Haruto and Ayaka had been dating for two months, each day a small step toward healing and discovering a love built on understanding and warmth. The engagement had been simple, intimate — a quiet dinner, hands clasped, rings exchanged, and promises whispered under the soft glow of the lantern-lit streets.
"Haruto," Ayaka had said, eyes shining, "I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
He had taken a deep breath, heart steady despite lingering shadows from the past. "Yes, Ayaka. I… I want that too."
The decision to marry wasn't rushed; it was thoughtful, deliberate. They wanted a day that felt meaningful, a day where they could step forward together fully, leaving behind any remnants of pain or regret.
When they sat down to choose a date, Haruto hesitated for a moment, considering the subtle pull of fate. "How about late spring?" he suggested. "The cherry blossoms will still be blooming. It'll feel… right."
Ayaka nodded, smiling softly. "Perfect. A new beginning under the blossoms."
Little did they know, the date they had chosen — a beautiful day in late spring, cherry blossoms dancing in the breeze — would also be the day Emi planned to visit him.
Emi had been preparing for her trip quietly, unaware of Haruto's engagement. Her heart was full of hope, the hope that she might finally see him, talk to him, and perhaps find a way to mend what had been broken years ago. She imagined seeing him again, hearing his voice, and feeling the familiar warmth of their past connection.
Meanwhile, Haruto and Ayaka continued to plan their wedding, blissfully unaware of the coincidence. For them, the day was about love, trust, and moving forward together. For Emi, it was meant to be a step toward closure — a chance to face her past and perhaps reclaim a piece of her lost heart.
Fate, however, had other plans.
The day approached, the petals of cherry blossoms falling gently to the ground, carrying with them the weight of memory, regret, and the possibility of new beginnings. On that day, paths would cross once more — but this time, the consequences would be irrevocable.