Chapter 1: Daughter of My First Love

Standing in front of the coffee machine in the break room,

he pressed the ‘latte’ button.

Perhaps it was because there was nobody else inside the

room, the familiar sound of the machine running, sounded a

little louder.

After a short moment, just the right amount and consistency

of coffee was brewed and poured into a mug filled with

creaming powder, resulting in a light brown liquid.

In the company, many people found it unusual that he only

drank sweet coffee, but the reason why there were so many

people who liked their coffee black was probably because

there were also many people who liked to smoke.

As a person who did not smoke, he was unable to

empathize.

(…I’ve always had a sweet tooth to begin with.)

His hair was black and cut at an appropriate length, so even

if he didn’t style it, it wouldn’t give off a sloppy impression.

On top, he wore a shirt with no tie, and on the bottom, he

wore slacks and walking shoes. He was dressed in a way

that gave a fresh impression of cleanliness and vitality. His

face, while still youthful, had the air of an adult.

Ichigo Kugiyama was standing by the window, looking out as

he sipped his latte from his mug.

In the high blue sky, voluminous clouds with a hint of black

were drifting by – A sky typical of the pre-summer season.

It was the rainy season.

He thought it was Golden Week just a few days ago, but now

the August Obon Festival is already approaching.

(The next busy season is just around the corner…)

As he thought about this, Ichigo let out a sigh

“Not enough sleep?”

Before he came to realize, another person had arrived in the

break room.

Judging from the lighter and cigarette he was holding in his

hand, he seemed to have just come back from the smoking

room.

Unlike Ichigo, he was wearing clothes that were more work-

appropriate and easier to move around in.

He was a subordinate male employee, younger than Ichigo.

“Lately, we’ve been busy with a lot of new events, like

changes to the sales floor, and construction of new

facilities.”

“I guess… But it was thanks to everyone that we were able

to accomplish all of that.”

Ichigo smiled as he said this.

“Again with this… It was all thanks to the manager’s-“

“Manager Kugiyama.”

Then, another staff member came into the break room.

It was a new female employee who just joined that spring.

“The Regional Manager is here.”

“Is it urgent? Right now, the manager is on break, so talk to

the regional manager and buy time for a wh-”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll see him right now.”

Ichigo poured the latte down his throat in one gulp and put

the mug in the sink.

“I’m probably going to start patrolling now, if anything

happens, call me on the extension.”

“Roger.”

“Yes.”

After saying that, Ichigo left the break room.

Inside the room, the new female employee and the other

male employee were left behind.

“It’s tough for the manager, isn’t it?”

“Yeah… But I respect him.”

The male employee said as he made himself a cup of coffee

on the coffee machine.

Truly, he respects him from the bottom of his heart.

“I guess that’s the kind of ‘capable adult’ that this company

trusts.”

–Fifteen years have passed since the day Sakura

disappeared.

–The 28 year old Ichigo Kugiyama, is currently working as a

store manager at a large and nationwide chain department

store.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

“You seem to be doing pretty well for your first time as

manager.”

The department store, which has a vast sales floor area, was

crowded with visitors.

The store Ichigo’s in charge of is located at the corner of

NSC / Neighborhood Shopping Center. An outlet mall where

independent stores are scattered throughout the site, built a

little farther from the center of the city.

The department store sells everything, from daily

necessities, to furniture, to materials and tools needed for

renovation, construction, and even the now popular DIY

projects.

While taking a look around the store, Ichigo was currently

talking to the Regional Manager, the person in charge of

overseeing and managing all the stores in the area.

The Regional Manager was a small, stocky, short,

bespectacled man of mature years. He has had a long

career with the company and was a relatively mild-

mannered and easy to deal with type of boss.

“The proposal you submitted seems to be very effective.

Keeping the best sellers in mind, developing the sales floor

area so that it stimulates the people’s motivation to

purchase stuff, does seem to lead to better results. Sales

are as strong as ever.”

