Chapter 13: Blossoms of the Past

Spring had cast its spell over the town, cloaking the streets in delicate hues of pink and white as cherry blossoms swayed in the gentle breeze. The fragrance of the blossoms mingled with the warm sunlight, creating an idyllic scene. Shika, Luna, and Ryoku walked together down a quiet path, their steps slow and leisurely as they soaked in the beauty of the season.

Luna extended her arms, twirling slightly as petals drifted down like confetti. "Doesn't spring feel magical?" she said, her voice light with delight.

Shika nodded; her gaze fixed on the rows of cherry trees lining the road. "It really does," she replied softly.

Ryoku's eyes sparkled as she spotted a group of kids playing football in the street nearby. The ball rolled across the pavement, chased by the joyful laughter of the children. A nostalgic smile spread across Ryoku's face as she paused to watch them.

"That reminds me of when Sota, Heizen, and I used to play football together when we were kids," Ryoku said, her voice carrying a wistful warmth.

Shika tilted her head, intrigued. "You all played together a lot?" she asked, glancing from the kids to Ryoku.

"Yeah, we did," Ryoku replied with a small chuckle. "But Sota... he was so different back then. He's changed so much since those days. He used to be so alone... and afraid of people."

Shika stopped walking, her brows furrowing in confusion. "Sota? Afraid of people? Why?"

Ryoku hesitated, her smile fading slightly. She took a deep breath before continuing. "It's... not an easy story to tell," she began. "When he was really young, his parents were killed by thieves. Tenshi was just a baby at the time. After that, Sota had to grow up fast. He did everything he could to take care of her, even when it meant working jobs most kids wouldn't dream of."

Shika's eyes widened in shock, her hands clutching her bag tightly. "That's awful," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "I didn't know..."

Ryoku nodded solemnly. "Not many do. He doesn't like to talk about it. But it wasn't just that. He didn't have anyone to lean on. He was bullied a lot back then, too. His so-called friends turned on him, and he'd often sit alone during breaks, covered in bruises. It was heartbreaking."

Shika's heart ached as she tried to reconcile this image of Sota with the boy she knew—the cheerful, dependable, and playful Sota who always seemed to carry the weight of others' burdens so effortlessly.

"But one day," Ryoku continued, her voice softening, "Heizen and I found him sitting by himself on the street. He was battered and looked completely defeated. We didn't know him very well back then, but we couldn't just leave him like that. So, we invited him to play football with us. He didn't say much at first, but eventually, he started coming back to play with us every day. That's how we became friends."

Shika felt an overwhelming rush of emotions—sadness, guilt, and confusion all mingling in her chest. "Stop," she said quietly, shaking her head. "I... I need to go."

"Shika?" Luna called out, concern evident in her voice.

But Shika didn't respond. She turned on her heel and hurried away, her hands trembling as she clutched her bag. She wanted to shut out Ryoku's words, to pretend she hadn't heard them, but they echoed in her mind like a haunting refrain.

When she reached home, Shika shut the door behind her and leaned against it, her breathing uneven. Sliding down to the floor, she buried her face in her hands.

"I didn't know," she whispered, her voice trembling. "How could I not have known? We've spent so much time together, but he's never said a word about any of this."

Her mind raced with questions. Why hadn't Sota told her? Was he trying to protect her, or did he think she wouldn't understand? She thought back to his bright smile, his easy laughter. Was all of that a mask to hide the pain he carried?

She stood abruptly and began pacing her room, her emotions spiraling out of control. "I want to ask him about it. I need to," she muttered to herself. But a wave of doubt crashed over her. "What if I upset him? What if he doesn't want to talk about it?"

The thought of Sota enduring such hardship alone made her chest tighten. The boy she thought she knew seemed like a stranger now—a stranger who had lived a life far more painful and complicated than she could have imagined.

Shika stopped in front of her mirror, staring at her own reflection. "Why didn't I notice sooner?" she whispered. "I thought I knew him. I thought we understood each other."

The setting sun bathed her room in a dim orange glow, casting long shadows on the walls. Shika sat on the edge of her bed, wrapping her arms around her knees. She wanted to cry but felt too numb to shed tears.

As the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Shika lay down and closed her eyes, though sleep wouldn't come. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Sota, of his pain, and of the unspoken truths that now stood between them like an insurmountable wall.

The weekend sun filtered through the curtains at Shika's house, casting a warm glow across the living room. As always, Sota had come over to spend time with Shika's family, his usual spot on the couch already claimed as Tenshi and Ichigo bounced excitedly around him.

