Anniversary

I am aroused by the sound of my alarm, gradually opening my eyes as the sunlight invades my retinas. It appears that the rain from the previous night had stopped, giving way to a dazzling and sunny day. Rolling over, I extend my arm to turn off the alarm, then sit up in bed, only to discover that Kaede, who was sleeping beside me, is nowhere to be seen. As I swing my legs out from the bed covers, I hear footsteps approaching my door, the door swinging open a moment later.

"Good morning!~"

The one who entered my room was none other than the missing person from my bed, Kaede. She appeared to be dressed and ready to go, whereas I was still attempting to rouse myself from slumber. My long red hair was all tangled up from having just awoken, resulting in the classic "bed head" look.

Yui: "Good morning Kaede, did you head home to grab those clothes?"

Kaede: "Mhmm! Your mom took me there on her way to work"

Yui: "You're pretty close with my mom now haha"

She was wearing a white, ruffled, off shoulder blouse along with a skirt that reaches her knees, a very cute look.

Now approaching me, Kaede halted in her tracks beside the bed where I was sitting. Her radiant golden eyes sparkled brightly, as if she was attempting to wake me up faster. Then, leaning over me, she gently brushed my messy, tangled hair away and planted a tender kiss on my forehead.

Kaede: "Happy anniversary Yui~"

Yui: "Mmm, happy anniversary"

I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer onto me as our faces meet, before leaning in to give a kiss of my own on her soft, delicate lips. I pull away moments later, breaking the kiss. Her face showing what could be described as pure happiness. Her smile infecting me as I can't help but smile back, I wish these moments could last forever.

Yui: "I'll quickly get myself ready then"

Kaede: "Okay, I'll wait downstairs. Your mother seemed to have prepared breakfast for us before heading out to work"

Kaede leaves the room with a joy in her step as I hear the pitter patters down the stairs. I stand up from the bed as I quickly start to get my appearance in check, starting with this damn hair of mine, grabbing my hair brush from the bedside table. I used to have my hair shorter due to not wanting to maintain my hair like this, but after meeting Kaede I started to grow it out. I brush my hair until the knots were gone before grabbing a hair tie that was next to my brush, doing up my hair in a classic ponytail.

I finish doing up my hair before finally getting changed. I put on a simple long sleeve shirt with jeans, along with a jacket in case it gets cold over my shoulder, a completely different look compared to Kaede's. After washing my face and brushing my teeth I head downstairs towards the lounge, where I spot Kaede sitting readily at the table what looks to be rice and miso soup atop of it. She seemed to have been waiting for me as I make my way to sit on the opposite side of the table from Kaede.

Y/K: "Lets eat~"

After finishing our breakfast, we went towards the door as Kaede takes off her jacket from the rack before we eat out the door. My parents are out working right now, so with my spare key I lock it behind me. Kaede now clasping my hand as we walk off further down the road, heading towards the river, where the cherry blossoms are now falling from the trees. It's the place where Kaede and I went to on our first date, on this exact day.

We arrive at the riverside, with the cherry blossoms falling from the trees with some of them still blooming as the fallen flowers gently lay around us and in the river. The sight of it just makes me smile, looking to my side to get a peek a Kaede as I see her too smiling happily at the spectacle.

Kaede: "Can't believe it's already been a year..."

Yui: "It feels as if it was yesterday that we were here just like this"

Kaede now closing in on my side as she leans her head against my shoulder, both of us looking over the river from the bridge. The cherry blossoms falling from both sides of the river, surrounding us in its beauty as their reflections shine from the water. We stay like this for some time as we each gaze at such a beautiful sight. I'm so grateful that I got to see this sight again with her like this, I don't want this moment to...

"Yo!~"

I knew it was too good to be true. Who the fuck is calling out to us in the middle of our date? I turn to look in the direction of the voice, it was non other than our good for nothing best friend.

Shin: "What you guys up to?"

Yui: "What do you think we're doing?

Shin: "Ah! sorry, am I interrupting you two?

Yui: "Of cour-"

Kaede: "We're just enjoying the view, did you need anything?"

Shin: "I'm just heading to the bakery to help mom, I'll leave you guys to it"

Shin lifts up a few shopping bags, most likely ingredients for the bakery as he walks past us.

Kaede: "Wait!"

Shin: "Hmm?"

Kaede: "Why don't we go with Shin to the bakery? Maybe you can get a feel on how things work"

Shin: "Yeah! Mom said she wanted to meet you to show you the ropes"

I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, I don't want to leave the date here so early. As I think of what to do I feel a tug on my sleeve.

Kaede: "Come on, lets go. It'll be fun"

Yui: "Okay fine~"

Kaede now smiling away yet again, as if I can say no to such a sight. We walk together with Shin, each of us carrying some bags that Shin was carrying all by himself as we slowly make out way to the bakery, enjoying the sight of the cherry blossoms once more as we pass over the other end of the bridge.

After some casual talking amongst ourselves as we walked for about 15 minutes, we arrive at the entrance to Shins' mother's bakery, with a sign saying "Sweet Spot". We go inside the shop filled with all different kinds of bread and sweet, just the smell of it feels delightful as I take in a deep breath, savoring the sweet air before following Shin inside along with Kaede.

"It's about time you showed up!- Oh! Hi you two!~"

A woman caked in flour came around the corner out from the back of the shop, making her way to us. There wasn't anyone in the store but she still appeared to busy.

Shin: "I'm back, I brought Yui and Kaede with me"

Y/K: "Good morning Miss Uchida"

Uchida: "Did you want to start working today by any chance Yui?"

Yui: "Ah no. I'm actually on a date with Kaede, its our anniversary"

Uchida: "Oho its already been that long huh"

Our conversation continues as Shin helps to unpack the ingredients we brought over. Upon seeing that, Kaede absentmindedly started to help Shin with the unpacking as if it was all natural for her. Seeing that, Miss Uchida pondered to herself, watching Kaede walk around at the back helping Shin with the shopping.

Uchida: "Hmm, Kaede! You don't have a job yet right? Why don't you come work here with Yui? We still need a few more hands here"

Kaede: "Really?!

If Kaede got a job here along with me, it could open up more possibilities for us to potentially find someplace to move in together.

Uchida: "Mmm! Wouldn't it be better to work alongside each other?

Kaede: "Yes!"

Immediately accepting her offer with a bright glimmer in her eyes. The bakery also isn't too far away from our homes, taking around 30 minutes of walking to get here from my house. With that, both Kaede and I had now gotten our first jobs as young adults, however we still need to find a place to live, we cant live with our parents forever.

And so after some talking with Shin's mother, Kaede and I leave the bakery, both of us now starting work there in 2 days on Monday. The sweet smell from the bakery still lingering in our minds as we walk back towards the bridge, hoping to bask in the sight once more. We end up stopping at the bridge with Kaede gently tugging me to the side just before we get there, bringing me along the river side under one of the cherry blossom trees before sitting down, pulling me with her in the process.

Kaede: "I'm tired of all this walking, so let's just relax like this?"

Our backs up against the tree as Kaede like before, rest her head against my shoulder, closing her eyes with a gentle smile on her face. I rest my head against hers as I too close my eyes, the cool breeze carried cherry blossoms around us while our jackets, draped over our legs, provided a makeshift blanket. We shared in each other's warmth as my mind gradually drifted away, unconcerned with the passage of time, as I sank deeper into a state of tranquility.