It was a very breezy morning. The wind blows mildly as the birds chirped about, playing with their friends. Under the shady pink blossom tree, Sawako sat still, as she admires the light blue sky, mixed with the tinge of orange and purple. The morning was still early, and high school students could be seen walking towards their respective schools with their friends and their partners.
In a distance, Sawako could see a pair of couple walking together to school as they happily chatted about themselves. The couple both looked happy towards each other.
"A couple, huh? I'm jealous..."
She smiled as they passed by near her sitting bench. They who realized Sawako sitting there smiled and greeted her. Then, they proceeded towards their destination.
While still glancing at the couple, Sawako reminisced about her whole life, starting from her primary school to her old age now. Then she started to wonder about her love life.
"I wonder if I, have ever had someone I liked?"
Throughout her life, as far as her old mind could remember, she never really truly loved anyone before. Because of that, she remained single and a virgin until she's old.
"Thinking back about that again, it seems kinda a waste of my life."
But, she already had a successful career, a loving family, and a trusting friends. Her life has been perfect enough until now. The only flaw might be the lack of companionship from a partner that she could spent her entire life with.
"But..."
She stared at the pink blossom tree. She faintly remembered when the tree was first planted here. It was about 30 years ago. Now, the pink blossom tree is old, and it's branches cracked easily with a light twist of force. She chuckled.
".... I'm already old, huh?...."
SQUEAK!
Suddenly, a small squeak emerged from beside her. She quickly snapped back into reality and opened the pet cage that she brought with her.
"I'm sorry, Luna. I forgot to unlock the cage."
Sawako chuckled as she opened the pet cage. An amber coloured ferret went out from the cage and climbed up her lap as she nuzzled her hands. Sawako chuckled and stroked her gently.
"Oh, you're also quite old yourself. How old are you again? 15 years old?"
Sawako remembered the time when she first met Luna. It was also on an early spring morning, where she found Luna beside the river near the pink blossom tree. At that time, Luna was still so little that it fits Sawako's palm.
Sawako who was about to go to work at the time immediately called for a holiday and brought Luna to a nearest vet clinic she could find. If she didn't save Luna at that time, Luna might not live until today and Sawako might have not gotten a trusty pertner she could spend her time with.
"You too, also have gotten old, huh? Luna?"
Luna rested her head on her hand and closed her eyes as she softly purrs.
Sawako continued on stroking her gently while she gazed at the sky that was gradually brightens. The sun which earlier shone at the horizon was now starting to show it's shape, and people started to go out to work on that small suburban town.
After spending some more time gazing the sky, Sawako decided that it was time that she returned back home.
"Let's drop by the pet store for some food, okay?"
She told Luna, and the ferret squeaked. Just before she stood up, she sensed at presence at from the corner of her eyes, not far from where she sat.
When she slowly turned her head to look, she saw an old man in his 70s standing under the tree near her. His mahogany cane was perfectly rested in front of him as he stared at the blooming pink blossom tree.
"It really is, a very beautiful tree, isn't it?"
The man spoke. Sawako's eyes blinked as she looked at the old man, clueless of what he's doing. The man chuckled.
"Sorry, did I surprise you?"
The old man took off his dark brown hat and slightly bowed to Sawako. Sawako felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment.
"N-No, it's okay. I'm just surprised that's all. You didn't surprise me or anything."
The old man gazed at her. His gaze were calm as the deep blue sea, dark and mysterious, yet at the same time, it felt calming.
"Can I sit next to you?"
The old man asked as he slowly walked towards Sawako. Sawako looked at the spot beside her on the bench that was occupied by the pet cage and quickly put it on the ground beside her.
"Yes, you may. Please make yourself comfortable."
She said, her face lowered. It might've sounded childish, but her heart beat is fast and she felt really embarrassed, as if she just fell in love or something. 'this is ridiculous...' she spoke to herself. There's no way an old lady like her will fall in love now, will she?