"We have a brilliant idea!" Ichigo declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"What kind of brilliant idea?" Sota asked warily, leaning back slightly. He had learned to be cautious of Ichigo's so-called "brilliant ideas."

Tenshi clapped her hands together. "A makeover! We'll make you look even prettier!"

Sota raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smile. "Prettier, huh? Are you sure you two know what you're doing?"

Ichigo crossed her arms with mock offense. "Of course! I've done this before."

Sota tilted his head, feigning doubt. "Hmm... have you, though?"

Ichigo puffed out her chest, pointing confidently at a bright pink eyeshadow in the makeup kit she had retrieved from her mother's room. "This one. Trust me."

"Alright, alright, you're the expert," Sota said with a laugh, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "Where do we start?"

"Close your eyes!" Tenshi instructed, giggling.

Sota obeyed, his eyelids fluttering shut as Ichigo and Tenshi got to work. They took their task seriously, debating which colors complemented his skin tone and arguing over whether glitter was "too much" or "just enough."

Meanwhile, Shika sat quietly at the dining table, folding laundry with practiced ease. She occasionally glanced over at the commotion, a faint smile playing on her lips as she listened to their animated chatter.

"Sota, stay still!" Ichigo exclaimed, carefully applying blush to his cheeks.

"I am still," Sota retorted, though the corners of his mouth twitched with suppressed laughter. "It's not my fault you're poking me with that brush!"

Tenshi chimed in, holding up a tube of lipstick. "This color will make him look so elegant!"

As the girls fussed over their creation, Shika's mother peeked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene unfold with amused eyes.

When the masterpiece was complete, Ichigo and Tenshi stepped back to admire their work. "You look so pretty!" Tenshi announced with pride.

"Do I really?" Sota asked, grinning as he turned to look in the mirror Ichigo held up for him.

The reflection that greeted him was nothing short of dramatic. His cheeks were rosy with blush, his eyelids sparkled with glittering eyeshadow, and his lips shone with a glossy pink hue. A thick layer of eyeliner framed his amused eyes.

For a moment, Sota was silent, taking in his appearance. Then he burst into laughter. "I look ridiculous!"

Ichigo pouted, hands on her hips. "You mean ridiculously fabulous!"

The room erupted into laughter, even Shika letting out a soft chuckle as she folded the last shirt in the pile.

"Hey, don't be jealous, Shika," Sota called out, turning to her with a playful smirk. "I think I might steal your thunder with this look."

Shika rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "You wish," she shot back, shaking her head.

Shika's mother stepped into the room, wiping her hands on her apron. She took one look at Sota and let out a hearty laugh. "You look handsome!" she said, her tone laced with humor.

"See? I've still got it," Sota joked, striking a mock model pose.

As the laughter died down, Ichigo and Tenshi began gathering their supplies, already brainstorming their next makeover session.

The day passed in a blur of warmth and lighthearted moments. Shika returned to her chores while Sota joined her mother in the kitchen to lend a hand with dinner preparations. Despite the teasing, he hadn't wiped off the makeup, his glittering eyelids drawing amused glances from everyone.

As they sat down for dinner, the atmosphere was cozy and filled with laughter. Sota thanked Shika's mother for the meal, his voice sincere despite his playful appearance.

After dinner, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the house grew quiet, Sota finally removed the makeup, his face feeling fresh and clean again. As he glanced at his reflection one last time, he couldn't help but smile.

The school halls buzzed with the chatter of students, but Shika walked through them as if they were silent. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Sota, his past, and the unanswered questions that weighed heavily on her heart. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, taking careful steps to avoid him at all costs.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered to herself as she exited her classroom early, slipping away before the bell even rang. "I'm scared to approach him and ask about his past, but I'm also angry. How could he keep such an important part of his life hidden from me?"

She sighed, her shoulders slumping as she entered the library. It had become her sanctuary, a place where she could lose herself in books and avoid the confusion swirling inside her. But no matter how many pages she turned or how many novels she read; her thoughts always drifted back to Sota.

At night Shika sat on her bed, her phone resting in her lap like an unwelcome burden. The screen lit up with another notification—another message from Sota. She sighed; her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. It had been weeks since they had spoken, and yet, his attempts to reach out only added to her turmoil.

