Part 1 Your smile, my precious flower.
Our story begins on a cool winter afternoon in Japan, on January 30th, the day the Yaedake cherry blossom festival in Okinawa kicks off.
There are still a few hours left until the celebration, and it is here that we meet our protagonists. On one side, we have Loon, a somewhat reserved 13-year-old boy who, while he tends to have a hard time meeting new people, is still an ideal friend you can always count on. On the other side, there is Usagi, a 12-year-old girl just a few months younger than the aforementioned. They met a long time ago, when they were just little kids running around the streets, and since then, they have formed an inseparable duo, an unbreakable bond that has grown stronger day by day, amid countless memories, laughter, tears, and a thousand stories to tell.
The young man leaves his home at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and as he walks, he can already notice the landscape much more vibrant than usual; it's evident that the essence of the festival is in the air. A few minutes later, he arrives at a park located just a few minutes from his home, where he sits on an empty bench under a beautiful sakura tree, appreciating the scenery, moments of peace that we cherish as the years go by, memories of simpler, carefree times.
- Maybe I should have left a little later; she has a bad habit of being somewhat late."
He tells himself, taking advantage of these minutes to check something in his backpack, as if he hadn't done this same action more than twenty times the night before, and a few more before leaving, as if today were a day a little more special than the others. He seems a little agitated and even distracted, but even so, he prefers to be safe than sorry; needless to say, everything was still in its place... again.
Time passes, but he remains lost in a thread of thoughts, seconds and minutes passing like a cool winter breeze, and when the clock strikes 4:00 PM, he finally manages to hear the voice of the one he's been waiting for.
- Loon! I'm so sorry, I had to finish some things. Have you been waiting a long time?"
But the boy takes a few moments to respond, slightly stunned by the sight before him. Is he referring to the landscape? No, this time his astonishment comes from witnessing his best friend wearing a white haori (a traditional Japanese garment similar to a kimono) with red details, thank goodness, and the boy's eyes are covered by his own hair.
- Uh? No, I just got here, you have nothing to worry about."
He answers, half a smile, half a white lie. How could he tell her he's been waiting for her for half an hour? Besides, this doesn't matter at all to him; just having her there is more than enough. He's grateful that fate allows them to meet again, to see that sweet, innocent smile that lights up his life like the sun in summer, that girl who makes his heart beat faster, a feeling that allows him to remember that he's alive, and more than happy to be here.
- Good! You know I tend to have the bad habit of being unpunctual, but I'm glad I arrived on time."
- Are you that anxious about the cherry blossom festival?"
- Well... What can I say? Today is an important day for me, beyond the celebration itself."
How interesting it is for him to hear that, since he also has more than one reason to be excited today.
- And... may I know exactly why?"
To which she responds by bringing her index finger to her lips, sealing them secretly.
- Shhhh! That's for later, okay? We'll talk about it when the time comes.
Loon knows there's no point in trying to get any answers from Usagi. When she has a secret, she's the kind of girl who protects it like a celestial beast from a Chinese fairy tale.
- I understand. In that case, are you ready to go? People are already leaving their homes, and if we don't hurry, we'll end up stuck in the crowd like we did two years ago.
- Don't worry, you don't have to remind me. I swear I thought it would be a good idea to stop and buy food before arriving at the event in question.
The images of that afternoon are still vivid in their memories. Things may not have gone as planned, but just being together was more than enough to keep that experience in their hearts.
Moments later, these two begin their walk towards the famous Yaedake Park, between talks and laughter, even the comforting silence is like a kiss of destiny for Loon, who every so often turns his head to one side to appreciate once again the almost celestial appearance of his precious friend and, well ...
Who really needs to attend such a joyful celebration when he has the most beautiful and precious flower of his life by his side? And yes, the truth is that for some years now, the brown-haired boy has been in love with his childhood friend, whom he sees as a light that shines incessantly in the darkest night. Of course, his reserved attitude has caused him to keep these feelings to himself all this time, both out of fear of ruining such a precious friendship and of rejection. This is something perfectly normal at his age. But sooner or later, he must muster the courage to unleash the love he holds deep within his heart, and that's why today turns out to be such an important day for him.
