Written by: Enitanlily

Winner of WattpadMulticultural prompt in Sakura Blossoms Contest

⋆ CHAPTER 1: A Simple Idea ⋆

Yua's POV

Worrying about life and contemplating what every moment holds for you is a skill that has been carefully mastered by me since I clocked to the hormonal age of 12.

At that very moment, I am crossed between either having a 5-star dinner in a hollow building or to continue barring out my problems to the individual on the other side of this inanimate object.

"Yua, you worry way more than my great-grandmother with her 22 cats." Daiki scolded me.

"Are you trying to say I'm old, no offense to your great-grandmother though," I replied.

"None taken and no. All I'm saying is you should just relax once in a while and try to also have a conversation with them." He tried to reason with me.

I just groaned and pretended not to hear him. I'm a 17 yr old girl in her senior year who likes to play games, is a mini streamer, does track, plays the guitar, sings, and journals my every thought.

"You are pretty talented, so I don't know why you even have to worry about anything. I'm pretty sure there is nothing you haven't done yet," my friend exaggerated.

"That's not true. I've always dreamed of seeing the Cherry Blossom Festival. Ever since I and my family moved to California from Tokyo. We haven't even once visited Japan at all," I told him sadly.

"And why is that?" Daiki asked curiously.

"Well, my parents said she barely has any relatives there, and besides they are always busy to just fly instantaneously to Japan," I said sadly.

"Hmmm, if I'm not mistaken. There is a Cherry Blossom Festival happening in a week."

"Wait, what, seriously?."

"Yes, we are in the month of April when it usually happens and takes place," Daiki informed me.

"That's amazing. I'm sure you're going to have so much fun. I wish I could go though. Tell me all about it, okay?" I told him.

"But, why can't you also come?" he asked me.

"I already told you dude, my parents..." he cut me off and said.

"Just tell them that you really want to attend it and that you will be staying with a friend. I'm sure you are good enough to travel alone. Also, you can throw in that you will be gaining some cultural knowledge. Which is true."

"Oh Daiki, that's a brilliant idea. I'll do that right away."

I proposed the idea to my parents. After a lot of push and pull, they finally agreed.

Before you know it the next thing I'm doing is buying a ticket and hopping on a plane to Tokyo, Japan. Off to my wonderful adventure.

There I met Daiki. Who looks so good in person. After he took me to his home where he was staying alone. I freshened up there, wore my cutest outfit, and went out with Daiki. He told me that we were visiting the city square. It was very busy, with people moving in all directions. Luckily we scaled through and even had a couple from Seoul, who volunteered to take pictures of us.

Then Daiki took me up to a tea ceremony. We went to a manga shop and my, o, my. Did I buy almost every demon slayer manga I could find?

Lastly, we stopped by a Japanese restaurant. I had never tasted cuisines as delicious as these before.

"Daiki, what is this one?" I pointed to a sort of fish-shaped biscuit.

"That's called Sakura faiyaki. It's called Sakura because of its pink color and people use a variety of fillings. It is very sweet." And he was right. I had never tasted anything like it before.

"Oh, what about this one?" I pointed to yet another dish.

"This one is called Yakitori and it's made from grilled meat screwed on a stick but be careful it can be very spicy." And yet again, Daiki was right but my, the burst of flavors were just to die for.

"I'm full. I can't possibly have anymore." I confessed to Daiki.

"But we haven't even gone through all the dishes I ordered for us. Remember, you were the one who said I should surprise you." He enlightened me. It's true though.

"Fine, let's see what else you inquired about."But I wasn't ready to be surprised.

"Ramen and is that sushi?" I asked as the waiter laid down the dishes on our table

"Yes, it is. I'm sure you have eaten ramen more than often. Sushi too but I wanted you to taste one made by a Japanese chef expert and compare."

"Well, Okay then. You can never say no to good food." I picked up my chopsticks, said "thank you" for the food and proceeded to taste the ramen.

"Wowwww, this is so good." I squealed excitedly and I went on to taste the sushi too. While giving compliments to the chef.

