The Tale of Akina and Sakura

Once upon a time there was a faraway village named Kosuge. This
place is resting in the foot of South Japan Alps where a lot of plants of
different species grow. In an average Minka, there was a child named
Akina. She's a girl of Yamanashi prefecture and Mount Aino descent
and has a long jet-black hair which she never get to tie because she
doesn't know how. Akina is an introvert person so she doesn't have
any friends to play and stories to share with. At the age of seven, Aki-
na is already living on her own for her parents went on a business trip
and it's been already 6 months since her parents left.

One day, while gathering firewoods in a cabin nearby along the

woods, she saw a mysterious flower. It was the first time she saw a
flower this beautiful on her entire existence! This mysterious flower
has a muted pink color and has a sparkling diamond-like design on its
petals. Akina has been captivated by this beautiful flower — it's like
love at first sight.

Akina left the gathered firewoods, set it aside and went straight to the
location of the flower. Out of amusement and loneliness of being
alone, she talked to the flower; Hello there pretty one! I am Akina.
Lately I've been so lonesome for I'm living alone, my parents will take
longer in their business trip. I wish I had a friend.

After saying her wish, Akina went back to get the firewoods and went
home. Right after waking up the next day, Akina went back to the
woods where the beautiful flower is located. She saw kids trying to
pluck the flower, they are fighting whether where the flower should
belong.

The girl rushed to the flower's location and protected the flower from
being plucked. She got kicked and punched by the group of kids who
wants to have the flower. She tried to withstand everything and con-

 tinued to protect the flower. After the kids saw a blood from Akina’s
nose, they got terrified and ran.

Although Akina was all bloody, she felt a great relief when she saw
the flower unharmed. Amazed by its beauty again, Akina muttered "I
will always protect you, my dear flower".

The next morning, the rain was pouring heavily. When Akina looked
at the window, she saw a smiling girl of her age. The girl looks like
she came from a different land because her hair resembles the Sakura
Tree. It's a long and curly pale-pink hair. Akina was really amused and
got a bit shy because it was the first time someone smiled at her as
bright as the child does.

What is your name? The pink-haired child asks. Akina didn't answer
out of shyness. I am Sakura, you must be Lyra, she added. How did
you know? Lyra reacted with exclaim. I just know it! Sakura said. I'm
here to be your friend and I will be always here for you from now on!

Not sure what it means, or how is it even real, Akina was delighted
that finally, someone is there for her. They went out and spent the
whole day playing under the snow. The spring snow used to bring
suddenly changed to hope and happiness. The afternoon came and the
two stride to back to home. They went back to Akina’s cozy Minka;
drank milk and ate a bacon sandwich.

Sakura wandered in the house and said “Hey Akina, do you have a
comb?” Akina replied happily with “Yes, I do!.” After getting her
hands to the comb, Sakura proceeded to braiding the long hair of Aki-
na.

You're beautiful. And the braid looks good on you, doesn't it? Sakura
asked. Akina was amazed how pretty the braid looks and replied with
an unsure and sad voice saying "I don't know.. but I like it". Sakura
then said, What do you mean you don't know? You're the prettiest
thing I've ever seen and I am happy to be your friend!

Akina smiled to Sakura while tears are falling down to her cheeks.
They hugged each other so tight. Akina eventually felt that she fell
from a high place and found herself outside. She's lying on the ground
next to the beautiful flower she protected with an already dried blood
in her nose. She realized was just dreaming. Akina looked at the
flower and stared on it for a while; it sparkled like it wants to say
something to her. "Everything was just a dream", Akina whispered
with mixed emotions.

It's already getting dark so she decided to go home. While walking,

Akina was so confused, sad, and dizzy. She's so lonely thinking about
she will never see Sakura again. She then reached home, but before
sleeping, she looked at herself in the mirror — Her hair was braided.
She cried again but this time, it was tears of Joy.