The clear sky was a vast expanse of blue, with lazy sunlight casting warmth over the bustling crowd on the street, invigorating them for the day ahead.
At the crowded bus stop, Shinomiya Natsuha was busy scrolling through her phone.
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Shinomiya Natsuha: [Hmph! Ito-kun, you're not replying to me again. I'll have to teach you a lesson when we get to school. Punching fist.jpg] (Read)
Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [Sorry, Natsuha. I'm busy right now. Pitiful jpg] (Read)
————
'Since he's busy, I'll forgive him this time,' Natsuha thought, pocketing her phone while glancing at the incoming buses.
"It's almost time; Yūta should be here by now."
"Natsuha-neechan…" A sudden voice drifted from behind her; the gentle tone didn't express the surprise of her childhood friend.
"Hmm?" Natsuha turned to find Yamano Yūta quietly standing behind her. "Yūta, when did you get off? I didn't see you!"
"Maybe it's because there are so many people around," Yūta replied vaguely.
"By the way, how have you been, Natsuha-neechan? Have you made any new friends?"
"I've been doing great! How about you, Yūta?"
"Any new friends?"
"I often hang out with Aiko at school! Aiko is really cute…"
"Male friends?" Yūta's voice was slightly hurried.
"Male friends? No, I don't have any!"
Natsuha had never mentioned Itō Yoshita to Yūta before.
At first, she was afraid of misunderstandings, and now she felt there was no need.
"What's wrong, Yūta?"
Natsuha observed him with concern.
Yūta forced a tight smile as he suppressed the urge to cry.
His gaze narrowed, hinting at a determination he had made.
'Natsuha-neechan, you're even unwilling to tell me the truth now, are you?! Fine! I was hesitant before, but now you can't blame me!'
"It's nothing, Natsuha-neechan. Show me around Ousei Academy, will you?"
"Okay, Yūta, let's go!"
As they walked up the familiar path to Ousei Academy, Yūta no longer had the leisurely attitude he once had.
Now, he just wanted time to fly by until the evening arrived.
Under the cascading cherry blossoms, they quickly made their way to the beautiful food street of Ousei Academy, where they planned to have a meal.
As they reached the street, the majestic, ancient cherry blossom tree caught their eyes at the end of the lane.
"Yūta, look at that cherry blossom tree! Isn't it stunning?"
Natsuha smiled as she pointed it out.
"Everyone at school calls it the 'Tree of Destiny!' They say if you confess under it, you will definitely succeed!"
"Really?"
Yūta's expression clouded over as the memory of that day reemerged, when they had stood beneath that tree, heartbreakingly close yet painfully distant.
Natsuha's face beamed with joy, recalling the sweet embrace she shared with Itō Yoshita under the same cherry blossom tree.
'I'm sorry, Yūta, but I think I've fallen in love with someone else! I can't keep our promise (that I would be his girlfriend if he got into Ousei)…'
Natsuha's determination solidified; she decided that after today's outing, she would confess to Yūta.
At a restaurant on the food street, Natsuha and Yūta sat across from each other, quietly waiting for their meals to be served.
Yūta tilted his head, gazing out the window, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, Natsuha was engrossed in her phone, chatting with Itō Yoshita.
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Shinomiya Natsuha: [Ito-kun, are you going to have lunch?] (Read)
Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [Not yet; I'll cook after a bit. Natsuha, are you at a restaurant preparing to eat?] (Read)
Shinomiya Natsuha: [Yes! I still haven't tried the dishes you make! Pitiful.jpg] (Read)
Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [Then I'll bring you a bento on Monday when school starts?] (Read)
Shinomiya Natsuha: [No, no! I want to visit Ito-kun's house. You need to cook for me then! (▰˘◡˘▰)] (Read)
Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [Okay!] (Read)
...
After some more lighthearted chatting, Itō Yoshita suddenly recalled the scene from the previous night.
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Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [Natsuha, guess what I saw last night? Mysterious jpg] (Read)
Shinomiya Natsuha: [Spill it! Hurry up.jpg] (Read)
Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [A photo! Photo.jpg] (Read)
Shinomiya Natsuha: [Ah! Why would you send me such a photo! Shy.jpg] (Read)
Itō Yoshita (Ito-kun): [I was taking a walk in the small park near my house and saw someone playing a weird play. Laughing jpg] (Read)
————
"Here are your dishes. Enjoy!"
Just as the waiter set their meals on the table, Natsuha paused her chat with Itō Yoshita.
"I'll dig in."
She stole one last glance at the unclear photograph before picking up her chopsticks and starting the meal with Yūta.
However…
Natsuha's thoughts weren't on the delicious food but rather on that photograph.
'That figure… it looks so familiar…'