It was a sunny day.
Birds chirped from the trees lining the busy park.
In the heart of the city, the streets bustled with the usual flood of people.
Among them walked a woman–
Sayaka Nozomi, the mother of Hikaru and Hikari.
But today, her expression wasn't its usual warm, gentle smile.
There was a weight in her eyes, a heaviness in her steps.
She wasn't tired from work.
She sighed deeply, tilting her head up toward the sky as she walked.
"Hana…" she whispered.
"I'll be there in a few minutes…" she thought, her hand brushing against the strap of her purse.
"But first…"
Sayaka stopped walking.
She now stood in front of a small, charming flower shop.
The colourful display of blooms danced gently in the morning breeze.
"I must get your favourite flower."
Then–
One of the florists inside noticed her and beamed brightly.
Her eyes practically sparkled.
"Mrs. Nozomi!"
CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Name: Sakura Suzuki
Age: 22
Hair Colour: Pink
Eye Colour: Green
Height: 5'5
Weight: 130lbs
Occupation: Florist
Sayaka offered a small, familiar smile.
"Sakura. How are you today?"
The young woman–
Sakura Suzuki,
–stepped out from behind the counter, wiping her hands on her apron.
"I'm doing great, Mrs. Nozomi!"
Sakura replied, her voice bright and cheerful.
Sakura was also a university student, like Hikaru, Yami, and Aoi.
She worked part-time at the flower shop, but her knowledge of flowers easily outshone even the full-timers.
"How's your studying going, Sakura?" Sayaka asked kindly.
Sakura rubbed the back of her head, laughing nervously. "Um… not the best, but I'm getting there."
Sayaka chuckled softly.
"If you do end up quitting, you could always stay here as a florist, you know. You're one of the best they have."
Sakura crossed her arms proudly, flashing a grin.
"I know that, Mrs. Nozomi."
The two of them shared a small giggle under the morning sun.
Sakura stopped giggling and looked at Sayaka with a gentle smile.
"So, Mrs. Nozomi… are you here to get the usual?"
Sayaka returned a soft smile and nodded slightly.
"Yes. Just the usual, please."
Sakura's face lit up.
"Okay, then! I'll be right back, Mrs. Nozomi!"
She turned on her heel and hurried toward the back of the shop.
Sayaka watched her go, her mind wandering.
"Sakura… you've grown into a beautiful young woman,"
Sayaka thought fondly.
"And you've become a wonderful florist, just like your mother."
Then–
"Here you go, Mrs. Nozomi!"
"Huh?"
Sayaka snapped out of her thoughts and turned toward the voice.
Sakura stood before her, holding a lovely bouquet of fresh roses in her hands.
Sayaka smiled warmly and gently accepted the bouquet.
"Thank you, Sakura."
Sakura nodded, then hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"You know…"
Sayaka tilted her head slightly.
"Hmm?"
"Mrs. Utsuro was also here earlier, getting a bouquet of roses." Sakura said casually, yet meaningfully.
Sayaka's eyes widened slightly.
"Misaki?"
Sakura nodded.
"Yes."
Sayaka's smile deepened, soft and bittersweet.
The thought of Misaki also bringing roses brought warmth to her chest.
"Is that so, huh…"
Sayaka murmured, her heart swelling.
She was glad–
Glad that Misaki still thought of Hana, and hadn't forgotten.
Sayaka looked at Sakura with gratitude.
"Well, Sakura… thank you."
She reached for her purse to pay, but Sakura quickly waved her hands.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Nozomi!" The bouquet of roses is on me today."
Sayaka blinked, surprised.
"Are you sure, Sakura?"
Sakura nodded firmly, her pink hair bouncing slightly.
"I'm sure!"
Sayaka's smile softened into something almost maternal.
"Thank you, Sakura."
"You're welcome, Mrs. Nozomi," Sakura said brightly.
Sayaka turned to leave, bouquet in hand, but paused at the doorway. She looked over her shoulder.
"Be sure to tell your mother I said hello."
"I will!"
Sakura promised with a bright nod.
As Sayaka stepped out into the sunlight, disappearing into the crowds, another florist approached Sakura from behind the counter.