"I'm so glad you liked it and see you ended up finishing it and you said you were full earlier," Daiki told me teasingly.

"Well, it was too good to be wasted. I would have licked the plates if I could," I confessed.

"Then I'm glad you liked it." We paid for our meal and decided to head home to rest up a bit before we head out for another adventure the next day.

"Daiki," I called out to him before entering our separate rooms.

"Yes, Yua?" he answered.

"I know I've only been here for merely 2 days but I've experienced so much that I never thought I would in a lifetime. Thank you." I meant everything I said. Japan is a land filled with endless culture, traditions, and history and just being able to have a glance at it for myself, is just unimaginable.

"You're my friend. This is the least I can do for you. Now rest up, our adventure continues tomorrow," he said smilingly at me. I wished him good night.

I journaled about today's experience because that's one of the ways I organize my thoughts. Then headed straight to bed.

* * * *

"Are you ready to take Japan by storm?"

"Oh, you know it," I said with all the euthanasia in my body.

"So, where are we going?" I asked Daiki as we boarded the public bus.

"It's a surprise." Ughhh Daikiiii!

We took the Yamanote line to Harajuku Station. Then on the metro, we catched the Chiyoda lines to Meiji- jiogumae. Honestly, I have no idea where all these places are. If not for the map I was holding and Daiki explaining all the routes to me.

I'm sure if I came here on my own I would have been dead lost.

"Welcome to Meiji Shrine!" Daiki exclaimed as we reached our destination.

"Is this where I think it is? I've read about this place in an article but never thought I'll get to come here for real." I squealed uncontrollably.

"Well, there is an Asian proverb that says 'It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times'."

"Very true. Let's head inside." I dragged Daiki into the shrine.

"So, Daiki. Why is this place so popular?" I was really curious.

"The Meiji Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken."

"Wow, that's so cool. Having a shrine dedicated in honor of you. I'm a narcissist if I said I would like that." Daiki burst out laughing and I swear I almost saw tears coming from his eyes.

"Nope, not at all."

We explored more of the shrine before my stomach decided to remind me of it's lack of carbohydrates. So we went to a local Japanese food place and had some Asari clams. Let me just confess in three words. It was divine.

Then we went to a tea shop where we had some lavender tea.

"Ahhh, this tastes so good. I feel like all my nerves are loosening up," I told Daiki.

"That's lavender tea for you. I heard this shop makes the best in the area."

"Hmmm." I agreed.

"One more thing before we head back home. It's a very important asset and vitality," Daiki informed me with all seriousness.

"What may that be?"

"The Cherry Blossom Festival is in 3 days. So I thought we should appreciate the occasion. So I want to see if we can rent a kimono and yukata." I was on the edge of crying.

"Oh Daiki, that is so thoughtful of you and I didn't even bring much to Tokyo and now you are buying and paying for everything for me. I feel kind of bad."

"Don't say that after all. I'm the one who invited you to come so this is not a big deal." I smiled at what Daiki said. He is an amazing friend. We met online but never met in person until now but I'm so glad I have him in my life.

Daiki rented out a pastel-colored kimono and yukata. Then we went back to his apartment. Where he stayed alone. Since he was already 18 years of age.

We had home-cooked curry and rice for dinner. Watched the remaining episodes of the Spy x Family season two anime. Stay up all till 11:07 talking about ourselves, our likes, dislikes, and random kinds of stuff.

We bid each other goodnight and went into our rooms. I opened my purple-colored journal and once again did a brain dump. It felt so refreshing.

I see my phone near the charging sockets and call my two favorite people. My parents. Though they were as busy as a bee. I know the feeling of always seeing a message or kind SMS from your loved ones.

I knew they would probably be asleep by now. In order to wake up early the next day. So I dropped a message and prayer to them. Sent it and went to sleep thinking about how I got to spend my time in Tokyo, Japan. Through a simple idea.

⋆ CHAPTER 2: Realization ⋆

The ringing in my brain didn't go away, no matter how many times I turned and rolled around.

