Sakura stepped out of the shop, breathing in the crisp evening air. Natsumi linked their arms, and they strolled through the quiet streets.
"Dinner at Yoshi's?" Natsumi suggested.
Sakura nodded. "Sounds perfect."
As they turned a corner, Sakura's gaze collided with a stranger's. Their eyes locked, and for an instant, time froze.
Apologies were exchanged as they awkwardly untangled themselves. Sakura's cheeks flushed.
"Clumsy much?" Natsumi teased.
Sakura laughed. "Guess so."
The stranger, tall and handsome, smiled warmly. "No harm done. I'm Kaito."
Sakura's hand instinctively extended. "Sakura."
Kaito's handshake was firm, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Natsumi cleared her throat. "We're headed to Yoshi's. Care to join?"
Kaito hesitated before nodding. "Love to."
Over dinner, conversation flowed easily. Kaito shared stories of his photography expeditions, and Sakura found herself captivated.
"I've always wanted to travel," Sakura said, her eyes sparkling. "But running the shop keeps me busy."
Kaito leaned in. "You should take a break. Explore the world. You never know what wonders you'll discover."
Sakura's heart skipped a beat at his intensity.
As the night wore on, Natsumi excused herself to take a call. Sakura and Kaito lingered, lost in conversation.
"I'm sorry again about the collision," Kaito said, his eyes sparkling.
Sakura smiled. "No need to apologize. It was...unexpected."
Their gazes met, and Sakura felt an inexplicable connection.
"What do you do, Sakura?" Kaito asked, his interest genuine.
"I own Petals and Posies, the flower shop," Sakura replied. "It's my passion."
Kaito's eyes lit up. "I've walked by your shop. Your arrangements are stunning."
Sakura's cheeks warmed. "Thank you."
Natsumi returned, grinning mischievously. "Time to get Sakura home, Kaito. She has an early morning."
Kaito nodded, standing. "Nice meeting you, Sakura. Perhaps I'll see you around?"
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. "I'd like that."
As they parted ways, Sakura couldn't shake the feeling that their chance collision was only the beginning.
"Natsumi, what just happened?" Sakura whispered, watching Kaito disappear into the night.
Natsumi's grin was knowing. "I think you just met someone special, Sakura."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Don't be ridiculous."
As Sakura walked home with Natsumi, her mind wandered to Kaito. His warm smile and piercing gaze lingered in her thoughts.
"Earth to Sakura!" Natsumi teased, nudging her.
Sakura blushed. "Sorry, lost in thought."
Natsumi's eyes sparkled. "Kaito, huh? He's definitely charming."
Sakura shrugged, attempting nonchalance. "He's nice, I guess."
Natsumi chuckled. "You're totally smitten!"
Sakura's cheeks flushed deeper. "No, I'm not!"
Natsumi's grin persisted. "Deny it all you want, Sakura. But I saw the way you looked at him."
Sakura's silence betrayed her.
Back at her apartment, Sakura couldn't shake Kaito from her mind. She replayed their conversations, analyzing every word.
Why did she feel this way?
She hadn't connected with someone like this in years.
As she drifted off to sleep, Sakura's phone buzzed.
Unknown Number: "Would you like to grab coffee tomorrow?"
Her heart skipped a beat.
Kaito.
Sakura's fingers trembled as she typed.
"I'd love to."
The next morning, Sakura arrived at the coffee shop early. Kaito was already seated, sipping on a latte.
"Morning," he said, standing up.
Sakura's smile faltered for a moment before she composed herself. "Morning."
As they sipped their coffee, conversation flowed effortlessly. Sakura found herself opening up to Kaito in ways she never thought possible.
"I've always wanted to travel," Sakura confessed. "But running the shop keeps me busy."
Kaito's eyes sparkled. "You should take a break. Explore the world. You never know what wonders you'll discover."
Sakura's heart skipped a beat at his intensity.
Their coffee date turned into lunch, and before Sakura knew it, the sun was setting.
"I'm so sorry," Sakura said, glancing at her watch. "I've monopolized your entire day."
Kaito chuckled. "I wouldn't have had it any other way."
As they walked out of the café, Kaito turned to Sakura.
"Would you like to join me for a photo shoot tomorrow? I'm capturing the city's cherry blossoms."
Sakura's heart fluttered. "I'd love to."
Kaito smiled, his eyes crinkling. "I'll pick you up at 6 am."
Sakura nodded, already counting down the hours.