The bright-pink petals falling endlessly, the blooming of cherry blossoms, signalling the start of a new beginning.
It was a Sunday, a day before the start of my high school life. I was just out with my cousin, Kyousuke for a short walk after lunch. He was my age and will be attending the same high school as me.
It was then that I saw a girl.
She wasn't all that attractive. She had long, slightly curled hair. She was beautiful. She smiled as she was talking to a friend, and I just couldn't stop looking at her. She had such a vibrant and perfect smile.
"Shit," I thought as she looked over at me. I was probably staring for too long. I immediately averted my eyes and pretend to look at something else.
"Hey, Ryou, are you even listeni--- Ohh yaaa???" Kyousuke said with a smug expression, realizing what was going on.
"Shut up," I replied, clearly blushing.
"Hehh... Alright, lover-boy."
Normally I would've hit or shoved him lightly for that, but I couldn't find the mood to as the girl turned a corner, and completely out of sight.
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"Hey, Ryou-chan? Are you listening? Ryou-chan!"
"Oh, uh, sorry. What were you saying again, Mom?"
"Why do you keep spacing out all the sudden? Do you have a fever or something? And stop picking your food like that."
"No, I don't. And, sorry."
Well, if constantly thinking of a certain girl is a kind of sickness, then yea, I'm probably sick. Love sick.
Her smile kept replaying in my head and for some reason, I couldn't get myself to forget about it.
"Tomorrow's you're first day of high school. You'd better be there looking decent to give a good first impression."
"Yea, I know, Mom."
"It's been 16 years but look how much you've grown! Time sure flies doesn't it, dear?"
"Oh, um, yea. Congrats, Ryouya," my Dad replied half-heartedly, clearly more interested in the news than this dinner conversation.
"Dear, how many times have I told you not to watch anything while eating together?" she asked as she switched the TV off.
"Ugh, this woman, I swea---"
"Hmm? What did you say, dear?" Mom replied with a scary-looking smile.
"Urm, nothing, ma'am."
Guess that's Mom for you. Dad was instantly shut-off before he could even finish his sentence. Not sure what my Dad saw in her when they were younger. I think they met somewhere in America when Dad was studying abroad. At home, she'd usually talk in Japanese when Dad was around because he sucked at it, but when he was not, she would converse with me in English to help me improve. I usually get over 90 marks in English tests because of it.
We chatted lively and finished our dinner. I helped Mom clean up while Dad continued watching the news.
I took a brief shower, brushed my teeth, played some games, and went to bed slightly early than usual.