The next week, Ren and Aiko bumped into each other at the city park, surrounded by cherry blossoms in bloom. This chance meeting under clear skies and soft petals felt like something out of a story, and Ren wondered if fate was playing a role.
As they strolled beneath the trees, they spoke of dreams and ambitions. Aiko shared her struggles with her family's expectations, hinting at her desire for freedom beyond their rigid structure.
Aiko stopped beneath a sprawling cherry blossom tree. "My family thinks photography isn't a 'real' career," she said, frustration evident in her voice.
Ren nodded, a quiet sympathy filling his gaze. "I get it. My family doesn't understand my love for poetry. They think it's a waste of time." He looked at her. "But art matters, doesn't it?"
Their shared frustrations created an unspoken bond between them, each drawn to the other's struggle for acceptance. The petals fell softly around them, blanketing the ground like a whisper from spring itself.