Masaomi let off a small sigh as he walked through the park in Kyoto, watching the green leaves sway on the trees. He missed Ikebukuro… Sure, it was warm here and the weather was nice, but this was around the time cherry blossoms would be blooming there. The pink leaves always looked so beautiful flying in the wind through the city streets. He remembered telling Mikado about it before the boy moved down, and how excited the other had seemed.

"I can't wait to see it! I bet it's just as beautiful as you described it, Masaomi-kun! How about we watch them together?"

But it was a little late for that now. They had never gotten the chance. Masaomi would have given anything to go back in time and at least spend one blooming season with Mikado so they had the chance to sit there together. He smiled sadly while he walked, his head now downcast as he imagined what it would be like.

April 3rd

Mikado, as usual, was the first to show up at the park for their date. He didn't mind, though, as he found a large tree to sit under, placing their bento boxes on his lap. Ikebukuro really was beautiful this time of year… The pink, blossoming flowers seemed to fly everywhere as soon as the gentlest breeze blew. They twirled and danced through the streets cheerfully, reminding everyone that it was that time of year. Time to make picnics and take your loved ones to see the blooming sakura trees. Mikado hadn't ignored the call. As soon as he saw the first cherry blossom fly past him, he called up Mina to set up a date at the park. She agreed right away.

"Mikado-kun!"

The boy turned to see Mina running up. For once she wasn't in a dress or a skirt, but instead she wore daisy-duke shorts and a yellow tank top with her usual yellow wedges. Surprisingly, she seemed fairly steady on them while running. Mikado couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh as Mina got there and collapsed on the grass, panting. "S-Sorry I'm late!"

"That's okay," he assured, waving it off as he handed her the bento. "I made us lunch. I hope you like it."

She smiled but it faded somewhat as Mikado reached over and pushed her knee against the other one to close her legs. Usually she complied with him but this time her eyes narrowed. "No," she said, putting her legs the way they were before. "I'm wearing pants today. I can sit however I want." Looking down she quickly corrected herself. "I'm wearing shorts today but they're close enough to pants."

Laughing, Mikado raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, Mina-chan. You can sit however you want."

Satisfied by the answer, Mina opened her bento box to reveal fresh sushi rolls and white rice that looked like it had been homemade with love. She practically drooled as she broke her chopsticks out and started eating. Now that Mikado was really noticing it, she even ate like Masaomi and for a minute he couldn't help but stare at her before saying, "I'm glad you seem to like it." He also noticed that by this point, she had shifted until her knees were touching again, despite the fuss she had made before about wearing shorts.

She smiled and looked over at him before shifted and snuggling against his side, slinging and arm around his neck. "Of course! You're not a bad cook so why wouldn't I?"

The bento was eaten quickly and the rest of the time was spent with the two side-by-side, leaning against the wide trunk of a sakura tree while they watched the blossoms in the wind. They didn't talk much, either. Nothing really needed to be said as Mina tucked herself against Mikado's side while the boy's fingers played through her hair. It was just a tender, touching moment for the two and Mikado couldn't help but be thankful that he got to spend it with his best friend. Thinking on it, he would have rather sit and watch the blossoms with Masaomi than with some girl he had hardly knew. Even if he was in shorts and a padded bra, Masaomi would always be Masaomi and Mikado would always love him.

[I don't think anyone will ever know how happy I was with Mikado. Dude, I'm starting to actually feel like some love-struck teenage girl. I got to watch the cherry blossoms with him and eat a bento he made. It was the most peaceful and enjoyable thing I've ever done. I didn't have to worry about gang wars or Izaya popping up and ruining my life. It was just Mikado and I. Me and Mikado.

Oh, and another plus. I wasn't wearing a dress or skirt! I was actually in shorts for once, so I didn't have to worry about flashing anyone!

But it was still uncomfortable to sit with my legs open so I didn't. That was a pain, but whatever. I had fun either way and I'm sure Mikado did to. I've decided to let him have as much fun as possible before I spill the truth. I'll tell him who I am eventually but until then I'm going to make sure he has a great time.]

Sitting a little ways off behind a tree were the two stalkers, out stalking kids for the afternoon. For Izaya it was only to be expected but Shizuo was a new addition to the stalker club. Unfortunately for Izaya, the brute stood out like a sore thumb but neither Masaomi nor Mikado seemed to notice them. "See Shizu-chan? What did I tell you?"

There was silence for a second before Shizuo answered. "That looks like a girl to me."

"Are you blind? That's Kida Masaomi clear as day."

The blonde turned to give Izaya a deadly glare. "If you insult me one more time I'm going to rip this tree out of the ground and kill you with it, do we have an understanding?" Izaya rolled his eyes, not thinking his statement had been all too insulting but knowing it was useless to argue with the irrational man. So he just nodded. "Anyway, why would someone dress up as a girl?"

Leaning back against the tree, Izaya let out a sigh and resisted the urge to call Shizuo stupid again. "I guess you don't know the full story like I do. Ryuugamine-kun over there is Masaomi-kun's best friend. Has been for a very long time. But due to all the gang fighting and Masaomi-kun running off to be with someone else, Mikado-kun grew distant with him. If I've heard correctly, he told Masaomi-kun to leave and never come back. After being friends for such a long time, I'm sure it must have been a hard blow."

He snickered, taking enjoyment in that fact before Shziuo's glare silenced him.

"Don't make fun of someone's friendship!" the man snapped. "It's great that they're close and the fact that your stupid stunts broke that apart is horrible. You're lucky I don't feel like killing you right now, flea."

Huffing, Shizuo turned away to watch the couple with his arms crossed over his chest before his anger slowly faded. One could almost see it happening as his shoulder's relaxed and his expression faded.

"Must be nice to have friends…" he finally muttered.

Izaya didn't answer. His own contemptuous thoughts had settled as well and he stared off in front of him, watching the pink blossoms fly by. It was actually his first time sitting in the park watching them. Pity it had to be with a monster.