This is the story of Ayame, a young artistic gymnast who, due to a stroke of fate, can no longer practise her sport. In search of a new purpose in life, she comes to Sendai from her home town of Sapporo by chance to work in the house of a famous fig...
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The journey to Lake Tazawa took a little over four hours, as they took a short break in Morioka on the way. They were in no hurry, the main thing was that they could be together.
Thanks to his masquerade, Yuzuru even managed to accompany Ayame into a konbini without being recognized. They had the snacks they had chosen warmed up and took them with them to eat in the car.
"We don't have to overdo it and eat inside!" said Yuzuru. "At least I was able to shop in a konbini without being recognized, that's something! Probably only because there are no detergent posters of me here!"
They both laughed, because he was still so present in many stores with all kinds of advertising posters.
Ayame looked at him and giggled. She loved the sight of him biting into a dumpling with half-closed eyes.
"We only had Yumi's gyoza yesterday, and today you're eating it again!" She made fun of him a little while she herself took turns biting into an onigiri with tuna and one with azuki bean paste.
"Yeah, I just can't help it...!" Yuzuru grumbled and pouted a little.
"Of course, my heart... enjoy it," Ayame said conciliatory.
***
The rest of the way was done in just an hour and a half. Yuzuru became excited as they approached Lake Tazawa. It had been so long since he had been here. The lake itself was partially developed, with a campsite, swimming area and a shrine. There was even a trout museum.
"I've never heard of a trout museum!", laughed Ayame when he told her about it.
"Yeah, I hadn't before either!" Yuzuru laughed too. "But it's on the same, very quiet side of the lake as the Tanaka house. That's why I know it, at least by name. I've never been there."
"Well, maybe we'll pay a visit to the museum, who knows!" Ayame grinned.
"If we have time..." Yuzuru grinned mischievously and gave her a very brief but meaningful sideways glance, only to immediately focus on the road again.
His gaze sent a tingle of excitement through Ayame... and a shiver of anticipation ran down her spine.
"Yuzu..." she whispered, touching his arm.
"My flower, I... can't wait to hold you in my arms again and..."
Yuzuru didn't get any further, because they now had to turn onto the forest path that led to the house. And that required his full attention!
After a few minutes of bumpy driving on the poorly surfaced road, they finally reached the entrance to the Tanaka's property, where the gate was already standing invitingly open. Yuzuru stopped the car briefly.
A wonderful sight now opened up before their eyes.
"Oh!!!" Ayame was delighted.
The old wooden house - standing on a narrow hilltop - was nestled between the pines and some deciduous trees. The velvety ground around the building looked as if it had been covered with a soft, light green carpet. The moss grew so densely in the shade of the pines, where it found perfect conditions. The property was bordered by a natural wooden fence, interspersed with bushes and trees, which hid the entire property very well from prying eyes. A true paradise!
