Spring in Asakusa always felt a little different from other places in Tokyo.
Maybe it was the way the breeze carried the scent of roasted sweet potatoes from food stalls near Senso-ji.
Maybe it was the way the old streets mixed with the new, giving every corner a warm, nostalgic feeling.
Or maybe it was simply the sakura.
Every year, the trees near Sumida Park bloomed so beautifully that the whole riverside turned pink. Families took photos, tourists wandered with cameras, and students walking home would stop just to stare at the petals floating down like slow, gentle snow.
Haruki was one of those students.
He didn't take pictures, though.
He just liked to look.
At sixteen, Haruki was the quiet type. Not shy to the point where he couldn't talk—just someone who preferred peaceful places over noisy ones. His friends always said he had a "soft presence," the kind that didn't stand out, but felt comforting when you noticed him.
After school each day, he usually passed through Sumida Park on his way home. Other students took the station shortcut, but Haruki always wandered the longer route, especially during spring. The sakura blooming along the river felt like a secret world only he knew.
On this particular afternoon, the sky was pale blue, dotted with thin clouds. A soft breeze moved across the water, carrying petals with it. Haruki walked slowly, one hand holding his school bag, the other in the pocket of his blazer. His hair moved slightly with the wind, and tiny petals stuck onto his bangs without him noticing.
He stopped at his favorite spot—a large sakura tree near the edge of the park, where the branches formed a wide canopy. It was usually empty, perfect for sitting, drawing, or just resting after a long day.
But today, someone was already there.
A boy stood beneath the branches, facing the river. His uniform blazer was open, tie slightly loose, like he didn't care much about rules. His hair was a little messy in a good way, catching the sunlight in a soft brown shade. He held out both hands like he was trying to catch something.
At first, Haruki thought he might be feeding birds or checking his phone. But when a swirl of petals drifted past, the boy tried to scoop them gently into his palms.
Haruki blinked.
That was unusually… cute.
He stepped closer without meaning to. The boy turned around at the sound of footsteps.
"Oh—hello," the boy said, surprised but smiling instantly. "Sorry, am I in your spot?"
Haruki shook his head quickly. "No, not at all."
The boy let a few petals fall from his hands and laughed a little. "I was trying to catch some. I used to do it when I was a kid. Guess some habits don't go away."
Haruki pressed his lips together in a soft smile. "You're catching sakura petals?"
"Yeah. I know it's silly."
He grinned. "I'm Yuto, by the way. Second year. You?"
"Haruki," he said. "Same year."
"Oh—cool! I haven't seen you before."
Yuto tilted his head. "Do you walk this route often?"
"Almost every day."
"Ah, that explains it. I usually take the train but today I felt like walking. The weather's too good to waste underground."
Haruki nodded. "It is."
A breeze moved past them again, lifting petals from the branches. They floated through the air like tiny pink feathers, spinning slowly before landing on the grass. One petal brushed Haruki's cheek, making him blink. Another landed on Yuto's shoulder.
Yuto reached up, flicked the petal off, and laughed softly.
"It feels like an anime scene, doesn't it?" he said.
Haruki let out a small laugh too. "A little."
"Except in anime, the petals always perfectly land on the character's hair or something. But in real life—"
Another gust blew a bunch of petals straight at his face.
Yuto scrunched his nose, eyes closing shut.
Haruki couldn't help it—he laughed out loud.
Yuto opened one eye. "You're laughing at me, aren't you?"
"I'm sorry," Haruki said, still smiling. "It just looked funny."
"No, no, it's fine."
Yuto brushed petals off his uniform, pretending to be offended. "I'll remember this betrayal."
Haruki shook his head lightly. He wasn't used to talking so casually with someone he just met, but Yuto made it strangely easy. He spoke with a natural warmth that didn't feel forced.
Yuto walked a little closer to the tree trunk and glanced up. "Do you sit here after school?"
"Yeah. Usually for a few minutes."
"Mind if I join you today?"
Haruki felt a small flutter in his chest but nodded. "Sure."
They sat down together under the canopy. A few petals landed on Yuto's hair but he didn't seem to care. Haruki noticed one petal sitting perfectly on Yuto's bangs, looking like it belonged there.
Yuto followed Haruki's gaze and laughed. "Is there something on my face?"
"A petal," Haruki said quietly.
"Really? Where?"
Haruki hesitated, then gently reached up and brushed the petal off with two fingers.
Yuto froze for a second, eyes widening slightly. Haruki's fingertips barely touched him, but the moment felt strangely soft, like something important even though nothing happened.
"Thanks," Yuto said, his voice a little quieter.
Haruki looked away, cheeks warming. "You're welcome."
They sat in silence for a bit, but it wasn't awkward. The river moved slowly. A couple with a stroller passed by. A dog barked somewhere behind them. Everything felt calm, like the world had slowed down just for them.
Eventually, Yuto stretched his arms above his head. "Man… school was tiring today. I had three quizzes."
Haruki turned to him. "Three?"
"Yeah. History, math, and English. I survived, but barely."
He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "Please pray for my soul."
Haruki smiled softly. "I hope your scores are okay."
"Me too. But enough about school."
Yuto leaned back against the tree. "Do you come here alone?"
"Mostly."
"You don't walk with friends?"
"I… prefer quiet places," Haruki said. "Too much noise makes me tired."
Yuto nodded. "I get that. I'm not super loud or anything, but I guess I'm the type who talks to random people."
He laughed and elbowed Haruki gently. "Like talking to you right now."
Haruki's cheeks warmed again. "I don't mind."
"Good," Yuto said simply, smiling in a way that made Haruki feel like the sun came out again.
They spent a while just sitting there. Yuto talked about things easily—how his family just moved to a new apartment in Asakusa, how he liked café hopping, how he always ordered iced coffee even in winter. Haruki listened quietly, occasionally adding small comments. Sometimes he laughed. Sometimes he just smiled and looked down at his hands.
At one point, Yuto suddenly asked:
"So, Haruki… what do you like?"
Haruki blinked. "Like?"
"Yeah. Hobbies, interests, anything."
Haruki had to think. Not because he didn't know, but because no one asked him so directly before. After a moment, he answered:
"I like drawing. And I like the river here. And the sakura season."
Yuto's eyes lit up. "Drawing? Do you have a sketchbook?"
Haruki nodded, a little embarrassed. "Sometimes I draw here."
"That's cool! Can I see someday?"
Haruki hesitated. He didn't show his drawings to people often. But Yuto's expression was earnest, not teasing.
"…Maybe," Haruki said softly.
Yuto grinned. "I'll take that as a yes."
The sun lowered a bit, turning the river golden. More petals drifted down, some landing on their shoulders and bags.
Yuto stood up slowly and looked at Haruki. "I should go soon. My mom will think I disappeared again."
Haruki also stood. "I should go too."
Yuto brushed off petals from his blazer, then pointed at Haruki with a playful smile. "Let's meet here again tomorrow. Same time?"
Haruki felt something warm spark in his chest. "Okay."
"Promise?" Yuto said, holding out his pinky like a kid.
Haruki blinked at the gesture, then shyly hooked his pinky with Yuto's. "Promise."
Yuto beamed. "Great! See you tomorrow, Haruki."
He waved as he walked away, taking the river path toward the station. Haruki watched him go for a moment, then turned toward his own route.
The petals continued falling around him in soft pink waves.
And as he walked home, Haruki found himself smiling without realizing it—quietly, peacefully, with the warmth of spring blooming in his chest.
Tomorrow suddenly felt like something to look forward to.