White Day at Kiyomizu-dera

My newly discovered feelings for Yuri-chan grew everyday, but it never took over my mentality. I did my best to maintain the friendship we've established and not cause confusion by overreacting to every bit of her I found romantic. That being said, when I wasn't with her, I conceded.

The reciprocation for Valentine's Day was on the horizon before I even realized it. I sent Yuri-chan an impromptu message, walked out my room to the kitchen, and continued working on a month-long process.

Hey, sorry this is so sudden, but are you able to come with me somewhere after school? I'll take care of everythin', so don't worry. I'll see your response in the mornin', goodnight.

It was 11pm on the thirteenth of March. I continued working in the kitchen with Muku as my "assistant" for nearly three hours, and even my mom gave me some advice.

➼ ➼ ➼

The spring air became more apparent as the winter faded away from the city of Kyoto. It was too early in the season for flowers to show their vibrancy, but their buds, albeit small, were on the tips of branches. I wore my white lily scarf around my neck, matching my white and black jacket and pants. My dirtied shoes stomped down the steps of Kyoto Station.

In school, plenty of boys, and even girls, returned the sentiment Yuri-chan gave to them a month before with chocolates. She had a bagful of sweets by the time the school day was over, and we agreed to return to our individual residences to change then meet at the station.

I arrived at the agreed location and saw her waiting. She donned a pink wool turtleneck sweater with a floral design and a brown overall dress over it. White shorts and shoes accompanied the dressware.

We were less than a week away from spring break, which meant our first year was coming to a close. I decided that our final hangout as first-years would take place on White Day…at the Kiyomizu-dera – an iconic temple on Mount. Otowa.

The temple, known for the scenic view on its sizeable veranda overlooking the city of Kyoto, was packed with people for the beginning of the spring season. From the entrance to the smallest temples in the back, hordes of people traversed the grounds to view the different attractions.

"This place looks nicer than on the internet," I said.

"Fufu. of course it does," replied Yuri-chan. "It's always better to experience places in person than to surf through photos of it on the internet."

I placed my elbows on a railing and leaned over.
"Factual. I mean, just look at those blossoms! It's a sea of pink out there. Meanwhile, everywhere else still looks bare."

We were not at the main attraction just yet, but were walking towards it. Several flights of stairs ahead of us was the star of the temple – the veranda known as the "Stage of Kiyomizu."

Packed like sardines, Yuri-chan held a tight grip on my jacket sleeve as I led us through the oncoming traffic. It was as if we were swimming against a river's current, but I knew that with her by me, I could flow through any river.

I managed to find a path bordering the veranda, and made sure she was still behind me.
"You okay so far, Yuri-chan?"

She gently nodded in confirmation. I gave her a pleased smile as reassurance and stood to her left. Looking out into the crowds, I inspected walking patterns and different routes to deduce the fastest way to the actual veranda.

"Alrighty then."
I stuck out my hand and waited until she placed her right hand over it.
"Let's go!"
I lunged forward and brought us back into the crowd.

I utilized our average statures and my semi-serious face to persuade people into moving out of the way. We sped-walked with little trouble to our desired location. While the veranda was crammed with people too, we managed to find a space at a corner of the balcony nearest to the city.

"Look over there, Kiyoshi-kun!" Yuri-chan exclaimed enthusiastically. "You can see Kyoto Tower!"

As much as she enjoyed the views of the cityscape, I would have argued that I had a much better view from the exact same spot. It was unfortunate that she would never be able to see what I saw, unless of course she brought a mirror.

Behind the temple was the peak of the mountain. The entire area was abundant with nature that matched each season. The cherry blossoms of the spring below us were met with snowscapes of winter above. The temple was the beacon that provided stunning landscape that harmonized with the beautiful scenery; putting together the image of the ancient city.

We visited as many attractions and shrines as we could, though since we came from school, we didn't have enough time to visit everything. Dusk was beginning, and we decided to head back down the scenic route; from Otowanotaki to Enmei-in.

