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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#191: Sakura

Spring is finally here! In Japan, the season is famously marked by the mass blooming of cherry blossoms, also known as sakura, an event so beautiful it attracts tourists from all over the world. Due to its impressive yet short-lived blooming, the flower symbolizes the fascinatingly transient nature of life — but it’s also associated with a message of renewal, and hope for the future.

To celebrate the new season, this week’s prompts are inspired by cherry blossoms and the feelings they evoke year after year 一 we hope they’ll bloom into great stories!

This week's prompts

Start your story with your character(s) going to buy some flowers.

Spring – 78 stories

Write about a character who is starting to open up to life again.

Character – 68 stories

Write a story about a character who’s late to witness a special event.

Funny – 25 stories

Make Japan (or Japanese culture) an element of your story.

Narrative – 37 stories

Write a story that includes someone saying, “I feel alive.”

Dialogue – 68 stories

Stories

“The Ballad of Keryll and Krystan” by Anita M Shaw

Submitted to Contest #191

“You won’t forget the flowers, right? Keryll? You hearing me?” “Sure . . . flowers. Gotcha.” “And the cake . . .” “Cake . . . ” “Keryll!” I looked up from the book I was pretending to read. “I hear you, Krystan. Get the flowers! Pick up the cake. Go get ready, already!” “Get those flowers, Keryll Lynn!” And she flounced out of the room. “As you wish, Queen Krystan! Why can’t they be delivered?” “Delivery is extra!” came from the hallway. Momma. I tossed the book aside and fished the drawing I’d been putting the finishing t...

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“Smoke and Lukewarm Coffee” by Marco Blasco

Submitted to Contest #191

The smell of smoke woke me. I stared at the ceiling, my legs moving through the rough sheets. The light of the spring day filtered through the balcony doors, catching the dust floating around the room. The breeze drifted through, once again carrying with it the scent of smoke and the smell of the morning air. They fought for dominance of my senses before I remembered last night. I pushed myself up in bed. My apartment was small, but I was happy with how I had arranged everything. The bed was in the center of the room. Tall bookcases sto...

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“It's Okay” by Fhionna Mac

Submitted to Contest #191

He listens to the door slam. You were only an amusement, fun for a while. He won’t miss you. He detangles his auburn hair with the comb you gave him. The handle’s bumpy where the plastic’s been moulded to resemble elephants because you thought he’d like to go on a safari holiday. Something completely different. He’s rocking-it-out to ‘Ain’t Life a Bitch,’ standing in the shower, using the last of your shower gel, punching the air with a wet fist, expecting you’ll be there soon to wash his back, and other places. He thinks that you ...

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“With the Mother” by Alex Blackburn

Submitted to Contest #191

WARNING: Contains Sensitive Themes Such As Physical Violence, Psychological Disorders, Gore, and Mature Language. I think it was April. Or May. Or. . . March. One of those, probably. The air was dense, muggy—hibernating amid the rustle of sheets as I got out of my bunk and rubbed my crusty eyes. Dark and ear-piercingly quiet, the accordion rubber corridor which followed accosted me with a heady perfume of floral methane and rolling dew. My underclothes were completely drenched—it was like a sauna in here. At least it was dark: a ki...

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“ The killing of 1988 An Unsolved Murder Horror Story” by Mary Martin

Submitted to Contest #191

Hello my name is Maxten and I'm back with a story that takes place at Tokyo, Japan, at around 1988 they escaped and got him arrested for attempted contains: gore ,violence ,weapons, and a thrilling story: if you are still here get ready to read the best horror story you will ever see. Turn back now if not ready but I, on the other hand, will continue the story. A man who was always down named Koto thought to himself ,I don't feel alive any more and have nothing to lose. So why not do something to make me feel alive? So the man sat up an...

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“The Coroner” by Christine Bialczak

Submitted to Contest #191

Detective Ashton Lewis and Officer Derek Plant stood in the hallway of the large home, the only connecting space from the kitchen to the master bedroom and ensuite. There was nothing out of place that suggested this was not a burglary, but obviously, there was some reason that someone came in and killed this man. DI Lewis knew that the minute he started looking into the victim’s background it would all come to light and the pieces would fall into place. “Plant, I don’t see any sort of weapon or anything that could have been used to c...

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“Sweet Criminal of Mine” by Hala El Solh

Submitted to Contest #191

Shruti’s legs devilishly dangled from the stone ledge. She swung them in small circles like coffee stirrers blending in some half and half. Her eyes followed the stoned walkways to a set of regal stone stairs that existed only at prominent government buildings and Ivy League campuses. She made eye contact with the statue of Alma Mater, her hands upraised as if to ask her, “And what will you bring to enrich us all?” Two degrees and seven years later, she didn’t have an answer. “Shruti!” “Hey, Miles.” His lanky figure towered over hers desp...