"Are you okay, Sakura?" the florist asked, noticing the slight furrow in her brow.
Sakura kept her gaze on the door where Sayaka had left.
"Yeah…" she said quietly. "I'm just… worried about Mrs. Nozomi."
The other florist raised an eyebrow.
"How come?"
Sakura's hands fidgeted slightly.
"Because Mrs. Nozomi usually comes here smiling… but today, there was barely a smile at all."
"Really?" the florist said, surprised.
Sakura nodded, her expression thoughtful and concerned.
"Yeah… I really hope she's okay."
At the Cemetery…
Sayaka arrived at the cemetery, the bouquet of roses cradled gently in her arms.
She walked slowly, passing rows of gravestones where others stood praying for their loved ones, whispers of remembrance carried on the soft breeze.
Then–
Sayaka spotted someone familiar.
A black-haired woman wearing glasses knelt before a gravestone, her hands clasped tightly in prayer.
It was Misaki Utsuro, the mother of Yami.
Sayaka approached quietly.
"Misaki," she said softly.
Misaki opened her eyes and glanced up.
"Sayaka," she replied, her voice low.
She stood, brushing the dust from her knees, and faced Sayaka fully.
"It's been a long time, Sayaka."
"Yeah…" Sayaka murmured, the weight of time and grief settling between them.
For a moment, they simply stood there, surrounded by silence – an invisible thread of sorrow tying them together.
Sayaka turned her gaze to the gravestone before them.
Carved deeply into the stone were the words:
Hana Kanashii
1980 – 2005
A Beloved Friend and Mother
Sayaka's chest tightened at the sight of the familiar name, just as it did every time.
She exhaled softly and stepped forward, placing her bouquet of roses beside another – Misaki's bouquet – already resting in front of the grave.
Misaki broke the silence.
"She loved roses, didn't she?"
Sayaka nodded, her smile bittersweet.
"Yeah… they're beautiful. Just like her."
Sayaka closed her eyes and clasped her hands together in prayer.
She whispered:
"Hey, Hana… I hope you're doing okay up there."
A pause – then her voice trembled slightly.
"I'm sorry…"
Misaki turned her head slightly, watching Sayaka with a softened expression.
"I'm sorry for being such a bad friend… and a bad mother figure."
Misaki's brows furrowed gently, concern flashing across her face. "Sayaka…" she said quietly, the word hanging in the air like a hand reaching out.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The wind moved softly through the trees, carrying with it the scent of roses and earth.
Then–
Sayaka closed her eyes tighter, memories flooding back.
28 Years Ago…
Back when Sayaka and Misaki were still high school students.
Sayaka was sitting lazily at Misaki's desk while Misaki herself sat properly in her own chair.
All the boys in the classroom stared openly at them, admiration practically shining from their faces.
Meanwhile, the girls were staring too – except their gazes were filled with jealously.
Then–
Sayaka groaned, slumping forward dramatically.
"I can't believe they were all sold out."
Misaki scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"The tickets were only sold out because you kept forgetting to buy them."
Sayaka shot Misaki a glare.
"No, I don't!"
Misaki stared at her in disbelief.
"Oh really… I always remind you to buy them, and you always say, 'I've got it, don't worry, I won't forget." And guess what…"
She leaned forward slightly, voice deadpan.
"You forgot."
Sayaka opened her mouth, then closed it, unable to argue.
Finally, she mumbled:
"Okay. Maybe I'm a bit forgetful."
Misaki raised an eyebrow."
"A bit?"
Sayaka groaned in defeat.
"Fine… maybe I do forget a lot."
Misaki smirked and covered her mouth with her hand in mock shock. "Oh wow, you finally admit it. I should write this down – it's a history moment."
Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.
Sayaka just glared at her again, pouting.
Suddenly–
A cheerful voice broke through the air.
A beautiful red-haired girl stepped in front of them, holding three glossy tickets in her hand.
Sayaka and Misaki both turned to look.
CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Name: Hana Kanashii
Age: 17
Hair Colour: Red
Eye Colour: Gold
Height: 5'5
Weight: 129lbs
Occupation: High School Student
"I got three tickets for the concert, guys," Hana said with a radiant smile.
