Fallen Sakura

Claudia did the same of putting away the work apron before following Alice back to the employee room in the back to grab her purse full of only her essentials which she luckily traded out for her briefcase at home before coming for work at the convenience store.

Alice slung her purse around her shoulder and straightened some papers on the table in the breakroom in case they were important documents since she didn't her mother to lose track of even more items when everything was already a bit of a hassle.

Walking back out, she kissed her mother's cheek before pulling back. "You'll be the only one in the store right?"

"Yes, but it'll be fine."

Alice lifted a shoulder knowing that it was true. Her parents have done it for years on end now. "Where's Dad?"

"He'll be back later tonight," Jane answered before tucking a loose strand from Alice's ponytail behind her ear. "He had to go to the coast for some business." 

"Hmm, that sounds nice. How come I didn't know?"

"It was a last-minute day trip for him just last night."

"Really?" Alice questioned. "I'm sure he's enjoying it though by harassing strangers to take his photos."

Jane laughed. "It's your father."

"That won't be too bad," Alice amended to lighten the blow since she was actually kidding. Her dad loved to take photos especially ones that had him in them, so he asked people to take them for him. It was both an embarrassing and endearing process that happened every single time they went on a trip. "I'm sure he's enjoying it." 

Her mother beamed. "Yes, he is. Now, girls, don't get back too late."

Alice smiled as she waved with Claudia walking next to her as they went out of the convenience store doors while nodding in agreement. Claudia blew a kiss to her mother, and Alice pulled Claudia away before Claudia pulled out even more show-stopping charms making her mother laugh.

The fresh air blew through her face, and Alice took it in since she had been inside for quite a bit of time. The three hours lasted for an eternity in her book, and she shielded her eyes away from the sun as it was getting near to golden hour, and they started up the trek to school that Alice took every day. 

The golden light shined a path for them to walk upon, and Alice practically skipped forward while Claudia was trekking behind her. The walk was steep since it went uphill, but it was one that she went on every single day.

"I thought that you wouldn't be happy leaving the convenience store," Claudia muttered winded.

Alice walked a few steps back for her. "I'm happy either way since I get to hang out with you. It was my job to watch over the store, so it felt like I was trying to find a way out and be lazy about it."

"You lazy? Not in your wildest dreams," Claudia immediately waved her off. "But I'll make sure to remind you earlier next time. But this soccer game with the third-year classes was randomly made and suddenly everyone is going to it. I thought that you shouldn't miss it either."

"Oh, I have heard of it today. I didn't get many details on it though," Alice drawled.

"It was really badly planned too," Claudia pointed out. "I'm curious to see which team comes out on top."

"So, it's just some guys from each team coming out and playing together?"

"Yes, it's not anything official."

"I see," Alice said. "I still think that it'll be fun."

Claudia looked at her phone when it buzzed. "It starts in ten."

"Then we need to hurry there," Alice smiled as she tugged Claudia along. 

As they got up the hill to school after turning some corners through the streets, they made it to the main gate and walked inside. Alice looked at her watch to see that it was only five in the evening, and there were still some students walking out of the gate. 

Most clubs liked to run late, so it wasn't no surprise to see more students making their way out the gates. However, a lot of people turned their way to the left as well, most likely going to the makeshift game that Claudia was dragging her too before she awkwardly made eye-contact with some girls

She was inclined to say hello to those that she knew and slid a look over to the side to motion for Claudia to do the same since Alice wanted to at least be polite. Alice dipped her head as the girls waved over at her before they walked out of the gate and onto the next.

Swinging her gaze over to the cherry blossom trees with all the blossoms that had fallen, in replacement were bright green leaves for the incoming summer. Alice wished that she had taken a few photos before the pink petals were gone, but she had enough photos of it within her gallery, so one more wouldn't make a difference.