Chapter 521

Forbidden Fruit

Next morning we woke up early to the sound of knocking on our door.

The sun had not fully risen yet and through the shoji screens the pink hue of dawn filtered through.

Even the birds outside had just woken, singing quiet melodies, welcoming the day.

It was a fresh new day.

Yawning and stretching, I heard Airu answer the door.

We had forgotten there was a wake up call.

"Hai, wakarimashita." Was her voice, soft and gentle.

I could hear the tiredness in her tone.

Last night we had all fallen asleep without incident.

Everyone was so exhausted.

I could only remember blacking out as soon as I fell into the futon, dreamless...

Had anything else happened?

*Wakarimashita - (I) understand. (Past tense of verb wakaru)

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Forbidden Fruit

Then, I remembered,

everything rushing into my mind like a breached dam.

My promise.

My feelings.

I must be insane.

Why did I agree?

Still, I promised her.

Still, I owed her so much.

I knew I couldn't turn back now.

Right?

She... meant alot to me.

If I could repay her for everything it would only be here and now...

Just these few days.

Chapter 523

Forbidden Fruit

"Ohayou." A few feet to my left, Takashi yawned.

"Morning."

I finally stumbled out of my futon.

And into someone.

"A-Airu."

I caught her before she fell.

She was blushing profusely and looking at the ground.

"G-good morning."

I nodded awkwardly.

"Yeah..." I didn't know what to say. "Did you sleep well?"

I had a feeling it came out wrong.

She just tipped her head.

We were silent for a moment.

No one had seen.

Just a few days.

Then everything will be back to normal.

Right?

*Ohayou - Good Morning

Chapter 524

Forbidden Fruit

"I need to use the washroom."

She slipped away, disappearing behind the door and out of sight.

I watched her go, a strange feeling in my heart.

All I could think was how cute she was acting.

That took me off guard.

I shook my head. What was I thinking?

It was like I had become a child again.

How could I be feeling these things?

There was so much we've went through

and yet my feelings were becoming the same as that of an immature child.

I had lost these kinds of feelings a long time ago.

Why must I feel this way again?

Chapter 525

Forbidden Fruit

"She's cute huh?" I heard a voice in my ear.

I jumped and spun around.

"Akira! What the..?"

He gave a little chuckle and flashed a knowing smile.

"I'm using the bathroom." He threw a towel at me.

"We've got some things to do today, don't be a slacker."

I smirked. "Whatever."

He clapped me on the shoulder and ambled out of the room.

I stared at his back.

Sure, he was a smart-ass as always.

But that was strange.

What was that about?

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Forbidden Fruit

When I got to the men's bathroom, Akira wasn't there.

I didn't think anything of it.

He had a weird sense of humor.

He was probably just teasing as usual.

I smiled inwardly. My friends... they were an odd bunch.

Yet, this trip will bring us closer together than ever.

We were going to have a great time.

Especially since I promised her after all.

Chapter 527

Forbidden Fruit

"Wake up you sleepyhead!" Miko smacked him with a pillow as hard as she could.

We all laughed at the lack of response.

"Is this guy dead?"

The sleeping miracle of Soshi was still out cold.

Everyone had finished their morning routines already but he hadn't even stirred.

Seeming rather determined, she finally decided to fetch a cup of water.

The cold water did the trick.

As soon as she poured, he jumped and released a string of incoherent curses.

I tackled him, laughing.

It was the start of a good day perhaps.

I would leave my worries behind.

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Forbidden Fruit

The maid brought us a feast for breakfast,

delicate dishes of all kinds in multicolors,

well enough to satisfy our deprived stomachs.

Time pressed and too eager to embark on our adventures however,

there was no time to savor each bite.

Instead, all over the table were maps, travel brochures and books.

"It must be so pretty there!"

"Well, we'll soon find out."

"I can't wait to go!"

Soon, with our route planned and gear packed,

we bade a quick farewell to the innkeeper,

shouldering our backpacks and trudging away from our sanctuary.

Into a land of the utmost grace and beauty.

Chapter 529

Forbidden Fruit

We had to take the train as usual.

Here in Kyoto, everything was less crowded,

and more refined; people held an air of elegance.

For thousands of years, Kyoto was a powerful imperial capital,

cultured and founded on graceful traditions.

The spring air itself harboured this same spirit.

I took a deep breath.

It was definitely refreshing.

There were no regrets about coming here.

Chapter 530

Forbidden Fruit

"This is amazing!" I heard the wonder in her voice.

Airu spun slowly around in a circle in awe of the scene in front of us.

Pausing every now and then,

she would snap a few pictures with wide eyes,

like that of a child, until the breeze caught her hair,

brushing it into her face.

