Chapter 112: Like and love as much as you can, that’s all

[The conversation with Sakura only lasted a short time. In a gentle melody dedicated to Sakura and cherry blossoms, the gap between Sakura and you quietly melted away. Although Sakura still habitually kept a distance from you, at least she would not deliberately alienate you because of the words of others...]

　　[Although Sakura often feels that she seems a little "humble" when she is with you, the cherry blossoms that bloom only for a moment and are the most easily to fade, when they are with the shining stars, no matter how beautiful the flower is, people will always be attracted by the light of the stars, even the flower itself]

　　[But... just like you said, instead of caring about the looks and comments of others, it is better to focus more on yourself, on the shining stars... You are friends, you like her, and she likes you, that is enough]

　　['…Hmm? Would it be misleading if I say that…If that's the case…it doesn't seem so bad' Sakura couldn't help but think so.]

　　["hmmmm!——" However, just as Sakura was daydreaming, a clear and cheerful cry brought her back to reality. She shifted her sight and found that a small group of killer whales had surrounded the yacht, and you were staying at the stern, playing skillfully with a killer whale.]

　　[You introduce to her that these killer whales are also your "friends". Although you don't know why, every time you come to the beach, you only need to sing softly, and the killer whales will come to you soon. And every time you can see the killer whale you call "Skadi"]

　　[This kind of magical thing is amazing. When many people know about it, their first reaction is incredible, because how is it possible that you can meet the same killer whale every time and recognize it at a glance? More importantly...how can the killer whales hear your singing from such a distance and rush to your side? Could it be that the sea breeze and sea water can bring your song to them? ]

　　[Even Sakura had the same reaction. She didn't believe what you said at first, but soon she let go of these questions - just like what you said before, she should focus on you and let go of those unnecessary questions that she didn't need to care about.]

　　[So, Sakura followed your signal and gently came to your side, keeping a distance that was slightly close to you but not touching you directly. Then, with your help, she gently touched the killer whale that poked its head out of the sea, or... "Skadi"]

　　[Now, Sakura and your group of special "friends" have also gotten to know each other~]

　　[Although it is a little hard to understand, you brought Sakura to the beach this time just for this matter. Or, in other words, the reason why you come to the beach from time to time, besides that you like the beach, is to meet these "friends" of yours, to meet "Skadi"]

　　[So, Sakura saw you singing softly under the bright sunshine, on the blue sea, giving your song to her, to them, and to the sea, letting the comfortable sea breeze carry your song far away, while they, the killer whales, swam around the yacht obediently and gently, making brisk calls from time to time, each time stepping on the beat, as if they understood your song, as if they were humming along with you]

　　[On the way, you may occasionally see a killer whale briefly leaving. When it returns to you, you can find that it is holding a manta ray in its mouth and shaking its head gently in front of you, as if to signal you to accept this "reward"... just like a polite audience who pays a reasonable "ticket" after listening to your song]

　　[Of course, you didn't accept it, but just touched them lightly and refused the "reward"… They seemed to understand, chirped a few times in disappointment, and then ate it on their own.]

　　[When the afterglow of dusk shines on the sea, it is time to return to the shore... Before leaving, you gently touch "Skadi" who has always been close to you. After thinking for a while, you have some interesting ideas.]

　　[Take off the dark blue hunter hat on your head, gently place it on its dark head, and then laugh happily - inexplicably, you feel that this hat is very suitable for it. The original inspiration is gradually being perfected. Perhaps soon after returning to the shore, you will be able to design a set of hunter clothing related to the sea water.]

　　["Hmm——" I don't know if it's because it sensed your joy, or maybe because it simply liked the hat, "Skadi" chirped happily several times, swam around happily with the hat on, and finally returned to the stern with the hat covered in seawater in its mouth, gently poked its head out and signaled to you]

　　[You picked up the hat soaked in sea water from its mouth with a bit of amusement, not minding the wet feeling, and put it on your head directly, letting the cold sea water pass through the ends of your hair, slide across your face, and wet your clothes]

　　[Immediately, you touched it again, whispered goodbye to it and them, watched their figures disappear into the distant sea, and then, at Sakura's somewhat helpless urging, you took the towel, took off your hat, and wiped the sea water off your head and body]

　　[After returning to the shore, your interest did not diminish, and you hurriedly began to draw your inspiration. Almost not long after, you designed a set of dark blue hunter clothes with the theme of the deep sea. Then you hurriedly rushed back to the company with Sakura, contacted the factory, and made a set in a very short time.]

