Underneath the Bare Sakura Tree

After returning home from Hirosaki to Tokyo with a heavy heart, it was all Misaki could do to shed tears and watch as happy couples in her neighborhood strolled by from her apartment balcony. It reminded her too much of what Eiji and she once was...once was. No longer. 

Winter came by, and Misaki slowly grew depressed. With the cold weather and lovers making snowmen outside, sharing cups of hot chocolate, she couldn't help but be reminded of Eiji again. Maybe...just maybe...Eiji would be waiting under their tree?

With a newfound hope, Misaki boarded the train down to the countryside. The rushed through the crowds of people shopping for Christmas and she finally made it to the park.

It was deserted. No one was there. With a heart full of hope, Misaki drew her red trench coat closer to her body and walked towards that one special sakura tree.

The thin layer of snow crunched under her peach colored UGG boots. They were getting soaked, but Misaki didn't care. All she cared about at the moment was if Eiji was going to somehow be there. 

The tree came into view, the bench underneath it as well. Misaki held her breath.

...No one was there. 

Eiji wasn't there.

Her love wasn't there.

Eyes welling up with tears, Misaki walked over to the bench shakily and brushed the snow off of it. She sat and let her tears - the very tears that she had been holding in all summer - flow down her cheeks. And Eiji wasn't there to wipe them for her. 

She sobbed her heart out, not even bothering to cover up her ugly tears. No one was there to see her anyway.

It took Misaki a while to calm down. She turned around and faced the bench. There was a carving...a carving that she hadn't seen before. 

She traced her fingers over the engraved words.

Ito Eiji

Lover of Nakamura Misaki

He died in a car crash during the summer, coming to this sakura tree.

1994-2013

Misaki's eyes widened. How had she not known this? How had she not seen this? Why didn't anyone tell her?

Once again, tears started pouring down her face. She sighed and tried to compose herself, Well...at least I've found Eiji. He isn't lost to the world. She thought.

Eiji...

I've found you...

This is where we met, 

and

This is where our meetings will end.

You'll always be in my heart.

I've found you, finally...

....Underneath the bare sakura tree.