"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but we were not able to save your wife and daughter," the doctor said calmly.
"No... no, that's not true! You are lying," Ren said in disbelief. "There must be some mistake. You have to try again!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Takoma, but there is no mistake," the doctor replied solemnly.
Ren approached his wife's lifeless body, tears streaming down his face. "Airi... you always told me you would never leave me alone, that you would always be with me. So why... why did you leave me?"
"I'm sorry, darling. I couldn't protect you," he whispered through his sobs.
"Mr. Takoma, you can take the bodies tomorrow," the doctor gently informed him.
As Ren drove home, regret consumed him. Snow fell softly outside, and memories flooded his mind—when he first met Airi, and the day their daughter was born on December 25, 2019.
"Honey, look at her. She's so adorable and beautiful, just like a flower," Airi said with a gentle smile.
"From this day forward, her name will be Hana Takoma," Ren said, his voice filled with joy.
Tears welled in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Hana. Papa wasn't there for you. He couldn't protect you."
He arrived home to silence. Opening the door, emptiness greeted him. Sitting down, he whispered, "The house feels so empty. No 'Welcome back, Papa,' no 'How was your day, honey?'"
On December 27, 2025, the funeral was held for Airi and Hana Takoma. Only Airi's parents and some colleagues attended. Her mother wept quietly; her father was despondent. Colleagues asked how it happened. As their bodies were laid to rest under falling snow, Ren murmured with tears, "I always hated the snow, but you were the reason I loved it."
Three months later, on March 27, 2026, Ren Takoma still hadn't recovered from that day. Overwhelmed by grief, he attempted to end his life by stepping in front of a truck.
At that moment, a girl dashed into the street to save a small cat. Ren rushed forward and shielded her, injuring his left leg but saving her. The girl began to cry, and Ren comforted her with a warm hug.
"Don't cry. Nothing happened. You're brave—you saved that little kitty's life. Stop crying," he soothed.
"But... but Uncle, your leg hurt because you protected me," she said through tears.
Ren smiled gently. "Don't worry about my leg. What matters most is that you and your kitty are safe. For that, I'll give you an ice cream treat."
They walked to a nearby ice cream parlor, where Ren bought three scoops. He asked her softly, "What's your name? Where are your parents?"
Her face fell in sadness. "My name is Yui Amane. I don't have anyone. I live in Sunnybrook Orphanage."
Ren's eyes dulled with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Yui."
She smiled through her tears. "Don't feel sorry, Uncle. I don't feel bad about not having parents. It's just my fate."
Ren thought quietly, "She's just like Hana."
He asked Yui to take him to the orphanage. Upon arrival, he met the head, Mr. Takamura.
"Hello, I'm Ren Takoma, and I want to adopt Yui Amane," he said.
Yui's eyes lit up. "Really? You want to adopt me?"
Ren smiled warmly. "Yes. You can be my daughter, Yui Takoma."
Mr. Takamura nodded happily. "Come with me, Mr. Takoma. Let's complete the adoption papers. After that, Yui will be your daughter officially."
With his signature, the papers were finalized, and Yui became Ren's daughter.
Chapter 1:- New Life