Chapter 21

Chapter 21: 021, Is That Soda They’re Drinking? No, That’s Love!

What do cherry blossoms symbolize in Japan?

Love and hope.

Yet because of their purity, brevity, and brilliant but fleeting bloom, cherry blossoms also carry a tone of sadness.

“Shuichi-san, I think this project is too superficial!” Nagayama Naoki stated his opinion directly.

“What? Superficial? What nonsense are you talking about! Kono yaro!” Ito Shuichi immediately flared up.

Yoshimura Daitomo quickly tried to calm things down. “Naoki-san definitely didn’t mean it that way! Shuichi-san, please don’t get angry. Naoki-san, explain yourself.”

“I mean exactly that, Shuichi-san. This project is too superficial.” Naoki understood the principle of seizing initiative first. If he could convince Ito Shuichi now, he might become the driving force behind the project instead of remaining only a model.

“Cherry blossoms symbolize love. Even children know that. Other than that, what does your project express?”

“Huh?” Ito Shuichi frowned. “What else should it express?”

“In other words, what about this advertisement will people actually remember?

There are countless ads on the market. The idea that cherry blossoms represent love has been used hundreds of times already. Perfume, furniture, flowers, clothing… even elementary school pencil sharpeners sell ‘cherry blossom love.’”

“What makes your version of ‘love’ memorable?”

“Ah… well…” Ito Shuichi was clearly cornered. He fell silent but refused to concede. “Then does Naoki-san have some secret to making love unforgettable?”

The initiative shifted instantly.

“Shuichi-san… which leaves a deeper impression: a beautiful love, or a regretful love?”

Ito Shuichi was momentarily stunned. “Naoki-san… are you suggesting a tragic direction? But this is a beverage commercial.”

“So what if it’s a beverage commercial? Who says tragedy cannot be advertising?

A cherry-blossom-like love is inherently filled with sadness.”

“Do you think customers are drinking soda?

They’re drinking love.”

Ito Shuichi and Yoshimura Daitomo were completely shaken.

“Incredible… such a perspective!”

“Just hearing that makes me want to try the drink.”

“As expected of Naoki-san!”

Naoki continued, “From Shuichi-san’s earlier description, I got some inspiration. If the cherry blossom drink becomes the cause that brings two people together, and later the result that separates them, that karmic connection may leave a stronger impression on viewers.”

Once he introduced the idea of fate and causality, both men began seriously considering the proposal.

Following the music video imagery forming in his mind, Naoki began outlining the story together with Ito Shuichi:

He shelters from the rain beneath a newsstand awning. She arrives to avoid the rain as well. Fate brings them together. Their eyes meet; shy smiles appear; silent love begins to sprout. She points toward blooming cherry blossoms outside. He notices the vending machine nearby selling cherry-blossom-flavored soda. They exchange smiles.

On the way home, their shadows walk side by side, both holding cherry-blossom drinks.

They meet, fall in love, marry, and later welcome a lovely daughter. Throughout life, their favorite drink remains cherry-blossom soda. Then one evening, when the drink runs out, she goes out to buy more—and suffers a traffic accident.

Years later, he arrives at the accident site holding a bouquet of cherry blossoms and her favorite cherry-blossom soda, offering it to the woman he loved.

In the final scene, he returns to where their love began. The cherry blossoms still bloom, the familiar drink still stands beneath the tree—but she is gone. At the very end, their daughter runs toward him after school and points again at the blossoms. Her innocent smile gives him the strength to move forward.

The story ended. Yoshimura Daitomo seemed completely immersed.

Buddhism speaks of the Eight Sufferings of life: birth, aging, sickness, death; separation from loved ones; meeting those one hates; unfulfilled desires; and inner turmoil.

This advertisement alone contained birth, death, separation, and unattainable longing. Anyone who watched it would never forget it easily.

“Naoki-san, this story could be turned into a film,” Yoshimura Daitomo said with admiration. “It’s incredible.”

Ito Shuichi added, “Naoki-san is amazing! If filmed properly, this advertisement might even win awards.”

Naoki said, “We could even place the previous plum-flavored soda inside the vending machine as an Easter detail. However, there’s one issue: if we shoot the entire story, the runtime may become quite long.”

“A five-minute commercial?” Ito Shuichi did not seem concerned. “That’s fine. The purpose of advertising is memorability. Even five minutes is acceptable. We can air it during record promotion slots. If the response is good, we can negotiate with TV stations and buy additional airtime.”

His connections were clearly strong. Ito Shuichi now had real confidence in the project.

“Since it may air during record promotion segments,” Yoshimura Daitomo added, “should we also follow the style of a music video and include a background song?”

“That’s worth considering,” Ito Shuichi agreed.

Naoki silently praised the assist.

Then, slightly embarrassed, he said, “Regarding background music… when we were discussing the concept earlier, a melody came to mind that I really liked.”

“What? I didn’t hear anything,” said Ito Shuichi.

“Well… Daitomo-san should know that I previously composed a song called ‘Cherry Blossom,’ right?” Naoki sought confirmation.

“Yes, I know about that,” Yoshimura Daitomo nodded.

Ito Shuichi looked surprised. “Wait… are you talking about Matsuda Seiko’s hit song ‘Cherry Blossom’? You composed that?”

“Yes. At the time I was suddenly moved, and the melody just appeared in my mind,” Naoki said modestly. “And now… another melody seems to have appeared again.”

“Something like that really happens?” Both men were skeptical, but Naoki already had proof of success, so they could not dismiss him outright.

“In that case,” Ito Shuichi said, “let’s decide after Naoki-san finishes writing the song.”

“Um…” Naoki now looked genuinely embarrassed. “Does Shuichi-san know someone who can help with musical notation? I actually don’t know how to write sheet music.”

He could hardly ask Hoshino Suzumi for help again; the new school term had begun, and her academic workload was heavy.

“…Huh?” Ito Shuichi was speechless. Was the famous ‘Cherry Blossom’ really written by this man?

“Yes, that’s the situation. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Naoki-san, you should ask Daitomo-san. He knows many instructors who train artists,” Ito Shuichi said, passing the responsibility over.

“Understood. Naoki-san, wait for my news,” Yoshimura Daitomo replied.

“Arigato.”