"Did you know the legend of the red thread of destiny? An old legend of both Chinese and Japanese origin, it states that two people will be united by a thin red thread, invisible to the sight of mortals, but like a divine bond, they are destined to be together regardless of time or distance. A gift from heaven, cruel but just, something you cannot see, but it is there, testing your faith and love, amidst tears and smiles, and which prevails like an eternal fire in the icy storm."
Our protagonists are fortunate that this year they manage to arrive at the festival on time, exactly at 4:55 p.m. The number of people is impressive considering it is still "early," but at the end of the day, seeing the crowd so excited is a vital part of the event. It shows that no matter how much time passes, there are traditions that are still valued as much as the first time.
- The park is bursting at the seams... It's incredible! Every year it seems like more people are arriving...
Usagi mentions, placing her right hand over her forehead to prevent the still-present rays of the sun from bothering her emerald eyes.
- I guess it's normal, isn't it? The cherry blossom festival has become a major tourist attraction, and it's... incredible, really."
They exchange glances for a few moments, and a single gesture is all it takes for them to understand each other perfectly, with both nodding their heads and then walking to the first food stand that catches their attention. Of course, Loon has everything already rehearsed and studied.
- Let's see, today I'm dying to eat something like—"
- Chocolate mochi, isn't it?"
Usagi looks at him in amazement; it's almost as if he's read her mind.
- How do you know?"
She questions him incredulously, to which the boy smiles somewhat mischievously, raising his right hand, index finger extended, which he moves from side to side in a playful denial.
- Elementary, my dear companion." That's your favorite snack, isn't it? Although it's not that hard to guess, it's the kind of sweet you ask for every chance you get.
A slight blush appears on the other's face, and a small smile spreads across the soft canvas of his skin, even though it didn't turn out to be a Sherlock Holmes-level deduction.
- Very clever. Aren't you Conan Edogawa himself?
There's a small laugh, a sweet gesture they both share and treasure.
- If that's the case, do you mind if I treat?
It's interesting to see him take the initiative like this. As a rule, he's usually the one who goes along with his friend's behavior, but of course, today must be the exception.
- Oh, come on...! You know that's not necessary, right? My parents gave me more than enough money to spend, and—
- I insist. Or is there something wrong with me wanting to pay for you, after all the times you've done the same for me? Please...
How could she refuse such an offer? Maybe she would if she knew Loon had been delivering newspapers for weeks after school, with the sole mission of saving something for this day.
- Okay, you win because today is a special day, okay?
An unusual answer, because although the boy is older than her by a few months, Usagi is usually the one who acts as the "older sister."
Why is she giving in so easily? The boy wonders, this being the second time his friend has given an answer with an air of secrecy. Perhaps as the hours pass, he'll finally figure it out. Is it worth losing himself in a sea of doubts when they have a beautiful afternoon together ahead of them? It's probably foolish, yes, it certainly is...
As they walk to the nearest food stand, the sun of that winter afternoon begins to slowly disappear, giving way to the beautiful blanket of moonlight, providing a cool, almost ethereal breeze, the glow that grows over our protagonists as they enjoy a delicious meal.
And while Usagi enjoys her signature Mochi, her companion gathers his courage. He knows that today could be the day he shows the world, the person he considers his world, what he holds dear to his heart.
As a little extra, do you remember the backpack the brown-haired boy carries? There's a reason he's checked it dozens of times before leaving home. Inside, he's cautiously keeping a handmade gift, something he plans to give as a tribute to "The most beautiful flower of all," his childhood friend, Usagi.
What exactly will it be? Well...
Let's just say we'll leave that for the near future.
And with that, the first part of this little story concludes.