“Dad!” she screamed and raced towards the man. She jumped and hugged him before he could say anything. A second later, he laughed and hugged her back. “Didn’t you have work?”

“I had, but I managed to finish early today.”

“But why are you here?”

“I invited him,” Shigure said. “I’m glad you could make it, Aozora-san.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” Tsukiko’s dad said, bowing his head. “Sorry I’m late, Fuyuzora-kun.”

“No.” she shook her head with a smile. “You’re just in time for the best part of the day; the food.”

Holding Tsukiko’s hand, he walked to them, bowed again and sat on the blanket. “It may not be much, but I brought this.” He took a bottle of sake from the paper bag he had.

“Sake from Okinawa!” Sawako-sensei got the bottle with both hands as if it was precious. “I knew you had great taste. This is the best way to appreciate the hanami.”

The man chuckled. “It was something I brought from my last trip. I’m glad I chose right. I was a little worried about my choice, since I heard you love sake.”

“Hey, Shigure-nee, are you bad mouthing me too?” Sawako-sensei turned to the woman. Despite her words, there was a smile on her lips as she opened the bottle and poured for four people.

“Ara, ara. Of course, I’m not. I mean, how I could badmouth someone with the truth?” Despite her words, she still had the gentle smile as she accepted her share. Rin-nee laughed as Sawako-sensei blushed.

“Hey, how do you two know each other?” Tsukiko asked, still smiling. From her looks, Taiyou knew she wanted to know, but barely managed to keep it to herself.

Her father and Taiyou’s mother looked at each other. “Recently his company has been doing a lot of business with us,” she said.

“And Fuyuzora-kun has been a great help. Thanks to you, the park renovations were well received, especially the flowers.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Enough of that you two,” Rin-nee said after she finished her drink. “Tetsuya-san is the person we were waiting for, right? Then let’s eat. I’m still starving!”

“Yeah, me too,” Aika-chan said, eyeing the food with a finger on her mouth.

“Yes, yes, but…” Shigure looked at Tsukiko’s dad and Taiyou with a hand on her cheek.

“I’m not dressed for the occasion, right?” he said, looking down at his suit. “Is there a place to rent yukata around here?”

“It’s just around the corner,” Tsukiko said. “I can take you there.”

“It’s okay,” he said. His daughter was about to stand up when he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Enjoy the festival, Tsukiko. I’ll be right back.”

“My son will take you there,” his mom said and Taiyou knew what she meant.

“I’m okay, mom…” He trailed off under her stare. Though his mother had the gentle smile on her face, he felt the menace behind it. The boy gulped and avoided her eyes, but no matter where he looked, the people around looked at him with expectations. Damn… I’m weak against them, he thought, standing up with his head down.

Walking by Tsukiko’s dad side felt weird, and the silence only made it more awkward. He kept glancing up at him, but when he realized what he was doing, he stared forward again. This isn’t the first time I meet my friends’ parents, but Tsukiko…

“So you’re the famous Taiyou-kun,” he said in his deep voice when they were almost at the rental store. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“You have?” The words escaped his lips before he could stop them. Was that rude? I want him to like him, the thought crossed his mind, and out of nowhere Taiyou’s stomach tightened. When the man chuckled, the boy got more nervous.

“Yes. My daughter talks a lot about you.” The mention of Tsukiko made Taiyou’s stomach tighten again and he blushed. The man chuckled again. “You’re just like she said.”

With the help of the attendant, they chose the yukata—green for Taiyou and a dark blue for Tsukiko’s dad—and changed in the dressers. I know Tsukiko loves him, but from what she said, I imagined he was this scary and thought-only-about-his-work businessman type. I don’t know his him nor his reasons, but it looks like he cares about her. If only he was around more… I know Tsukiko wants that, but she won’t say…

“I know I’m a bad father,” Taiyou heard his voice through the division. “I know I should spend more time with her and I want that too, but…” The boy had no idea what to say and waited, but the man kept his silence. When Taiyou had almost finished changing and got out of the dresser, he heard a sigh. “I’m glad she has someone like you by her side.”