To the manager who showered him with excessive

compliments, Ichigo returned a wry smile.

“I just made the proposals based on staff, surrounding

stores, and hot sales topics on social media. I did make the

plans, but it’s the subordinates and part-time workers who

did all the work.”

To Ichigo’s humble reply, The Regional Manager patted him

on the shoulder and said, “That’s the job of a good

manager.”

As they were just approaching the storefront.

“Huh?” There, at a special corner set up in the store, The

Regional Manager noticed that several part-timers were

doing some kind of solicitation. “That is…?”

“As I reported in the Weekly Management the other day, this

is a strategy aimed at increasing the number of customers

by assigning more staff to do more advertising in the

stores.”

“Ah, I thought the store was focusing on getting app

members?”

A relatively elderly customer was seen having difficulty

operating a handheld smartphone, and a group of part-time

students stood beside him, helping him install an app that

the company had previously created and distributed.

“Yes, we have young part-timers who are mechanically

inclined to help older customers sign up for the app. We also

inform them about the special deals and systems we have in

place, so that they would come back again and again. Our

goal is to get repeating customers.”

“As expected, you’re quick to act once you find your target.”

The Regional Manager looked up at Ichigo with a smile on

his face. “Ambitious and talented. It might not be long

before you get your next promotion.”

“Haha, I’d rather work and lounge around in this position.”

As the two of them were having this conversation,

“Oh, look, it’s The Manager and The Regional Manager.”

While Ichigo was taking a look around the store with the

manager, the staff noticed them.

It was the part-time college students who were advertising

at the store.

“Looks like The Manager is getting compliments again.”

“So he gets along with The Regional Manager…”

“Is the manager a promising prospect?”

“Of course… In the first place, it’s amazing that at the age

of 28, he’s already the store manager of an S-ranked store.”

“S-ranked store?”

“The top-selling store of the year. That’s how highly the

company values the store

When one of the part-timers raised a question, another

explained.

“Eh…? Then, his pay must be pretty good, no?” A part-time

female college student also joined in.

“If you exclude the executive class, he’s getting one of the

best treatments from the company, but that’s only a rumor I

heard.”

“Eh, is that so?!”

“What are you all talking about?” Sensing they were excited

about something, Ichigo approached them and said.

“Oh, Store Manager, where’s The Regional Manager?”

“He just finished his patrol, so he’s heading back to his

office. So, did you see him talking to me in any way?”

“Nothing, sir.”

“We were just talking about some prime real estate.”

Two part-time female college students looked at each other.

“Prime real estate? Are you looking for a place to live?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Is Manager an airhead?”

The part-time girls were laughing at him. Of course, Ichigo

himself knew what he was saying.

“Hey, does Manager have a girlfriend?”

“Right now? I’m free.”

“Eh, that’s surprising. I thought you’d be popular with the

girls, Manager.”

The part-timers got excited.

Ichigo was praised, but he didn’t look too happy about it.

…Whenever talks about romance come up, he always

seems reluctant. That was why he had a dim look on his

face.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

The sun was setting, and the night was falling in the sky.

“Yes, yes …I understand. Then, you can leave the office as

you are. Thank you for your hard work.”

Ichigo received a call from the assistant manager at the

store.

After receiving the report that the store was closing, Ichigo

hung up his cell phone.

Ichigo had left the store early today, and upon returning

home, he visited the station near his house. The area

around the station was quite prosperous, with many

restaurants and apparel stores lining the street.

At a café terrace in one corner of the building, he was doing

some paperwork, and he was just finishing up.

“I should go home.”

Turning off his laptop, Ichigo left the cafe.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the store to his

house that the company provided. Today, Ichigo chose to walk as a form of exercise.

“Hah…”

Walking with a laptop in one hand takes a certain amount of

energy.

As he walked along the sidewalk, lit by streetlights, Ichigo

let out a deep breath.

