The next morning, Hanamura was cloaked in mist, the cherry blossoms dripping with dew. Haru walked to school in silence, Aiko chattering beside him about the upcoming school festival. But his attention was elsewhere. He couldn't shake the memory of the silver-haired boy—Ryota—and the strange violet glow that seemed tied to him.
During lunch, Haru spotted Ryota sitting alone under a cherry tree in the courtyard. The petals floated gently around him, catching the light, and the violet glow lingered in faint waves around his figure. Haru felt an involuntary pull toward him, as if something in the boy's presence recognized a part of himself he had long hidden.
Aiko noticed his hesitation. "Haru, are you staring again?" she whispered, tugging him gently. "You're acting weird. Go talk to him."
Haru hesitated. Approaching Ryota felt… risky. But the mysterious pull was stronger than his fear. Taking a deep breath, he walked over.
"Hi," Haru said, keeping his voice steady. "I'm Haru."
Ryota looked up slowly, his silver hair shimmering in the soft sunlight. His violet eyes met Haru's, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. "I know," Ryota said simply, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I've been waiting for you."
Haru froze. "Waiting for me? I… don't understand."
Ryota stood and beckoned him closer. "Not here," he murmured, glancing toward the cherry blossom forest. "Come with me after school. There's something you need to see."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Haru couldn't focus on lessons, on Aiko's stories, on anything. All he could think of was the forest and Ryota's cryptic words. He didn't even notice the way the violet glow seemed to spread, brushing past his senses like a cold breeze.
When school ended, Haru found Aiko waiting. "You're coming, right?" she asked, her dark eyes bright with curiosity. Haru hesitated, unsure how much to tell her. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah… but stay close."
The path to the cherry blossom forest was quiet, almost eerily so. Petals swirled in the wind, and the usual chirping of birds was replaced by an unnatural silence. At the heart of the forest, Ryota was waiting near an ancient stone torii gate, half-hidden by twisted branches. The violet glow surrounding him was stronger here, radiating like a soft pulse.
"This forest…" Haru whispered. "There's something about it."
Ryota's gaze was steady. "It's alive," he said. "It has been waiting for someone who can see the colors." His words sent a shiver down Haru's spine. "You have a gift. A rare one. And now, it's time you learned why you can see what others cannot."
Aiko clutched Haru's sleeve. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, worry etched across her face.
Haru looked at the swirling petals and the glowing boy before him. Something deep in his instincts told him that turning back was no longer an option. "We have to see this through," he said quietly.
Ryota nodded, stepping toward the torii gate. As the three of them crossed the threshold, the violet glow intensified, stretching into the branches above. The air shimmered, and the forest seemed to sigh, welcoming them. Whatever secrets lay hidden in the heart of Hanamura were about to be revealed