We had reached our destination within a few minutes by train,

putting us at the edge of Higashiyama District.

As expected, the beauty of Kyoto's gardens was beyond our imagination.

The precipice of divine inspired architecture and the serenity of nature.

Trees and flowers, budding into a blaze of vibrant colors.

Bird call from branch to branch, dancing in the spring air.

Each step brought us under the canopies of ancient trees,

whispering gentle stories of the old.

Here, it was like all worry could be extinguished.

A secluded world away from reality.

Chapter 531

Forbidden Fruit

We stopped by a river,

next to overhanging canopies

and a quiet wooden bridge.

We reached Maruyama Park, one of the most famous in all of Japan.

As always, there was quite a substantial amount of visitors.

This year, it had been quite warm.

We could see the cherry blossoms beginning to bud and bloom.

Soon they will fill the sky with pinks and whites,

the palette of spring.

Most of the time, we were silent.

There was perhaps only the sound of our cameras clicking

and low awe-filled chatter of other tourists.

The beauty had rendered us speechless.

Chapter 532

Forbidden Fruit

I felt Airu come up beside me.

She smiled.

"Let's take a picture?"

I smiled back. "Yeah."

We asked Miko to take the picture.

"1, 2, 3!"

Airu's arm snaked through my own and I felt her lean close against me,

the smell of her hair wafting over me.

"Cheese!"

Behind us, heaven became our background.

The trees reflected in the calm stream,

the subtle curve of the bridge,

a lush assortment of soft pastel colors.

Nothing could describe the scene.

The camera would never be able to capture all that we've experienced.

It all felt like a dream.

A dream of only a few days.

We smiled again, making sure we looked happy for the picture.

This happiness... would it end?

A few days was all it would last.

Chapter 533

Forbidden Fruit

The pictures didn't stop,

everywhere we went,

were scenes captured forever.

Airu made sure to take a photo with just the both of us,

before gathering the others.

I knew the pictures were important.

Our memories one day would fail to remember.

This dream one day would cease to exist.

Even though pictures were not even enough to tell our stories,

yet, the pictures were the only proof of its existence.

For a few days, we were in paradise.

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Forbidden Fruit

From shrine to shrine, park to park,

the entire district was adorned with wonders.

We were only at the beginning of our pilgrimage,

since the beauty did not stop within this district.

All throughout Kyoto were sudden escapades into serenity,

a patch of paradise, the only remnants of past glories.

As if paradise was only available in history.

We stopped by a quiet restaurant in the recesses of an old street,

framed by rustic wooden walls for a quick meal,

moving on before the day waned.

"We're heading here next!"

"The Philosopher's Walk."

Chapter 535

Forbidden Fruit

"Oh, I've heard about it!"

"It should be really pretty."

"Yeah, it's where couples," Soshi stressed, glancing meaningfully at Takashi. "frequent."

Soshi received a punch on the shoulder as a reply.

Juria seemed to blush.

"Well, let's go!" Miko grabbed Soshi's arm and tugged him along.

Above, the sun smiled down at us, warm and bright,

painting golden rays across the pale blue sky.

The sun would only get brighter and stronger,

spring on its way to welcome summer soon.

I felt someone brush against my arm.

Chapter 536

Forbidden Fruit

"Airu?"

She was a step behind me.

"Nothing." She looked away.

I offered her my arm.

"Eh?" Her surprise was apparent, her cheeks flushed with rose.

"Come on, let's go."

She leaned closer.

I felt a hand reach around my arm hesitantly,

warm against my jacket.

Couple?

We weren't like that right?

Chapter 537

Forbidden Fruit

The walk was long but we didn't mind one bit.

With Airu in tow, it felt rather comforting.

Knowing that we would support each other through thick and thin.

That was something irreplaceable.

We weren't a couple. That term would not work for us.

Nor have I felt this way about someone before.

It was different.

It didn't seem like "love".

I couldn't decide what the word "love" means anymore.

I just knew we would help pick each other up, wherever we fall.

That in itself should be enough.

Chapter 538

Forbidden Fruit

Every now and then we passed by parts of the city,

bustling with noise and a hunger for efficiency.

Then, we would retreat into the peaceful suburbs,

old wooden houses and shacks lining our path.

As abruptly as we had left, we returned to sparsely populated areas,

thick with trees and a view of the great mountains to the right.

Such was the rhythm of life in Kyoto.

Airu smiled. "Somehow, I've never been happier."

She moved closer and pressed up against me.

"Yeah... this has been amazing."

"Don't regret coming here hmm?" She laughed quietly.

"Nope. Guess not."

