Chapter 1: Childhood Bonds
Chiaki’s mother had been working as a housekeeper for the Katagiri family ever since Chiaki’s father passed away when she was three years old. Every day, Chiaki would accompany her mother to the Katagiri household. Mrs. Katagiri was a kind woman and allowed Chiaki to stay inside the house.
Mrs. Katagiri’s eldest son, Hayato, was also three years old at the time. She thought it would be wonderful if Chiaki could be his playmate. She was worried that Hayato would feel lonely in the house, as his younger brother, Sohei, had just been born.
From the moment they first met, Chiaki and Hayato became inseparable. They loved playing in the backyard, where Mrs. Katagiri had planted her favorite flowers. Mr. Katagiri, noticing the children’s love for outdoor play, installed a swing in the garden just for them. After spending time outside, the two would always take their afternoon naps together in Hayato’s room, squeezing onto the same bed. They were together almost all the time.
At the age of five, they started attending the same kindergarten and remained classmates all the way through high school.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, they were in their final year of high school.
