Prologue

"Kazumio-kun, let's watch the cherry blossoms together this weekend." 

She generously handed me a tissue with expectant eyes. 

Her name was Yurime Kyoharu. High school class 3A, sitting at one desk in front of me. We are in a relationship. 

"... sure." 

"You sound reluctant. Don't you enjoy the spring weather?"

She was strangely perceptive, per usual. 

Spring. The season of many connotations. 

New beginnings. Flowers. Romance. Allergies. 

I did not have a particular preference between the four seasons, but spring is the worst of them all. 

Plato, the philosopher, once said "No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth." 

That was about honesty. I began to think his wisdom is universal. 

I did not indulge in that truth, but I did have the dignity and self-respect to be self-aware. 

I hated spring because I am a spring person. 

Not in a self-deprecating kind of way, more of a victim mentality. 

I blew my nose. 

"I don't." 

"You don't want to spend time with me?" 

Yurime was acting abnormal. These questions were unlike hers. 

I lowered my head and blinked back at her. 

My mouth was open, but it was difficult to repeat myself. 

I did not know how things turned out like this. 

Sweet fragrances. Misty dew. Budding petals. 

It has been another spring. 

I still did not understand how and why someone like me got involved in romance. 

When was it, May of Year 2 when this all started... ?