Taiyou stared the man, feeling his throat dry. I know I have no right, but I have to say it… for Tsukiko… “I-I… I know she wishes you were around more, even though she never said it,” he blurted out, his face red. The man widened his eyes a bit, but kept quiet. Taiyou took a deep breath and imagined Tsukiko’s face. “But she loves you and never said you’re a bad father.”

The man stared him with an empty expression, and then closed his eyes, bringing his hand to his face. Taiyou gulped. I never talked like this to an adult… “Thanks for telling me this,” he said with a smile, placing the hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You’re a great young man. Please continue to be Tsukiko’s friend.”

“I-I’ll… be by her side,” Taiyou managed to say, his face even redder.

“Thank you.” Tsukiko’s dad bowed his head.

“Ara, ara. Don’t you two look quite handsome?” Shigure said when they got back.

“Yeah, dad. You look cool!” Tsukiko ran to him and grabbed his arm.

“Haha. Thank you two,” he said, scratching his head. “It’s been awhile since I wore a yukata. I was worried it would look strange.”

“You look more like a feudal lord from the samurai era,” Tsukiko said. As they laughed, the girl leaned closer to Taiyou. “You look cool too,” she whispered to him.

The boy blushed and couldn’t look her in the eyes.

“Finally!” Rin-nee’ voice echoed.

The moment they sat, Rin-nee and Aika-chan started eating. They all talked, ate, drank, and never felt the time passing. There even was some amazake for Tsukiko and Taiyou. Even when Taiyou noticed the smile on his lips, it didn’t go away. But to him, seeing that his neighbor had a smile on her lips too, he couldn’t help but feel happier. She realized he was looking at her and kissed him on the cheek, laughing when she saw how red he was

“I think that’s enough amazake for you two,” his mother said. The adults agreed and laughed.

“Onii-chan, onee-chan, let’s play.” Aika-chan pushed the ball on his face.

Taiyou forced himself up and offered the hand to Tsukiko. They played with Aika-chan for a little while, but soon the kid felt tired and ran back to her mother. She fell asleep almost right away.

“Hahaha. That was fast.” Even though they had barely played, Tsukiko panted a bit. She leaned against a tree as she watched their families still drinking and talking.

“She’s just like her mother,” Taiyou said, standing next to her.

Tsukiko laughed again, but the boy felt that her mind somewhere else. “Hey, Taiyou-kun?”

He turned to her. A trickle of sweat ran down her neck when a cherry blossom petal fell on her. The sight made his heart beat faster and his breathing rapid. Before Taiyou realized it, he leaned closer to the girl. What am I doing? The thought crossed his head, but Tsukiko suddenly became more beautiful than ever and he couldn’t control himself anymore. He reached out to take the petal when she turned to him.

“Today was the best day ever,” she said in her voice that sounded more beautiful than ever. Taiyou barely heard her due to his heartbeats. He froze when she leaned closer to him and before he could do anything, their lips met.

Taiyou had no idea if the kiss was brief or long; time had lost meaning to him. His mind became blank; all he could feel was her soft lips. He stopped hearing; everything was mute to him, even his own heartbeats.

She pulled back, too soon for him. Taiyou stared her lips and when they formed a smile, it was the most beautiful one he had ever seen. “I’ll treasure this day forever,” she said and he finally managed to take his eyes from her lips. Tsukiko’s cheeks blushing almost as much as his.

As he realized what had happened, the world moved again. As he widened his eyes, Taiyou heard his heart again, beating so loud he was sure everyone could hear.

“Come on. Let’s get back.” Tsukiko pushed herself from the tree and offered a hand.

Taiyou tried saying something, but he forgot how to use words. He took the girl’s hand, but even as she pulled him, he said nothing. All he could think was her lips.