When the Cherry Blossoms Bloom

Inspired from a true incident of love…

*UPDATE*: If there are any parts in the story that refer to Namine...t's supposed to be KAIRI. I don't know HOW I CAN

GET MIXED UP BETWEEN THE TWO BUT HAVE FUN READING :)

Japan, Tokyo

I sat on a stone bench opposite the school gates on a gentle windy summer day, reading my book. My maroon, silky hair swayed with the light current of the wind. Soon, someone approached me and cast a shadow above my head. I looked up and it was my friend, Riku. He smiled and waved at me. His smile was so sweet always enlightened my heart and he was just so…selfless.

Riku wore his high-school uniform with the tie was always loose and his shirt un-tucked. He never followed the school uniform regulations and miraculously, he was never told off about it. The best part I liked about him was the hair, it was silver white! His eyes were ocean blue and he was just a feet taller than me. He was popular in school and had so many friends, but for some reason, he liked hanging out with me so much. From the day I met him, I knew every single bit of detail about him because we began to talk a lot and hell, I sound like a stalker but we're closer than you'd think.

"You're reading alone again, Kairi-san?" Riku questioned happily. I nodded in response and continued reading. He sighed and sat down beside me, "When will you ever put a book down? It's like every time I see you, you have a book in your hand!" He chuckled and I frowned.

"Riku, it's not my fault that I like reading. At least I have a hobby," I answered back then stuck my tongue out cheekily.

"Kairi, I do have a hobby and it's more epic than your one!" Riku grinned cheerfully. I sighed and agreed to the fact that he did have a better hobby than me. He goes skiing with his family like every weekend while I mould and rot at home with my wicked step-mother. He teased, "You ready to walk home with me then, bookworm?"

I got up from the stone bench slowly, stuffing the book into my bloated school bag. Riku already walked half a mile away from me so I caught up quickly with him. We began to walk along a straight path and the sun was set. I looked ahead then slowly turned my head to Riku. I gazed at him sheepishly, wondering when he would start his usual talkative subjects. Some were boring and some were interesting, they were different every day.

"So…" I asked blushingly, "How was school today? I wasn't able to see you that much so yeah, that's why I'm asking."

I waited for his reply but then he gazed back at me with sorrowful-looking eyes. I never saw his eyes like that before. It suddenly made me feel so sad inside. In a flash second, he smiled and answered back in usual cheerful voice.

"It was fine; I'm chosen to play in the football team against some other school tomorrow. You want to come and watch?"

I paused for a second in thought and said, "Uhh…yeah sure, where are you playing?"

"It's that football pitch right opposite your house. You can meet me outside your house gates tomorrow morning."

"Sure, I'll call you tonight about it."

Soon after we approached my house and we stopped walking. I waved him goodbye and entered the house. When he waved back, he looked at me with those sorrowful eyes I can't stand. What was wrong with him? I don't know what he'll say if I ask I mean some things are better left unsaid and some not. Maybe it was something that happened in school today with his friends.

I closed the door behind me and kicked my shoes off quickly. I entered into the living room to where my parents were. Mum was pealing apples and Dad was reading the newspaper.

"Hey Mum, hey Dad," I said. They both stared at me and smiled.

"Hi Kairi, how was school today then?" Mum asked excitedly.

"It was good. Riku wants me to watch his football match tomorrow. Can I go?"

My parents went silent and my father frowned.

"Kairi, don't hang out with this Riku guy a lot. He might cause harm in the end for you," My father replied in his husky Japanese accent.

"But Dad, we're just friends, we were never closer," I replied defensively.

Dad glared at me and then sighed, "Fine, you can go tomorrow with Riku, but no naughty business with him, you hear, young lady?"

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and thought he would refuse to let me go and see Riku's match tomorrow. I thanked my Dad happily and ran to my room. I can't believe I'm going to see Riku play tomorrow, it's kinda exciting! When I entered my bedroom, I charged to the wardrobe and flung open the doors. I dug my hands into my hung clothes, trying to find the perfect outfit. After half an hour, I finally found what I wanted to wear. It was a red silk kimono and a pattern of cherry blossoms on it. I tried it on and posed in front of the mirror. Suddenly I began imagining myself standing next to Riku in the mirror. I blushed embarrassingly and threw myself onto the bed. I ended out hiding my big grin of excitement under my duvet as my mum intruded the room. She looked at me bewildered as if I'm some kind of animal and I stared back.

"Kairi, what are you doing?" Mum asked suspiciously.

"Trying out my outfit and seeing how I look for tomorrow," I replied panicky, it was the first excused that popped into my head.

"Yeah…sure," Mum chuckled and approached my wardrobe.

"What are you doing in there, Mum?"

"Find something appropriate for you to wear, Kairi. You're not wearing that for tomorrow."

"But I want to wear this! It's pretty!"

"And you think Riku would have time to see you wear something that pretty? Namine, you're not wearing something you're great grandmother gave you, to the after party." The theme was traditional Japan, with all the kimonos and that. It was quite exciting but, "It's an important piece of clothing and it's too risky to wear to a football match. Some other time maybe, okay?"

But we didn't have another kimono and there won't be another time. I was having the last, best year of school for crying out loud!

I puffed out my cheeks angrily and took off the red kimono gently as my Mum ordered. She soon picked out something for me to wear. It wasn't too fancy but it was just right I guess. Yes, I'm just going to wear a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I'm really going to shine out in the crowd..NOT. Later, she left the bedroom and the night drew nearer. I secretly shoved the kimono and zipped my bag up quickly.

The next morning, I woke up and changed into my plain white t-shirt and ragged jeans. Before I left, I got my Mum's lovely homemade bento and carefully put it into my bag in front of her. I then walked out of the house and headed towards my blue car. My car was blue, nothing else. I started the engine and drove to the match venue.

As soon as I arrived, I saw all the girls in one herd, with their colourful kimonos on. They looked so pretty, even though I couldn't see their faces, what they wore was attractive to the eyes. Luckily, my gaze was suddenly cut off by Riku's distanced wave. He ran to me after his warm up for the football match.

"Hey!" Riku looked at me awkwardly as he tried to catch his breath; I guess it was about what I was wearing to the match, "Are you not wearing your kimono for tonight?"

"The kimono's stashed in my bag," I pat my bag, smiling, "I'm going to yours, before going to the party, right?" Riku nodded and showed me to the stands.

"Right, I have to go. Wish me luck!"

As he sped off, he turned back and gave me that usual gleaming smile I could never stop thinking about. Within seconds, I already missed him.