"I'm glad you came with us, Seiji. I'll remember this forever."

I smiled back. "I will too."

I had to wonder what she was thinking however.

Did she think the same way I did?

Chapter 539

Forbidden Fruit

Our steps matched eventually.

Each step that she took however,

had a light spring to it -

as if she was a cheerful child.

She was still wrapped around my arm,

every now and then smiling to herself,

looking at our feet lost in thought.

We were on the Philosopher's Walk.

On one side a steep drop met with the canal below.

On the other side were little wooden houses here and there.

Somehow, this narrow path was the most unspoiled of all Kyoto.

The cherry blossoms above were starting to open up,

pinks and dark reds broke through the green.

Like the wings of some heavenly creature,

they embraced all those underneath.

There was only peace and quiet.

Birds and the crunch of our feet on the ground.

There was certainly nothing more beautiful.

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Forbidden Fruit

"What are you thinking about?" I asked her.

Ahead, the others were a fair distance away,

leaving us in our own world of two.

She smiled. "This is so nostalgic. Memories."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"I'm just so glad you're the one here with me now."

She rested her head against my shoulder.

I hesitated but she didn't notice.

"Before my sister died, my parents once took us here."

"I was little, but I still remember how happy we were."

Tears started to gather in her eyes.

"Mom and dad were holding my hands.

Sister was up in front spinning around in circles

as the cherry blossoms drifted down."

"I was so happy."

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Forbidden Fruit

She sighed. "Luckily, I've got you now." She smiled again.

"Well. A few days?" She added reluctantly.

"But this is my second time here. I'm glad it is another happy time."

"At least, the Philosopher's Walk won't give sad thoughts."

I looked up at the blossoms.

How many stories have you heard?

Those hurting, those crying, those happy, those in love.

Thoughts and memories that are left lingering here.

But from these memories the story continues on.

I smiled at her.

"Sad or happy, they will become our memories."

"And we will live on."

Chapter 542

Forbidden Fruit ii

We realized we were alone now.

Everyone else somehow disappeared.

Too caught up in our own thoughts were we.

"We're behind. Let's catch up with them."

She nodded.

I grabbed her hand.

I felt her surprise as I pulled her along.

I wasn't sure why I did that either.

Yet, it was the only right thing to do.

Chapter 543

Forbidden Fruit ii

Her hand was warm against mine, our fingers entwining.

I didn't look back as we ran, but somehow, I could feel her smiling.

It felt different. It wasn't like anything I've felt before.

Her hand was comfortable in mine.

But it didn't melt into my own quietly.

Instead, it made me want to continue running forever.

"There they are!"

Chapter 544

Forbidden Fruit ii

"You guys are so slow!"

"Oh, let them enjoy their private moment." Soshi teased.

"Shush!" Airu blushed and let go of my hand quickly.

The others looked at us suspiciously.

"Well, let's get going." I had to change the topic.

Miko grabbed Airu and Juria's arms,

leaving the four of us behind.

We grinned and followed.

At that moment, I realized we all had changed.

Like we had grown up.

It wasn't just me.

Everyone else had too.

Chapter 545

Forbidden Fruit ii

"So how's Juria?" I winked at Takashi.

He grinned triumphantly. "She said yes."

"You asked her last night?"

Soshi came between us and draped his arms on our shoulders.

"Yeah, I guess."

"I'm happy for you." I smiled.

"It's about time you got a girlfriend."

We chuckled.

"He's the nerdy guy, this must be early for him!" Soshi patted his head.

Takashi laughed and tried to swat him back but to no avail,

Soshi managing to escape somehow.

"Hey come back here!" Takashi ran after him.

As I watched their commotion, I couldn't help but smile.

We still had the kid in us.

I was relieved.

Chapter 546

Forbidden Fruit ii

"What about your end?"

Akira came up beside me now,

watching as the other two ran around noisily.

"My end?"

He was looking straight ahead, emotionless.

"Airu."

I hesitated. What did he know about us?

"What do you mean? Everything's going fine-"

"You know exactly what I mean." He didn't bother to stop.

I narrowed my eyebrows, putting on a bothered expression.

He was still looking forward.

What is he trying to get at?

Chapter 547

Forbidden Fruit ii

"You know exactly what I mean." He repeated.

"No, I don't really. What's going on Akira?"

He gave me a hard look.

I felt my blood boiling.

Who did he think he was?

Suddenly, he smirked.

And suddenly, I wanted to punch in his smirking face.

"What's your problem?" I stopped in my tracks.

He shrugged and continued his pace.

Then he stopped.

"You never deserved Aoi."

Chapter 548

Forbidden Fruit ii