A/N: Hi guys, I know you all are wondering why I'm posting for day 19 now. I was on a long family tour and returned on the 23rd night. I was sick for the next two days. Hence, I am extremely sorry for the lateness :/

Btw this has been posted on Tumblr from my phone.

Just a note, this story is another side-story of my previous one.

MAYBLADE 2023: DAY 19 - TREE

Title: Under the Sakuras
Rating: K+
Summary: Takao feels different when he is under the cherry blossom tree.
Setting: Taisho Era Japan
Characters: Takao Kinomiya/Tyson Granger, Hilary/Hiromi Tachibana, Kane Yamashita, Salima
Pairings: Takao/Hiromi (major), Kane/Salima (minor)

Under the Sakuras ~

After the heavy toil, Takao ventured out into the forests in the hot afternoon. He felt the scorching rays stabbing his skin, thereby tanning his skin. The sweat bathed his body and drenched his gray-blue and navy blue Hakama and sash. His tired deep maroon eyes were thinned by his eyelids. He was about to faint, till his field of vision caught a group of Sakura trees.

Despite the Spring, there were groups of lush green-leaved trees seen. The Sakura seemed distinct from them.

He went and sat under one of the cherry blossom trees. His light had returned back to its normal state, and the tiredness dipped every second. He felt afresh as if he was about to work. The sudden change short-circuited Takao. He walked around to see if there was anything mysterious. The further stretch of the forest was devoid of anything but those beautiful cherry blossoms. He walked and the scene was extremely serene. There was a beautiful lake tainted with pink petals aesthetically with swans and ducks. There were rabbits roaming around the lake.

Edo never had such a beautiful site. Much to his awe, he saw a beautiful woman with auburn hair. Her Ruby-red eyes were enchanting, and the warrior could drown himself in them. Her long hair was fluttering in the air. She seemed like a goddess who descended into human form. Her red Kimono knew no limits. It was floating as if it never had an end. She was well garnished with accessories.

She turned to him after noticing his presence. Takao's heart skipped a beat after seeing her. His cheeks were stained with red hues. He walked slowly towards her, taking his time to admire her beauty. A smile bloomed on her face.

Everything seemed slow around them. They were slowly decreasing the distance between them.

Takao asked her, "My Lady, shall I know who you are?"

She didn't respond. The smile was intact.

"Can't you speak?"

Takao was clueless.

'She seems like a celestial from heaven, but why can't she speak?'

-x-

Takao found himself under the same Sakura tree before he got up to see the extent.

"Was it a dream? But why do I feel so fresh here?"

"Kinomiya?! What are you doing here? You were supposed to carry a message to my father in the dojo." A bluehead remarked, coming with a scarlet beside him.

"Yamashita-sama?" Takao stood up.

"You can sit down. You seem so exhausted."

Sarima fed him some water.

"I see you both so often. I don't see you with Goki and Jim. What's the secret?" Takao asked with a smug face.

Sarima bent down. Kane gently smiled, and said in a low tone, "We confessed to each other some time ago."

"Woah! But, what would the elders think of you both?"

"That's none of our business. All that matters to us is we love each other." Kane placed his hand on her shoulder. Sarima snuggled to him.

"I see, then get ready to elope. Or try convincing your families till then!"

"We have some time for that, Takao. Till then, we'll spend our days enjoying each other's presence."

"Well then. I'll reach your dojo. See you later, Yamashita-sama!"

"Don't call me Sama, I'm your friend."

'Ah man, Kane... I've got a beautiful woman too. Do you know? She is not an ordinary human. Because there are no differences when it comes to love, right?'

Thanks for reading!

-Nika.