The Philosopher's Path was quieter than Maruyama Park.
A stone walkway wound alongside a canal, the water reflecting the canopy of cherry trees that arched overhead from both sides, creating a tunnel of pink and white blossoms.
Petals drifted lazily on the breeze and floated on the water's surface like tiny boats.
Felix stopped at the entrance, his breath catching. "Oh."
"Four hundred cherry trees," Matteo said. "The canal is almost two kilometers long."
"My mother walked this path," Felix said softly. "She told me about it. How peaceful it was.She said it was the kind of place that made you understand why philosophers came here to think."
"Then let's walk it. Together."
They started down the path, Sora having left them with a smile and a promise to meet them back at the ryokan later.
The late afternoon sun filtered through the blossoms, painting everything in shades of gold and pink.
