The last two days of spring break were when the cherry blossoms were at their peak.
There were seven cherry trees in total around Aoyama Apartments. Three stood in one corner of the front courtyard, while the other four lined a corner of the backyard. Each tree was tall and straight, with thick, sturdy trunks and luxuriant branches, covered in clusters of blossoms that looked like a painting.
In the backyard, blankets had been spread out across the lawn.
Cherry blossom viewing was an essential part of sakura season. It wasn't an official holiday, yet it felt like one. You could skip Christmas, you could even skip New Year's, but when cherry blossom season arrived, people would always invite a few close friends to admire the blossoms together.
Every so often, a gentle spring breeze swept through, carrying down pink petals like falling rain.
Everyone familiar with Aoyama Apartments had gathered here today.
Looking around, familiar faces such as Gabriel, Umaru Doma, and Shoko Nishimiya were all present.
"Sato, is the food ready yet?"
Gabriel lay sprawled on the blanket like a dead fish, basking in the sunshine with her eyes closed as she lazily called out.
Not far away, several barbecue grills were working away.
Turning the skewers in his hand, Sato glanced at Gabriel, who looked like a beached seal.
"Were you reincarnated as a starving ghost or something?"
They had grilled plenty of food, and nearly half of it had already disappeared into Gabriel's stomach.
Just then, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
After checking the screen, he waved to Fujimiya Konomi.
"Konomi, could you take over for a bit? I need to answer this."
"Okay!"
After handing her the grilling duties, Sato walked aside and answered the call.
"Hello? Mio, have you arrived?"
"Yeah! We're at the apartment entrance!"
"Wait there, I'll be right out."
After hanging up, Sato headed toward the entrance and saw the members of the Light Music Club waiting there.
Smiling, he waved.
"Long time no see."
The girls had all changed into spring clothes. Without the bulky winter outfits, each of them looked graceful and youthful, each with her own unique charm, like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums.
"Just a few days apart, and somehow you've all become even prettier."
"Whoa! Seriously? Sato, you actually know how to compliment people?"
Tainaka Ritsu looked utterly shocked, staring at him as if she'd just witnessed a miracle.
Sato shot her a glance and decided she wasn't worth arguing with.
Instead, he looked toward the girl standing beside Hirasawa Yui.
"I heard Ui got into Private Mixed High too?"
"Yes."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Senpai."
Ui replied a little shyly.
Just as he was about to lead everyone to the backyard, he spotted three figures approaching from the distance.
Stopping in place, he waved to them.
The three soon walked over.
"Long time no see."
"Long time no see."
After greeting Saiki Kusuo and Kirigaya Kazuto, Sato turned his attention to the short-haired girl beside Kazuto.
She had a slender, graceful figure, short black hair, emerald-green eyes, and a bright, attractive face.
"Your sister?"
Sato asked in surprise, turning toward Kazuto.
Kazuto nodded while looking at him with obvious caution.
What's with that look?
Sato felt speechless.
Turning to the girl, who was curiously observing him, he smiled.
"So you're Suguha? I'm Nohara Sato."
"Hello, Senpai. Thank you very much for always looking after my brother."
Kirigaya Suguha bowed politely.
"He never looks after me!"
Kazuto muttered beside her.
Hearing that, Suguha looked at him seriously.
"If it weren't for Nohara Senpai, with your shut-in personality, you'd probably never have made any friends."
Kazuto looked like he wanted to argue, but after thinking it over, he simply sighed helplessly and lowered his head.
Sato couldn't help laughing.
Saiki Kusuo had already greeted everyone from the Light Music Club. Thanks to Sato, they had met a few times before, though they only knew each other's names at best.
"Alright, let's head inside."
"These cherry trees are so huge!"
Yui looked up at the towering cherry trees with wide-eyed amazement.
"Yeah!"
Mio nodded repeatedly beside her.
She also lived nearby, so she often saw these magnificent trees.
Meanwhile, Sato casually draped an arm over Kazuto's shoulders.
"Come on, brother-in-law, let's go."
Saiki turned to look at them. On his usually expressionless face, the faintest trace of a smile seemed to appear.
Kazuto froze.
Slowly turning his head, he stared at Sato.
"...What did you just call me?"
Sato blinked innocently.
"Brother-in-law."
Kazuto stared at him for a long moment before taking a deep breath and offering him a heartfelt response.
"Get lost."
Standing nearby, Suguha covered her mouth and laughed softly, taking the joke in stride.
...
Once everyone gathered in the backyard, the cherry blossom party became even livelier.
Although many of the guests didn't know each other well, thanks to Sato, almost everyone had met at least once before.
"One... two... three..."
"What are you counting?"
Standing behind Fujimiya Konomi, Sato asked curiously.
Without even turning around, she continued counting.
"I'm counting how many girls there are."
Sato fell silent.
"...Is that really necessary?"
"Of course it is. Understanding the enemy is important! But... there are way too many!"
After finishing her count, Konomi stared blankly ahead.
You never realize it until you count.
Why are there this many potential rivals?
This is terrifying.
Sato said helplessly,
"I'm not Yukichi Fukuzawa. It's not like everyone likes me."
"But a lot of them definitely do!"
Konomi declared with complete confidence, her sharp eyes sweeping over everyone present like a hawk.
Sato was speechless.
Just then, his phone rang again.
Taking it out, he answered under Konomi's watchful gaze.
"Alright, I'll come pick you up."
Konomi looked at him with an amused smile.
"How many more are there?"
Sato chuckled.
"I can't help it if I'm just too popular."
She studied him for a moment before suddenly saying,
"I think you're catnip."
"...How so?"
"It only attracts cats that like sneaking around."
Sato: "..."