　　[You excitedly put on the outfit and hat, and immediately asked Sakura and your agent... Mr. Gunn for their opinions.]

　　[Mr. Gunn suggested that since the theme is the deep sea, if you want to take photos, it is better to include some elements related to sea water. Also... as a "hunter", you need a matching "weapon"]

　　[That's easy. You quickly designed a dark blue sword with the props team. I don't know if it was intentional, but the shape of the sword you designed is a bit strange, but it unexpectedly fits your costume very well.]

　　[Therefore, under Mr. Gunn's guidance, you also took a series of photos and posted them online. Of course, the physical photos will be attached with your signature and given to some lucky people as a "gift" of the physical album... It can be regarded as a small feedback.]

　　[During this process, Sakura just watched silently, without saying a word... It's not that she didn't want to give any advice, but when she saw you put on this hunter suit, she inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity, and even had the idea of ​​falling asleep peacefully in your arms.]

　　[She wanted to look away and get rid of this strange thought from her mind, but... she couldn't move her eyes away]

　　[Ever since you put on that outfit and picked up that strange sword, she couldn't take her eyes off you. The feeling of being able to rely on and trust you made her feel a little dazed.]

　　[Especially when you approached her to show concern for her, and when she sensed the slight dampness on your body from the filming, she even had the idea of ​​hugging you directly... But in the end, she shook her head, saying that she was fine, and then ran away.]

　　[In her room, Sakura reorganized her emotions and for the first time began to look at her own heart and ponder her relationship with you]

　　[And the result...is as expected. Sakura thinks that she must like you.]

[Maybe it's because you gave her a stable and safe job, maybe it's because you gave her and Rin a comfortable and happy life, or maybe she simply fell in love with you... In short, she should like you]

[Logically speaking, she would not be a "third party". If she interfered with other people's love affairs without permission, it would make people reject and hate her, even Sakura herself.]

[But even if she understood this, what would it matter? When Sakura found out that she really encountered such a thing... the unwillingness in her heart made it difficult for her to breathe, and she couldn't just give up.]

[But it's difficult for her to express her own feelings. Her personality makes it difficult for her to do so... In addition, Sakura can also see from daily life that the relationship between you and Eden is much closer than that of ordinary people, and it is even more difficult for others to intervene and interfere. It is too difficult to take your eyes away from Eden.]

[As she pondered, Sakura's mood became more complicated and anxious, because only when she faced her own feelings did she suddenly realize how insurmountable the Eden beside her was... Compared with Eden, everything about her seemed so dim]

[As I said before, no matter how beautifully the cherry blossoms bloom, they cannot compare to the shining stars... The only thing that can match the stars and illuminate each other is another shining star.]

[When Sakura realized this, her mood became a little depressed... Her relationship was about to end before it even began, and she ended it herself.]

[At this moment, Eden, who had just returned from the performance, approached Sakura and seemed to want to talk to her.]

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"Anything you want to drink, Sakura?"

Eden asked quietly as she searched through her treasures.

"I heard that you don't like alcohol. I can make you a non-alcoholic special drink... But I'm still a novice in this area. If it doesn't taste good, please don't laugh at me."

"No, how could that be... If the alcohol content is not too high, I can still have a few drinks. In the past, I would occasionally brew some sakura wine for myself at home."

"Really? That's great... But cherry blossom wine... I guess that must be a beautiful flavor, too right?"

Eden thought for a moment, then found a bottle of light wine from her collection. She waved her hand to decline Sakura's offer of help, smiled, and asked her to sit down. She then picked out two exquisite wine glasses and poured half a glass of wine for Sakura and herself respectively.

"Yes, it is a very beautiful color, and you can smell a light floral scent. When tasting it, adding some peach or lemon will make it taste much better. It will be even better if it is honey. The sweet taste will stay on the tip of the tongue longer. If you add ice cubes, the taste will be even better."

