When The Cherry Blossom Blooms

Ep 1: Sound of Bells

Taki’s POV

After my parents divorced my mom and I moved to Tokyo because of her new job. I planned on dropping out of school but I didn’t want to make things even harder for my mom. Ever since the divorce we barely talked or ate together as we did back then.

I never imagined this would happen to me. I didn’t know my family were having troubles. I guess I was busy caring about myself than my parents.

(8:00pm)

“Mom...” I opened the bedroom door slowly. “I’m heading to school.” No response. There she was lying in bed still sleeping after coming home late last night.

I closed the door, put my shoes on and headed out.

The school wasn’t far away from my house so it made it easier for me to just walk there instead of wasting money on buses, besides I don’t even have a job I’m basically broke.

(8 mins later)

I stood in front of the school building. It was smaller than my last school.

Right when I was going to head inside a girl caught my attention. On the rooftop a girl sat at the edge with her legs sticking out, her hair dancing with the wind, and the sound of bells ringing.

“New kid?”

I snapped out of my thoughts. “Y-yes?” A boy I didn’t even noticed stood next to me.

“Oh hi! I’m Kai I was told to give a tour around the school to the new kid.” He said.

“I’m Takahashi Taki. Just call me taki.” I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.

I’m not the talkative type when it comes to people.

As Kai gives me a tour around the school we both chatted about non school related stuff until the bell ringed.

“Well that’s the bell for lunch. Would you like to come sit with me and my friends in the cafeteria?” Kai kindly offers.

I shook my head shyly. “I-it’s okay. I’m good.” I smiled.

I forgot to mention there’s only four classes in this school so school ends pretty early. We get off around 1:30pm since school begins at 8:30.

We both depart and I headed to my locker that was near the stairs.

While I was putting stuff away I heard the exact same sound of bells ringing from earlier this morning.

My curiosity got the best of me. I closed my locker and walked up the stairs which I didn’t know led to the rooftop. For some reason it felt like the bells were leading me to something.

When I got to the rooftop the fresh air brushed past my nose. I thought to myself. “This seems like a pretty nice place to stay for lunch.”

I saw a desk and a chair in the corner. I walked up to it and saw words carved onto.

I stared at it closely. “Nakamura....Niko?”

“Niko? Whose ni-”

“That’s my desk.” A voice interrupting me, I jumped a little surprised.

I turned around and saw a familiar girl. She looks like the girl I saw this morning.

Her looks were mesmerizing. Her long silky black hair dance with the wind, her brown eyes shimmering full of innocence, and her small face.

“Do I have something on my face?” She looked at me confused.

I shook my head. “N-no I just...i was just surprised. I didn’t know anyone was up here.” I said.

She smiled. “You must be the new kid.”

“Yes. How do you know?” I asked.

She sat down with a smile still on her face. “I’ve been in this school for a very long time so I basically know everyone and their faces. You..I’ve never seen you around.”

I nodded slowly. “I’m Tak-”

“Takahashi Taki. I know.” She winked.

I was flustered. “And you?”

She pointed to the carved words on the desk. “Nakamura Niko.”

“So..what grade are you in?” She asked.

“I’m a junior.”

“Wow you’re a year younger than me then.” My eyes widen.

“Huh? For real?” I sounded shocked.

Like who wouldn’t. She looked way younger than me. I thought she was a freshman.

“I get that a lot.” She blurted out.

My eyes got even bigger. “You- how did you-”

Can she read my mind?”

“Of course I can’t I’m not a witch.” She laughs.

“Ehhh!!?” I covered my mouth.

This is creepy.

“Is it okay if I call you Taki? You can call me Niko.”

I nodded my head.

“Why don’t you sit down in that seat.” She pointed behind me.

And there was a chair. I don’t recall seeing another chair here except the one she’s sitting on.

I grabbed the chair and sat in front of her with the desk in between us.

We talked a bit and got to know a little bit about ourselves.

I still can’t believe she’s a senior. She looks so young.

“How about your parents? Do you live with anyone.” She asked.

I hesitated. “Um...my parents actually divorced not long ago..”

It became quiet.

“I’m sorry..I didn’t mean to-” I cut her off.

“It’s okay. It’s really nothing.” I smiled.

I changed the topic to something else.

One thing I was able to learn about her is that she loves music and reading. I’m not surprised she seems pretty smart.

*bell ring*

“That’s the bell. I’ll see you later Niko.” I got up but before I left I turned back at her.

“Are you not going to class?”

She looked down at her hands then back up at me. “Uh..I will...but I usually go late.” She giggled slightly.

“Ok? Then..see ya.” I waved goodbye and left.

First day of school and I was able to talk to someone other than Kai. Somehow Niko makes me comfortable. I know we just met but something about her just seems....right. Maybe because she is sweet and funny.

Maybe I can be friends with her..maybe.

*later after school*

“I’m b-” I shut the door immediately.

My heart pounded fast as if it was going to burst.

My mom was with a man. A sight I wished I didn’t see.

I dropped my backpack and ran to wherever my legs took me.

Running after running I ran out of breath and stopped to catch my breath. I found myself at an empty park. I went to the nearest bench and sat down with my hands covering my face as I sobbed.

“Are you okay?”

I looked up and saw a girl. Turns out she was a classmate of mine at school.

“Here.” She hands me her handkerchief. I didn’t want to be rude so I accepted it.

She sat next to me and said. “Life is hard. Nothing is easy even if we wished it were. But in order to be strong we must experience the hardship.”

I stopped crying. “Thanks.” I gave back her handkerchief.

“Keep it.” She smiled. “When you want to cry just use this to wipe your tears away.”

I stared at the handkerchief. “Ito Sakura.”

“That’s me!” She giggled.

I smiled. “So..what are you doing here?” I asked.

She let out a sigh. “I usually come here after school to relieve all my pain and stress. No one rarely comes here except me and my old friend.”

I bit the inside of my cheeks. “Well then...would it be okay if I come here often?”

Her eyes lit with stars. “Of course!”