~ CHAPTER ONE ~

A child—she guessed no more than five years of age—approached Haruka at the table where she sat, surrounded by stacks of her latest book. The little girl had lush, blue hair, tied back in a fluffy ponytail, brilliant azure eyes that sparkled with life, and an angelic smile as she peered up in wonder. She cradled her copy of The Golden Yarn close to her chest as her smile seemed to grow even wider, impossibly wide. Haruka didn't think she had ever seen so precious a child in her entire life. Hands folded on the table before her, the author of more than a dozen children's books leaned forward, and let her own smile grow.

"Well, hello there."

"Hi," the girl said. Her cheeks glowed, but she was unafraid. She held the book out then, not the least bit bashful, offering it eagerly.

Haruka thought it was unusual. It wasn't often a girl so young would know what it meant to have a book signed. She agreed to these types of events not because she wanted to sign books for children who didn't understand what it really meant to receive an autograph , but because she wanted people to take notice of her books. Curious people would often buy them just because she was there, and on occasion parents thought it a creative gift to get their children an autographed copy. Haruka enjoyed signing books, but she didn't really think her signature was all that important. What was really important was the story within the book's pages, and the only thing she cared about was whether or not her books were loved by the children who would grow up with them.

Indeed, that love sparkled in this child's eyes. That much was evident. She seemed to know exactly what this moment meant, even if Haruka was slightly confused. A five-year-old child, alone, asking for an autograph… that in itself was unusual event. Thinking back on her still young career, Haruka realized that it was a very rare occasion when her youngest fans ever asked for an autograph. Her usual business on signing days was with collectors in their teens and older, many of whom she doubted ever even cracked the book open read it once it was signed.

It was rather late in the day, and business was grinding to a halt. In fact, this appeared to be her last customer of the day. Most of the people in the bookstore had their sights on other merchandise. She could go out and get dinner… finally. With visions of udon briefly dancing in her thoughts, a very hungry Haruka picked up her pen, opening the book. A brilliant splash of color greeted her on the title page. She popped the lid off the pen, and just as she was about to ask the child's name, something unexpected happened.

"You're the lady from the picture."

Haruka paused. She was still staring at that spot in the book where she intended to write her signature, but now she struggled to gain her focus. Her thoughts of hunger vanished in an instant, followed by her marveling at that beauty and wonder of the child before her.

For the first time, she wondered at the intent of her little customer.

"I like your hair."

Haruka set down the pen, peering at the girl. "Why thank you. Yours is lovely, too."

She beamed. "It's like my mommy's."

"Is that so?"

A big hand rested on the shoulder of the little girl then. "Now, sweetheart, it's not polite to start a conversation without introducing yourself first."

"'Kay, Daddy." She looked up and curtsied. "I'm Haruka!"

Haruka felt her heart leap into her throat. She looked up to the man standing over his daughter and stared in disbelief. He met her gaze and smiled, and she remembered the sincere and gentle and somber brown gaze of Takayuki, the boy she had fallen in love with years before.

She rose out of her chair in a rush, backing away as though she had seen a ghost.

His smile widened. He watched her, drinking her in with his gaze. By his expression, she knew what he was thinking. It had been a long time since they'd parted ways.

"Takayuki…"

"I'm sorry to startle you, Haruka." He paused. In that moment Haruka could feel her body finally seizing control of her racing heart. The initial shock at seeing him again was gradually fading away. "We saw that your book came out today, so I wanted to bring my daughter to pick up a copy. She loves all of your books, you know. They're very endearing."

"Well… I'm glad." She turned her gaze back to the little girl and then drew a breath. "I'll sign it for you then, and that way you'll always remember that you had the chance to meet me."

"I won't forget," little Haruka said, but she was fiddling with her pony tail and her eyes were wandering. She had a very innocent, charming air about her. She was simply adorable. Haruka wanted to scoop her up and give her a big hug, but she knew that wouldn't be appropriate. She and Takayuki had parted ways a long time ago, after all; that they were meeting her now was a coincidence of circumstance, and nothing more.

Haruka wanted to smile at the little girl, but she would have had to have forced it even if the girl had looked her way. She felt that with Takayuki's eyes on her, she was being drawn back into dark memories, from both the recent past and also back then, during those days when she realized that she had to let him go, forever.

She turned her attention to the book, which she quickly signed, and handed it back down to the girl that bore her name. "Here you go, sweetie. I hope you like it."

"I will. Thank you!"

Haruka had to smile, then, and she found that she didn't have to force it at all. The child was a little treasure. Takayuki had been blessed with a wonder she could only dream of. "She's an angel," she said sadly as she turned her attention to the girl's father. "Thank you for coming by, Takayuki. It was nice seeing you again." She bowed. "But I have to go now. The store's closing in a few minutes."

"Do you have someone meeting you after you get done?"

She frowned. "No…"

"Well then why don't you let us treat you to dinner. It's been a long time. I would love to have the opportunity to catch up, if you don't mind."

"I don't know if that's such a great idea."

Takayuki didn't seem interested in taking "no" for an answer. "Please, Haruka… I really need to talk to you. I promise, we won't take up much of your time. There's just something I think you really need to know."

She felt her chest constricting, and wondered why now, of all times, she felt her resolve wavering. After suffering her own personal tragedy recently, facing the past now was something that would break her heart all over again. She didn't think she could recover so easily a second time around. She turned her gaze down to little Haruka. It was nice that he and Mistuki had named their daughter after her, assuming, of course, that she was Mitsuki's daughter.

"Why does this feel like such a bad idea?"

"Maybe it is," Takayuki admitted quietly. "But there are things that need to be said, and after this, there won't be any second chances."

She wondered what he meant by that. Surely he realized that any such opportunities between them were nonexistence. Takayuki wasn't a fool; their parting had been mutual. And here he was with his daughter. What second chance could they possibly share when he had come here with a daughter at his side who had been brought into the world by some other woman?

"Udon," she said quietly. "I've been craving udon all day long."

Takayuki smiled. "Done deal."