"Beautiful, isn't it, Erina-chan?"
I looked around, taking in the lush pinkness of the Sakura trees, the fragrant scents surrounding us, caressed by the gentle spring breeze, with excited chatter of people off in the distance.
"Fleeting moment of beauty, but creates a lifetime of memories."
It was poetic, yet I gave a non-committal humph, not in the mood to engage in conversation, even if it is with Grandfather.
This is the time of the year that would be the anniversary of my divorce.
People used to say that Soma and I were made for each other: both of us are strong headed, opinionated, and have similar passions in cooking. They would say that his goal to be the best chef in the world would naturally draw him to me as his greatest challenge to overcome.
Most of all, he was the only man I interact socially with.
But those were just the surface.
It really was not due to the lack of trying: Soma has put in the effort to be a romantic partner, my confidant, and my best friend. Cooking meals, asking me to head out, spending time together…
I tried to respond in kind around my busy schedule.
Consider the differences in lifestyles we grew up in, the respective types of environment we are used to, and the class of people we interact daily with. Add on our goals, interests, and respective personalities...
The conclusion was inevitable in hindsight.
To the Nakiri family, there isn't much stigma about divorcing like the rest of Japanese society as it is quite a common thing to execute along with remarrying up the social ladder in order to get a leg up in the hierarchy of family standing.
What got tongues wagging, though, was the loss of the mainline heir apparent from the family registry.
Japanese law gives full custody to one parent of the child. Naturally, the Nakiri family brought our full force to bear down in the negotiations. We had used every influence, leverage, and called every favour in an effort to swing the judgement to us.
All came to naught at the fall of a gavel, in view of the assessment of Social Care, Tatsuo's preferred residence…
…and his preferred parent.
In my justification: I pushed my child because he was destined for greatness. He has the backing of the Nakiri name, as well as the pedigree to be the best chef in the world under my tutelage. To make that come true, his day has to be packed like mine while staying in the Nakiri mansion: basic main subject education, play groups, music appreciation, food making for toddlers, swimming, gym… I even got a dedicated assistant to make sure he goes through everything without a hitch.
When I do see him at night, he would already be asleep, exhausted by his daily routines. I would feel a sense of satisfaction that he was getting the best combination of education money could get.
In the case when we do meet during the day, I made sure to highlight his deficits all the while informing him that he could do better, so that he would be the best he could be.
The assistant would keep me updated on Tatsuo's progress.
…but failed to mention how unhappy he was.
It was not as if I emotionally neglected my son on purpose, but the absence of affection was what broke the camel's back for Soma when Tatsuo cried tears of relief upon seeing his father. My own son vehemently pushed me away as I attempted to show that he accepted me, all the while crying, "I want Mommy! I want Mommy! I want Mommy!"
Your mother's right here! I wanted to scream at him… before I realised who he was referring to.
A myriad of emotions ran through me at that moment.
None of which were good.
"I trust this is helping you clear your mind, Erina." Grandfather's baritone interrupted my thoughts. "We should head back soon before the place gets packed."
Since it was peak Sakura bloom, we came in the early morning to view the sights of Shinjuku Gyoen. As I walked through the garden, my unwieldy security detail, which increased since the stabbing incident, maintained a wide perimeter around me. Staying here too long would not only attract unnecessary attention.
"Yes, Grandfather. Let's head back."
In a curious move, he walked towards a direction that was not a natural path to our motorcade. Naturally, I took a quick scan of the area to satisfy my curiosity.
And that was when I saw why.
Off in the distance, within a crowd of people, laying out a picnic mat: Red, yellow… and pink hair.
Naturally I wondered what cosmic coincidence would bring them here, then I remembered that it was peak hanami season in the park that has the best views of the flowers.
Ever since the divorce, I had broken all contact with them, upset about the miscarriage of justice in the court's decision; Upset that Soma had called my bluff to scare him into salvaging our relationship, and signed the papers; Upset that Tatsuo did not appreciate what I did for him; Upset that Hisako was who my son called for…
It has been 2 years since then.
Tatsuo has grown up into a fine young boy, healthy with huge smiles, running around the mat area, making bubbles with a wand. Soma, looking more matured over the years, played along, grabbing the bubbles in mid air to Tatsuo squeals of laughter.
Hisako looks…youthful as ever, perhaps thanks to the benefit of TCM. Time has been kind and she had a certain glow about her as she smiled at the father and son's antics: The same glow that she had after giving birth to Tatsuo. Something had caught her attention and I saw her turn away, reaching down to pick up a small bundle, while Soma and Tatsuo hurried to her side.
With a few words from her, they got to opening up the picnic baskets.
From afar, as the two boys unpacking their Hanami bentos, they actually looked… happy.
"Erina-sama?" My assistant called from behind, "Senzaemon-dono is waiting for you to catch up."
The rest of the car ride back was a daze.
My mind was still wrapping around what I just witnessed.