Chapter 2: The Cruelest Season - Part 1

Chapter 2: The Cruelest Season - Part 1

✿———✦———✿

"There’s somethin’ about spring that makes you believe in second chances, in fresh starts and new beginnings."

Hey, I'm Oozora Chinatsu, 34 years old, a woman who just lost everything this spring. I used to think I was strong, like I could handle anything thrown at me. But now, I feel like a leaf tossed around in a storm. Everything I thought would stay solid just shattered out of nowhere. It's so suffocating, my chest feels tight, like something’s weighing it down, making it hard to even breathe.

Spring usually means new beginnings—flowers blooming, fresh air, life feeling full of hope. But this spring, that hope just crumbled to pieces. My husband, Miharu, betrayed me in such a painful way. When I saw him with another woman, it was like my whole world just fell apart in front of me. Now, here I am, sitting in the passenger seat of Kazuaki's car, with just a few bags filled with what's left of my life—things that now feel like bitter memories I wish I could forget.

This ride feels so long and exhausting. While the car drives down these familiar streets, my mind keeps drifting back to the past. It's strange—despite all the hurt in my heart right now, I can't seem to escape these sweet memories that keep following me. Back to a time when everything was simple, when life was full of dreams and laughter, without the weight of painful betrayal.

✿———✦———✿

It was spring when I was still 18. Looking back, I was just a high school kid dealing with typical teenage stuff—schoolwork, friendships, and that shy feeling of having a crush. After school, my friends and I would often chill at a small café, laughing and chatting. But that week, I had a different responsibility—to look after Minato Kazuaki, a six-year-old kid from next door. His parents were away on a business trip, and since our families were close, they asked me to take care of him.

Little Kazuaki was adorable. He had soft hair, one eyelash lighter than the other, and big, curious eyes. Even though he sometimes got teased because of his unique features, like vitiligo and heterochromia, I tried to make sure it didn't change the way I treated him. While his parents were gone, Kazuaki stuck to me like a little brother, tagging along wherever I went.

That day, I decided to take him to the flower park near our place. The park was filled with blooming cherry blossoms, forming a pink canopy above us. Little Kazuaki ran around happily, his tiny hands trying to catch the petals falling to the ground. Every petal that landed felt like spring's beauty adding to our little happiness.

"Chinatsu-nee, look! It's so pretty!" he said, holding up a petal he'd just caught. His eyes sparkled, and his little giggle felt so pure. In that moment, I felt my heart fill with a happiness that was hard to describe. I realized then that joy doesn't always come from big things. Sometimes, it's found in small, fleeting moments like these.

I smiled, feeling warm as I watched his joy. "Yeah, Kazu-kun. Cherry blossoms are beautiful, aren't they? But you know, they're fragile too. When the wind blows, they can fall to the ground so easily."

Kazuaki looked at the petal with a serious expression, like he was thinking deeply. "But if they fall, can they go back to the tree?"

I chuckled softly. "Nah, they can't go back. But it's okay, Kazu-kun. Cherry blossoms are still beautiful, even when they fall."

He nodded slowly, maybe not fully understanding yet. But in that moment, the world felt so peaceful. It was like time would stop, and everything would stay just like this forever—without having to worry about the future or the shadow of betrayal that now haunts me.

That afternoon, after playing in the park, I took Kazuaki home. He was starting to look sleepy by the time we arrived, so I carried him inside. The room felt warm, with the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows, casting soft shadows on the wooden floor.

The smell of delicious food was already filling the air. My mom and dad were busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner. My mom always tried to make something special whenever I brought a friend over, and that night felt extra cozy. When she saw how tired Kazuaki looked, she came over with a gentle smile.

"Welcome home, Aki-kun! How was today? Did you have fun at the park?" she asked while lifting a pot off the stove.

Kazuaki nodded, his face lighting up even though his eyes were getting droopy. "Yes, Auntie! The cherry blossoms were so pretty!"

"That's wonderful! Now, you must be hungry after playing all day. Come on, dinner's ready!" my mom replied cheerfully.

I watched Kazuaki as he ran happily to the dining table, and I followed, feeling a simple, sweet happiness. On the table, there was a plate of warm rice, miso soup, and some colorful stir-fried vegetables. The clinking of spoons and forks added to the warmth of this family meal.

Next to Mom, there's Kuniaki, my lil'sis who's the same age as Kazuaki, just six years old. She's watching Kazuaki with a lot of attention, even though she can only look at him with her big, bright eyes. Kuniaki can't say much yet, but her eyes say enough about how she feels. I always try to pay attention to Kuniaki too, so it's not like I'm just focused on Kazuaki and forgetting about my little sister, okay?

During dinner, my dad would joke around with Kazuaki, talking about how great he'd been at the park. "Kazu-kun, if you become a soccer player someday, don't forget to invite us to watch your games!" my dad joked, a big smile on his face.

