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Cherry blossom season was always undeniably beautiful, and maybe it was Himari’s romantic side speaking, but she would love to get confessed to under one of those blooming trees. All her friends knew of that desire of hers, had heard at least once the hours-long spiel about how, even if she was not in love with the person yet, upon getting confessed at in such a setting she would be head over heels for them. So perhaps she should have seen it coming.
Tsugumi had invited all of Afterglow to go watch the cherry blossom trees with her, but conveniently only Himari was available. Tomoe had promised to go game with Ako, Moca had to cover a shift at her job, and Ran was being made to help with the flower shop. Nevermind the fact the trees only bloomed for a short period of time and watching them was a great activity, especially for flower-lover Ran, they were busy and couldn’t go.
That’s how Himari found Tsugumi ringing the doorbell at her house shortly after breakfast, a smile on her face and pastries in her basket.
“Himari! Are you ready to go?”
“Sure! Let me just put on my shoes.”
Himari didn’t think anything was amiss by then, even though Tsugumi was too dressed up for only an outing with a friend. She wore a light green summer dress and white sandals with small heels, the outfit more appropriate for a date, especially considering she also wore some light makeup that brought out her features. Himari, in comparison, was wearing very plain clothes. A white, shoulders-off T-shirt and jeans shorts, her trusty all-stars on her feet.
Once Himari was not barefoot anymore, she quickly closed the door and followed Tsugumi to the street, a smile still gracing her lips. They took their sweet time to the park, talking about anything and everything. Touko’s new clothes, Mocas bread-eating habits, their rehearsals, and…
“Hima-chan, can I ask you something?” Tsugumi said once they arrived at the park, the place already crowded despite how early it still was.
“Sure! What is it?”
“I, uh… Well, I was wondering if you’re interested in anyone?” Himari found herself blushing.
“Like, in a romantic way?”
“Yeah, exactly.”
“Well, Kaoru-senpai was dashing the other day, don’t you think?” Tsugumi nodded, lips pursed.
“So you like her?”
“Of course! Me and Rimi are always competing to see who will get the spot as her number one fan.”
They finally found a small opening in between the sea of people, and it just so happened that the vacant space was under a cherry blossom tree. Himari helped Tsugumi put a sheet on top of the grass and they sat down, Hazawa taking out a few sandwiches and pastries from her basket while the pink-haired girl organized the plastic cups — they had brought both water and juice.
“I see. But…”
“But?”
“Do you want to date her?” The question caught Himari off-guard, dating Kaoru? Well, sure, she was an amazing person and hearing the older girl call Uehara a ‘kitten’ made her heart flutter, but at the same time she couldn’t say she saw herself being in a relationship with her senior.
“I don’t think she would want to date me.”
“But do you want to date her?”
“Uhm…” Tsugumi was looking at her with impossibly big eyes, something akin to hope staining her features. “Why do you ask, Tsugu?”
“I- I’m just curious! Yeah, that’s all.”
“Maybe I do,”
“Oh, I see.” There was undoubtedly disappointment all over Tsugumi’s face. An idea started to form in Himari’s head, but she quickly dismesse it, after all there was no no way in hell her friend had feelings for her, right?
“What about you? Has anyone caught your fancy lately?”
“Uh…” Tsugumi didn’t answer with words, but the way she flushed red was enough for Himari.
“Oh! Who is it? Perhaps… Hikawa-san?”
“What!? N- No, Sayo-san is just a friend.”
“Then who is it? Do I know them?”
“It doesn’t matter, she likes someone else. But… yeah, you do know her.”
“”Hey, you can’t give up that easily! Tell me who it is and I’ll help you plan the perfect confession.”
“It’s really no use, Hima-chan. She already told me to my face she already wants to date someone else.” Once again the possibility of the person being herself crossed Himari’s mind.
“And? If… If you don’t express your feelings for her then she’ll never know and you’ll live disappointed with herself.”
“Maybe. But maybe I’ll ruin our friendship. She’s very close to me, and… Yeah, I don’t want to lose her like that.”
Now, Uehara could be absolutely wrong and about to ruin their friendship, but everything Tsugumi had said until now was pointing to her infatuation being none other than Himari herself. And… Well, she would be lying if she said she had never thought about Tsugumi in another light.
“Maybe you won’t ruin anything or maybe she wants you to ruin your friendship with her.” As she said that, Himari started leaning closer to Tsugumi, entering her personal space to a point that was beyond what friends did.
“You think so?”
“I’m sure.”
At this point their faces were inches apart, Himari not missing the moment Tsugumi’s eyes strayed from her own down to her lips.
“Maybe I should kiss her. She did always say she would like to get confessed to under the cherry trees.”
“Well, then what are you waiting for?” Himari barely managed to say the last syllable before Tsugumi’s lips were pressed against hers.
In the background a gust of wind made the petals of the sakura flowers fall down, the pink objects fluttering to the ground and falling all over the two kissing girls. It was a good thing to have their friendship ruined. Yes, a very good thing indeed.