Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. I heard there was a time when telegrams saying "cherry blossoms bloom" or "cherry blossoms fall" were sent to announce exam results, but nowadays, people probably stopped doing that since the size of the envelope spoils the result beforehand.
If notification of results went fully digital, maybe that tradition would make a comeback.
â—‡
"Oh, the Royal Capital is burning..."
Arisa gasped beside me.
"Burning~?"
"Where exactly is burning?"
"Hmm?"
Naturally, the other young girls tilted their heads in confusion.
Arisa's cheeks were red. She must have tried to use a poetic expression and failed.
"That, I declare, is cherry blossoms."
"Those are cherry blossoms? Just like in picture books."
As Nana and Liza said, when Arisa said it was burning, she was referring to the full bloom of cherry blossoms coloring the Royal Capital.
Along the highways leading to the capital and the city streets within, cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
The blue lotus carpet was beautiful, but this was even more gorgeous.
"Beautiful..."
Lulu, captivated by the cherry blossoms, murmured beside me in a daze. She was so charming that I almost wanted to say, "You're many times more beautiful."
Of course, I wouldn't go around openly flirting like some pickup artist.
Then the airship circled toward the airport, and the largest cherry tree in the Shiga Kingdom came into view.
"Ew, what’s that?"
"So big~?"
"It's beautiful."
"Yeah, beautiful."
Arisa was amazed by the giant cherry tree blooming right next to the Royal Castle.
It was the cherry tree gifted long ago by the Elves to King Ancestor Yamato, its pink petals in full bloom decorating the white Royal Castle.
"It's beautiful but isn’t it a bit too big?"
"Based on the window size, I report it must be over 100 meters long. I find it hard to believe the tree is only 700 years old," Lulu speculated.
Her doubt was valid.
A tree as huge as the Royal Castle was unimaginable in our original world.
However—
"Is something strange? The World Tree was much bigger, you know?"
After seeing the World Tree that reached the heavens, the impact of this tree was lessened, as Liza said.
"If you make a wish under that tree, it feels like any wish could come true..."
Arisa's words made me chuckle, knowing the original story behind it.
Unfortunately, it’s not a cherry tree that never withers.
â—‡
"Satou, if we’re going to watch the arrival at the Royal Capital, invite me too!"
Despite the words, Miss Karina struck a pose as if to flaunt her dressed-up self.
She truly was breathtaking.
If Ms. Aze weren’t around, I might have almost been tempted to propose—her charm was that overwhelming.
A bit frustrated, I decided first to praise the efforts of Elina and Newbie-chan standing by her side rather than Miss Karina herself.
"Good job, it must have been tough."
"Yes, really... I wish Karina-sama would dress up like this all the time."
"Hey, hey, senpai!"
Elina's irreverent words made the earnest Newbie-chan panic.
Miss Karina seemed only to be waiting for praise from me and wasn’t paying attention to the banter around.
A small mischievous thought crossed my mind but to reward her for dressing up, I decided to give sincere praise.
"You look very beautiful, Karina-sama."
Yet, Miss Karina blushed and couldn’t respond.
Though naturally beautiful, she was not used to compliments due to her usually plain style.
While waiting for Miss Karina to gather herself, I enjoyed the lovely cleavage peeking from her dress.
I got kicked in the leg twice by Arisa and Mia from behind, but I hope a little flattery is forgiven.
â—‡
The airship reached the airport on the outskirts of the Royal Capital.
We gathered our luggage from the cabin and assembled in the observation room.
"Wow, so many people."
"People are like trash~?"
"They look like ants."
Liza scolded Tama for her somewhat rude remark.
The airport had a large parking area, but it was packed with people and horse-drawn carriages.
There seemed to be too many people compared to the number of noble carriages waiting to greet Duke Bistal.