He took a look around, but at that hour on a weekday, the

streets were sparsely populated.

Then, from across the street, a couple, a man and a woman,

could be seen.

They’re probably students – Ichigo thought.

As the couple were chatting and laughing, the couple and

Ichigo passed each other.

(…Eh? Is this a present…?)

At a glance, the woman could be seen holding a paper bag

which seemed to be containing something important. From

what could be heard from the conversation, it seemed to be

a gift from her boyfriend.

(Is this perhaps… a present for my birthday?)

Ichigo pondered over what the present could be. At this time

of the year, he thought it was probably a room fragrance or

a body soap…

Ichigo realized that he guessed that way probably because

he’s running a department store of his own. From looking at

how they looked, they were probably high school students.

So the present was probably something more

straightforward, something like… accessories…

“……”

As he thought about this, memories of his childhood friend –

Sakura, came back invading his mind. 

Ichigo had also given Sakura a birthday present. However,

as he was only a child back then, he was unable to prepare

anything expensive.

Therefore, Ichigo, who had always been good with his

hands, decided to make up for his lack of financial resources

with his creativity. Using his mother’s lifestyle magazines as

a reference, Ichigo made his own scented candles, sweets,

and other things to give to Sakura.

And for her birthday present, he made her silver accessories

out of sterling silver clay… Looking back, the idea was so

childish that he almost shuddered from embarrassment.

‘Wow… Thank you, Ichi. I’ll cherish it.’

He couldn’t believe that even now, he still remembers

Sakura’s voice and expression of delight.

In response to his present, Sakura made homemade sweets

for Ichigo’s birthday.

It was a faintly sweet and sour memory.

Her long black hair that looked like it was fake, her smooth

nasal line, her long eyelashes, her peach-colored lips, her

smile....

It has been 15 years since then. Ichigo is currently living a

fulfilling life, both financially and socially.

However, when it comes to love, he is still a little hazy. He

knows that it’s crazy that a 28 year old man is still dragging

the memory of his first love at his age… But that’s just how

much Sakura means to Ichigo, and that’s a memory that will

never fade.

As he felt a sense of helplessness at the current situation,

Ichigo lowered his head and let out a sigh, “Hah…” 

Feeling small and depressed, Ichigo said, “Maybe I’ll get a

drink and go home…”

As if attracted by the light, Ichigo entered a convenience

store that was just around the corner. 

He already had the ingredients for dinner at home, so he

was just going to buy some alcohol. Today, he wanted to

drink something a little strong to take things off his mind.

Ichigo bought whiskey and soda water. Leaving the

convenience store, Ichigo resumed his walk home, thinking,

“I’m going home and have a highball.”

–That’s when it happened.

“Hey, it’s fine, right?”

Just outside of the bustling shopping area, on a cobblestone

sidewalk, Ichigo found himself in the middle of the street,

and he heard the sound of such a wild and crude voice.

He looked over and saw a man and a woman who seemed

to be in some kind of dispute. No… Upon closer observation,

it seemed that the woman was in the midst of being tangled

up by the man.

The man, who looked mature, was acting suspiciously.  

There was a can of high-alcohol liquor lying at the guy’s

feet, probably bought at a convenience store nearby, or

maybe even the one Ichigo just stopped by.

Apparently, he was drunk. 

The girl, on the other hand, seemed to be in high school

given her uniform from an all-girls school, which was quite

famous in the area.

She was just a little outside of the street lamp light, so

Ichigo couldn’t see her face clearly, but he could tell that

she had a vaguely feminine atmosphere.

“Let’s talk for a bit.” The drunk man said as he asked her to

be her companion. 

Ichigo couldn’t even tell if the guy was serious or just

playing around.

But the high school girl did not take an overtly disgusted

attitude.

“Um, I’m in a bit of trouble, so I’m in a hurry…” She said

with a strained smile.

