The hiss of steam fills the kitchen. A woman deftly drops pieces of vegetables and meat into the boiling water. She does not forget to add various spices, then stirs.
Her name was Yuki. Though she was about twenty years old, her face still carried the softness of a schoolgirl. Her irises were black, matching the color of her hair that fell in long waves down her back.
Late at night, a pair of hands slip around her slim waist from behind, sneaking between the folds of the pink apron she wore.
"Eh?!" She starts slightly, but a light laugh escapes her small lips. "You always choose the moments when I let my guard down, Arata-kun." A warm smile is cast upon the handsome man with black hair who holds her.
The man chuckles softly. "What is wrong with flirting with my own wife?"
Yuki shakes her head gently, a flush of red crawling across her cheeks. "At least let me prepare breakfast."
"Need help?"
Once more, Yuki shakes her head. "The last time you 'helped,' this kitchen turned into your playground. You covered my whole body in flour. It was a disaster when you 'helped,' Arata."
Arata's laughter rings through the kitchen. He cannot deny his own silliness when he is with Yuki, his beloved wife.
"Now go quickly or I will hit you." Yuki lifts the ladle in her hand as a playful threat.
Her husband grins thinly at her antics. He brings his face closer, close enough to make Yuki blush and turn away awkwardly.
"All right, I will not bother you but give me something special first."
"You... always, so annoying," she says, stealing a glance. Yuki exhales. Her hand moves slowly, caressing the cheek of the one she has loved since youth. "But... perhaps that is why I keep falling in love with you."
Her eyes close, her lips near, she kisses her husband's forehead. After a moment, she draws her lips away.
"Only the forehead? Not the lips?"
Yuki pouts, her small hand playfully patting the tall Arata. "Do not complain so much. Go quickly, you annoying man!"
Arata vanishes in a flash from his wife's side and waits in the living room. He sits on the sofa, staring blankly at the news on the TV.
A fond smile appears as his gaze lands on the gold ring encircling his ring finger. From his pocket he produces a box containing a silver necklace with a crescent moon pendant.
"I hope she will like this gift."
Today is their fourth wedding anniversary. Arata intends to give the necklace to his wife as a present.
He then reaches into his other trouser pocket and pulls out a neatly folded vacation brochure. His shoulders relax as he studies the pamphlet in his hands.
"This time... I will definitely take you on a trip. No more work. Nothing will stand in the way this time... I promise."
Arata turns his attention back to the jewelry box, fondling the necklace again. In his mind he imagines how it will look resting at his wife's throat. His grip tightens.
As he focuses, the objects around him begin to tremble slightly without his noticing. A few seconds later, his smartphone on the table rings loudly. Its screen flashes red and white.
Bzzzt!
Arata's eyes widen, sensing that something dreadful is coming. He runs to the kitchen and seizes his wife's hand. "Let us go!"
"Eh?! What—?"
Before Yuki can react, the ground shakes violently and items fall from the shelves. The kitchen cabinet collapses. Plates shatter on the floor.
"Earthquake!"
Arata reacts quickly, grabbing his wife's hand and pulling her under the table. "Yuki! Duck!"
They entwine their arms around one another, soothing the fear crawling along their backs.
Yuki buries her face in Arata's chest. His embrace tightens when he feels her body trembling in fright.
"Arata..."
"Stay calm."
A few seconds pass, and the quake begins to subside. The trembling of the earth ceases.
"It seems the quake has passed," Arata murmurs, starting to loosen his hold. "We must hurry to the evacuation area!"
Yuki nods, her voice still quivering. "Y-you are right."
Arata rises first from beneath the table. Yuki follows, though her legs still tremble.
"Hurry, Yuki. I will carry you if needed."
Yuki draws a breath, composing herself first. "No need. I can walk on my own. Trust me, I am fine." Though resolute, her voice betrays a tremor.
"All right. I understand. Do not hesitate if you need help."
Yuki nods.
Only a few steps further, an aftershock strikes. Its tremor is far stronger than before. Roof debris rains down, walls crack, floors split.
"Aaaaah!"
"Yuki!"
Yuki falls into the basement. Arata immediately leaps, embracing his wife, shielding her with his own body.
Thud!
They fall. A bone-jarring thud echoes as Arata's back hits the cold, hard basement floor.
"Ugh..."
It is not over, rubble continues to fall from above. Arata flips his position and uses his body to protect his wife from the collapsing debris.
Heavy objects fall without cease, striking Arata's back. He struggles to endure, to shelter his wife.
Meanwhile, Yuki squeezes her eyes shut. She cannot bear to see what happens next. In the depths of her heart she only prays they will survive.
"Aaaargh!"
The earthquake suddenly stops, coinciding with Arata's scream of pain that rends Yuki's heart.
Something warm trickles across Yuki's cheek. Her eyes open slowly. Instantly, she freezes. Her mouth parts but words seem lodged in her throat.
"Thank God... you are all right."
Arata, wearing a tired, forced smile, wipes a smear of blood splashed on Yuki's face.
"This cannot be..."
Yuki stares in disbelief. A sharp piece of wood has pierced the chest of the one she loves most.
"Cough... cough..."
Fresh blood flows from his mouth, by chance smearing part of his wife's still-frozen face.
"Heh, look at you now." Arata laughs weakly. His fingers tremble as he tries to wipe the blood from Yuki's cheek. "Sorry for ruining your beauty."
"No... This is not true!"
The world collapses for Yuki. She wants to scream, but no sound comes. It feels as though a lump of pressure fills her throat.
"Sorry... for making you worry..."
Arata fully realizes his condition. There is no saving him. His hands shake violently, unable to bear the weight of his own body.
He leans forward, presses his lips to his wife's brow. "This is repayment... for... this morning... Yuki."
A bitter smile is etched for the last time before he collapses and exhales a heavy breath.
Yuki wakes, touches her husband's body lying beside her. A drop of water wets her cheek. She embraces his stiff form, pressing their foreheads together.
"Please... do not leave me alone, Arata."
Her fingers squeeze his body as if to wake him, though she knows he will never open his eyes again. She buries her face in his rigid chest.
"Always, always, always, like this... why only me? Why always me?"
Fate toys with her endlessly. Each time she finally attains happiness, it is snatched away from her leaving nothing behind.
Her fingers move slowly along Arata's hand. As she tries to link their hands together, she finds a silver necklace still warm.
That day... was their wedding celebration. And the necklace in her hand that should have been a joyful present... instead brings an agony that shatters her chest.
"I... I cannot accept this."
Rage and despair drive her to scream hysterically, hoping this is only a nightmare and that she will awaken at once. Her sobs rise along with the spreading pain.
"Please... return him to me."
Yuki holds Arata's body tightly. Her sobbing begins to subside, replaced by silence. In that silence she senses something.
The necklace in Arata's hand suddenly glows, a warm light envelops their bodies.
"Why... why are you still warm?" she whispers, sensing that Arata's body is not entirely cold. "What light is this?"
Then she hears it. Not a human voice, not one of this world. But a whisper soft, distant, and deep.
You wish to be with him... to cross the bounds of life, faithful one...?
Yuki clamps her jaw shut. "Yes! Take me with him! Whoever you are, I beg you, whether goddess, demon, angel, whatever! I will do anything as long as I can stay with him!"
I will carry you to the place where fate is woven anew. But you will not meet him now. If your heart is steadfast, then seek him.
The voice fades along with the necklace's light that now blankets their bodies. Yuki clutches her husband's hand tightly, and through her tears she allows herself to be carried away in the light that embraces the world.