The train, for reasons unknown, suddenly encountered an unexpected situation.
Just as it had begun to slow down and was about to arrive at the Platform—yet before coming to a complete stop—the control system triggered Emergency Braking, causing the train to abruptly halt in the dark space between the tunnel and the Platform.
The lights inside the carriage flickered in and out, matching the tense atmosphere and adding to the unease.
After nearly ten minutes spent in this stagnant and slightly anxious waiting, the train finally trembled once more and slowly started moving, gliding into the brightly lit Platform at an almost crawling pace.
Aina Saiten followed the crowd off the train, inwardly relieved that this Incident hadn’t delayed her too long.
Otherwise, she might not make it to the entrance of the Kawasaki Family Izakaya in time for Kaoru Hoshitani to get off work, which would have been a heavy blow to her carefully planned “reconciliation” operation.
However, as soon as she stepped onto the Platform, she sensed something strange in the air.
A group of Police officers in uniform stood at the edge of the Platform, their expressions solemn, a temporary cordon set up. Several Staff members were assisting in maintaining order.
She overheard fragments of whispered conversation from passersby brushing past her:
“…….I heard it was a middle-aged woman……”
“……Luckily, she jumped early and got stuck in the track inspection ditch……”
“……The Police just pulled her up, seems like she’s fine…….”
Only then did Aina Saiten realize the real reason for the train’s Emergency Braking.
She subconsciously hugged the bouquet in her arms tighter, her gaze skimming over the busy Police officers and the distant, vaguely visible figure surrounded by a small crowd, yet she felt little in the way of inner turmoil.
These kinds of things did not particularly surprise her.
After all, in this frigid Urban City with its sky-high cost of living, fierce competition, and the paradox of people living close in physical proximity yet worlds apart in spirit, countless individuals bear unimaginable burdens, both physical and mental.
In such a place, it was inevitable that some, at a certain breaking point, would feel utterly crushed and unable to go on, seeking release through extreme means.
But Aina Saiten was different. She knew it with absolute clarity.
She still had Kaoru.
That boyfriend of hers, gentle as moonlight, pure as a Sunflower, was her most steadfast and warm anchor in this vast Urban City.
No matter how exhausting and painful her work became, no matter how unreasonable the demands of her clients or the overwhelming pressure she faced, no matter how drained she felt, body and soul—
As long as she could come home at night, open her arms, and pull that sweet, soft, and dependently smiling boyfriend into her embrace—feeling his warmth and heartbeat, breathing in his reassuringly clean scent—then all the pent-up negative emotions seemed to melt away in an instant.
As for anyone who tried to test her or tease her with questions like,
“Hey, Aina, what if one day Kaoru can’t take it anymore and leaves you?”
She would instantly bristle, like a cat with its tail stepped on, her whole being going on the defensive, her voice urgent and carrying a faint but unmistakable panic as she shot back,
“Impossible! What nonsense are you spouting! Kaoru and I have been through so much together! Our bond and love are deep—he would never, never leave me!”
Deep in Aina Saiten’s heart, the thought of Kaoru Hoshitani leaving her was something completely unimaginable—a catastrophic Crisis that could never, ever be allowed to happen.
Even the mere flash of that image in her mind would send a wave of panic and suffocation through her, making her shake her head fiercely to banish such absurd thoughts.
At this moment, Aina Saiten did not linger long on the empty nighttime Platform.
A cool breeze swept through, bringing a touch of chill.
She instinctively wrapped her coat tighter, looked up at the Electronic Clock hanging above the Platform—the fluorescent numbers clearly displayed 【22:40】.
【At this hour, Kaoru’s shift at the izakaya should be ending soon.】
There was still some distance between the train station and the Kawasaki Family Izakaya.
Aina Saiten walked briskly along the dimly lit street, the night wind brushing her hair, carrying that unique scent of the Urban City at night—a blend of food aromas and automobile exhaust.
She walked for about ten minutes. When the clock hands pointed to 10:50, the Kawasaki Family Izakaya finally appeared at the end of her sight.
She quickened her pace and, accompanied by the crisp chime of the wind bell above the doorway, stepped into the shop.
The izakaya still held traces of the evening rush’s lively warmth, the air heavy with the aromas of grilled food, the mellow scent of sake, and the salty fragrance of soy sauce.
She eagerly scanned the front hall, but failed to spot that familiar, slender, and busy figure.
“So it’s Miss Saiten.”
From behind the counter, Mr. Kawasaki, wearing reading glasses and poring over the account book, looked up at the sound of her entrance.
Recognizing her, his wrinkled face broke into a kindly smile—he clearly knew Aina Saiten was here to pick up Kaoru Hoshitani after work.
“Mr. Hoshitani, well, I’m not sure if he went to the restroom in the back or to fetch something from the storeroom. He should be back soon, so please have a seat for a while.”
Mr. Kawasaki was very satisfied with Kaoru Hoshitani, a diligent young man who always volunteered for tasks and greeted customers with a friendly yet slightly shy smile.
Indeed, ever since Kaoru Hoshitani started helping at the shop, the Kawasaki Family Izakaya had drawn more young female customers, and business was livelier than before.
So, whenever Kaoru took a break during his shift or left briefly, Mr. Kawasaki always turned a blind eye and never said a word.
However, what puzzled Mr. Kawasaki tonight was that his granddaughter, Rika Kawasaki—who would usually be out in the front at this time helping to tidy up—had also suddenly disappeared…
He shook his head, not thinking much of it.
Following his advice, Aina Saiten sat down on an empty chair near the entrance, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the Sunflower bouquet’s wrapping paper resting on her knees.
Time ticked by, the old-fashioned wall clock going “tick-tock,” and when the hour hand finally landed squarely on eleven, the end of the shift, there was still no sign of Kaoru Hoshitani in the front hall.
Aina Saiten’s worry, like a steadily rising tide, began to spill over.
She glanced uneasily again and again toward the hallway leading to the kitchen and storeroom, her brows slightly furrowed.
She forced herself to wait a few more minutes, fighting the urge to give in to her anxiety.
At last, unable to restrain herself any longer, she decided to go find her boyfriend herself.
Just as she stood up, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the very figure she’d been longing for finally appear, coming around the corner of the hallway.
“Kaoru!”
Aina Saiten immediately hurried over, her voice filled with concern and a faint but unmistakable urgency,
“Where did you go? It’s already time to get off work, I’ve been waiting for you quite a while.”
As she spoke, her eyes worked like the finest scanner, examining her boyfriend up and down, inside and out, with utmost care.
At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
The izakaya’s standard, simple indigo-blue kimono fit Kaoru Hoshitani neatly, his sash tied just right.
However, Aina Saiten knew her boyfriend’s body better than anyone else in the world.
She instantly noticed several almost imperceptible irregularities.