Beneath the cherry blossom tree

First encounter

It all began on an unusual swelteringly spring day.
I was racing against time, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts as I hurried to my piano lesson. But as soon as I stepped into the piano room, still catching my breath, I was informed that today's lesson had been canceled.

Disappointment washed over me, clearly written on my face, but I didn't utter a word of complaint. If things didn't go as planned, I simply accepted it as something that wasn't meant to

As I neared the open window framed by cherry blossoms, I couldn't resist glancing outside. The view was breathtaking, the world beyond bathed in the golden light of a warm spring day. Just as I reached out to close the window, another hand brushed against mine, sending a jolt of surprise through me.

I looked up, startled, and saw a boy standing next to me ,holding a manga book in one hand, headphones draped around his neck,his curious eyes meeting mine as he asked, "Who are you?"

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice firm but curious. "Did you know you're not allowed to step into the piano room without permission?"

He chuckled softly at my question, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, am I not allowed to?" he teased, clearly unfazed by the rules.

I frowned, puzzled. "How did you even get in here? I didn't see you when I arrived..."

He smirked, leaning casually against the window frame. "I was here the whole time, but you didn't notice."

Realizing I must have missed him, I nodded. "Well, you should probably head outside before someone shows up. Miss Zheng isn't teaching today."

"Of course," he said with a shrug. "My mom isn't coming today—she's out shopping with her friends."

I stared at him, stunned. "You're the son of Miss Zheng?"

"Yeah," he replied with a casual nod.

It finally clicked. I'd often heard Miss Zheng speak about her son—how he excelled academically and was a top student. His demeanor seemed at odds with that description. "Oh, I've heard your mom talk about you. You're... Zheng Z—wait, I forgot the last part."

"Zheng Ze Yu," he finished for me with a smile.

He pulled a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapping it and beginning to eat as we stood outside the academy beneath the cherry blossom tree. The wind tousled his hair, highlighting his handsome features. I found myself staring at him, feeling a mix of curiosity and nervousness. He seemed to notice my gaze and, with a casual smile, offered, "Oh, I have another lollipop if you want."

"No, thanks," I replied, glancing around nervously as I searched for my bike.

In my haste to leave, I didn't realize that my hair clip had fallen to the ground. By the time Zheng Ze Yu noticed and tried to return it, I was already out of sight, having hurried away.

We never got to say a proper goodbye that day, and after that brief encounter, Zheng Ze Yu seemed to fade from my life. However, as I started high school, I began hearing about him. Girls spoke of him in the halls, and though he was a junior that year, our schedules didn't align, so I never had the chance to see him again until...