”

“You’re alone, right?

“No!”

One of the guys grabbed Kaede’s wrist, and By that time, I was already holding the hand of the blond man who was holding Kaede’s wrist.

I was anxious, of course, but I saw the look on Kaede’s face that she didn’t like it, and I didn’t like the idea of her being touched by a man I didn’t know much, so I didn’t care about my anxiety or anything like that.

“Stop it, she’s with me.”

“What, you have a boyfriend?”

I said, “Let’s go,” and quickly withdrew.

I wondered if my former self would have thought if I really was her boyfriend, I yelled in my mind not to start thinking like that again.

Then, Kaede put her head on my back.

“I-I was scared…”

“I’m sorry, Kaede.”

I turned around and stroked Kaede’s head.

After the cherry blossom viewing, We stopped at a park near our house on the way back home with Kaede.

I can’t go up to the second year with this kind of relationship.

I was convinced that today was the time to make the decision.

“Kaede, I’m sorry to say this now, but…”

“… what is it?”

“Let’s end this temporary relationship.”

“Huh?…Did I do something?”

Kaede looked at me with an anxious face.

But I looked at her with serious eyes.

“The reason I scheduled the hair salon appointment today was to confess my feelings to you, Kaede.”

“Eh?”

“I was going to tell you today even if we weren’t going for Hanami. I’ve already realized now, or even before, that Kaede had given me confidence, but I couldn’t act on it. I really feel like a failure.”

“Wait a minute, I’m not ready yet.”

Kaede was flustered, as if she didn’t know what to do.

“I love you, Kaede. Now I can say this with confidence. So if it’s okay with you, please go out with me.”

“….”

Kaede was crying. I was a little nervous.

There might be a chance..

“… I, There’s no way I will refuse.”

“I-I see…”

“I know I’m not always the best at what I do, but please take care of me”

Kaede was in tears and even had a runny nose. Her pretty, beautiful face was ruined.

But I want to be the only one who can see it.

I gently hugged the sobbing Kaede.

“Is it okay if I hug you a lot from now on?”

“Yes, I will hug you a lot too.”

“Is it okay if I sleep with you from now on?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Can I kiss you, too?”

“I’d like that, too….”

“And then, and then…”

“I’m so happy”, she said and didn’t move away from me for a while.

After seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom, the moment my love came true at a place that could be called the origin of our meeting. No, I finally took a step forward, and we could finally walk together.

This was the moment I felt like that.