Ame's Story: Encounter Chapter 9

Sai accepted Ame's offer, and they decided to go cherry blossom viewing as a group of three, including Mika. To coordinate the time and place for the outing, Mika contacted Ame again.

"Oh! So we can go cherry blossom viewing? That's wonderful. Thank you, Mika."

"No, I just asked, that's all. So, about the time and place..."

"Mika, which cherry blossoms do you like?"

"I like the weeping cherry trees at Tsutsujigaoka Park."

"What about Sai?"

"I wonder what he thinks?"

"In that case, let's go to Tsutsujigaoka Park, since that's where you like. As for the time, it might get chilly at night, so how about 3:00 PM?"

"Understood. I'll let the manager know."

"Also, Mika, do you prefer sesame or walnut? I'll definitely bring mitarashi since that's a classic."

"Wait! Sesame and walnut? And what do you mean by classic mitarashi?"

"Oh, come on! Cherry blossom viewing means 'dango' dumplings, right? There's this delicious dango shop, but they sell out quickly. So I have to reserve them."

"Oh! I see. In that case, I think I'd like sesame."

"I wonder about Sai... I wonder if he likes dango? Oh, I'm getting so excited!"

"Um, as for Sai... I think he'll eat anything. I'll ask him just in case."

"Please do, Mika. Thank you so much for today. I'm so excited; it's been a wonderful day."

"So, you decided on cherry blossom viewing."

"That's right. And then she asked, 'Which do you prefer, sesame or walnut?'"

"What's that about?"

"Apparently, you need dango for cherry blossom viewing."

"Hahaha, bringing dango to a cherry blossom viewing? Ame-san, that's so cute."

"Right? I couldn't help but laugh."

Mika was at Shiori's shop. She had come to report the outcome of the cherry blossom viewing incident from earlier that day. That was the official reason, but in reality, the reactions of Sai and Ame were so amusing that she was using them as fodder to laugh along with Shiori.

"I can just picture the troubled look on Sai-san's face. He's definitely going to have a hard time from now on."

"Right? But then again, maybe not? That's what I'm thinking."

"What do you mean?"

Mika recalled her conversation with Sai.

"Manager, it's decided."

"And?"

"Yes, it's at Tsutsujigaoka Park at 3:00 PM. You're okay with that, right, Manager?"

"3:00 PM, huh? I have a business meeting in the afternoon, but it starts at 1:00, so I should make it in time. That's fine, please go ahead and contact her."

"Sai-sa~n, which do you prefer, sesame or walnut? That's what she asked. By the way, she said mitarashi is a classic."

"I like them all. Let's see... if it's near the park, then it has to be 'Enmei Mochi,' I suppose. I wonder where Ame-san intends to buy them."

"Eh! Manager, you figured it out just from that?"

"It's dango, right? You can't have cherry blossom viewing without dango. That's obvious."

"That's what he said. I was so surprised."

Haha, you're quite something too, Sai-san. This is going to get interesting. I think I might go take a peek.

You have such bad taste, Shiori-san. But I totally understand that feeling. If I hadn't been invited, I would definitely go take a peek too.

Right? It's definitely going to be more interesting than any TV drama.

Are you coming? To take a peek?

I'll pass. It sounds more fun to have Mika-chan tell me about it later.

Then I'll come report back to you with a video.

Returning to her apartment and lying down on her bed, Mika recalled what had happened today.

The distance between the two of them closed in an instant; they'll meet soon. Sai-san will definitely fall for her there... But, 'attracting each other' is really a thing, isn't it? I wonder... who is my partner going to be...

At that time, Sai had finished his business entertainment and was drinking alone at the counter of his regular bar.

Ame... huh...

Is it going to rain?

The bartender chimed in.

Oh, sorry, my bad. I wasn't talking about the weather.

Is that so? You seem kind of happy today, Sai-san. Did something good happen?

Do I? I think I'm the same as always...

Just thinking about 'Ame,' whom he hadn't even met yet, brought a smile to Sai's lips.

See, you don't usually show a smile like that.

Is that so? Well, if you say so, then I guess it must be...

What's wrong?

I don't really know. I was just thinking about a woman.

“She must be a wonderful woman. To be able to smile like that just thinking about her.”

“Wonderful, huh... I haven’t actually met her yet.”

“What! Then you’ve seen a photo?”

“No, not even that. That’s why I don’t really know.”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t even seen a photo. Yet, what is this feeling? Well, it doesn’t feel bad, so I guess it’s fine.”

Thinking about such things, he enjoyed the ice melting in his drink. Without even realizing it, Sai had begun to pull on the red thread. He had no idea what kind of woman was connected to the other end of that thread.

Sai was checking his watch frequently. Kawai, who knew the situation, tried to wrap up the business negotiation quickly, but the other party was not easily convinced.

“Is Department Manager Sai heading to another meeting? You seem a bit distracted.”

“Oh, no, I don’t have another meeting. Did I offend you? I am very sorry.”

“It’s not that, but you seem to be checking the time quite often.”

“Manager.”

The time was past 2:30. Kawai looked at Sai with concern. Sai made up his mind and spoke.

“Section Chief Sato, I apologize, but I would like to take this proposal back to the office and reconsider it. Actually, I have plans to go cherry blossom viewing with someone who has been very kind to me today... I absolutely must be at Tsutsujigaoka Park by 3:00. Would you be willing to grant me this request, even knowing it is rude of me to ask?”

“Oh, is that what it was? You should have just said so from the beginning. And I assume the person you’re meeting is a woman?”

“Eh, why do you say that?”

“Men don’t go cherry blossom viewing with other men, do they?”

“Haha, you’re right. I’m embarrassed to say, but that’s true.”

“I understand. Wow, you are an honest man, Manager. Please, go ahead. From here on, it’s just signing the contract. Kawai-san and I can handle it.”

“Oh, so you mean...?”

Yes, let's agree to these terms. Now, you'd better hurry, or your companion will leave.

Oh, thank you very much. Then, I will gratefully accept your offer.

Sai bowed deeply and said, "Kawai, I'm sorry, but I'll leave the rest to you," before heading outside.

He immediately caught a taxi, got in, and told the driver, "Please take me to Tsutsujigaoka Park. I'm sorry, but I need you to hurry."

Is the Meteorological Observatory side fine? It's faster that way.

Yes, I'll leave it to you. Just please hurry.

The clock was about to strike three.

Mika had arrived at the park thirty minutes before her meeting with Ame. She had taken a late lunch break and was enjoying the cherry blossoms alone. Perhaps because of the continued clear weather, the cherry blossoms, which had reached full bloom all at once, were already beginning to scatter their petals.

Mika-san, sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, Ame-san, hello.

Where is Manager Sai?

I'm sorry, he had a business meeting, so he's coming here from there.

...To be continued...

Facebook publication date: 4/4 2019