Every spring, she was there—sitting quietly on a park bench beneath the fluttering cherry blossoms, as if waiting for someone.
Yuto had noticed her every year, yet he had never spoken to her.
But this spring, he couldn’t ignore the feeling any longer.
“You’re always here, aren’t you?”
At his words, the girl slowly looked up.
“…Yeah.”
Her long black hair swayed in the breeze, and her clear, delicate eyes met his.
“Are you waiting? For someone?”
She hesitated for a moment before lowering her gaze. Then, in a quiet voice, she replied.
“I made a promise… with someone.”
She didn’t say anything more.
When he asked for her name, she told him—Saki.
From that day on, Yuto found himself drawn to her. They talked more with each meeting beneath the cherry blossoms. But whenever he asked about the person she was waiting for, she never answered.
Then, one day, Yuto learned the truth.
The person she was waiting for no longer existed in this world.
Two years ago, a boy she had known since childhood—her best friend, her first love—had passed away in an accident. Before he left, they had made a promise: that when spring came, they would meet under the cherry blossoms.
He never came back, yet Saki still kept her promise.
“Saki… maybe it’s time to stop waiting.”
At his words, she smiled softly.
“You’re kind. But I’m not just waiting for him. I come here because… I want to feel the spring, beneath the cherry blossoms he loved.”
“But if you keep doing this, you won’t be able to move forward.”
As he spoke, Yuto realized something—he wanted to see her smile.
Not for the past, but for the present.
And so, even after the cherry blossoms faded, Yuto stayed by her side. They laughed together, argued at times, and slowly, the weight of time began to shift.
Then, one year later—
On a bright spring day, when the cherry trees were once again in full bloom, Saki was no longer sitting alone on that bench.
She stood beside Yuto.
“…Thank you.”
At her words, Yuto simply smiled.
Amidst the swirling petals, she was no longer waiting for anyone.
