Chapter 1: The Cherry Blossom Tree

The golden hues of the setting sun painted the quiet park in a serene glow. Mitsuo walked slowly along the path, his fingers gripping the Perman kit tightly. It had been a while since he returned from Bird Planet, but the weight of memories lingered like a heavy mist.

"This place hasn’t changed," he thought, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings. "But maybe... something should have changed. Pako... do you still think of me?"

His steps faltered as he approached the cherry blossom tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. The carving on its trunk drew his attention—two sets of initials, his and Pako’s, etched years ago in a moment of youthful joy. A bittersweet smile tugged at his lips.

Leaning closer, he ran his fingers over the letters, the memories washing over him like a tide. His voice came in a whisper, almost as though he feared the wind might carry it away.

"Do you remember this, Pako? Do you remember... us?"

The park remained silent, save for the rustling leaves and chirping birds. But then, he heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. Turning slightly, he saw her.

Pako walked into the clearing, her figure framed by the glowing sunlight. She carried a small bouquet of flowers, though her mind seemed far away. Her steps were slow, thoughtful, until her gaze locked onto Mitsuo by the tree.

She froze. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart raced.

"Mitsuo?" she called softly, her voice trembling with a mix of surprise and emotion.

He turned at the sound, and their eyes met. For a moment, neither spoke. The world seemed to stand still, the distance between them shrinking even without a single step.

"Sumire..." he finally murmured, his voice laced with disbelief and longing. "You’re here?"

Pako nodded, her lips curving into a soft smile. She took a step closer, her eyes searching his as though trying to confirm that he was truly there.

"Yes," she said quietly. "And I know everything now."

Her playful side surfaced, and she added teasingly, "Is it true? I saw it on the news. Could it really be what I think it is?"

Mitsuo let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "Sumire... no more teasing. Not this time." He looked into her eyes, his voice steady and earnest as he continued. "Now... will you stay by my side?"

For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, as though pulled together by an invisible force, they closed the distance between them. When they finally reached each other, Pako dropped the bouquet, and they embraced.

The hug was gentle yet firm, filled with unspoken words and years of longing. It was as if time had bent to bring them back to this moment, to this place.

Eventually, they found a bench under the shade of the cherry blossom tree and sat down together. Mitsuo took her hands in his, their fingers interlocking naturally, as though they had never been apart.

"It feels like so much has happened since the last time we were here," Pako said, her voice soft.

Mitsuo nodded. "It has. But some things... some things never change."

They began to talk, sharing stories of their lives, their struggles, and the moments that had shaped them. The laughter, the tears, and the silences filled with understanding seemed to heal the cracks left by the years apart.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the park in the soft blues of twilight, one thing was certain—the bond they shared was as strong as ever. And this time, they both silently promised, they wouldn’t let it break again.

REUNION

Pako (gently): "When you were with me, everything changed. The only thing I had left was this thought, and it’s just your photo."

Mitsuo smiled softly, his voice filled with emotion, his thoughts running deep.

Mitsuo: "Thank you, Laks, thank you."

Pako was taken aback by the response.

Pako (in his mind): "Thank you, I have to remember this. When I was on the bird planet, it was only your memories that carried me. Our time in Russia, that moment, whenever I faced obstacles, I always wished you were there with me."

He looked up, his inner thoughts continuing to echo.

Pako (thinking): "I feel the same, Mitsuo. I wish you were with me, acting, experiencing everything together. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been told, 'You’re lost.'"

Mitsuo’s eyes softened as he recalled their shared experiences.

Mitsuo: "Somewhere, somehow, I understand your pain. It’s like walking in a place where nothing makes sense, yet you keep going, staying by each other's side."

The conversation grew more personal as their emotions intertwined, memories surfacing like old friends.

Mitsuo whispered gently, "No matter where life takes us, you’ll always be with me."

Pako’s heart, a mix of surprise and longing, felt deeper than he ever anticipated

Pako stared at Mitsuo, his eyes full of curiosity. "What are you saying, Mitsuo?"

