He had prepared everything down to the smallest detail: the guests' chairs were topped with the softest pink that silk could replicate, as well as the best men's handkerchiefs. The bridesmaids' gowns were speckled with cherry blossom petals that had fallen from the closely crafted archway that was in front of the altar. Even his pale pink shirt smelled of cherry blossom. He turned to her and smelled her perfume, her gaze and smile. Their decision to choose spring as the beginning of their life together was truly inspirational.
Adriana Patroi Miu
We were offered complete, rule free freedom. Japan was the last to lose its culture. They cut down the cherry trees from the streets and from the gardens one by one. People quickly forgot the meaning of the flowers. They forgot their fragrance. Only the heart couldn't forget and got sick with the "happy" people's disease (depression). Atsuko hid her little cherry tree in the closet. Every time someone passed by on the street and smelled the scent of the blossoms, she began to remember. When Atsuko was arrested, the whole neighbourhood had a cherry blossom hidden in the closet.
Răzvan Dițescu
As the first sun rays brushed over the tip of Mount Fuji, Rika put out the last coals, cleaned herself up, picked up her little bag and began to climb the path to the temple. Step by step, the climb became more and more steep. At sunset, the girl reached the top. Kami was resting by the root of a huge cherry blossom. The god, startled by the girl's presence, soon turned into steam, brooding among the branches. Wait, I made it to the top of the mountain in only one day. Please tell me, what is the secret of life? Just feel, said the flowers all at once.
(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.