Was it because instead of sleeping last night, I woke up around 2 am to watch the new episode of Oshi no ko?.

Whatever. It was totally worth it.

After what felt like hours of ringing, which I'm sure was probably just seconds. The ringing stopped and now my head no longer hurt so I could sleep peacefully.

But my joy was cut shut when some living specimen started banging on my door.

"Okay, Okay. I'm up." Seriously? Is it the FBI or something? because I can assure you it's not my fault that guy ate a 3-year-old cheese worth 50 grams.

"Finally. How long does it take you to get up." Daiki stood in front of my door.

"Quit nagging me. I didn't even hear you knocking on my door until now," I said defensively.

"Oh really. Then why is it that you didn't answer your calls?" What was he talking about? I didn't receive a phone call.

Daiki trailed his gaze towards my bead and that is when I saw my phone. I raced to go get it and switched it on. Oh no.

"Hehehe." I laughed nervously. I didn't know that the ringing I was complaining about wasn't from my head but from my phone. Which held a total of 32 missed calls, not bad I had up to 80 before. Yes, from one person.

"I just wanted to tell you to get ready soon. Today is the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival and I wanted you to have enough time to get ready and all those things girls do." I laughed.

"Do you mean makeup and self-care?" His ears were pink. He is so cute. Why is he feeling embarrassed?

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." He dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

"Oh by the way. I just went to get your kimono from the dry cleaner. I'll leave it in front of your door for you."

"No problem, dude."

I went to the bathroom and proceeded to wash my hand and face with soap. Then I stepped into the shower to wash my body. I hadn't washed my hair since I got here, which is almost a week. So I got my natural shampoo and conditioner and scrubbed my scalp clean.

I rinsed up all the lather from my body and came out of the bathroom to dry myself.

Nextly, I focused on my hair. I dried my long black hair and re-straightened

it. Then I started my makeup. Which only consisted of a layer of primer, foundation, light concealer for my eye bags, white powder, and some coral lipgloss for my lips.

Then I put on some mascara and lined my brows. That's all I'm doing for now. Nothing too much.

I wore a yellow flair dress and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Halo, my grumpy friend. What may we be having for breakfast this fine morning."

"You're in a happy mood."

"Why wouldn't I be? The sun is shining, the sky is a magnificent blue color, the weather is pleasant and I'm going to see the Cherry Blossoms today with my favorite person." I said happily.

"Yes, that is something to be happy about. No, eat up so you'll get all the energy you need for today." Daiki said as we went to the dining room which was filled with two bowls of rice, omelets, and other Japanese breakfasts that I didn't know but didn't bother asking.

One thing that I noticed is how different I am from Daiki. We are both Asians but I barely know anything about my culture. Back at home I only ate mostly Western food and didn't eat much Japanese food. I didn't know much about the history of Japan because I had to focus on learning a whole new culture.

I've heard people talking about culture shock but I didn't know I would get to experience it this hard, especially from something that is supposed to be a part of me.

Insecurities are the worst.

"Hey Yua, are you okay? You barely ate your rice," Daiki asked me. I sighed and told him everything. From how I feel bad that I don't really know my culture and how I could have at least put in the effort to know more.

"Well, this is the 21st century. A time of change, new things, and discoveries. You are not less Japanese because you do not know all the ancient monuments in Japan or because your Japanese is not that fluent. If you know all these things and are a bully or a bad person who will care about you knowing your culture or not? What defines a person is someone's personality and character, not where someone is from." Daiki finished his mellifluous speech and continued eating.

"Now eat up before your food gets cold." I laughed and ate. I don't know why I worry about insignificant things at times.

* * * *

"Come out already. How long does it take for girls to get ready?" Daiki said in an annoyed voice. Stupid boy. He doesn't know how hard this is for me.

"I can't," I yelled out from my room which felt like my only safe space here.

"Just come out already, Yua. We are going to be late if you keep this up." I huffed. Fine. I guess I am overreacting a bit. I opened my door and saw Daiki staring at me with wide eyes. I don't know if they held shock or entrancement.