Sayaka and Misaki stared at her for a moment, dumbfounded.
Then–
"WHAT?!" Sayaka shrieked. "How?!"
"My boyfriend got them for me," Hana said casually.
"Kouya?" Misaki asked, tilting her head.
Hana nodded.
"Yes."
Both Sayaka's and Misaki's eyes gleamed brightly.
Then – without warning – they both lunged at her.
"HANA!" they cried in unison, wrapping their arms around her tightly.
"I-I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, HANA!" Sayaka sobbed dramatically.
"YOU ARE THE GREATEST FRIEND WE EVER HAD!" Misaki added with matching enthusiasm.
And out of nowhere–
"HANA, WHENEVER YOU HAVE A SON, PLEASE LET ME MARRY HIM!" Sayaka blurted out.
"Huh?" Hana blinked, completely thrown off.
Misaki, still hugging her, paused and pulled back just enough to glance at Sayaka.
"That's… a bit weird, Sayaka," she said, deadpan.
Sayaka let go of Hana too, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
"You're right. By the time he's 20, I'll already be an old woman anyway."
Then–
Sayaka turned back to Hana with renewed determination.
"Hana! Whenever you have a child – boy or girl – let me… no, let us help you take care of them!"
Misaki smiled warmly, liking the idea immediately.
"Yeah… let us help."
Hana laughed nervously, clearly unsure how to respond to the intensity of their promise.
But in that moment, an unspoken vow was made between the three of them–
A promise that they would always help take care of each other's children, no matter what.
A promise that…
Had been broken.
By time.
And by tragedy.
Back to the Present…
Sayaka opened her eyes, returning to the present.
She bowed her head in quiet prayer.
"Hana…" she whispered. "Wherever you are up there… we hope you've found peace. And…"
She exhaled, her voice softening with emotion.
"…we pray that Hinote is still alive. That he's somewhere safe."
A cold gust of wind swept through the cemetery, stirring the petals of the roses laid before the grave.
Misaki glanced at Sayaka.
"Sayaka…"
Sayaka slowly rose from where she knelt and turned toward her old friend.
The two women stood in silence, the weight of the years – of memories, regrets, and hopes – settling quietly between them.
Then, side by side, they turned to leave the grave behind.
Their footsteps were slow as they made their way down the stone path. After a few steps, Sayaka hesitated.
"Misaki…"
Misaki turned her head slightly.
"What is it?"
Sayaka's expression faltered, uncertain.
As if she was debating whether or not to say the words building on her tongue.
Then–
A sigh escaped her lips, and she finally spoke.
"Hikaru has a friend," she began carefully. "His name is Teshii."
Misaki frowned slightly.
"And?"
Sayaka paused. Then, with a quiet breath, said:
"He… looks like Hinote."
Misaki stopped walking.
Her eyes widened, slightly but unmistakably.
"A-Are you sure, Sayaka?"
Sayaka let out a forced, half-hearted chuckle, as if trying to dismiss the weight of her own words.
"Maybe it's just a coincidence," she said. "But I haven't been able to stop thinking about it."
Misaki narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Do you think this Teshii guy is actually Hinote?"
Sayaka looked down, her voice quiet.
"I really want him to be. But… I also have my doubts."
"Doubts?" Misaki repeated.
Sayaka nodded faintly.
"If Teshii was Hinote… he would've recognized me immediately. But he didn't."
Misaki didn't respond.
Instead, she turned back to look at Hana's grave, her expression unreadable. Deep in thought.
Somewhere else…
Teshii was holding a single rose, sniffing the scent of it.
He walked calmly beside Hikaru.
The two were walking down a concrete path, the sky clear above them. The faint sound of crowds and whistles in the distance.
Teshii turned slightly to Hikaru, his trademark grin returning.
"Can't wait to see Hikari and Rich Girl shine in this match today."
Hikaru smiled.
"Yeah."
Their footsteps fell in rhythm.
Ahead of them–
A volleyball arena loomed. Bright. Loud. Alive.
And somewhere… a long-awaited match was about to begin.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!