Ayana stood beneath the ancient cherry trees, the last of the blossoms still clinging to the highest boughs, but just a shadow of the stunning display they'd given last weekend during the height of the Sakura Festival. She shivered in the cool breeze and looked at her text message again. Kiera's invitation to meet her in the park shone on the small glowing screen. This was the right time, and the right place. But the park was nearly empty now, a few couples enjoying a stroll in the late afternoon sun.

They hadn't spoken in weeks. She was worried Kiera had been angry with her, probably because she had begun dating Kaede, her ex boyfriend. It's just that they had so much in common, and Kiera had been the one who dumped Kaede months ago, not the other way around. She'd spoken to Kiera about it when Kaede had first asked Ayana out, but she had said she didn't mind. Something about her stiff smile had told her otherwise. Since then they had only seen each other in classes at university.

Ayana brightened as she saw Kiera approaching with a delicate smile, although breathing heavily from carrying a rather large box. Kiera set the box down in the wet grass beneath a cherry tree and hugged Ayana before taking on a serious tone. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I admit I was unsure how I felt about you spending time with Kaede, but I realized that perhaps I just needed to work through my emotions so I could return to thinking objectively about your relationship. That is why I'm here. Would you be willing to help me address this?" Asked Kiera.

"Oh yes, of course! What are friends for?" replied Ayana happily, the relief that their friendship remained in tact was like a weight had been released.

"Wonderful!" grinned Kiera, kneeling down to open the box and retrieving a large picnic blanket which she spread out on the soft grass.

"I didn't know you had planned Hanami, I would have brought something!" gushed Ayana apologetically.

"Oh don't worry, I brought everything." said Kiera coolly, digging back into her box. "Have a seat." she stated, but it came across as a command. Ayana sat on the blanket.

Kiera lifted a large jar filled with a translucent liquid. Ayana began to reach to help. "Hold still." she hissed. Ayana gulped nervously.

Kiera removed the lid, "Do you know what Kaede means?" she asked.

"Of course!" Ayana answered, guarded. "It means Maple."

"Very good. Since I know you like maple so much..." Kiera growled as she poured the large jar of maple syrup over Ayana's perfect hair and shoulders. Slowly at first, then faster, trailing down her blouse, over her shoulders, then pooling in her lap. Finally she ensured the soles of her feet were sticky with syrup.

"WHAT DID I DO?!" wailed Ayana. Her answer came only in the form of a pillow-case filled with delicate cherry blossoms which Kiera shook over the now shaking, sticky girl glistening with syrup. Ayana stood, delicately wiping the now gooey flower petals from her eyes. A nearby street vendor stared in shock.

Ayana stood, snatched her wallet and stomped over to the Dorayaki vendor, the sweet smell of fluffy pancakes wafting in the breeze. "Pardon me, Sir, what would be the price to purchase your entire remaining inventory?" Ayana thrust a fistful of now sticky bills towards the shocked man.

The vendor's eyes went wide, "I can begin cooking them immediately." he offered.

"That won't be necessary." Ayana bowed curtly and lifted the steel bucket of pancake batter over to Kiera, who backed up nervously until her back was against the cherry tree. "I bought dessert." smiled Ayana as she dumped the thick creamy vanilla scented batter over Kiera's head. The cloying goo flowed into her top and out over her waist then down her legs, pooling on her delicate sneakers. Leaving She returned the pot to the vendor and selected an armful of toppings and fillings. A blast of spray cream was mounded comically on the top of Kiera'a glop-coated hair. A handful of sprinkles was danced over the girl's new attire. Finally, Ayana forced a mound of deep purple bean curd into her friend's nose and lips leaving a gooey muzzle of sticky dessert.

For a moment the girls stood, steam rising from their ears at about the same rate their sticky coatings dripped onto the blanket they were standing on.

"I guess I deserved that." Kiera sighed, breaking the silence.

"You definitely did!" Ayana giggled, breaking the tension.

"I was worried...I was worried you would break Kaede's heart." Kiera looked at the ground, kicking at the mess.

"I'm not going to break his heart! Besides, why do you care? You did, and you're dating Ry now!"

"It's just, I care about both of you and I don't want either of you to get hurt. And I guess I was a little jealous." Kiera admitted.

"A little?!" Ayana gestured at her ruined outfit covered in sticky goo and flower petals. Kiera giggled.

From a distance, Kiera and Ayana heard footsteps.

Ry and Kaede hurried into the park. "Girls, are you crazy? You'll get arrested for fighting!"

"Oh, you thought we were fighting? That's adorable!" smiled Kiera. Ayana nodded. "We just slipped in the picnic we'd set up for you two. But now we better get home to clean up and get more dessert." Ayana added. Both giggled. They gave each other a mischievous glance before wrapping their boyfriends in two very sticky hugs.