She scrolled through his unanswered messages:

Hey Shika, how's it going? I hope you're doing well. I've been thinking about you lately and was wondering if we could catch up sometime.Hey, just wanted to check in and see how your day was. Mine was pretty hectic, but it's always better when I get to talk to you.Shika, is everything okay? I've been trying to get in touch with you, but you haven't responded. Did I do something wrong?

Her thumb hovered over the keyboard as she thought of a reply, but no words came. With a frustrated sigh, she tossed her phone aside. "I can't do this," she muttered, burying her face in her hands. "I can't face him... not yet."

Sota was growing more concerned by the day. He hadn't seen Shika in weeks, and her absence from their usual hangouts was glaringly obvious. He wandered through the school, asking their mutual friends if they had seen her.

"Have you seen Shika?" he asked Luna in the student council office, where she was sorting papers with Rio, Maemi, and Motohiro.

Luna shook her head, frowning. "No, not since last week. Is something wrong?"

Sota forced a smile, trying to mask his worry. "No, I was just wondering."

He left the office and found Syuka and Heizen near the vending machines. "Hey, have you two seen Shika around?"

Syuka glanced at Heizen, who shook his head. "Nope. She's been MIA lately. Did something happen between you two?"

Sota avoided their gaze, muttering, "It's nothing," before walking away.

His search led him to the school rooftop, their usual spot to unwind. As he opened the heavy metal door, the cool breeze greeted him, but the space was empty. Frustration gnawed at him as he leaned against the railing, staring at the horizon. "Where are you, Shika?" he murmured to himself.

When the rooftop yielded no answers, Sota resumed his aimless trek through the school. His feet carried him to the library, the last place he could think to check. As he opened the door, the faint scent of books and the hushed whispers of students greeted him. And there she was—emerging from between the shelves, clutching a thick novel to her chest.

"Shika," he said, his voice tinged with relief and frustration.

Shika froze in her tracks, her eyes widening at the sight of him. Before she could react, Sota strode forward, scooped her up onto his shoulder, and started walking.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Shika exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and indignation.

Sota smirked, his grip firm but gentle. "I'm borrowing you. We need to talk."

"Put me down!" she demanded, squirming in his hold. But as they ascended the stairs to the rooftop, her protests grew quieter, and she found herself leaning against his shoulder, oddly comforted by his presence.

Once they reached the rooftop, Sota gently set her down. The spring breeze carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms, and the city stretched out below them, bustling with life.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Sota asked, his voice steady but tinged with hurt.

Shika turned away, avoiding his gaze. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her words trembling with frustration and emotion.

Sota frowned. "Tell you what? What are you talking about?"

"Your past," she said, finally meeting his eyes. "Ryoku told me... about your parents, about everything you went through. Why didn't you tell me?"

Understanding dawned on his face, and he looked down, his expression heavy with regret. "Shika, I didn't mean to hide it from you," he said quietly. "It's just... every time I talk about it, it feels like reopening an old wound. I've worked so hard to move on, to build a life for Tenshi and me. I didn't want to drag you into it."

Shika crossed her arms, her voice soft but strained. "I just don't understand. We've known each other for so long, and I thought we were close. Why did I have to hear about it from someone else?"

Sota stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "I wasn't trying to keep secrets, Shika. It's not something I share lightly. Not because I don't trust you, but because it's painful to relive."

There was a pause, the silence filled with the rustling of the wind. Shika took a deep breath, her emotions a mix of anger, sadness, and empathy. "I'm sorry for avoiding you," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just didn't know how to face you after hearing all that."

Sota reached out, his hand brushing against hers. "You don't have to apologize," he said softly. "I understand why you felt that way. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just... didn't want to burden you with my past."

Shika's voice trembled as she replied, "It's not a burden, Sota. I just... I don't know what to believe anymore. I feel like I don't really know you."

His grip on her hand tightened, his eyes filled with determination. "You do know me, Shika. I'm still the same person who cares about you, who values our friendship more than anything. I promise I'll tell you everything... when I'm ready."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them slowly easing. Shika searched his face, seeing the sincerity in his expression. She nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Okay," she said quietly. "But don't keep me in the dark forever."

"I won't," Sota assured her, a small smile breaking through the heaviness of the moment.

They stood in silence for a moment, the gentle breeze carrying away the tension. Finally, Sota spoke, his tone lighter. "So, am I forgiven for the kidnapping?"

Shika let out a small laugh, rolling her eyes. "You're on thin ice, Sota."

He grinned, the familiar playful glint returning to his eyes. "I'll take that as a yes."

As they left the rooftop, side by side, Shika felt a flicker of hope.