Cherry Blossom After Winter Novels & Stories

In less than half an hour, I rushed back, panting heavily. The moment I pushed open the door, the room was deathly quiet, and my heart sank. I stumbled into the nursery. Hubert was just walking out. The instant he saw me, his expression betrayed a hint of guilt. Then, he quickly smiled and took the cake from my hands. He looked up and called out to Belinay. “Honey, come down and have some cake.” I looked down at Charlotte. She was sleeping peacefully, and I breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Selin POV Several months later…….. Spring came to the neutral district quietly. It always did. In the particular softness of the season arriving in small gestures. The cherry trees along the main road beginning to bloom. The market vendors opening their awnings earlier in the morning. The quality of the light changing from the flat grey of winter to something warmer, more directional, full of intention. I was behind the bar.

Rushing around frantically, I searched for her in the last direction that I'd seen her go. It felt like I walked for ages but finally, I knew she was near because suddenly the storm swirled away into the distance, then ceased. The snow was melting and as I trudged toward her, shivering and frostbitten, she stood in a beautiful, lush garden. Moss and chartreuse grass grew before my eyes. She turned to me, and I was bewildered when koby-pink cherry flower blossoms began to fall at my feet, covering the ground. I reached out for the cherry blossom and held it. The branch broke under my grasp, and everything turned frigid.

Its wide and spacious park mostly displayed cyclamen flowers and winter cherry trees, adding beauty and fragrance to the cold environment. Arth rested on the wooden bench under the winter cherry tree to wait for his friend. The gentle gust of wind gave a light shower of cherry blossoms from the tree. He rubbed his palms, then crossed his arms over his chest to give warmth on his body. With every exhale, white mist blew out of his mouth. "Hey, bro!" A loud, familiar voice came out from a distance. As Arth turned around, his face brightened up seeing a young man on a black winter coat. He waved his hand to Arth as he approached.

Karica’s POV It was still morning when we landed in South Cambia due to the time difference between both continents. The air was slightly crisp but nowhere near as cold as that of the North. We had very moderate winters in the South. I took a deep breath and the familiar smell of cherry blossoms filled my nostrils. They lined the sides of the road and their pink flowers blanketed the grey turf. “These cherry blossoms are beautiful just like my mate,” Xynathius spoke from beside me, a hint of a smile tugging at the sides of his lips.

As our conversation over the parchment ended my father excused himself to his room and returned with a package which resembled the size of our face basin. When I first saw the package, I was a little filled with disappointment because what I desired was an adventure as my gift. I wanted more than anything to go to the celebration of Hanami tomorrow. It was a celebration that the main village threw every year for all to attend to watch the cherry blossoms bloom. We saw it as a time of renewal and a reminder to enjoy the fleeting nature of life. The blooms only stayed open for about two weeks after Hanami began and then for another year the branches would sit empty in the village. However, all

hanging suspended, like a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked from the tree of knowledge. The cherry tree's white blooms seem to glow with an ethereal light, as if infused with the essence of the season. Stephen's gaze lingers on the blossoms, their delicate beauty a poignant reminder of life's transience. "This year, I sit here, surrounded by the same beauty," he muses, his thoughts wandering to the passage of time. "Will I be here next year, to witness the cherry tree's splendor once more? Or will I be nothing more than a memory, a name etched on one of these stones, lost to the ages?"

“Seat belt, Winter.” She huffed, but I heard the click of her belt. “Don’t you get tired of it? Of being followed all the time?” “I do. But it doesn’t matter.” I turned and smiled at her. “You still managed to give them the slip.” Winter leaned over the console and I was about to tell her to sit back. When I turned my head though, her lips touched mine. Winter kissed me and I felt the weight on my chest lift. She tasted like strawberries and I wondered what she had to drink today.

Perhaps they were watching the door that she passed through. For them not to follow her into the garden. It must mean that there is nothing to aid her escape here. Honestly, after seeing such a beautiful garden, the thoughts of escaping instantly vanished from her mind. After all, even if she had it in mind, she couldn't fulfill it, so she might as well enjoy her temporary rest. It is spring now. The cherry blossom tree had bloomed, and the petals were dropping. Valencia spread her hand and inhaled the beautiful scent from the garden. Some of the petals fell on her, giving her an otherworldly look. The scene appeared as if it were straight out of a painting.

I clenched my hands tighter as the pain in my palm seared. … I had no idea how long we walked for. The sun seemed to have climbed to its peak. I was finally allowed to remove the blindfold. Before me stretched a winding, narrow path that ended in a bottomless cave. Beside it stood a towering, ancient tree. Its scent of osmanthus drifted even from afar. The villagers said the tree had absorbed the essence of countless Blossom Brides. That was what made it so tall and fragrant. When we were thirty feet away from the cave, the procession abruptly stopped.