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Before anything else, I’d like to thank you for your interest in reading my book. Most of all, I want to thank you for reading (in general) and for giving this new author a chance. My primary motivation as an author is for you to meet my characters and experience the world through their eyes. I hope you enjoy this excerpt of When the Cherry Blossoms Bloom.

 

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“Your dad gave me money for dinner,” Hashiru told Samantha as they continued up the shrine’s main approach. It was an intimidating two hundred and sixty-two steps, but Hashiru had assured her it was worth the effort, especially during cherry blossom season.

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“I’m not surprised,” Samantha said, “Did he…”

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Her voice trailed off.

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Hashiru kept going, but Samantha stopped.

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She found herself admiring the small komainu statues and glowing lanterns that peeked out from the lush green grasses lining the path upward. As much as she liked them, she wanted to forget cherry blossom season this year. Why Hashiru seemed to want the opposite, she wasn’t sure. In the past, he never seemed to care about the cherry blossoms. But this year, his attitude was completely different. 

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The sound of heavy, labored breathing caught Samantha’s attention. A middle-aged man, struggling to catch his breath, stepped around her. He was impressively fast for his age and health. A competitive one, Samantha decided but she wasn’t sure who he was competing with.

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As he hustled past, Samantha checked to see how many steps she had climbed then looked up to see Hashiru standing a short distance away, patiently waiting for her. She hurried to catch up, taking two steps at a time. When she was near, he offered his hand to help her recover the lost distance. It was a familiar gesture. He slowed his pace to match hers whenever they ran, so he had extra energy to boost her up if their route unexpectedly included stairs.

“Sorry. Did he tell you to use the money to carb load?” Samantha asked, reaching for him.

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As Hashiru bent over for her, his short, black hair fell forward. When they arrived at the shrine, it had been damp from the shower he’d taken after their run. It looked dry now, but the cool, minty scent of his shampoo still lingered.

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“Actually, yeah,” he said, taking her hand. “He did.”

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“It’s his way of showing support. My dad doesn’t really get running, but he’s heard ‘carb loading’ enough to know it’s a thing runners do.”

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“So, he’s basically blessing my race by filling my belly.”

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“Yes. Are you complaining?” Samantha asked.

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“Have you ever heard me complain about meals?” Hashiru smiled then...that subtle, rare smile of his. “Where do you want to eat?”

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“It’s your race. You should choose where to carb load.”

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When they reached the last step, Samantha wasn’t out of breath, but her heart was racing. The middle-aged man from before stood off to the side, doubled over and wheezing loud gasps. Hashiru seemed unfazed. Samantha pushed the sleeves of her blue hoodie up over her elbows and decided that, even though her body felt warm right now, she was glad she grabbed it. The late afternoon’s spring air continued to cool the higher they went. Hopefully, Hashiru’s grey joggers and black running jacket would be enough to keep him warm. He couldn’t get sick—the whole purpose of tomorrow’s race was so he could judge his standing against others seeking Olympic qualification.

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Hashiru led the way to the torii gate where the two bowed then walked through—a little to the right of the center pathway, leaving that empty space for the kami. Others walked through with them—some respecting the deity’s center space, some not. Most carried Hanami essentials. Locals. Tourists. They all had the same goal—find a perfect spot to sit and enjoy a long picnic under the flowering cherry blossoms. They’d take pictures. Some using just their cell phones. Others using professional equipment.

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Samantha remembered taking pictures last year, hoping to capture a perfect memory.

The kind that you frame, is how she explained it to her ex.

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They’d gone to a cherry blossom festival with friends. Her favorite pictures were the ones she took at sunset, when the trees were first lit up. She almost had one of those pictures framed. In the darkness, those cherry blossom trees took on a different kind of beauty. The lights made them come alive with a golden, warm glow.

A man passed by, catching Samantha’s attention. He wore his brown hair up in a man-bun like her ex. But she couldn’t be sure it was him. He whipped into the crowd and was lost, leaving Samantha with nothing but the memories from last year.

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Do I still have that picture? She reached into the thigh pocket of her running leggings and started to pull out her phone.

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“This way,” Hashiru called over his shoulder.

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“Coming!” Samantha shoved the phone back into her pocket and hurried over to a stone pathway riddled with imperfections. But, it was those flaws that made it truly perfect.