It seemed that the topic touched upon Sakura's strengths; she started talking a little more and her originally tense body gradually relaxed.

"If Miss Eden wants to try, I can show off my skills... But compared to your treasures, my skills are poor."

"That's not the case, Sakura... In this kind of thing, the thought behind it is the most important thing. As for whether the object itself is beautiful or rough, it is not something that needs to be taken too seriously."

Eden shook her head, took a sip of the wine in her hand, then sat down and looked at the brightly lit scenery outside the window with Sakura, her eyelids slightly lowered, as if she was thinking about something.

"Sakura wine... well, it sounds like the color and taste of cherry... As expected, Sakura is a very unique person. No wonder Nozomi cares so much for you."

"Huh?"

Sakura's body froze instantly, and she almost choked on the wine in her mouth.

"Are you a little scared?"

Seeing Sakura's panic, Eden smiled apologetically.

"But I'm not wrong, right? Nozomi really cares about you and likes you very much... Compared to his other friends, you are the most conspicuous and special one among them."

"......"

Sakura remained silent and did not answer, but her eyes unconsciously moved downwards, looking at the wine glass held in her own hands, looking at the crystal clear wine in it, without saying a word.

Sakura knew that compared to Nozomi's other friends, she was definitely the most special one... because she was the only one who had never helped Nozomi, but was helped by Nozomi instead, and was even cared for and favored by Nozomi.

Compared to Nozomi's other friends, Sakura seemed to always be asking for something from Nozomi, but not giving him anything in return... This made Sakura feel that she was naturally in a weak position in the relationship, and that she was not suitable to be by his side. Sometimes Sakura felt that she couldn't even stand by him and serve as his foil.

This is also the reason why Sakura feels that she should not like Nozomi, because the relationship between the two is completely unequal.

Even if Nozomi himself doesn't care, other people who see this will probably complain... just like now.

Sakura subconsciously tightened the wine glass in her hand, and her heart began to become anxious and her thoughts became confused.

"Sakura?"

However, at this moment, a cold feeling came from her cheek. The sudden coldness made Sakura break free from her complicated thoughts. She turned her head and found that it was Eden who was holding a wine glass with ice cubes, gently touching her, and at the same time motioning to her with the tongs.

"Would you like some ice? The cold drink might help you think more clearly... Ah, of course, provided you don't drink too much."

"...Thanks."

Sakura picked up the wine glass in a daze, accepted the ice cubes that Eden put in there, and then took a sip mechanically.

"You seem very nervous... Are you troubled and bothered by the recent comments on the Internet?"

Eden said softly.

"You don't have to care about this. Those who make those comments are only a small number of people. Most people are silent and unwilling to speak. Everyone is very supportive of you. It's better to say that everyone is happy to see you traveling with Nozomi. After all, everyone is looking for fun. If you only look at Nozomi for a long time... you will get bored."

As if thinking of something funny, Eden raised the corner of her mouth slightly, took another sip of the wine in her hand, and spoke softly.

"So... don't pay attention to those words."

"But...what if what they say is true?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Eden suddenly seemed curious, but from the look on her face, she didn't seem nervous.

"It's just... something that might happen between Nozomi and me... something like that..."

Sakura spoke haltingly and began to shake the wine glass in her hand unconsciously. Looking at the liquid swirling in it, Sakura's heart gradually became anxious.

"…Oh, I see."

Eden tilted her head and thought for a while, then looked at Sakura's face which was getting redder, perhaps because she was too nervous, and smiled as if she understood.

"Sakura, if you discover your feelings, it's better to express them boldly. If you lose them in the end because of fear, you will only regret it for the rest of your life."

Eden said softly as she tucked the fallen hair behind her ear.

"You like Nozomi, right? If that's the case...then tell him."

"...ah?"

"Are you surprised?"

Hearing Sakura's reaction, Eden smiled happily.

"This is not something that is difficult to understand. Rather, given Nozomi's current situation, it is hard not to like him as long as you stay by his side... For girls, he is like a flower that silently tempts you to approach, and with its subtle fragrance, you gradually become intoxicated and obsessed, and finally want to pick it from the bottom of your heart and keep it with you."

