Raito and Aimi's friendship blossomed like the cherry trees in spring. They spent long afternoons strolling down the quaint streets of Asahikawa, visiting hidden shrines and cozy café that served traditional matcha and sweet dorayaki. Raito showed Aimi the town's little secrets—the best spot for catching fireflies by the river, a shrine hidden deep in the bamboo grove, and an old library that had been forgotten by time.
They started meeting every week at a quiet izakaya (Japanese tavern) in the heart of town, sharing plates of yakitori and sipping warm sake while discussing their favorite books and dreams. Raito was surprised to learn that Aimi was an artist who loved sketching nature, and he often found her with a sketchbook, capturing the beauty of their surroundings. One evening, she presented him with a watercolor of his bookshop, filled with light and life, her gift making his heart flutter with emotions he hadn't felt before.
As summer approached, they attended the annual festival together, writing their wishes on colored strips of paper and hanging them on bamboo branches. They laughed under the lantern-lit trees, and for Raito, it felt like they were living in one of the old folktales he loved so much.