However, even if she seemed calm on the surface, she was

clearly in trouble. Perhaps it was the time of day, but there

were not many people around the place. Passersby who

happened to pass by ignored them, probably because

they’re either in a hurry or not wanting to get involved.

Can’t be helped… Ichigo thought.

“Excuse me.”

Upon his spontaneous decision, Ichigo immediately stepped

in between the drunk and the high school girl.

Even in his own store, part-timers sometimes get tangled up

with customers. Ways to deal with such a situation firmly

are already ingrained in Ichigo’s head.

Both the drunk and the high school girl stopped in their

tracks when Ichigo suddenly appeared in front of them.

“She doesn’t seem to like it, so could you please stop?”

Ichigo said as he stood in front of the drunk man.

The guy then said, “What?” Sounding upset and slurred.

“She’s a minor, and excessive behavior could be considered

coercion.”

Without raising his voice or becoming overly coercive, Ichigo

simply stated the situation. Ichigo took a very mature

approach to the situation.

The drunk man, on the other hand, said with increasing

hostility, “You are? It’s none of your business.”

There was no other way, Ichigo thought.

“It actually is. The girl is a part-timer at our store.”

If Ichigo insinuates that she is connected to him, the two-on-

one composition would be more strongly embossed, and the

other person might be deflated. 

It was a legitimate lie to set the scene, and it would be a

good excuse later on.

However, the drunk didn’t listen, saying, “I don’t give a

damn about that.”

The situation escalated. The drunk didn’t seem to want to

talk to him… No, the conversation never even started in the

first place. In other words, he must be very drunk.

Ichigo could tell that the high school girl behind him was

frightened by the drunk who bared his fangs with empty

eyes.

On the contrary however, Ichigo was relieved. The guy not

being able to communicate was actually very convenient for

them.

Ichigo whispered to the high school girl, “Can you run?”

“Eh?”

In the next moment, Ichigo took the high school girl’s hand

and ran from the scene at once. 

The other party was an elderly drunk. He couldn’t react to

Ichigo’s sudden action, and by the time he realized, they

had already disappeared from right in front of him.

Screams could be heard, but the drunk didn’t seem to be

chasing after Ichigo and the girl.

With that, the situation was handled.

If he was that drunk, he probably won’t even remember

what just happened when he wakes up – Ichigo thought.

The two of them ran for a while and came to a residential

area.

“I think we’ll be okay here.”

As Ichigo let go of her hand, the high school girl put her

hands on her knees and began to breathe deeply.

“Sorry, I started running suddenly like that.”

“N-No…”

Eventually, her breathing calmed down, and the high school

girl looked up.

Earlier, it was dark, and Ichigo had to deal with the drunk so

he didn’t get to see her face clearly. Now that they’re here,

Ichigo was finally able to see her face.

He was surprised and speechless.

Her hair was long and black and it reached her waist.

Her skin was clear and transparent.

Her face was well-defined with a smooth bridge on her nose.

Slightly slanted eyes with long, sexy eyelashes.

Peach-colored lips.

It’s what she looked like back then.

It’s the same as it was then.

Her face looked exactly like that of his childhood friend,

Sakura.

“Um…”

The shock was so great that Ichigo’s eyes widened and he

was left speechless. 

Sakura is… No! She was only in the form of Sakura.

“Thank you very much.”

“…What?”

“You helped me, didn’t you…?”

“…Ah, no… But I’m glad I didn’t butt in unnecessarily.”

“It wasn’t unnecessary at all… I was really scared that I

couldn’t even ask for help. You really helped me.” The girl

said, a little teary-eyed.

Trembling, she wiped away the tears on her long eyelashes.

It was the same. Ichigo’s chest heaved and the back of his

throat quivered. 

His mind was perturbed, so much so that he couldn’t even

analyze the situation whether it was just a hallucination or

reality. 

“Um… Excuse me, my house is actually just around the

corner.” The girl said as she pointed towards a dark alley

where the street lamp was out. “So… If possible, I would like

to thank you.”

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