"You look amazing, Yua."

"Awww, thanks. I am wearing the pinkish-coloured kimono that Daiki rented for me but he later told me I could keep it and bought it instead."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get going. Aren't you the one that said we were going to be late if we wasted more time?" I tried to move past him and get my bag. To avoid him seeing my blushing face. Not because I liked him or anything like that but because I always felt nervous or embarrassed when someone complimented me.

We left the house and boarded a train to Ueno Park. It was so large and had a lot of people walking by, taking pictures, buying items from various stalls, and the likes.

"Did you know that about 2 million people visit Ueno Park every spring season?" I laughed at Daiki.

"You sound like a Discovery channel."

"I guess I do." He laughed back.

"Just how many cherry blossoms are here? They are so beautiful," I asked as we stood in front of a very large cherry blossom tree, admiring its beauty.

"I think about a 1000 or so. I forgot the real figures," he said nonchalantly.

"Are you a machine or something? How do you know all these facts?" I asked extremely curiously.

"Well, I was born and raised here. Also, I love learning about world history. Did you know that Nigeria is the most populated country in West Africa?"

"Chill dude. We get it, you are a descendant of Albert Einstein." He just laughed and said how he wished that was true.

"I know cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring but there must be something that makes them so special," I asked curiously. From all my watching of anime. Cherry Blossoms have mostly been emphasized there but I wondered why?

"Well, my grandmother told me that they represent the renewal of time and how fleeting life is. Their life span is very short too. After their beauty peaks around two weeks, the blossoms start to fall." I listened to his explanation intensively but started feeling sad. Daiki noticed and asked me what was wrong.

"I'm scared, Daiki. About the future, about what life holds for me, about how to pay my parents back for all their hard work. I don't really know what to do with myself after high school. All I got going for myself is playing and streaming games and doing track."

"Well, I'm sure they are other things you are good at." He smiled at me.

"I guess? but how am I sure if those things will be of any use, Owww!" That brat. He just flicked my head.

"You worry too much. Nothing is going to change from all your worrying. The delicate and fragile nature of the Cherry Blossoms reminds us to appreciate life's beauty and cherish the present moment." Wow. That makes so much sense. It's normal to get anxious, to feel disrupted and unsure about certain things but life is good and well at the moment. The fact that I'm able to be alive to experience this wonderful occasion is a blessing in itself.

"Fine, I guess I understand what you are trying to say but does that mean good things will start happening to me because I watched the Cherry Blossom bloom?"

"Nope, absolutely not. Who knows they might actually become worse," he said instead.

"Hey, you dork," I yelled at him angrily. How dare he?.

"Sorry, sorry but it also has to do with your mindset, you have to change your way of thinking for the better just like the Sakura trees."

I sighed and breathed in the fresh air. I felt so... free. This new sense of realization and discovery was very nice. I never knew my overthinking could just be reversed by gratitude and appreciation.

"Okay, enough standing around. Let's go check out the stands and buy some food," Daiki said as he tugged my hands towards a stand selling crepes.

We met some of his friends, hung out, talked a lot, bought souvenirs, watched the fireworks, and all. Had fun.

* * * *

Unfortunately, some things come to an end. But at 2:30 pm the next day I headed to the airport to catch my flight back to California. I said goodbye to Daiki and thanked him for everything. He mentioned how it wasn't a big deal and how I made this spring special for him by spending it here with him.

I landed back home and my parents came to pick me up from the airport. On the ride to our house, I could not stop talking about all that happened and about my new meaning and understanding of the Cherry Blossoms.

A week later I'm just sitting in my bedroom on my computer. Scrolling through different universities and their art courses, when my mom enters my room and informs me that I have a package. I go downstairs to pick it up and enter back into my room.

I open the PR package after contemplating for minutes if there could probably be a bomb inside. I check inside and a group of pictures. When I look closely at them. They are the ones the couple snapped of me and Daiki. I laughed at how stiff Daiki looked in some of them and decided to call him.

"Hi, Dork. Do you know that Birmingham University has some great art courses?"

The End