Rolling Hearts | Cherry Blossom (SK8 The Infinity) ON HIATUS

Chapter 25: Date With Kaoru!

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐋𝐘 on the small studio, casting a warm glow over the room. The air was thick with the scent of turpentine and oil paint, as Raiko sat hunched over her canvas, her brow furrowed in concentration.

The day was hot and humid, with a faint breeze barely stirring the leaves outside. The sun's rays streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the floor. Raiko barely noticed the heat, lost in her work as she carefully blended colors and added fine details to her portrait.

The subject of her painting was a young woman with long, dark hair and piercing green eyes. Raiko had been commissioned to create a lifelike portrait for her client, who had requested that the painting be completed within a week. 

It was a daunting task, but Raiko was determined to meet the deadline and deliver a masterpiece.

As she worked, Raiko's mind drifted back to her childhood, when she would spend hours drawing and painting in her mother's studio.

She remembered the way her mother's hands would move over the canvas, creating stunning works of art that seemed to come alive under her touch. Raiko had inherited her talent and passion for art, and she knew that this was where she belonged.

The hours passed by in a blur as Raiko worked tirelessly on her painting. She barely noticed the time or the heat outside, lost in the world of color and light that she had created. 

As she stepped back to admire her work, she felt a sense of pride and satisfaction wash over her. This was what she had been born to do - to create beauty and bring joy to others through her art.

"Princess, you finished your work yet?" Cherry asked Raiko as he walked in her room making her wake up from reality.

"Hello, Kaoru." she greeted as she spins around on her seat. "No, I'm not yet done. Why'd you asked, love?" her voice was soft and made Cherry blushed and smile.

"I was thinking of taking you on a road trip after you finish. I made the food and everything. How does that sound?" Cherry asked.

"That sounds amazing, love. I finish in half an hour, will you wait?" Raiko said with a small smile.

"Will do, princess." he replied and kissed her cheeks, "I'll be back in an hour~"

After an hour, Cherry came back. "I'm here, princess!"

"Wait a minute, love. I'll be there~" Raiko said while finalizing herself.

Her hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and she wore a pair of black ankle boots that clicked against the pavement as she walked. The denim pencil cut skirt she wore was a deep shade of indigo, and it hugged her curves in all the right places.

The white compression shirt she wore beneath her cardigan was form-fitting, accentuating her toned arms and shoulders. The cardigan itself was a soft gray, adding a touch of sophistication to her overall look. Together, the outfit exuded a mix of comfort and style, making her look both chic and effortless at the same time.

"I'm here~" she said while stepping down on the stairs, as she saw Cherry appeared on their couch sitting and checking his phone.

As soon as she approached him, his gaze met her eyes resulting her to get flustered. "Hey, love. Sorry for keeping you waiting." she softly said while scratching her nape.

"Princess, it's okay. You can always take your time." Cherry smiled.

"I bought my car with me, so that you won't struggle riding a bus or train." he said while heading to the car in front of Raiko's house. "Is your car still Carla?" she jokingly said as she followed him.

"Are you jealous with Carla~?" Cherry teased back, Raiko laughed and hit his arm. "Hm~ a bit? Just kidding!" she replied.

Cherry opened the vehicle's door for her, "Hey, are you sick?" she worriedly said, hedidn't notice how red his face is.

Cherry's heart was racing as Raiko's hand lingered on his forehead, sending shivers down his spine. He couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and attraction as she checked for a fever. It was a stark contrast to his usual suave demeanor, which he had honed over the years.

In comparison, Cherry had never been on a proper date since his past relationship. The memories of that relationship still haunted him, leaving him with trust issues and a deep-seated fear of commitment. But now that Raiko is here, he's now assured that someone will love him forever.

Meanwhile, Joe seemed to have no qualms about changing girlfriends every month like it was a trend.

As Raiko continued to fuss over him, Cherry couldn't help but feel grateful for her concern. She was unlike any other woman he had ever met, and he found himself drawn to her kindness and loyalty. But he also knew that he couldn't let his guard down too easily, lest he get hurt again.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay." The pink-haired man's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the car door slamming shut as Cherry got in. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves as they set off on their journey, unsure of what the future held for them both.

As they drove through the winding roads, Cherry couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and contentment. The sound of the engine and the wind rushing through the windows provided a soothing background noise, and he found himself lost in thought.

Raiko, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the scenery, taking in the sights and sounds of the countryside. She leaned her head against the window, watching as the landscape changed around them.

Cherry noticed her peaceful demeanor and couldn't help but smile. "You seem happy, princess."

Raiko turned to him, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I am, love. This is exactly what I needed."

Cherry took her hand, interlocking their fingers. "I'm glad you're happy, princess. I want you to be happy always."

Raiko smiled at him, her heart swelling with affection. She knew that Cherry was different from any other man she had ever met. He was kind, loyal, and understanding, and she felt lucky to have him by her side.

As they continued their journey, they stopped at a small town for lunch. Cherry had prepared a picnic basket filled with homemade sandwiches, fruits, and pastries. They found a quiet spot by a riverbank and spread out the blanket.

They ate and chatted, Cherry couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. He had never felt so content and happy in his life. Raiko's presence brought a sense of calmness and serenity to his heart, and he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

After lunch, they continued their journey, stopping at various scenic spots along the way. They hiked through forests, climbed hills, and watched the sunset over the horizon. Each moment was filled with laughter, joy, and love.

Little did Cherry knew, there was a woman looking at them all this time.

This woman was none other than Cherry's ex-girlfriend, Kiriko. She had heard about Cherry's new relationship and couldn't help but follow them on their journey. Kiriko had always loved Cherry deeply, and the sight of her with someone else was difficult to bear.

As the days went by, Kiriko grew increasingly jealous and resentful. She watched as Cherry and her new partner laughed and joked, holding hands and stealing kisses. It was a stark contrast to the way things used to be between Kiriko and Cherry.

"So you're the new girl, huh?"