The Forgotten Promise : Opening Flashback

The sun bathed the Takahashi mansion in a golden hue, casting long shadows across the garden. Lush greenery surrounded the estate, a stark contrast to the world of crime and power that lingered just beyond the tall, iron gates. Birds chirped lazily from their perches in the trees, and the faint sound of laughter echoed through the air.

Amid the flowers and winding stone paths, two children chased each other, their laughter carefree and innocent.

“Wait up, Kaito!” a young girl called out, her voice filled with joy. Her long dark hair, tied in a ribbon, bounced as she ran. She wore a simple white dress that swirled around her legs with each step.

Kaito slowed down, glancing over his shoulder at Aiko. He had always been faster, stronger—even at such a young age, his instincts were sharp. His jet-black hair was messy from running, and his blue eyes twinkled in the afternoon light. Normally, Kaito was reserved, already showing signs of the cold exterior he would develop as he grew older. But with Aiko, things were different.

“I told you not to fall behind,” Kaito teased, his lips curling into a rare smile.

Aiko pouted, finally catching up to him. She reached out and playfully shoved him. “You always leave me behind!” she complained, though her tone was light.

Kaito looked down at her, his smile fading slightly. “I would never leave you behind, Aiko,” he said, more serious than a child his age should be. “I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”

Aiko’s pout disappeared as she looked up at him with wide eyes. “Promise?”

Kaito didn’t hesitate. He extended his pinky finger. “Promise.”

Aiko giggled and wrapped her pinky around his, sealing the bond with a gentle tug. The gesture felt simple, but in their young hearts, it was unbreakable. They didn’t fully understand the weight of the world they were born into, the families they came from, or the responsibilities that awaited them. But in that moment, nothing mattered except their promise to each other.

They continued playing, running through the garden as if the world outside didn’t exist. The wind rustled the leaves, carrying with it the scent of roses from the nearby bushes, mixing with the sounds of their laughter.

But even in the innocence of childhood, shadows loomed.

Inside the mansion, Kaito’s father, Yuto Takahashi, stood by a large window overlooking the garden. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his face was hard, etched with the lines of years spent ruling the Takahashi mafia. He watched the two children play, his expression unreadable.

“They’re close,” a voice said from behind him. It was Kaito’s mother, a woman with the same cold demeanor that would later define her son. She approached her husband, standing beside him as they both observed the children.

Yuto’s eyes remained fixed on Kaito and Aiko. “Too close,” he murmured.

His wife raised an eyebrow. “You disapprove?”

Yuto sighed, though the sound was almost imperceptible. “Disapprove? No. But they’ll have to learn soon enough that our world is not one for childhood promises.”

His wife said nothing, her gaze still on the garden. She knew Yuto was right. The world outside their mansion was brutal, a place where loyalties could be broken with a single act of betrayal, where power and survival were intertwined. And yet, as a mother, part of her wished that Kaito could hold onto his smile just a little longer.

But Yuto knew better. He had built the Takahashi empire on ruthlessness, and one day, Kaito would inherit it. There was no room for weakness, no room for childhood bonds in their future.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the garden, Kaito and Aiko sat side by side on a bench beneath a large oak tree. Aiko swung her legs back and forth, while Kaito stared up at the sky, his smile fading as the weight of reality settled back on his shoulders.

“Kaito,” Aiko said softly, breaking the comfortable silence between them. “Do you think we’ll always be like this? You know, just… happy?”

Kaito didn’t answer right away. He glanced at Aiko, noticing the slight frown on her face. She had a way of sensing things, even at a young age, understanding that their lives were not like those of other children. She knew the Takahashi name carried power, danger, and responsibility. But what she didn’t know yet was just how much that would shape their future.

“I hope so,” Kaito said finally, though there was an edge of doubt in his voice.

Aiko looked at him, her brow furrowed. “Hope so? That’s not what you usually say. You’re always so sure of everything.”

Kaito shrugged, a rare moment of vulnerability passing over him. “I just… I don’t know what’s going to happen when we grow up, Aiko. My father has plans for me. Big plans.”

Aiko tilted her head, studying his face. “But you’ll still be Kaito, right? The one who promised to always be there for me?”

Kaito’s heart tightened at her words. He knew that the world they were part of didn’t allow for promises like the one he had made. But he also knew that he would do anything to protect her. Anything.

“Of course,” he said, forcing a small smile. “I’ll always be there for you, Aiko. No matter what.”

Aiko grinned, satisfied with his answer. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and for a moment, Kaito allowed himself to relax, to enjoy the peace of the garden and the warmth of her presence.

But deep down, he knew that their promise—no matter how strong it felt now—would be tested in ways neither of them could imagine. The world they were born into would soon reveal its true nature, and childhood innocence would give way to harsh realities. Their bond would be shattered, and the promise they made would either break or become the only thing keeping them together.

As the stars began to appear in the sky above, Kaito and Aiko sat together in the growing darkness, unaware of the storm that was slowly building around them, waiting to tear apart everything they thought they knew

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***