Chapter 88.1
Chapter 88 – Name
We moved to the back in the garden.
I don’t know how big the garden is, but I feel like we’ve walked quite a bit.
On the way, I tried to start a conversation to shake off the embarra.s.sment, but the talk always ended pretty quickly..
We kept repeating the pattern of walking, talking about anything, stopping and walking.
We kept trying, but we couldn’t shake off the awkwardness.
However, this feeling disappeared as soon as we arrived to “that place”.
「……This is…? 」 I said.
The moment I saw it, I completely stopped moving, and could only squeeze those words out.
Still, my gaze was fixed on it.
「This is what I wanted to show you. When I started to trade with the eastern country, they gave us this as a sign of good faith. At first it was only a small seedling, but now it has grown and blooms beautifully every year. I don’t know what tree it is, but I wanted to show it to Sakura, there is only one of it on the whole country.」
It is very beautiful and I felt nostalgic as I watched the fluttering petals.
This flower, this tree is….
「Sakura…1」
Yes, that tree that bloomed soft pink flowers was definitely a Sakura.
Considering the time of the year, it seems to be of the kind that blooms early. From the color and shape, it’s probably close to the Minatozakura2?
「Sakura…?」
The prince’s voice seemed confused.
「It is the tree, Sakura … As you can see, it’s what my name was based on. I really didn’t expect to see it on this world…」
I was born in November, but it seems my parents remembered a Sakura when they saw me…3 They both liked the tree, so they decided to name me after it.
Not only that, but even though I was born in November, there was still one fully Sakura in full bloom near the hospital back then. It was quite crazy, but my parents considered it as a blessing for me.
「The Sakura were very famous trees in the country I’m from, there were several stories about them. The beautiful blooming and brief scenery was seen as the heart of j.a.pan, it’s a very familiar and important tree… I really love this tree and am pretty happy to see it. Fufu… It’s an important name.」
At that time, the wind suddenly blew from nowhere
Zaaaaaaaa…
Blown by the wind, the branches fluttered and the petals fell on the ground, dyeing the everything with pink.
I remembered j.a.pan, family and friends when seeing that.
…… Since I can’t go home, at least let me enjoy this view….
I remember that every year I gathered with my friends and family to drink juice and appreciate the Sakuras on Hanami.4
I was suddenly a.s.saulted by a wave of nostalgia.
「…… Since there is a Sakura, we should’ve eaten lunch here. In my country there is a custom of eating Obentou under the Sakura, with some drinks… It’s an annual event.」
I put a lid on the memories of those days I can’t go back to.
So as to forget it, I chose a bright topic to talk about.
「Sakura …」
Prince’s eyes became distraught, I’m sure he is worried I’m remembering j.a.pan.
「I am all right, I just remembered a little…… I’m glad I could see this tree, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t see it anymore.」
It’s true that nostalgia was about to make me cry. But it’s also true that I’m happy.
Next year, I want to make a fuss with everyone here…. Prince, the king, the queen, princess Aria, Chiffon and Eru all together…