The Man of Dark Blossoms

Chapter 1

Aren't those cherry blossoms lovely?
They remind me of my heart
Beautiful and pure like an art
Where have you gone...
Little cherry blossoms?

"Mom! Look, those cherry blossoms are so bright and pink!" A like boy exclaimed looking up at the cherry tree laughing.

"You're right son, they're as lovely as you" His mother smiled at him as she bid him goodbye at the school gate after giving him a bear hug.

As he was on his way to his class he thought of picking up a cherry tree petal and bringing it home. He picked up one and ran into his class. Teacher was still not there yet so kids were playing and talking, and so was the little boy. He had two friends both of whom got along very well. There he showed the cherry blossom he had picked up outside.

"See? This is a leaf I picked up and it's awesome" he said.

"Can I take it in my hand?" His friend Lily asked, he nodded and put it in her hand.

As she was about to take it, his other friend Tyler suddenly said with an unamused expression "There are so many of them outside. You can pick up 5 more easily"

"Yes but we all don't pick them up often, I'll be keeping it as a memory of my friendship with you guys" at this, both of them were pleased and gave him a group hug. Dan was so used to getting hugs from his close friends that he never felt bad or even sad for long.

"Ha, would you look at those cute little kids over there?" Ken said, a guy whom Dan didn't like at all.

"You dare say that agai-" He was cut off by Tyler telling him to let him be, after all, Ken was well known for being mean to kids.

Dan sighed it off and put his petal in his book he adored for his dad told him many stories from it at night till he falls asleep.

After the class started, Dan started to get bored out of the lesson. He was only 8 years old then. He looked outside the window daydreaming.

"Dan? Are you taking bird watching classes here?" Class teacher said and the whole class laughed. Dan was slightly embarrassed from this so he just looked at his teacher for the rest if the class, still daydreaming. The only time he actually paid attention to study was either when his brother helped him or if he was curious about something.

The rest of the day at school went normally, nothing too different.
Just as he was leaving, he heard Ken say

"So. You were saying?" He said with a smug look. Dan could already feel himself getting to the edge. He tried to ignore him until he stuck out his leg and made him fall to the ground.

This was it, he has stayed calm long enough. He cracked his knuckles and winded back giving a punch right on his nose.

Ken couldn't believe what he saw in that moment, he saw pure rage in his eyes. It all happened so fast he couldn't respond. He fell down on the ground and touched his nose in pain, surprisingly there was red on his palm. Ken didn't know Dan was this strong because most of the time he just ignored Ken and other people he didn't like. Kids gathered around.

Dan was sent home and suspended for a week for the violence he caused.
But he could care less, he taught him a lesson for good he thought.

Indeed, he was scolded by his parents but he forgot about it soon and played video games at home, sometimes with his school or internet friends.

Being a laidback and usually cheerful person, this event at school didn't affect him much. He was back at school with Ken being scared of him. This, somehow, made most kids cease their mean behaviour but not entirely.

"Everything has become more peaceful than before, how did you do this Dan?" Lily asked.
"Eh, just sorta happened" he shrugged and chuckled.

When he was leaving that evening Ken came up and apologized, Dan wasn't too surprised or anything. He forgave him and simply told him to be good from now on.

At home his brother and him played some loud music. As soon as he got tired he went to his room and laid down. The sky was clear that night so he opened his window and looked out.

Slow and cool breeze was blowing his shoulder length black hairs back, moon light was illuminating its light on his glasses and his brown eyes were closed enjoying the peaceful night.

Dan Johnson's wished to live life as peaceful as this lovely night, forever.