Bittersweet Love

Blossoming Bonds in Kyoto

One sunny afternoon, as cherry blossoms filled the air with delicate petals, Haruki excitedly approached me with an idea that made my heart race—planning a vacation to Kyoto! His eyes lit up like fireworks on New Year's Eve as I agreed wholeheartedly.

Our plan quickly took shape when we invited six more friends to join us on this thrilling adventure. Each friend brought unique qualities that would make our journey unforgettable. The participants of this trip were:

Sachi(me) - A compassionate dreamer with a penchant for adventure.

Haruki - My charismatic and kind-hearted crush who had been by my side through thick and thin.

Ayaka - A free-spirited artist who saw beauty in every corner.

Kaito - The witty jokester who never failed to lighten the mood.

Chiyo - The adventurous daredevil always seeking new challenges.

Yuki - A music enthusiast whose melodies could move anyone's soul.

Takada - A dedicated foodie eager to explore Kyoto's culinary delights.

Jirou - A professional photographer who would bring anything to life.

As we sat around a cosy café sipping on matcha lattes, Haruki exclaimed eagerly about all the famous temples and gardens Kyoto had to offer. "I can't wait to see Kinkaku-ji Shrine! It's going to be breathtaking," he said dreamily.

Kaito quickly chimed in with his trademark grin. "Well then let's hope your breath isn't taken away too much or else you might need CPR!"

Laughter erupted from everyone at Kaito's pun-filled humour while Haruki playfully rolled his eyes at him. "Oh please! Let's just hope someone brings smelling salts instead."

Amidst more laughs shared between us all, I added cheekily: "Don't worry guys! If there are any emergencies during this trip, I'll be ready with my 'emergency snacks' kit!" I patted Haruki's backpack dramatically as if it held secret powers.

Chiyo smirked teasingly before responding sarcastically: "Yes Sachi, because when disaster strikes in ancient Japanese temples or serene gardens – nothing screams emergency like chocolate bars!"

We couldn't help but burst into laughter yet again while enjoying each other's company over the witty banter. These inside jokes and playful conversations had become a trademark of our friendship, making every moment together memorable.

As we arrived at the shrine, our eyes were immediately captivated by the golden reflection shimmering across its serene pond. We marvelled at the intricately designed architecture and lush gardens surrounding us. It was a scene straight out of a fairytale.

Amongst our group was Jirou, an incredibly talented professional photographer known for capturing moments in their true essence. Armed with his camera, he skillfully clicked away, preserving memories that would last a lifetime.

I couldn't help but strike up conversations with Jirou throughout our visit to learn more about his artistic process and passion for photography. As he took candid shots of me against the backdrop of Kinkaku-ji's ethereal beauty, it seemed as though time stood still.

Little did I know that my actions had caught someone else's attention - Haruki, my best friend and my long-time crush within our circle of friends. It seemed as if jealousy flickered momentarily in Haruki's eyes as he observed me chatting animatedly with Jirou near one corner of the garden.

Sensing Haruki's unease and wanting to understand his feelings better too, I decided to join him by pulling myself away from Jirou gently. 

"Hey there," I greeted Haruki warmly while trying not to reveal the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. 

"What were you two talking about?" Haruki asked curiously while intertwining his fingers subtly with mine.

"Oh, just discussing photography techniques and admiring Jirou's talent," 

I replied honestly yet playfully nudging them back. Haruki smiled softly but didn't let go of my hand. His touch felt warm and comforting, igniting a hopeful spark within me.

As we continued our exploration of the shrine, Haruki and I found ourselves engaged in deeper conversations than ever before. We laughed, shared secrets, and discovered newfound common interests along the way. It became apparent that there was something more between us than mere friendship.

However, doubts began to cloud my mind - did Haruki feel the same way? Or was this just wishful thinking on my part? I couldn't help but wonder if his sudden display of jealousy towards Jirou meant he harboured feelings for me as well.