THE BLOSSOMING CAMELLIA FLOWER (カメリア)

chapter 2

It was the weekend, and I found myself lounging around my apartment, feeling restless. There was no softball practice today, so I had nothing to keep me occupied. I figured Alex was in his room, probably playing a game or watching something. Sighing, I stepped out of my room and plopped onto the couch, hoping to find something decent to watch on TV. Unfortunately, every channel was either airing reruns or boring talk shows. Frustrated, I turned the television off and checked my phone. Maybe Nao had messaged me? Nothing.

Just as I was about to throw myself back onto the couch, Alex peeked out from his room.

"Are you okay?" he asked, noticing my sulky expression.

"Yeah," I replied, stretching my arms. "Just bored."

It had already been a week since Alex moved in, and suddenly, a thought struck me. He hadn't explored the city at all since arriving. Maybe giving him a tour would not only ease my boredom but also help him feel more at home. Besides, there were still places in Kyoto that even I hadn't visited yet. It could be fun.

"Hey, do you want to go around the city?" I asked. "I can give you a tour."

His face brightened. "That sounds great."

"Awesome! Give me a sec, I'll go change."

The Tour Begins

We spent the day exploring Kyoto's famous landmarks. First, we visited the stunning temples and shrines, where we took in the breathtaking views and snapped a few pictures for memories. After that, we climbed the iconic 1,000-step staircase, a challenge that left us gasping for air but laughing nonetheless.

After all that walking, our stomachs growled in protest. We decided to stop by a local ramen shop, and let me tell you—real ramen tasted a million times better than the instant stuff I usually ate at home. With full bellies, we continued our adventure, wandering through various scenic spots in the city, immersing ourselves in Kyoto's beauty.

As the sun began to set, we found ourselves in an arcade. It wasn't too crowded, which made it even more enjoyable. We played a few rounds of rhythm games (which I absolutely sucked at), challenged each other in a racing game, and tried our luck at the claw machines. Just as I was about to attempt another grab at a plush toy, a familiar voice called out.

"Wow, I didn't know you two were on a date."

I nearly dropped my game token. "Ah! W-What are you doing here, Nao?!"

Nao grinned, arms crossed. "Relax, I work part-time here on weekends. Hey, Alex."

Alex waved. "Hey, Nao."

"So, where have you two been?" she asked with a teasing smirk.

"I just gave him a tour around the city," I answered, trying to act nonchalant.

"Aww, that's so nice of you, Cami."

My face heated up. "S-Shut up!"

Alex chuckled, then turned to me. "We should probably head out. I'm getting hungry again."

"Alright, then. See you both at school!" Nao said with a wink.

Late-Night Conversations

After wandering the streets in search of a good restaurant, we ended up settling for something simple—ice cream from a convenience store. We grabbed our favorite flavors and walked aimlessly through the quiet streets, enjoying the cool night air.

As we passed by a small park, I spotted a swing set. "Hey, let's sit there for a bit. My legs are killing me from all the walking."

"Sounds good to me," Alex agreed.

We sat on the swings, gently rocking back and forth in silence, savoring the peaceful moment.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Alex spoke up, his voice uncertain.

"Sure, what is it?"

He hesitated before continuing, "Why do you hate music?"

I froze, my hands gripping the metal chains of the swing. My chest tightened at the question.

"Oh—um, if you don't want to answer, it's okay!" he quickly added. "I-I don't want to make you angry."

I exhaled and forced a small smile. "No, it's okay. You should know. I trust you."

Taking a deep breath, I began, "When I was a kid, I had a childhood best friend who played the piano. We used to play together all the time, but as we got older, he started spending less time with me and more time practicing. His mother always pushed him to focus on music instead of playing with me.

"Eventually, his passion for music grew stronger, and by the time we graduated middle school, he decided to leave Japan to attend a music school overseas. That was the last time I saw him. It felt like music took him away from me, and ever since then, I couldn't stand it. Every time I hear someone play an instrument or talk about music, it just reminds me of how it made me suffer."

My voice faltered toward the end, and I quickly wiped my eyes before any tears could fall. "It sounds childish, doesn't it? But I just... I really hate it."

Alex didn't say anything for a moment. Then, to my surprise, he moved closer and wrapped his arms around me in a gentle hug.

"I-I understand," he murmured. "But not everyone is meant to love music or endure it. And that's okay."

I stiffened at first, but then slowly relaxed, leaning into his warmth. "T-Thanks," I whispered. "Thank you so much."

He pulled away slightly and looked me in the eyes. "I promise you, one day, I'll make music into something beautiful for you. Something that won't hurt anymore."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and for the first time in a long while, the thought of music didn't seem so painful.

--- End of Chapter ---