OPENING PIECE
Five centimeters per second the cherry blossom petals fell.
One by one they fell; five centimeters per second apart.
A young girl walked by.
A young boy followed.
“Will I see you again?” the boy asked.
“Of course you will!” the girl giggled and smiled. “Let’s promise to see each other again here, okay? And we’ll write letters always!”
The boy nodded and smiled a smile that could even reach the sky.
A promise from two young hearts was made under the cherry blossom tree; the cherry blossom tree which graced everyone with its beautiful petals five centimeters per second.
A year passed. Two years passed. Three years passed.
The promise created a string strong enough to withstand anything.
A few years passed; the string became stronger, connecting the two of them together.
Few more years went by. What is this? The string’s—rotting. It's about to fall apart. Everything was. Whose fault is this—his, hers?
“Where are you going to meet? Does he know the way?” an elderly lady asked a girl who was about to board the train.
“Oh, mom, you shouldn’t worry so much. He’s old enough to know the way back. I’ll meet him under that huge cherry blossom tree near the school,” the girl replied, gave her mom a peck on the cheeks then she boarded the train and waved goodbye, “I’ll tell you everything when I get back!” she shouted.
Oh, looks like the string will be saved!
On the other hand, even though busy with work, a guy went up to his supervisor and said, “I’ll come back in the afternoon. I just have to see someone.” he excused himself and getting his permission, he went on, grabbing his coat from his desk on his way out.
The string will be saved after all!
He walked.
She walked.
He crossed a railroad.
She crossed a railroad.
Soon enough, the cherry blossom tree, in full bloom, was within sight. The wind blew it naked. The petals fell five centimeters per second, as always.
The guy smiled at the sight of her and she smiled back. Her cheeks went from pale to red as she lowered her head to hide it. He chuckled at her shyness that never faded from the first time he met her.
“Hi! Did I make you wait?” she cheerfully asked.
He hugged her and smiled sweetly. “No. It was worth the wait.”
Touched by his compliment, she wrapped her arms around his. They walked together; away from the cherry blossom tree. Holding hands an all.
The string!
A guy walked passed by them; towards the cherry blossom tree. He looked surprised at first but then he slowly smiled. When he’s finally beneath the tree, he stopped and closed his eyes, took a deep breath and looked up. He let the wind caress him and the tree showered him.
“I see you’re in full bloom again this year,” he complimented, touching the tree’s trunk. “Did she stop by here? I passed by her today. She was with a guy and—I think I saw rings. Well, I hope he doesn’t make her cry,” he said smiling.
Tears—there were tears. He was smiling yet his smile didn’t even reach his heart. All these years—thirteen years—he’s been coming back at the same spot, under the same tree. For what?
Ah, the string I see it!
The wind blew a bit stronger making the leaves fall faster than three centimeters per second. It was like its consoling him, giving him an invisible pat on the back and a little push to move forward.
There it was, the string, just like the cherry blossom petals… it was breaking apart, five centimeters per second.
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FIVE CENTIMETERS PER SECOND AFTERSTORY (5cm per Second FanFic)
FanfictionThey were childhood friends. He loved her. She loved him. Distance didn't matter until it finally did. Thirteen years after, he's still stuck up on her, ignoring the woman, whom, even though how much he degraded himself, made lousy excuses to avoid...
