Blossoms of the Dark

CXXII Shouto: Cherry

Early April arrives, and the view of cherry blossoms in full bloom is serene.

Everyone seems a little more cheerful with the arrival of spring.

Even Selene-chan adorns her hair with cherry blossoms today.

She had seemed a little despondent these past few weeks, but her mood has lightened now.

Of course, that doesn't mean her acerbic tongue has sweetened.

Bakugou and Selene-chan have a roasting contest because he needed an outlet for his anger, and Midoriya had been called to the teachers' lounge. And the fact that Aizawa-sensei is napping, the opportunity is golden. This isn't the first time they've bantered, but it's entertaining every time. I watch the exchange with unhidden fascination and alertness. Though, I will interfere if things get too chaotic.

"My cousin is getting married next week. She's looking for someone to be her flower girl, and I think you'll be perfect for the role. You wear flowers all the time. It won't be a problem if you throw some of them on the aisle, too," he goads.

Her retort makes me grin. "That's interesting. Because there is a position vacant at my home, too. Of the housekeeper. I heard that you can do the laundry, cook meals, sweep the floor, dust the rooms, mow the grass. One of the workers recently quit, and my family really needs someone to maintain the house."

"You expect me to be your servant?!"

"I've brought the application form if you would like it."

"As if! You're talking to the future Number One hero. I am no one's servant."

She smirks devilishly just before she taunts him again. "But I am the Devil, and it is believed that the Devil is a portent of misfortune. Would you really invite the Devil to your cousin's wedding?" Bakugou is speechless. With no comeback coming to mind, he sputters a bit and then sneers. That doesn't deter her, though. "It would be a shame if your cousin had to undergo a divorce so soon after the happiest day of her life. Or become a widow. And that's only the best case scenario. Would you like to hear the worst?"

"Screw you, Salt-and-Pepper," Bakugou rants.

"The feeling is mutual, Bakugou-san," she barbs.

With an audible huff, he turns around to return to his seat, but Selene-chan calls out after him, "Give your cousin my best regards. May her married life be full of joy!"

He gives her the middle finger - which immensely irritates me - and she snickers in victory.

_________________________________________________________

School ends for the day.

Despite the fact it's late afternoon, the sun is already setting, casting a reddish-orange glow on everything.

A gentle breeze blows from the west.

The path Selene-chan and I take is lined with rows of cherry blossom trees.

I'm a fast walker, but when I'm with her, I walk much more slowly, keeping pace with her. But she stops partway, and I don't realize she's not with me until I stroll a few meters ahead. I turn back to call out to her, but stop. Her eyes are shut, face lifted to the wind. Her hair changes color from raven black to a monochrome gradient: black at the roots, grey in the middle, white at the ends. With the sun just behind her and the cherry blossoms falling like soft snow, she looks serene. Ethereal. A sign that no matter how difficult life can become, there are beautiful blessings like this to live for. Another drawing of her to add to my collection. The falling blossoms combined with the blossoms already tucked in her hair, a flower crown creates itself around her head.