The days following their visit to Hanayashiki seemed to sparkle in Yuuma’s memory like cherry blossoms caught in sunlight. Every mundane moment felt a little brighter, a little warmer, simply because Sakurako was part of it.

Back at university, the hectic rhythm of lectures and assignments resumed, but Yuuma no longer faced it alone. Between classes, in the quiet library corners or bustling campus courtyards, they would meet and share fragments of their lives.

One crisp morning, Yuuma arrived early to the university café, clutching a thick economics textbook under his arm. He was hoping to get a head start on his midterm preparations.

To his surprise, Sakurako was already there, seated by the window, her notebook open and a pen poised above the page.

“Good morning,” she said softly, looking up with a gentle smile.

“Morning,” Yuuma replied, setting down his book and taking the seat opposite her.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the faint hum of espresso machines and quiet chatter around them forming a soothing backdrop.

Then, Yuuma ventured, “How’s your thesis coming along?”

Sakurako sighed, tracing a petal drawn on her notebook. “It’s harder than I expected. Analyzing centuries-old poetry is like trying to capture a breeze.”

Yuuma laughed softly. “That sounds poetic in itself.”

She smiled. “Maybe it is. But sometimes, I wonder if anyone really understands what I’m trying to say.”

Yuuma’s gaze softened. “I’m sure they will. You have a way with words.”

For the first time in a long while, Yuuma felt comfortable sharing something deeper.

“I’m scared, you know,” he admitted. “About graduating, about finding a job, about not knowing where I’ll be a year from now.”

Sakurako reached out, her hand brushing his lightly.

“You’re not alone in that,” she said quietly. “The future is scary. But the sakura remind me that even if everything changes, new beauty can bloom.”

Yuuma’s heart skipped a beat at the touch and the words.

“Thank you,” he said simply.

Over the next weeks, their bond grew naturally, like the slow unfolding of petals in spring.

They studied together, often losing track of time, their conversations drifting from economics and literature to childhood memories and dreams.

One afternoon, as the sun poured golden light across the campus lawn, they lay side by side beneath a sprawling cherry tree.

Petals floated down around them in gentle showers.

Yuuma turned his head toward Sakurako.

“Do you think this moment will last?” he asked.

She smiled wistfully. “Moments like these are fleeting, but that’s what makes them precious.”

He reached for her hand again, this time with quiet confidence.

“We don’t have to know what comes next. We just have to hold on to what’s here, right now.”

Sakurako nodded, squeezing his hand.

But life outside their blooming relationship was not without its challenges.

Yuuma’s job hunt grew more intense. Interviews filled his schedule, and rejection letters arrived like winter’s chill.

Sakurako’s thesis deadline loomed large, stealing her nights and weekends.

Their meetings became shorter, more rushed.

One evening, as they parted outside the university gates, Yuuma hesitated.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around much,” he said, voice heavy. “Work’s going to get even busier.”

Sakurako’s smile faltered.

“I understand,” she said softly. “I’m struggling too, trying to finish my research.”

For a moment, the world between them seemed to stretch wide and cold.

But Yuuma reached out, gently taking her hand.

“No matter how busy we get, I don’t want to lose what we have.”

Sakurako looked up, eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Me neither,” she whispered.

One night, unable to sleep, Yuuma found himself wandering back to the cherry tree where they had first truly connected.

The petals had long since fallen, but the memories stayed vivid.

He thought about the promise of spring, about fleeting beauty and lasting hope.

And most of all, about Sakurako — the girl who had become his anchor amidst uncertainty.

In the quiet darkness, he made a vow to himself.

No matter what the future held, he would fight to keep their spring promise alive.

End of Chapter 02