Mitsuo took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to speak. His heart raced as he stood there, gathering his thoughts. "Sumira," he began, his voice shaking slightly, "I want you to know that you’ve been a constant in my life... will you stay with me forever?"

Pako blushed, surprised by the sudden confession. He stepped back, trying to hide his emotions. "Lars," he muttered coldly, "I don’t believe you, Mitsuo." But then he paused, his expression softening. "But... I accept it. I accept my feelings."

The air between them was charged with emotion. They stood there for a moment, each processing the unexpected turn in the conversation. Finally, Pako spoke up.

"Mitsuo," he said softly, "Have you ever liked any boy before?"

Mitsuo smiled, his gaze thoughtful. "There was Nobita," he replied. "He was younger than us, but we were very close."

Pako’s eyes widened, understanding dawning on him. Mitsuo could see the recognition in Pako’s eyes. A quiet smile tugged at his lips, and the moment felt significant. There was no need for words anymore; everything was understood.

Mitsuo smiled again, the weight of his feelings becoming clearer in the space between them. Then, without a word, he reached out and took Pako’s hand in his. The two of them began to walk side by side, their fingers entwined.

As they walked together, the tension faded, leaving only a sense of peace. The world around them seemed to blur, and it felt like it was just the two of them, smiling and finding comfort in each other's presence. It was the beginning of something new—something beautiful.

DATE TIME

It had been four days since Mitsuo Suwa, better known as Perman, returned to Earth after his prolonged adventures in space. The world felt familiar yet different, and he was eager to rekindle old connections. Most importantly, today was his first official date with Sumire Hoshino—Pako.

Mitsuo was determined to make it special. He adjusted his Perman mask in the mirror, grinning. “Alright, nothing’s going to ruin this day.”

Flying through the crisp morning air, Mitsuo felt a sense of peace. But as he soared over the city, his peace was shattered by the sight of a commotion in an alley. A group of gangsters was gathered near a van, and inside, a little girl was tied up, crying for help.

His heart sank. “Why now?”

Reluctantly, Mitsuo descended, using his invisibility cape to sneak closer. The gangsters were arguing over their next move, giving him a chance to act. Just as he untied the girl, one of the men shouted, “Hey, what’s going on over there?”

Before Mitsuo could react, a loud crash came from the rooftop above. The gangsters turned, startled.

“What was that?”

Unbeknownst to Mitsuo, Pako had been secretly following him. She knew Mitsuo had a habit of getting sidetracked, so she decided to keep an eye on him. From her hidden vantage point, she had thrown a brick onto the roof to create a diversion.

Mitsuo carried the girl and tried to fly away, but the child screamed, “I’m scared of heights!” Panicked, Mitsuo landed in the middle of the street.

“There he is!” shouted the gangsters, now running after him.

Sumire sighed from her hiding spot. “This idiot.” She pulled out a smoke bomb from her bag and tossed it into the alley.

The gangsters froze as smoke enveloped them. “What’s going on?!”

Taking advantage of the confusion, Mitsuo ran into a nearby convenience store. What followed was a comical chase through the aisles. Mitsuo knocked over a shelf of instant noodles, burying two gangsters, while another slipped on a spilled bottle of soda.

Sumire, meanwhile, trailed them silently, tripping the gangsters with well-placed traps. One slipped on a banana peel she planted, while another got tangled in a mop she nudged into his path.

Mitsuo eventually led the gangsters to a construction site, where he climbed a crane and activated his voice changer. “This is Perman! You’re surrounded! Surrender now!”

Terrified, the gangsters fled. Mitsuo handed the girl to the police, feeling relieved but exhausted.

When he arrived at the park, Sumire was sitting on a bench, tapping her foot impatiently.

“You’re late,” she said with a smirk.

“I can explain—” Mitsuo began, but she cut him off.

“You don’t need to. Let’s just say I know you too well.”

Mitsuo stared. “Wait… were you helping me?”

Sumire grinned. “Maybe. Now, buy me lunch before you get distracted again.”

As they walked together, Mitsuo couldn’t help but smile. Even after all these years, Sumire was still his greatest ally—and his best friend.