Holding the keychain at his waist, a flash of hesitation flashed in Hirai Taki's calm eyes, but then it was replaced by nostalgia.

A certain year, spring.

March 24th is his birthday. In the cherry blossom country, this month is the season when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Regardless of men, women, or children, all people will wear kimonos during this time and go to the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots to enjoy cherry blossoms.

Drink sake, eat homemade Japanese bento dishes, and immerse yourself in the pink world.

For the young Takiichi, the cherry blossom viewing spots in the downtown area could never compare to his own hot spring hotel.

There were some shabby hot spring hotels in a small village with not many people. He sat by the pool by himself.

The little boy holds a pencil in his hand and clumsily draws a picture of the little girl sitting on the swing under the cherry blossom tree.

The fountain behind me was gurgling with the sound of water flowing, and there were some tools and sketch paper placed by the pool.

He painted with a serious expression like an adult, even though the final painting was completely incomprehensible to an adult.

But it is rare for two children to be so quiet, and it saves a lot of worry as a parent.

After that, he would repeat this thing every March.

Including an open space inside that was later opened specifically for guests.

The cherry blossoms above were planted by his father and uncles.

Later, when the first cherry blossom tree bloomed, people cheered and cheered around the tree.

Takiichi's memory includes himself, his two younger sisters, and another little girl from a guest family.

Many people always feel vague when they think back to things that happened when they were young.

Especially before the age of three, most of the things that can be remembered are after the age of five or six.

This was the case with Takiichi. On the night when they first met, his parents and guests were drinking sake in the house and talking about trivial matters in life.

Because of their young age and physical strength, the two sisters lay down on the bed and fell asleep early.

He was the only one who was so lively and energetic, and maybe he wanted to express himself at that time.

Looking at the dense stars in the sky, Takiichi in his childhood had no idea that such beautiful scenery would be difficult to see again for many years, especially in a noisy and polluted big city.

At that time, he talked about his dreams in a childish tone like Ultraman.

"When I grow up, I will open a hot spring hotel bigger than this one. I will circle two open spaces in the yard and plant two very large cherry blossom trees~"

"Why plant two very big cherry blossom trees?"

The little girl wearing a pink plaid kimono sitting next to him asked him in a silly tone.

"Because both of our birthdays are in March when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom."

Taki held out three fingers and grinned.

"You are in front and I am behind. I planted a cherry blossom tree in the courtyard of the hot spring hotel I own, hoping that something good will bloom."

The evening breeze came slowly, gently blowing on their faces. The little girl's long hair swayed in the direction of the wind, occasionally blowing against Taki's ears.

"Ah sneeze~"

The light aroma inhaled into his nostrils, and the tip of his nose itched, causing him to sneeze.

The sound was very small, but it was heard clearly by the people in the room.

A gentle middle-aged woman poked her head out and said, "Takiichi, if you feel it's too cold, you can come in and play, okay?"

"Hi~Kasan (mom)~"

Takiichi sniffed and nodded towards his mother behind him.

At that moment, he felt that it was the first time he was exposed to this smell, and he couldn't get used to it, just like... cherry blossoms.

"This smells a little weird."

"Really? This is the shampoo my grandma made with cherry blossoms...Have you never seen it before, Takiichi-chan?"

The little girl rarely found a place where she could show off, and she showed off with a milky voice.

Taki smiled when he heard this, but he didn't feel any envy in his heart. It's understandable for girls who love beauty to use such things.

According to what she said, it's in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Many people pick some cherry blossoms at this time of year.

Use it mixed with some medicinal materials to make a homemade shampoo for cleaning your hair.

"Although it's my first time, this smell is quite good~ However, I prefer the smell of snow, but our birthday is not in winter, so I used the withering cherry blossoms instead.

My father said that the petals on the cherry blossom tree fall at a speed of about five centimeters per second. He first read this sentence in a book, and later used this to confess his love to me, Kassan, at the Cherry Blossom Festival."

Takiichi still remembers that when he recalled this incident when he grew up and told his parents about this idea, his parents did not laugh at him and say that he was whimsical.

Ordinary people have ordinary people's goals, which may be the reason why his relationship with this little girl changed when he grew up.

"It's so profound. It sounds very good. I don't have as many thoughts as Takiichi-chan. I just want to be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms with Takiichi-kun every March and welcome spring together."

Sometimes, wishes are good but difficult to realize.

Especially the promises made during childhood will only become more cruel when people grow up and experience all kinds of hardships and are tortured by society.

Pictures called memories played one after another from Taki Yi's pupils.

"I don't know if the cherry blossoms in Tokyo are as good as here. Although we haven't seen each other for a long time and can only communicate through text messages, habits die hard. This year, I have to be alone again."

Thinking that there were some sketch papers and small drawing boards in his backpack, Hirai Takiichi smiled to himself.

They are each walking in different directions for their own dreams.

Even though they are getting farther and farther apart, there is always an invisible and intangible tacit understanding that tightly binds the two of them.

No matter who it is, he or she is unwilling to let go.

Lover? Not anymore...

As for friends, this word is too vulgar to describe two people.

AUO and above, but not enough lovers? That’s pretty much it.

Immersed in the past, Hirai Taki's bright eyes became hollow, so much so that he became indifferent to the surroundings.

"Takiichi-chan?"

The little sister gently shook her fleshy hands in front of Taki Yi.

The little sister is not tall, and her body is almost touching the table through a window, looking very clumsy.

"Ah~Sorry, I was a little distracted~"

Takiichi came back to his senses, his face full of apology.

Speaking of which, this keychain has been with him for eight or nine years.

In the past nineteen years of my life, I have received too many gifts, none of which can compare to this one.

But today, after the relationship between the two parties has been sorted out, many things have changed.

Therefore, in his eyes, there is no need to keep this thing. Instead of throwing it away, it is better to give it to others.

Takiichi quickly put away his expression and pinned the keychain that he had kept with him for almost ten years.

The pendant doll on it is a character from his favorite anime.

"I don't have anything decent with me. Although it's a bit abrupt, I can only give you this."

Perhaps because it has not been taken care of for too long, the surface of the doll has lost a lot of color.

"Hey?? Does Takiichi-chan also like Luffy-san?"

The little sister opened her mouth wide in surprise, looking at Takiichi's hand with round eyes.

The Luffy-san she talks about is a protagonist in "One Piece", but when she first fell in love with him, she was led into a trap by that person.
Chapter completed!