She won me over instantly. I gave in after only two dates, a bouquet of flowers and a charming smile. My legs were shaking uncontrollably. I was indeed, while wearing three inches heels. That night I realized how fragile I am. I haven't met him since. Two months later I realized I was missing a pair of boots, a backpack and a book. What I had in addition to that was growing in my womb, a sprout that will bloom. I have no idea where I am going. I open the window. It smells like a girl's name.
Ina Moldoveanu
It was the third spring in a row when I was waiting for my wish to come true. It was an abundant year. I knew my angel would appear, right among the cherry blossoms. I was covered with the falling petals. My grandmother had left me alone, but she appeared smiling and told me we had to rush to the hospital. Grandma, are you okay? I know you have done a lot of tests these months. Are you okay? The doctors took me in fast. You have a donor match. I thanked the cherry blossoms in my head. Grandma was asleep on the bed next to mine.
Nicolae Popescu
Okazaki was caressing the shining, lilac armor. He polishes it every day, he touches it religiously, he knows every joint, every sword cut that it has. It belongs to his great-great-grandfather Watanabe, the last samurai. His chest swells with pride, he smells the cherry blossoms, ready to take his life into his own hands. He made up his mind: today he will resign from that corporation. For how long could he work as a slave? Until a wife who would give him the same sake, the same position? He will go to Gela, that girl from Videle he met last night at Tantra Tokyo Bar.
(Translated by Andreea Cuprian / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year II / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.