Walking out of the temple's perimeter, we entered a nearby cafe called, Kiyomizu Kyoami.

I inspected the menu.
"I don't really order anythin' at a cafe. What should I get?"

"You're going to leave the decision to me? How honored I feel."

"I didn't say you'd pick for me…but yes, pick for me. Though if it's bad, then you can forget your reward for today."

"Is that reward for how I acted today, or what I gave you a month ago? Hmm?"
Her smile included a glint of mischief and fun.

"Just pick somethin' off the menu."

We ordered and paid for our drinks. There were a few empty wooden tables, and we found a vacant spot in the shop's corner. She instinctively gave me her small purse so I could have it laying on my lap for safety.

She took a bite of her cream puff as she let her green tea momentarily cool.

"You really like that stuff?" I asked, mouth full of the same cream puff. Strawberry filling rested on my cheek.

"Seems like I'm not the only one. Fufu."
She took a sip from her tea.
"I typically get a rose latte with cream puffs."

"Rose, like the flower? Do they shove a flower in the blender?"

"No, silly. They're made with rose concentration, edible rose petals made specifically for tea, and other latte ingredients."
She closed her eyes and tenderly smiled.
"I used to ask for a bit more froth than usual, because I love the way the tea flows through it as I sip. Fufu."

"Noted," I murmured. Maybe I should try learnin' that?
I reciprocated her smile and sipped on my honey lemonade soda.

*Give it to her now.*

Now, you sure? Why not back at her house?

*She's the happiest she's been at this very moment. Giving it to her now will make her happier, and it'll be expressed on the way back.*

I agreed with myself. I carried a backpack with me that had a singular item inside. While seated, I bowed my head – my forehead nearly touching the tabletop – and presented her with a box of homemade chocolates.

"Ahem," I cleared my throat. "Yuri-chan, th-thank you for the…Valentine's Day chocolates…you made for me. Th-These are for you."
Butterflies were in my stomach.

She hadn't taken the box yet, which prompted me to lift my head and find her eyes. Through the curtains of my hair, I saw her hands over her mouth while she stared at the box with her doe-eyes.

She's…cryin'?! She hasn't even tasted the chocolates and knows they're bad! Wait, no, no, that's dumb. A-Anyways, should I get her a napkin––

She broke her silence with a whisper, "You…bought me this?"

"N-No, well, I bought the ingredients. But I made them by hand…"

The script from a month ago had flipped on itself, she was the one with a broken dam. If only she realized her love for me too, but there was no way I'd know that for sure. She used a napkin from the cafe to clear her tears.

"I also shaped the chocolates," I said proudly. "Th-They're not your regular hearts and squares."

"Oh…?"

She was intrigued and accepted the box. When she unboxed the contents inside, her jaw had dropped when she saw the chocolates in their plastic containers.

"Y-You made them flower shaped?!"
Her voice was high-pitched.

Startled, I looked around the cafe to see if anyone had heard that. We caught the attention of everyone, but she didn't seem to care.

"Y-Yeah, I searched up different flower capitulas and cut the shapes."

Her petite fingers lightly clapped together as she slightly bounced in her chair from bliss. The cafe's lighting above us reflected her glistening tears streaking down her face. She looked back at me, and while her tears blurred her rubies, I still felt the passion in her eyes.

She didn't bother wiping her tears. I eventually did it for her by standing up and heading to her side of the table. I crouched down so she didn't have to lift her head in order for me to see her face.

As I wiped her eyes, she said, "Th-Thank you…so much, Kiyoshi-kun! Y-You have no clue how much this means to me."

I issued no reply, but every word she said echoed in my mind. I finished wiping her face, and stuck my hand out once more. She knew what I wanted, and delicately placed her dainty fingers on my palm. That was enough for me to raise her to her feet so we were both standing.

"Ki-Kiyoshi-kun?"

I took a step forward. She didn't fret upon me getting closer. We were practically nose-to-nose when she tilted her head down and closed her eyes. I then wrapped my arms around her to give her an amiable hug.

I really want to tell you how I feel…