Chapter 1: The Wedding Anniversary

Fssssh—

The hiss of steaming water filled the kitchen. A woman swiftly dropped chopped vegetables and meat into the boiling pot. She added a blend of spices, then stirred with graceful familiarity.

Her name was Yuki, a woman who appeared to be in her late twenties. Her eyes, dark as obsidian, matched the flowing black hair cascading down her back.

While absorbed in her task, a pair of arms snaked around her slender waist from behind, slipping past the folds of her pink apron.

“Eh?!” She gasped softly, only to let out a light chuckle. “You always know how to sneak up on me, my dear husband.” She turned and smiled at the handsome man with raven hair who held her.

He chuckled. “What harm is there in a husband flirting with his own wife?”

Yuki shook her head gently, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks. “At least let me finish preparing breakfast.”

“Need a hand?”

Yuki shook her head again. “The last time you 'helped', this kitchen became your playground. You covered both of us in flour. That was a disaster, not help.”

Her husband’s laughter rang out warmly through the kitchen. He couldn't deny how foolish he could become when Yuki was by his side.

“Now go, or I’ll hit you,” Yuki said playfully, lifting a ladle in mock threat.

He smirked at her antics, then leaned in so close it made her flush and turn her head away in flustered silence.

“Fine, I won’t bother you... but give me something special first.”

“You're always like this... so annoying,” she said, glancing shyly at him. She let out a sigh and raised her hand to caress the cheek of the man she had loved since her youth. “But... maybe that's why I keep falling in love with you, again and again, Arata-kun.”

She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. After a few moments, she pulled away.

“Only on the forehead? Not the lips?”

Yuki pouted and playfully hit his chest with her small fists. “Stop whining and go already, you annoying husband!”

With a flash of laughter, Arata left the kitchen and settled on the sofa in the living room. He stared absently at the news flickering on the TV.

A faint smile formed on his lips when his eyes drifted to the golden ring on his finger. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box that held a silver necklace with a crescent-moon pendant.

“I hope she likes this.”

Today marked their fourth wedding anniversary. Arata had planned to give her this necklace as a gift.

He reached into another pocket and retrieved a neatly folded travel brochure. His shoulders slumped slightly as he studied it with care.

“This time... I’ll take you on a real vacation. I promise, this will finally be the honeymoon we never had. Nothing will stop us this time... I swear it.”

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His eyes returned to the necklace box. He weighed it gently in his hand, picturing how it would look around his wife's neck. He couldn't bear to let go of it.

As he drifted into thought, a subtle tremor stirred the objects around him. A few seconds later, his phone lit up with a loud buzz. The screen flashed red and white.

Bzzzt!

Arata’s eyes widened. Something was terribly wrong.

He dashed to the kitchen and seized Yuki’s hand. “We have to go!”

“Eh?! What are you—?”

Before she could react, the ground quaked violently. Plates fell from shelves. The kitchen cabinet crashed to the floor, shattering dishes across the tiles.

“An earthquake!”

Arata moved swiftly. He yanked Yuki beneath the table. “Get down, Yuki!”

They clung to each other, seeking calm amidst the chaos that clawed at their spines.

“Arata...”

“It’s alright, Yuki. I’m here.”

Yuki buried her face in Arata’s chest. He held her tighter, shielding her from the terror in the trembling world.

After a few moments, the quake subsided. The shaking ceased.

“I think it's over,” Arata muttered, loosening his hold. “We need to get to the evacuation site.”

Yuki nodded, her voice trembling. “Y-you’re right.”

Arata crawled out from under the table first. Yuki followed, her legs still unsteady.

“Come on, Yuki. I’ll carry you if I have to.”

Yuki took a breath, calming herself. “No need, darling. I can walk. Trust me. I’m okay.” Her voice quivered, but her will stood firm.

“Alright. I understand. Just tell me if you need help.”

She nodded again.

But just a few steps later, a stronger aftershock hit. The ceiling cracked. Debris rained down. The floor split—and Yuki fell into the basement.

“Aaaaah!”

“Yuki!”

Arata dove after her, catching her in his arms without hesitation.

Thud!

They landed hard on the cold basement floor. Dust filled the air. More rubble fell. Arata turned quickly, shielding Yuki with his body.

“Ugh...”

Heavy fragments struck him, again and again. Still, he held his ground, determined to protect her.

Yuki squeezed her eyes shut. She dared not look. Deep in her heart, she wished only to survive together.

“Aaaargh!”

The tremor suddenly ceased, leaving only Arata’s anguished scream ringing in Yuki’s ears.

Something warm dripped onto her cheek. Slowly, she opened her eyes.

She froze.

Her mouth parted, but no words emerged.

“Thank goodness... you seem alright.” Arata smiled weakly. He reached out and gently brushed her cheek, now stained with his blood.

“No... no, this can’t be…”

A jagged beam of wood had pierced the chest of the man she loved most.

“Uhuk... uhuk...”

Fresh blood spilled from Arata’s mouth, splattering across Yuki’s stunned face.

“Heh, look at you now.” He laughed faintly, fingers trembling as he tried to wipe the red from her cheek. “Sorry for ruining your beauty.”

“This... this isn’t real!”

Yuki’s world crumbled. She tried to scream, but only silence choked her. Her throat clenched, strangled by sorrow.

“I’m sorry... for making you worry…”

Arata knew. His body could not be saved. His hand trembled, barely able to lift itself.

He reached to touch her cheek one last time, but it fell limp. With a final breath, he went still.

Yuki woke to silence.

She touched his lifeless body, her tears streaming freely. She clung to him, pressing her forehead to his.

“Please... don’t leave me, Arata…”

Fate had mocked her. As she traced his cold fingers, something slipped from his palm—a necklace, still warm.

The gift meant for joy, now brought only pain.

“I... I can’t accept this…”

Grief consumed her. She screamed, hoping it was a nightmare. That she could awaken from it.

Her sobs deepened as her heart shattered. Fate had stolen the most precious thing from her life. Stripping away the happiness she had built with her loves ones.

“Please... bring him back.”

She held Arata tightly. Her sobs waned into silence. And in that silence... she felt something.

The necklace in Arata's hand—a gift he never got to give—slowly shimmered. Its silver light expanded, engulfing them.

“Why... why are you still warm?” she whispered, feeling the heat that lingered.

Then, she heard it. Not a voice of this world. A whisper—soft, distant, and deep.

"You who are faithful... do you wish to follow him beyond life?"

Yuki gasped. “What... is that?”

"I will take you to a place where fate is rewoven. But you shall not meet him yet. If your heart endures... seek him."

The voice faded with the light. The necklace glowed brighter, wrapping them in its warmth.

Yuki clasped her husband's hand tightly. Through falling tears, she surrendered herself to the light that embraced their world.