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Mizuki Tategami is the main character of this story. Her parents are divorced, and she lives with her mother in Kastame, Japan. Life had always felt quiet and distant after the separation, though she tried her best to move on.

One day, Mizuki suddenly receives a call from her father. His voice sounds weak and tired as he tells her that he is sick. At first, she does not want to go, but after a long conversation with her mother, she finally decides to visit him in California.

Soon, she finds herself standing at the airport, looking back at her mother one last time before boarding the plane. Her chest feels heavy with uncertainty. After hours of flying, she finally arrives.

The moment she steps out of the airport, her father gently pulls her into a soft embrace. He takes her luggage, and the two quietly drive home together.

As they reach the house, everything feels strangely familiar. The warm lights, the quiet rooms, the scent of the old wooden furniture — it all reminds her of her childhood before her parents divorced.

After unpacking and arranging her room, someone suddenly knocks on the door several times.

Mizuki’s father opens it to find a girl standing outside.

“I heard Mizuki came back,” she says shyly. “May I meet her?”

“You must be Sakura ichita , right?” her father asks.

“Yes,” she replies with a smile. “I’m her childhood best friend.”

“Come in,” he says warmly.

Meanwhile, Mizuki stands near the window, quietly remembering the cherry blossoms of Japan and the memories she left behind.

A few moments later, someone knocks softly on her bedroom door.

“Hey, Mizuki,” a familiar voice says. “It’s me… Sakura.”

Mizuki slowly opens the door and freezes for a second. Sakura had changed so much over the years, yet her smile still felt comforting and familiar.

The two girls spend hours talking about old memories, school days, and the small moments they once shared together.

As evening falls, Sakura invites Mizuki to the beach near her house.

The night sky glows with scattered stars, and the ocean waves crash gently against the shore. The sea breeze feels cold but peaceful.

For the first time in years, Mizuki feels like maybe… she belongs here again.

The next day was even more exciting as it was her first day in senior high in Columbus high school...

When she walked through the gate it was a lot to process, as the culture was diff , everyone wore home clothes, and students were allowed to bring phones. As the bell rang every one was rushing to get to the class, that's when Cayden cooper the president of the volleyball club bumped into Mizuki . BANG ........

She collided hard with someone.

Her books slipped from her hands and scattered across the floor.

“Ow—! Watch where you’re going!” Mizuki snapped angrily, immediately looking up.

Standing in front of her was a tall boy with messy dark hair and sharp eyes that carried both confidence and surprise.

It was Cayden.

Captain of the school’s volleyball team.

The hallway suddenly grew quieter around them as several students stopped to stare. Cayden was the kind of boy everyone admired without question — popular, charming, effortlessly handsome. Most girls became nervous around him.

But Mizuki had just yelled at him in front of half the hallway.

For the first time in a long while, Caden looked completely speechless.

“…You’re yelling at me?” he asked, almost amused.

“Well, you bumped into me first,” Mizuki replied coldly while picking up her books.

A few students nearby exchanged shocked glances.

“Who even is she?” someone whispered.

Caden crouched down to help her gather the scattered papers, though a faint smile slowly appeared on his face.

Before Mizuki could say anything else, she suddenly noticed Sakura hurrying through the crowd toward them.

“Mizuki!” Sakura called out while waving. “There you are—I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

The moment Sakura reached them, she paused and looked between the two.

“…Wait,” she said slowly. “You already met Caden?”

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