(3) I Love You: Hanafubuki

Hyde and Megumi held hands as they strolled beneath the blooming cherry blossom trees, their petals almost as pink as Megumi’s blushing cheeks. They fell in the direction of the warm breeze and spun, dancing in irregular patterns above their heads until they gently lay in the grass. It was like warm pink snow. The air was sweet with their aroma and rich with beaming sunlight. Megumi looked up between the branches at the cloud-blotted sky. The sun flickered as they walked and forced its heat past the leafy shade. They were in the middle of a flower blizzard, reminding her of all of those romantic animes she’s watched on lazy afternoons when she had noting better to do.

Megumi felt particularly cute today in her new spring dress. When she was buying one, she had made sure that the straps on it were stringy. Not only to help keep cooler, but also because she knew Hyde liked them. She stepped lightly in her pink sandals, feeling the blades of grass tickle at her toes as they happily swung their arms between themselves. Megumi couldn’t be happier.

“I’m glad it’s just you and me these next two days,” Hyde smiled.

“Me too,” she giggled. “Oh, hey, look over there.” She pointed to and area off to the side.

“Where?” He turned and faced the other way. Once he did she slipped her hand out of his grip, tapped him on the shoulder, “Tag!” and made a run for it. Hyde’s mouth fell open and a big smiled spread across his face. He chased after her.

Megumi wove her way through the trees and across the grass. She circled a tree, running her fingers across its coarse bark as Hyde finally caught up. Now a tree stood between them and she shyly hid her face behind it. She felt like an innocent little lamb running away from the big bad wolf, in a playful way of course. Moments like these, she wished would never end. She wished they could just stay in the park, playing tag for the rest of eternity. Megumi bit her lip at the thought of it and smiled. She also smiled at Hyde, who had an adorable grin on his face. He’s always looked good in black. Then again, he looks good in anything.

As she darted to her right, Hyde quickly blocked her way. She tried the other direction and he caught her there too. Then the turned and ran to some other trees behind her. Too late, he folded his arms around her stomach and she felt herself being pulled backwards, her feet suddenly leaving the ground. He spun her around, the two of them laughing as if they were the only people in the entire world. He let her down, took her hand, and twirled her into him. They faced each other, exchanging closed lip smiles. His eyes softened.

“I want you all for myself, Megi-chan. That’s selfish, isn’t it?”

She felt a fluttering in her chest, like a thousand butterflies suddenly taking flight all at once inside of her. She could almost hear the rhythmic beating of their quiet wings. “That’s sweet,” she breathed.

The petals tumbled through the air, passing over their faces and landing in their hair. Hyde lifted his hand over Megumi’s head and carefully combed out a tiny petal. He pressed it gingerly against his lips.

“Then I’ll be selfish and sweet,” he delicately pressed it to her lips. At that moment, her heart had turned to mush and she breathed shallowly. He felt her tickling breath on his fingers as it entered and left through her nose. He slid the petal over her mouth, down her chin, and then released it to the wind. Tilting her head up he angled down and kissed her affectionately. When he broke away, Hyde kept her close. Enveloped in his arms, Megumi snuggled up to him and buried her face in his shirt.

After a few moments, she looked up to him kindly. He looked back with the same expression. Taking her hand again, they continued through the park.

“Come on,” he said. And Megumi followed, contently strolling by his side. Still yearning for this to never end.