The old man glanced at Luna. Luna who met her eyes with that man, slowly crawled into his lap and snuggles into his hat. The man chuckled again.
"She is a wonderful ferret. Is she your pet?"
He stroked the ferret's curled belly as she soundly slept inside his hat. Sawako nodded. She then glanced at Luna. 'Weird, that ferret rarely gotten close with strangers. I wonder why she's okay with him?' she monologued.
Then they both fell silent. Deciding not to engage into any awkward chatter, Sawako leaned against the bench as she stared at the fishes inside the clear river. The water flowed, producing a soft, calming sound.
Strangely enough, there were no awkwardness that can be felt between them. Although both were silent, they continue on sitting there comfortably, as if losing the track of time.
After awhile, the ferret woke up and wriggle its way out from the hat. She then returned to Sawako's lap and sat there. Sawako who just realized that Luna had already woken up from her sleep, frantically stood up from the bench.
SQUEAK!
The ferret fell down. Luckily, Luna had a good reflexes, so she successfully landed on her legs. The old man who was beside her also looked at her in surprise.
"Ah, pardon me. I need to go right now."
Sawako said to the old man as she quickly picked up the pet cage and asked Luna to go inside. Luna squeaked, before deciding to sit on her shoulder. Sawako sighed and patted her head.
"You never change..."
SQUEAK!
The ferret squeaked happily and rested her head on Sawako's shoulder. The old man only watched them from beside her. He smiled and the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes deepen, forming a smiley eyes.
"Excuse me."
He spoke and Sawako turned her head to him. He put his right hand on his left chest and smiled gently at her.
"My name is Tennouji Ken. What is yours?"
Sawako was speechless at the sudden introduction.
"... Takamiya Sawako..."
She answered unconsciously then she covered her mouth and gasped.
"Takamiya Sawako, huh?"
The old man closed his eyes while smiling, as if cherishing the name that he heard. After a short moment, he opened his eyes and looked sharply at Sawako.
"Takamiya-san, don't you think that our meeting today is a fate to both of us?"
Sawako's eyes widen and she froze. At that moment, Luna's eyes glinted and her ears perked. It was as if she already found someone that she wanted after a long time. Then, her gaze turned to Sawako.
Her face was flushed and she didn't know what to say to him. She hugged herself as she gazed at the ground. Tennouji who saw her actions smiled and slipped out a name card from his dark brown coat. He then handed it to her by gently pressing it onto the palm of her hand.
"This is my card. Remember to call me. I promise I'll answer."
After giving her the card, he excused himself and walked away. Not far from her, she saw a few man in black waiting for him beside a black car.
"Just who is he...?"
She pondered by herself. Then, she checked the name card that he had given to her. It was a golden card with a blue lion crest. Beside the crest was written:
IGRIS CO.
TENNOUJI KEN
"Tennouji-san..."
She blushed again. She grunted as she covered her face with the name card.
"This is embarrassing. I'm already old yet I blushed like a school girl. Uuuu...."
The ferret who was sitting on Sawako's shoulder stared at her. Seeing her blushed and fanning herself out of embarrassment, her ears perked and her nose twitched. Although not seen by Sawako, her small furry mouth formed a smile.
∆∆∆
"Welcome back, Ken-sama."
A maid greeted him as he entered his house. Judging from her looks, she looks as if she had served him long. Her eyes have a serene look on it and her short grey hair is neatly combed. She wore a kimono, which all of the maids in the house wear.
"I'm back, Kanzaki."
He handed his coat and his hat to her and proceeded to enter the living room. While on their way, Kanzaki noticed some fur on his hat.
"Ken-sama, this is..."
Ken glanced at her and smiled. At the same time, they reached the living room and his first son, Tennouji Aoba was sitting on the sofa while reading books.
"Welcome back, father."
He greeted him. Ken smiled.
"Aoba, I think I might have found my soulmate."
