Prolouge - Love, Tragedy and Rebirth

"Yaku! Over here!" My beautiful fiancée called out, playfully waving in my direction.

Curious, I asked her, "What is it?"

She pointed with sparkling eyes towards a cozy-looking cake shop and spoke.

"Look over there.”

“We can go in if you want. Cake actually sounds like a great idea." I replied.

With a large grin on her face, she said.

"I knew you would agree. I can't wait to taste some cakes,"

As we entered the cake shop, a calm and refreshing scent of timber mixed with coffee and sweets filled my nose. The shop was as cozy on the inside as it appeared from outside. The clean wooden tables were mostly occupied, and the chairs looked of superior quality. Behind the cash register stood a female cashier, who greeted us with a kind smile and spoke in a gentle, clear voice.

"Welcome to Sato's Corner of Delight, where every bite is sure to excite. Please feel free to alight, just about anywhere is alright."

Sachie chuckled, and the cashier seemed pleased to have elicited a reaction. I asked Sachie.

"So, where would you like to sit? By the window to enjoy the view or in the far corner on the available wall couch?"

"Although a window position would be nice, I want to 'alight' on the couch. It seems the most comfortable," she replied.

After settling at a table in the far back corner, the cashier approached us with the menu, two cups, and a jar of ice-cold water. I noticed her work attire—a long dress-like uniform with white fabric, pink stitches, and frills resembling the frosting on a cake with strawberries. It had the shop's logo and name imprinted on the right shoulder and front. She smiled as she placed the glasses, water, and menu on the table.

"Please take your time to look through the menu. Let me know when you have decided what you wish to order," she said in a friendly tone.

"Thank you... umm..." Sachie hesitated.

"My name is Yuna, and you are most welcome, Miss," the cashier introduced herself.

Sachie smiled and responded cheerfully, "Not too long from now, it's going to be Mrs."

"Well, congratulations! I hope you find something to your liking on the menu," Yuna said. We nodded in affirmation as she walked away.

We perused the menu, relieved to find it wasn't overwhelming. It offered a decent variety of cakes, with each one accompanied by a simplistic layout and pictures.

"I think I'll have the homemade brownie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. What looks the tastiest to you, Yaku?" Sachie asked.

"The cheesecake looks really good in the picture. I think I'll go for that," I replied.

Waving Yuna over, she grabbed a pen and server book before approaching our table.

"Ready to order?" Yuna said.

"We'll take a cheesecake, a brownie with vanilla ice cream, and two black coffees," I said.

"Coming right up. Thank you for your order," Yuna acknowledged before heading back to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, a sudden sound filled the shop. "Coo coo, coo coo... coo coo."

"Look, Yaku! There's a cuckoo clock on the wall above the cash register," Sachie pointed out.

"It seems it's already 18:00. Time sure flies when you're having fun on a date," I remarked.

"Indeed. It's already been three hours since we got off the train," Sachie said.

We chatted for another 20 minutes until Yuna brought our cakes and coffee. The aroma of the hot brownie filled the air, and the cheesecake looked even more enticing in person. Its oat bottom supported a soft-yellow lemon cream, topped with thin banana slices covered in a layer of strawberry jelly.

"I want to taste your cake, Yaku! I'll give you some brownie in exchange," Sachie proposed.

"Sure, here's a slice of my cheesecake," I replied.

Sachie delighted in each bite, her face radiating joy. I, too, savored the high-quality cakes and the coffee.

"Hey, Yaku, why don't we ask if they do wedding cake orders? The quality here is amazing," Sachie suggested.

"That's a brilliant idea. I'll ask once I pay," I agreed.

We continued enjoying our cakes and coffee, cherishing the sweetness of the cakes and the bitterness of the coffee. Another hour passed, indicated by the cuckoo clock.

"Coo coo, coo coo... coo coo."

"Has it really been an hour already? I guess we should head out now," I said.

"We should definitely come back to this place. Those cakes were really delicious," Sachie remarked.

"Definitely. I'm completely satisfied with those cakes," I replied.

Approaching the cash register where Yuna stood, I reached into my pocket for my wallet as she calculated the total.

"Brownie vanilla, cheesecake, and two cups of coffee... Let me see... that's 1107 yen. Card or cash?" Yuna asked.

"I'll pay with a card. Also, I was wondering, do you take wedding cake orders here?" I inquired.

"Sadly, we do not. However, I can recommend a place that specializes in events, birthdays, and weddings. I guarantee their quality is just as good as ours," Yuna assured me.

"That would be fantastic. Thank you," I replied, taking the card with the recommended business information.

Leaving the shop, Sachie asked, "So, what did she say?"

"They don't take orders here, but she recommended another place. It sounds promising," I answered.

"Let's check it out later this week then. Right now, I want to go for a walk in that park over there," Sachie suggested.

I nodded, and we walked towards the park, which had grown darker since our arrival. Lost in conversation, we strolled past the playground filled with children, a man-made pond with swimming ducks, and a blooming rose garden where the sprinklers worked diligently. We talked about familiar topics and shared our dreams and plans for the future. Before we knew it, several hours had passed, and we found ourselves far from the park. In the distance, a bridge offered an enchanting view of the cityscape. Without thinking, we instinctively made our way toward it, arm in arm. Standing in the middle of the bridge, we leaned on the railing, taking in the breathtaking sight.

"The evening time sure is romantic," I said.

"Yes, with all the lights and the vibrant city, the beautiful clear sky, and the gentle light of the rising moon. It creates a relaxing atmosphere, and it's even better when shared with you," Sachie replied.

I leaned in for a kiss, but our intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by a jarring noise we couldn't identify. Startled, we stepped back. After a few seconds, I cautiously moved closer again.

"Screechhh."

It was a horrible noise, and deep down, we both knew something wasn't right. The bridge began to tremble, and the noise grew louder.

"I'm scared, Yaku," Sachie whispered.

Looking into her eyes, I instinctively grabbed her hand and tried to run away from the bridge. But the distance was too great. In an instant, there was nothing left but rubble.

***

I woke up abruptly, drenched in cold sweat and breathing heavily. I let out a sigh, running my hand over my face. Another night, and the same recurring nightmare. The last day of my previous life, the last time I saw her. The painful memory of when Yaku lost Sachie still haunted me, even after 18 years of living my new life as Haruki. Night after night, I relived that fateful day in my dreams.