Tomoko blinked, unsure of what he meant at first until he clarified it. "...yes," she said. "I think we should stand near the very base of it, as if we're under the tree's shade if it was still alive. Some say that it brings luck, and..." Here Tomoko tucked her chin down, as if embarrassed to say the following out loud, "...and I want you to be lucky for the whole year."

--that you're not with us. She kept the words to herself, though, afraid that she might be too forward with it.