My mom shook her head, looking a bit disapproving. "Oh no! Aki doesn't need to become a soccer player. He could be an astronaut instead; look how much he loves the moon!" she replied enthusiastically, as if Kazuaki should be whatever he wanted.

My dad laughed, unaffected by her opinion. "An astronaut? That's too risky! Besides, soccer could take him to many places, and he could become famous. Just imagine, Kazu-kun, being a soccer star!"

Kazuaki, getting excited, chimed in, "I wanna be an astronaut! It'd be awesome to see the moon and stars up close!"

My mom smiled proudly. "See? He'd rather be an astronaut than a soccer player. We should support Aki's dreams!"

My dad frowned, looking a bit frustrated. "But being a soccer player could be just as great! Imagine the friends and fun on the field! Plus, not everyone can become an astronaut. It's way too hard!"

My mom countered a bit louder, "And not everyone can conquer the soccer field, Hiro! Aki deserves to chase his own dreams, not yours!"

Seeing their little argument, Kazuaki looked confused but happy to have their attention. He gripped his spoon tighter, waiting to dig in again.

"Hey, how ‘bout Kazu-kun bein’ a soccer player durin’ the day and an astronaut at night?" I teased, trying to ease the tension between them.

My mom and dad glanced at each other for a second before smiling. "That's a great idea!" my dad agreed, while my mom nodded. "At least, he'd have lots of options."

Kazuaki laughed, feeling the joy returning to the dinner table. "I can do it!" he said confidently, his eyes shining.

After dinner, my mom asked Kazuaki to help wash the dishes. I watched him eagerly carry plates to the sink, chatting about his day at the park. His little giggles echoed through the house, warming my heart even more. In those moments, I felt like Kazuaki was my little brother, not just a friend.

When all the chores were done and the night grew later, Kazuaki was starting to look sleepy again.

"Chinatsu-nee..." he called out softly, almost sleepily. "Can I sleep here?"

I smiled. "Of course, Kazu-kun. Sleep here tonight. I'll look after you."

I led Kazuaki to my room and set up a little bed next to mine. He plopped down right away, and Kuniaki, who followed us in, immediately snuggled up next to Kazuaki, hugging him tightly.

"Ka... Kazu... sleep," Kuniaki said with a cute, sleepy voice, her big, bright eyes making me smile. Even though her words were still a bit jumbled, it was clear she really cared about Kazuaki.

"Thanks, Chinatsu-nee. Kuni-chan too," Kazuaki said softly as his eyes began to close.

Kuniaki nodded and hugged Kazuaki even tighter. "Kuni... loves Kazu!" she exclaimed with excitement, even though it was still hard for her to say.

That moment filled me with warmth. Both Kazuaki and Kuniaki brought so much color to my life. There's nothing more special than seeing them care for each other, and I felt really grateful to be in the middle of it all.

As they slept, it felt like Kazuaki didn't just bring comfort to us, but also hope. Hope that everything would be okay. And in that moment, I realized—despite feeling pain and loss, there are people who care and are ready to give love. I really wanted to protect these two little ones.

I looked at their innocent faces as they slept soundly. There was something so soothing about seeing them so peaceful, safe, and protected. In their innocent minds, there were no burdens to worry about. For Kazuaki, in his unconsciousness, he brought simple happiness, as if he wanted to share that sense of safety with the whole world.

I sat there for a long time, maybe too long. Back then, I didn't understand just how complicated life could get. How quickly everything could change, like cherry blossom petals falling to the ground, never able to return.

As the night went on, I realized just how precious the time we spent together was. Kazuaki had become a part of my life that I had always dreamed of. Sometimes, my little sister, Kazuaki, and I would play hide and seek in the yard or paint the evening sky with colorful watercolors. Kazuaki... every second with him was pure joy, free from pain or burdens. But now, it all felt like a distant memory, just sitting in the corners of my mind, filled with hurt. Those moments felt like a beautiful dream that I wished I could hold onto forever.

✿———✦———✿

Back to the present, in the spring that I always loved, I gazed at the empty streets from behind Kazuaki's car window. I smiled bitterly, remembering the little Kazuaki who used to be so cheerful and how now he had grown into a responsible man. Life had changed, everything had changed, and I... I no longer knew what was left for me.

"I used to think that spring was the perfect season to start something new," I murmured, more to myself.

Kazuaki glanced at me briefly but said nothing. Maybe he knew this wasn't the time for talking. We just kept driving, leaving the past behind us.

Yet, in my heart, the pain still gnawed, leaving a void that nothing could fill. Outside the window, the cherry blossom trees began to bloom, but that beauty felt meaningless now. Everything felt empty, and I felt trapped in a whirlwind of memories and regrets.