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“Carmen” by Riley Willsey

Submitted to Contest #191

Shit, I was gonna be late. I couldn't stand being under the fire of her gaze and the weight of her silence again. "I'm so sorry-" I would start, then stop, knowing it was futile. Her arms crossed, she would sit there seething. Slowly, she would start to open up, only after the food was ordered. Even then she was short with me. Flowers flashed by my vision and I doubled back. I saw a nice bouquet, grabbed it, and ran to the counter. "Very lovely choice" smiled the old woman behind the counter, "fifty dollars." Fifty dollars! I was think...

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“On my way to get Cherry Blossoms ” by Tweety Promo

Submitted to Contest #191

Has sensitive Language On my way to get some flowers from the shop on the avenue. As I was walking, I realized within the crazy rush hour of people a black cat walked by. I didn’t think anything of it, but it was interesting for a second. As I was walking across the street to the flower shop I was in the middle of the street almost to the other wise and a car near ran me over and I stopped midway on the street. I just froze. I know someone smart would just move out the way, not me. So all I heard was “lady get out the way!” as the...

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“SOMEONE ENTERED A FLOWER SHOP” by Carole Wilbur

Submitted to Contest #191

The sign on the door read: Art of Bloom Florist, Sakura Sato Ito, Proprietor Word of mouth from satisfied customers made the small business very successful. Sakura was a petite young woman with jet hair and expressive dark eyes She was well-trained in the Ikebana style, an ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. It emphasizes harmony between the human and natural worlds. It was a Spring day that seldom occurred. The day was perfect, with a bright sun and a cloudless sky. The sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms perfumed the...

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“Kyoto's Light” by Latoya Edwards

Submitted to Contest #191

I am Toy. I live in a city called Kyoto in the country of Japan. That is all I know of who I am. I have a little house that I built out of the remaining debris left around after the end of the 4th nuclear war. I guess the year is 2151. I can't really remember. Today is special. It is the time when the little florist shop at the end of my home path has fresh flowers. The flowers bloom along the green patch next to the large cherry blossom tree. This is the only green patch left around Kyoto. Everything else is dark, burned, cold, and in ruins...

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“Calla Flowers” by Nancy Hibbert

Submitted to Contest #191

Gloria didn’t want to hate the season. But ew. After an hour slopping wet inches from her front deck and down her steps, she had enough. Crystallized into jagged peaks, gray dreariness clung to shrinking snow and dingy ice crusts that edged the slick parking lot. Even the oak branches were coated with glistening ice. When would the snow retreat and green fields reappear with their cheer of dandelions and violets dancing among the grass. Taking off her damp coat and boots, she stretched her fingers trying to ease chill from their tips. At ...

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“Essential Oil of Rose” by Shim H

Submitted to Contest #191

It is a compact establishment with an innocuous storefront. From the outside looking in, you’d never guess that it was built on a foundation of death. The brick and wood facade give less away than the florist’s sign adorning the entrance. I’m always conflicted when crossing the threshold of this bordello of corpses, with its variegated whirlwind of hues and tints. I think the pang of sorrow stems from the intrusive thought of the destruction needed for such a beautiful symphony of colors to exist. But, alas, the budding seed of my consc...

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“We Walk Left Of What Is Holy” by Jessica Bailey

Submitted to Contest #191

WE WALK LEFT OF WHAT IS HOLY I’ve driven ten hours and thirty-one predatory roadside red-tailed hawks to talk to a man about pain, and words, and why he messaged me- a stranger- to say only that I must remain close to the birds. My world has grown progressively more southern; more salty, more sodden, slow. The urgent hum of miles under tires has drifted away on a honeyed wind that my body moves through like lovers’ time. I’ve hidden myself away in a hefty mossy oak, a tiny house built into her arms like her child, ho...

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“Memories with Death” by Sophie Greenhalgh

Submitted to Contest #191

The girl sits against the old oak tree, clutching her knees as if that is the only thing stopping her from falling apart. Great sobs shake her tiny body and dead leaves fall around her as if the wizened oak, cursed by her sorrow, was mourning alongside her. Death, crouching low from behind a neighbouring oak tilts his head askew as he watches the small creature in front of him. It’s only a matter of moments now. Slowly he feels himself place one ivory toe after another, stalking closer to this curious target of his. With every step dark pat...

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$250

Prize money

276

Contest entries

170

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 31, 2023 EST

Won by Pari Ghodsi 🏆

Title: Lilies

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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