Prologue

"Jeez.…"

The sound of heavy rain that night really wrenched the heart. Lightning and thunder continued to dance in the sky, creating anxious feelings that were difficult to express. This rainstorm was terrible! That night became a gloomy and sad night. Similar to the moods of two people who were in the middle of the rain storm. Who knows what really happened, but....

Tragic.

Maybe, that was the right word that could describe their conditions. Although, the reality was much more heartbreaking than that. In the pouring rain and strong wind that kept blowing as if to shake all the objects around them, that was where the two souls stilled.

They did not seem to care about how terrible or cold the night was and stayed there for a long time without any intention of leaving. The only thing that could be seen was that the man bent over and embraced the young girl's body. He leaned the girl's head against his chest and held it tightly as if he was afraid of losing her.

The man just sat there in silence, hugging the body of the girl who was stretched out in front of him. Yeah, if you noticed, the girl had long gone! However, the man continued to hold tight to the cold, lifeless body. His gaze was empty, like a black hole, with no vibration or wave of emotion. It was as if his world had crumbled, and what was happening around him was now meaningless. The only thing he felt was emptiness!

The last thing he remembered was....

.

 *****

1 hour ago.

 .

"Hah... Hah...." The man ran towards the forest on this mountain in a state of panic and anxiety that can be seen from his eyes and body language.

He kept running while shouting a name, "Yuki! Yuki!!! Yuki..., where are you???! Yukiii!!!"

He kept screaming and shouting that name, but no answer was heard.

He finally reached the middle of the forest at the top of the mountain, where there was a large cherry blossom tree that was blooming. Under the tree, he found a girl lying underneath. The girl did not move. Her body was covered with cuts and punctures. Blood kept flowing, creating a pool of blood around it.

The man was shocked! He was absolutely horrified by the scene in front of him. His body trembled, his eyes filled with a sense of disbelief and fear. He stepped slowly, while trembling. He could not believe what he saw until he was right near the pool of blood.

His pupils shrank, and his eyes sharpened but almost lost their focus. He had time to stare, looking at the pool of blood. His emotions were mixed up. Whatever he felt, it was very hard to describe.

His mind and emotions rebelled as if he did not accept the bitter truth he had found. Having finally managed to regain control of his mind, he ran and quickly hugged the girl's body without caring about the pool of blood around her. While trying to control the tone of his voice, he said....

"Yu... ki... Yuki, Yuki, can you hear me? Yuki? Please open your eyes, Yuki. Please, Yuki? Open your eyes.... It's me, I've come, Yuki... Yuki?"

The man's voice was weak, filled with despair, remorse, and sorrow. So piercing and heartbroken, hearing how he called her name. His chest was tight as he embraced the girl's weak body.

Finally, after trying to call her name repeatedly, the girl named Yuki showed a movement. So weak and small that maybe no one would notice it except the man! He was immediately aware of the movement, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.

"Yuki…," called him one more time before Yuki started opening her eyes slowly.

Her body was limp and numb. She could hardly feel anything else and did not have the slightest energy to give a meaningful response. Her eyelids were heavy. She needed to fight hard just to open her eyes. So, she could look at the face of the man who was embracing her weak body.

Yuki just smiled when she finally opened her eyes and saw the face of the man she loved so much. Her gaze was full of love and care but also sorrow.

The look really made his heart torn and full of guilt for her.

"Yuki…," he whispered softly.

Yuki merely offered a faint smile as she mustered the strength to summon the man's name.

"Fū... ma... Fūma-sa... ma…," she replied slowly and weakly.

Fūma was trembling. His heart felt like being squeezed when the girl called his name weakly. He tried to keep his calm before smiling at Yuki.

"Fūma... Ma-sorry... I'm sorry, Fūma…," she said softly.

"What do you mean, Yuki? Why do you have to apologize? What do you mean? I'm the one who should apologize! I am! It's all my fault, Yuki! It's not your fault! I'm the guilty one, Yuki... I'm sorry... I'm sorry ...." He sobbed at Yuki.

Gathering her last energy, Yuki managed to move one of her hands and touch Fūma's face with a weak smile. She said, "Fuma, this is not your fault. I-I, I'm also guilty. I'm sorry…. I'm sorry. I lo-love you, Fūma. Sorry, because of me.... You have to suffer. I -I make you hurt, and.... You, you have to feel this pain again. I'm sorry.... If only I had never existed. If only I had died back then, maybe.... Maybe now you do not have to feel anything for my departure. I'm sorry... Fūma. Please... Fūma. Please... forgive me.... Please, do not be sad.... No, do-don't cry Fūma…."

"Sssttt.... What are you saying? Yuki, this is not your fault. You better keep your energy. I'll treat you soon. I'll take you out of here, Yuki. I—"

Yuki smiled softly and began to close her eyes before Fūma managed to finish his words. The hand that had been holding his face was falling down.

Yeah, that was the last thing Yuki could say. Her strong desire and willpower kept her to survive, even with those wounds. Before she finally breathed her last.

"Yuki? Yuki?! YUKIIIII!!!" Fuma kept screaming at Yuki's name. He knew it was useless. He knew that but still did so while holding onto Yuki's cold body.

Fūma was shocked and speechless; this hit him so hard. That was what he felt when he saw Yuki's little hand stop moving. He did not want to believe the fact he found before his eyes. He did not want to accept it! His soul was rebelling! 'Why? Why does all this have to happen? Why should it be her? Why should Yuki???!!!'

Feelings of outrage, hatred, sadness, pain, regret, despair, resentment, and all other emotions now mingled in his mind! He was extremely furious! Angry at himself, angry at his helplessness and hatred for those people! The people who have robbed Yuki from him! Angry at the fate that was playing with them! Irritated. Those negative feelings continued to fill his mind and heart for a while before finally, only emptiness filled his soul.

It was raining, just as Yuki breathed her last.

There, Fūma was broken; he was destroyed. He just kept on hugging the girl he loved. He continued like that until dawn came, and the rain began to subside.

He then stood up, lifting the fragile body in his arms, and turned towards the cherry tree and the sunrise light before walking away, carrying his beloved. No one knows what was on his mind when he gazed at the tree.

No one knows for sure... where the man stepped and carried the body of his lover. Nobody really saw the man again. But we all know he was alive. He still lives up to now among all of us. That was where he was.

He who preyed on his victims in the dark.... Without a sound. Without a trace. As if... it were just an illusion. He, who swore to kill his heart and avenge his beloved lover. Now, he was still alive among us without us knowing his existence. Until he "chose you".

That was what should happen; that was his declaration.

But ....

What would happen when destiny reunites them again in the future?

Would that principle survive?

Would he show his figure?

Would people be aware of his existence?

Would the secrets and crimes that he had committed be unraveled?

That person, can she melt the cold heart?

Which would he choose?

Hatred and vengeful past or love and their future?

This red thread, still remembering their souls to each other.