Crimson Cherry Blossoms

[Stuffz]

ONE

A bulky, armour-clad figure leaned against the tall traditional wall enclosing the imposing palace and
its gardens. The young man sighed and looked up at the bright blue sky above New Tokyo, slightly squinting
against the bright sun. A few small drops of sweat formed above his brows before his gloved hand wiped them off.
He wondered why New Tokyo had to be plagued by such heat in the middle of spring, couldn't they have built the city on an island closer to the poles? It was not like he hated the nice weather, a warm spring is a very nice thing, as long as he didn't have to wear a heavy combat suit at least.
He walked over into the shade of one of the cherry trees planted along the wall and cursed headquarters for putting him on duty today.
It would have been a nice day to do something with Kaede-san, the girl from the apartment next door. The day before, that stupid woman had almost made it seem as if she liked him and he was irritated by how much that excited him.
He winced as a petal of a bright pink cherry blossom landed on his nose and interrupted his thoughts. With an annoyed sigh he skillfully directed some of his breath upwards and watched as the petal was blown off his nose and fell down onto the ground.
Gripping his rifle a little bit tighter, he decided to let go of his idle thoughts and at least try to look like he was guarding
this place, moving back the few meters to his proper post at the gate.
The palace was just out of the way from the busiest streets in the center of the city and yet close enough to be surrounded
by its towering skyscrapers. The large screens on their fronts, usually reserved for advertisements, showed the smiling face
of the nation this day. Tagawa Makiko was easily the most loved and adored person in Kusari as well as the popular news anchor of the
national information channel. He watched as she enthusiastically announced the start of the sakura festival celebrations which
would go on for the entire week. Even the Shogun would participate in the festival, viewing the cherry blossoms together with other prominent figures of Kusari.

>>Matsuyama. We got movement at the east wall. Go take a look.

His small earpiece relayed the voice of the head of palace security. Matsuyama gave the pretty news anchor a last look and then turned his gaze away, looking along the wall.

>>Understood, I'm on my way. Hopefully it's someone with a bottle of water.

Ishimoto didn't respond. As usual. Matsuyama wasn't very fond of the current head of security. He was good at his job, but that was just about the only defining thing about him. A bland face with a bland voice and absolute dedication to the shogun. No fun allowed with that guy. Slowly Matsuyama walked along the outside of the wall, the way covered in the pink blossoms of the royal cherry trees.

>>Nothing here, Ishimoto. Sensors must have lied.

He sighed and wiped the sweat off his forehead again. It really was too damn hot for this season.

>>Keep your eyes open and get back to your post.

Always keeping it short and simple that Ishimoto, not even apologizing for troubling him over nothing. Matsuyama knew better than to complain though and so he slowly trod back to his post near the front entrance. At least the day had been quiet so far and he didn't have to deal with some lunatic demanding an audience with the shogun like the week before. With a short nod at the guard on the other side of the main entrance he got back onto his post and did his best to look intimidating and dignified to anyone approaching the gates.