Cherry Blossom Blooming

You finger hovers over the "Download" button. You look around you in the cafe—couple, couple, couple, couple, and... couple. Fuck it, you download the app. It promises immediate companionship, and as soon as you enter the app and click past the rules of conduct, a map pops up, showing you the number of "companions" available around you, a Pokemon Go app for the loneliest of people.

You swipe through a couple of profiles, before landing on one. Miyawaki Sakura, she shared similar interests—namely, staying indoors and playing games. She was extremely pretty from her photos, why was she on this app? You tap on the "Hire" button, and sticker shock hits you.

*100 bits will be charged, is that okay?*

You do the math in your head, it is the equivalent of about a nice meal for two. Fine, not like you would get to enjoy such a meal yourself anyways.

*Yes*

The app says that Miyawaki Sakura will be arriving in 5 minutes, and suddenly you are nervous.

"Haah." You breathe into your hands, trying to smell your breath, but you can't tell if you need a mint. You leave your seat, trying to see if the cafe had any. Thankfully they sold some gum by the counter, and you quickly paid for the gum and some iced coffee for her.

You bring everything back to your table, placing the drink in front of the opposite seat while you hurriedly chewed the mint gum in your mouth. Looking briefly around and finding no sign of her, your attention goes back to your phone.

"Hi."

You almost swallow your gum in surprise, and you have to cough out a greeting in reply. Sitting in front of you with her arms crossed was Miyawaki Sakura.

"You ok? You requested me on your app right?"

"Yes, yes!" You manage to not cough this time. "Thanks for coming, how did you know I was here?"

"You were the only table with an empty seat, all the others were couples." You wince at her truthful comment.

"Ouch, fair." You gesture to the coffee in front of her. "I got this for you, I hope you're okay with iced coffee."

"Hmm, thanks, but I'll get my own drink, be right back." She leaves you feeling lonelier than ever as she gets up and orders her drink. Shortly after she comes back with a green tea latte.

"Ah, that hits the spot. So, what would you like to do?" Truthfully you hadn't thought that far.

"Umm, just talk I guess?"

"Sure, what would you like to talk about?" A switch seems to be flipped as Sakura leans forward, seeming to dote on you. "Tell me about yourself!" Sakura's eyes are bright and round, and she hangs on to your every word, nodding and humming along as you introduce yourself like you would at a blind date.

"That's wonderful!" If you hadn't just paid for her time you would have believed she was genuine, but you lift the veil.

"What about you? Why do you do this?" She frowns and drops the act.

"It's nice to be pampered, plus the money's good, people want to say they went on a date with an idol."

"You're an idol?"

"Oh, you didn't know? Then why'd you hire me?" Sakura looks at you, thoroughly confused.

"Uh... you were pretty and we share the same interests?" She blushes a little, actually surprised at your answer. You follow up with your own question. "What does your boyfriend think about you doing this?"

"Don't have one."

"Why not?"

She shrugs as she drinks her tea. "Why should I? Haven't found someone I like."

"Oh. I thought you know, guys would be lining up—"

"Yeah those aren't the ones you want, trust me." Sakura dismisses you casually. "Now, enough talk about me, what do you want to do? You only have me for... another hour and a half."

"Do you want to play some games then? We can go to a PC Bang or something." Her previously cold eyes light up.

"Sure, I know just the place!" You follow Sakura to the fanciest PC Bang you've ever seen—futuristic design, neon blue lights, tower PCs with clear casing, high-end peripherals, and comfortable streamer chairs, all the setups were expensive. The only thing missing was a gilded mousepad or something.

"Wow, this place is amazing!"

"Mmhmm, it's the best." The owner of the place greets Sakura with a cordial nod.

"Hi Miss Sakura, the usual room?"

"Yes, can you set up another computer in my room for my friend here?"

"Of course, please give us a few minutes."

"You come here often?" you ask her, incredulous.

"Yeah, like you said, I like to play games, might as well be comfortable while playing." You look all around the area while Sakura fiddles on her phone, until finally the owner comes back and leads you two to Sakura's usual room.

"Here you go, enjoy Miss Sakura."

"Thank you!" She jumps in and beckons you to sit next to her, the room cozy and comfortable. With practiced movements she slings the headset around her neck, sitting down and adjusting the setup just the way she likes it. "What are you doing? Come sit down."

Still stunned you sit down next to her. She side-eyes you and sighs in exasperation as she leans over, typing rapidly to log you in.

"There, we'll play lull okay?"

"Lull?"

"No, LoL! League!"

"Oh okay." It was not okay, you never played League before, but you were happy Sakura was taking the initiative. You click on the large "LoL" button and the game fires up. "Are you good at it?"

"Yes, I'll carry you!" She picks her favorite character, a... Meowkai? It looks like her, a cat.

"Who should I pick?"

"Whoever you want." You pick one randomly.

"Why would you pick Azir? It's the hardest one!"

"You said I could pick anyone!"