"So the fact that there are people who like him... is not really a surprise."

"But... Miss Eden, you..."

Sakura opened her mouth and asked in a rather dry voice... her mind was a little confused.

"Are you concerned about my attitude? No... You don't have to care so much. If you like him, just tell him. Express your feelings in your own way and show him your thoughts and feelings."

Eden smiled and swirled the glass gently.

"Like... love... this kind of emotion is always complicated. It is said to be pure, but it is often mixed with various emotions. It is too difficult to find a pure like and love."

"After all, if you want to find it, you can always find flaws and defects in a relationship, and the reasons are often irrefutable. This is what is called "finding bones in eggs"."

"But it is because of this complex yet simple emotion that people can connect with each other and rely on each other… People attribute their actions to liking and loving each other, and because of this emotion, they take more actions… and so on."

Eden muttered to herself, her eyes fixed on the bright lights outside the window as if she was recalling something.

"In the end, even people themselves find it difficult to explain the emotions in their hearts. In the end, they can only attribute it to liking and loving, just like a sigh."

"This emotion is always chaotic and complicated, but also simple and clear, so… don't worry too much, just express your likes and love to your heart's content."

Eden smiled, drank the wine in her hand, and then poured herself another glass.

"…Do you know what you are talking about, Miss Eden?"

"I'm not drunk yet, Sakura."

Eden reminded her rather amusedly, looking at Sakura's confused expression.

"Show your emotions freely... Maybe it seems strange to you, but to Nozomi and me, it is the most normal thing."

"You may not realize it because we often communicate through music instead of words... Music is the most direct and simple way for us to communicate, and it is also a way to better convey our emotions to each other."

"So ... in many ways, our perspective will be different from that of outsiders."

Eden shook her head slightly, and her long burgundy hair fluttered, showing her happy and relaxed mood.

Yes... this is the only thing, this alone, that she and Nozomi share, and it is something that no one else can feel. Therefore, she never worries.

"You can also regard what I just said as bragging. After all... the relationship between Nozomi and I is more subtle and deeper than you can imagine... So I am not worried about those things, because I already have a unique and unshakable position in his heart."

"...It's a bit discouraging when you say that, Miss Eden."

Sakura responded somewhat bitterly.

"So... will you let go of your feelings because of this?"

"...I have no idea."

"No, you know."

Eden smiled.

"When you answered with this, weren't you already giving the correct response in your heart? It's just... for some reason, you're not willing to say it directly."

"There is nothing wrong with expressing your emotions as you please, nor is it something you need to restrain."

"How about being a little bolder?"

Eden raised the glass with one hand and gestured slightly towards Sakura.

"Ms. Eden, this is too difficult..."

Sakura smiled helplessly, but after hesitating for a while, she still raised her glass with one hand and clinked it with hers.

"But... you are right. Maybe I should lie to you and tell you that I am the one who made you happy!"

"Don't leave any regrets behind, so that you can smile knowingly when you recall the past in the future."

"…Can I take this as Miss Eden's declaration of victory?"

"Why not?"

"Miss Eden, sometimes the beauty that blooms in an instant can overshadow the brilliance of the stars."

"I believe it."

"But... thank you anyway, Miss Eden."

"You just gave your own answer, Sakura. Also... from now on, please stop using such respectful terms. Just call me by my name."

"Yes, Eden."

Sakura did not refuse, but just nodded slightly in response, then took a sip of wine, her thoughts gradually cleared, and her heart, which was originally anxious due to emotions, now became calm, and even mixed with a little joy.

"......"

Looking at the smiling Sakura, Eden smiled without saying anything.

Eden was very happy to see Sakura regain her spirits and slowly reveal her beauty like a cherry blossom about to bloom.

'Ah... the only problem is that Nozomi is still too attractive to girls... Although I said it casually, I am still a little jealous... If there is a chance in the future, let's go out and play together again' Eden thought.

As for Nozomi being taken away... Eden was not worried.

As mentioned before, her position in Nozomi's heart is irreplaceable, just like Nozomi's position in her heart.

They will be like two stars that depend on each other, shining on each other forever.