Chapter 1: The shop

-Good evening! Would you like the menu?- a girl in a waitress outfit asked, handing over the menu to the middle-aged man sitting at the table in the corner.

-No. Just the usual, thank you. -he replied putting the menu to the side.

He picked up his suitcase, crammed trough it and pulled out a book with an old looking cover. He leaned on one elbow and searched for the bookmark that seemed to be missing. He glared at the book, flipping trough a few pages, closed it again and put it shop was full and the air was filled with the scent of sugar, melting caramel and chocolate. It was loud, highschool girls were chatting and checking their phones every few minutes. The boys laughed, pointing towards the girls, trying to catch their attention. The man looked out the window and rubbed his hands together. It was already dark outside, but the snow was shimmering red and blue in the light of the advertising panels. It wasn't even winter yet.

''Tsk, we are going to freeze to death this year.'' He rubbed his palm against his pants.

People were passing by, some even threw a glance inside the large window. A girl stopped and looked at her image in the shopwindow. She grimaced, then put a strand of hair behind her ear. She caught his attention. She was petite, and dressed cutely. Her pouty lips and big eyes were fixated upon her reflection on the window. She turned red and stepped back, as she caught him looking at her. She showed him the middle finger, then turned around and disapeard into the crowd.

''What a pity, she was pretty cute...maybe 16.'' He sighed.

-Here you go!

He looked up at the waitress, who was standing now next to him. She was about 20, her brown hair was tied up neatly into a long ponytail that reached till her lower back. Her purple eyes were meditating upon his face,waiting for a reaction. She had a silver platter in her hand, with some coffee and a piece of chocolate cake on it.

-The usual.-she smiled, putting the coffee and cake down in front of him.

He nodded, looking after her as she left.

''Too old.''

He took a sip of his coffee and looked around the cafe again. It was around 5 in the afternoon. A lot of teenagers were meeting here. The shop was pretty famous in the area, especially among the high school girls. He caught the glance of another man, sitting two tables away. The guy didn't touch his cake at all. He caught his glance a second time.

Something was wrong. He nervously stabbed his fork into the cake and took a bite.

Another one...another pair of eyes were fixated upon him. The waitress from before was staring at him.

-Delicious!As always!- he blurted out.

She smiled at him, then disapeard behind the counter.

The man put his book away. He was nervous, something wasn't right. He put some money on the table, put his jacket on and headed towards the door. He reached for the handle when the bells started ringing and the door opened. Two policemen stepped inside, blocking the way.

The man stepped back.

-Mr. Takaguchi, i would like you to come with us. Please remain calm and follow us.

The people in the cafe started looking at the was going on, everyone was curious.

-What is happening here?

-You have been stalking and raping highschool girls for the past 2 years. You picked out your victims in this, and other cafes and shops in the neighbourhood. We have eyewitnesses who saw you with one of the victims. And we have enough evidence to put you in prison.

-I don't know what you are talking about. I am Omuchi. I don't know anyone with the name Takaguchi.

One of the police officers crammed trough his pockets, then pulled out a piece of paper with the name Takaguchi and the portrait of the man on it.

The man grimaced,took a step back and looked around.

-Please stay calm and follow us. Don't complicate the matter.

The man threw his suitcase away and grabbed a girl that was standing near him. He put his arm under her chin and started crushing her neck. She let out a high pitched scream.

-Get out of the way!

The policemen pulled out their gun and aimed for the guy. The girl was weeping and tears were running down her cheek. The Tokyo Tv Station seemed to have gotten a tipp, cuz after 5 minutes they were broadcasting live from outside, trough the shop window.

-Get the hell out of here or i will crush her throat!

The policemen started pulling back, they couldn't do anything till he had a hostage.

The man started grinning.

-Okay! Thats what i am talking about! Now! I want 100 million Yen, and a car. And get the fucking police awa..

He felt a breeze in his nape, and in the next second the back of his head collided with his suitcase. He let go of the girl,falling right into the arms of the policemen.

Everyone looked up, shocked, not knowing what happened. The waitress was standing there with a dented suit case. She huffed, putting a hand on her waist.

-What? He didn't leave a tip...

The cake shop is located in the central shop district of Tokyo. It is very famous, especially among the younger generation. Highschoolers keep the shop busy. The owner of the shop is a young girl. She is pretty passionate about baking and loves to chat with her guests. She was a college student 2 years ago, but she had to give that up, as her parents, the former owners of the shop, passed away in a car accident. Her older brother, the only living relative she has left, was already married at that time. He, and his family live in Kyoto, and rarely visit. The business hours of the shop are generally from 10 in the morning till 6 in the evening. The shop has 4 workers, not including the owner.

The bells jingled, as the door opened.

-I am sorry, but we are closed for today.-The waitress said, without looking up, cleaning up and putting away the last bits of pastries.

-Well that's a pity...-a male voice replied.

The girls head shot up with a huge smile plastered on her face.

-I thought you were away for another few days at least!

The man approached the girl and put his bag on one of the tables.

-Just returned.-he grinned. -Wanted to grab a cake on the way home.

-It's your mother's birthday tomorrow right?

The man nodded.

-Yes. She is turning 50. Wanted to get her your strawberry cake. But i might be late...-he said scanning the last few pieces of pastries that were still laying in the shop counter. -And the shop isn't open tomorrow...it's monday...- he sighed.

The girl waved her hands in denial.

-That's true, but i can still make the cake and bring it over. Special service...for friends.-she grinned.

-Great, then how about joining us for dinner tomorrow? That would make my mom happy as well.

The girl nodded.

-Want me to give you a hand?

-You just want to get a piece of these right? -the girl eyed him with a smirk forming on her lips.

The man chuckled.

-You got me.

-Okay then hmmm you can put the chairs on top of the tables. I will pack these up in the meantime.- she sugested.

After 15 minutes the cleaning was done and the two stepped outside into a chilly evening. It was 6:30. The girl locked up the shop and looked at her friend who was standing a few feet away, waiting for her.

-Shuichi! -she yelled, making him turn around and look at her.

She walked to him in a childish manner, her steps long and jumpy.

-Here you go! The last piece of chocolate cake for today! -she gave him the box. -As a thank you for helping out. -she grinned.

He nodded and took the box from her.

-Is there anything else you need to do or can we head home? -he asked.

-No, there is nothing. - she huffed, putting on her hat and fixing her scarf.

He chuckled, looking at her tightly wrapped up form.

-I thought you loved snow...

-I love it! But i hate the cold. -she grimaced.

After passing a bridge and a park, they finally arrived in a little street that seemed out of place in the middle of the city. The houses were mostly simplistic, western looking. The girl stopped at the 3rd house, at the beginning of the street.

-Thank youuuu for bringing me home. -she said cramming trough her pockets, searching for her key.

He chuckled.

She turned around and glared at him, holding her hand out towards him.

He let the key slide into her palm and began whistling, looking in the other direction.

-Yeeea right...you should get rid of this habbit of yours. You really think studying law fits you? -she joked while unlocking the door.

He started walking down the lived at the other end of it, 5 minutes away.

-Good night!

He responded with a wave of his hand.