...

No, a piano won't work here...

It needs something stronger...

Maybe I can test out a few more sounds. Once this part's done...

Ms. Yoisaki, dinner's ready!

Thank you as always, Ms. Mochizuki.

Hehe. I'm just doing my job. Please, while everything's still warm.

Okay... Oh, is that a branch from a cherry tree in that bottle?

Yes, it is. I came across it by a park on my way over here.

Some children were playing catch and they accidentally broke this branch off.

It even has buds that look like they're ready to bloom...

Exactly. That's why it seemed like such a shame to just leave it be...

(I knew that Ms. Mochizuki's an incredibly kind person, but I didn't realize that even extended to animals and plants.)

But this branch is so thin. Do you think it'll still bloom like this?

Oh, about that. I did some research and read that if you put it in water with some fertilizer mixed in, it'll still have a chance to bloom.

My mother and I do some gardening at home, so we have plenty of fertilizer. I went back to get some to try this method out.

Housework, cooking and gardening?

You must be superwoman.

No, we just grow some herbs in small planters, so it's really nothing special.

And please excuse me. I've been talking your ear off, haven't I...?

No, it's okay. I'm not much of a talker, and I like hearing about what you do, Ms. Mochizuki.

(Cherry blossoms, huh...?)

(When I was little, mom, dad and I went to see them together. I only remember that they were really beautiful...)

(I wish we could see them again...)

...

Um, Ms. Mochizuki?

If this branch does end up blooming, would you mind showing me?

Oh, of course!

I'll do my best to make sure it does!

Ms. Yoisaki, I brought it over as promised!

Oh, they really bloomed...!

Yes, but one of the buds just wouldn't open up. Luckily, all the other ones turned into cherry blossoms just fine!

(I never knew that they could still bloom like this even after what happened to it...)

Ms. Mochizuki, would it be okay if I borrowed this for a little while? There's someone I'd like to show this to...

Hehe. You can have it, Ms. Yoisaki. My original plan was to place it somewhere in your room once it managed to bloom.

Really? Are you sure?

Yes, of course. I even brought you some extra fertilizer water to make sure it stays healthy for as long as possible.

As long as you keep giving it that, you should be able to enjoy it for a good while longer.

Ms. Mochizuki...

But why...?

Because you had such a gentle look in your eyes just now when you saw this. It felt like it meant much more to you then it did to me...

...

I apologize if I'm assuming too much...

No, I really appreciate it...

Thank you.

I promise to take good care of it.

Dad, I brought you a change of clothes...

(He's sleeping again. To be fair, it is nice and warm out today...)

There's also something I want to show you...

Here, some cherry blossoms.

A very good friend of mine gave them to me...

I hope you still remember...

That time we went to see them with mom...

...

Maybe someday, we can go again together...