Chapter 1

"Never forget that even in the darkest times of life, there is always beauty and joy. As long as the three of you stay together, nothing will happen to you," echoed her mother's voice, and Usagi jolted awake from her nightmare. Two years had passed since Ikuko succumbed to her illness. Two years ago, the nightmare that had since become her life began.

She pulled the tattered rag she used as a blanket closer around herself, wrapping her arms around her little sister in the process. When the child welfare agency appeared at the hospital back then, attempting to take her and her siblings, they had made grand promises. However, in the end, they were supposed to be placed in different foster families. This prompted Usagi to impulsively grab her siblings and flee. Since then, they had been living on the streets.

It was a tough life, but at least they were together. Usagi occasionally worked as a day laborer for wealthy families, but it never amounted to more than the essentials they desperately needed. Her brother Shingo was a simple pickpocket, and although it wasn't honorable, the money often helped them just scrape by. The youngest sister, Chibiusa, was still so small, only five years old, and shouldn't have to lead such a life. But they had no other choice; what family would take in three children at once? Besides, other street kids told them about the often terrible conditions in many foster families, ranging from food deprivation to physical abuse. Some were treated worse than slaves. No, they didn't want to live that kind of life.

Usagi was relieved that a few weeks ago, they had found this makeshift shack made of boards on the outskirts of Tokyo. Here, at least, they were protected from the biting wind, and even the roof mostly held up. She remembered how they had lived in much worse conditions in previous years, and a sense of gratitude washed over her as she held Chibiusa closer and heard Shingo's regular snoring in the nightly silence.

Usagi knew nothing about her father. Her mother had never spoken about him. All she had said back then was that her father was a dangerous man.

On the other hand, Shingo and Chibiusa's father had taken on the role of a father in their lives and raised them until shortly before Ikuko's illness when he suddenly disappeared with a younger woman. When the question arose after Ikuko's death of whether he would take in his children, he declined. His new partner had no interest in children and did not want them around.

The day broke, and for Usagi, her dreary routine on the streets began. She woke up when the first rays of sun illuminated the weathered boards of their shelter. Then she quietly slipped out and went in search of something to eat. She left Chibiusa lying in the makeshift bed of old blankets and crumpled newspaper. She slept so peacefully, unaware of the harsh realities surrounding her siblings. Usagi tried her best to protect her and provide her with as much of a childhood as possible, given the circumstances.

Her steps first led her to the nearby dumpsters, where she often searched for leftover food. It was humiliating but often the only way to get a meal for her siblings.

Usagi pressed a gentle kiss on Chibiusa's forehead and then set out to earn money. Most of the time, she begged on the outskirts of Tokyo, occasionally earning a few yen. If she was lucky, she would be hired as a day laborer, but even these jobs were often poorly paid.

Shingo managed to get by with his dubious skills as a pickpocket, and Chibiusa hid in their improvised shelter to avoid being seen. The siblings lived in a constant balancing act between invisibility and the daily struggle for survival.

Usagi arrived at her usual begging spot, placed her paper cup in front of her, and crouched down behind it. She kept her back straight, but her gaze remained fixed on the ground. Her clothes were dirty and full of holes, and she didn't even have a needle and thread to patch them up. But what worried her the most was the fact that Chibiusa had grown again. Winter was approaching, and her little sister's sweater from last year would no longer fit.

Thoughts of the impending cold and uncertainty about how to keep her siblings warm gnawed at Usagi. As she held out her cup for passersby, she hoped for a small miracle or a kind gesture that would help them face the winter challenges.

Many people walked past Usagi; most simply ignored her. A few threw ridiculously small amounts into her cup that would hardly make a difference. Usagi tried to conceal her disappointment and smiled gratefully at those passing by, even if the donations were minimal.

Many hours passed, and Usagi's knees were already aching from constant crouching. She felt exhaustion in her limbs, but she couldn't give up. Winter was unforgiving, and she had to earn enough money to keep her siblings warm and buy something to eat.

Suddenly, two black polished shoes caught Usagi's eye. She looked up and saw a man with long black hair, wearing dark sunglasses, grinning mischievously at her. "Can you cook?" he asked politely.

"Um... yes... as long as it's nothing exotic... my mother taught me the common dishes of the region," Usagi replied shyly. "Regional sounds perfect. Then come, my chef is out, and you have some work ahead of you. I need a meal for 8 people. Can you handle that?" he inquired further. "So... um... yes... I should be able to," she stammered.

Usagi couldn't believe she was actually going to cook for this handsome man. Of course, it occasionally happened that the wealthy hired cheap labor here, but usually for lowly tasks. Usagi had never cooked for others before. Silently, she followed him with a few meters of distance, making her way to his apartment.

The apartment was spacious and luxuriously furnished. The walls were in an elegant gray, and large windows let in plenty of daylight. A huge flat-screen TV adorned the living room wall, and in front of it was a comfortable leather couch. The living room opened into a dining area with a stylish dining table and dark wooden chairs. The kitchen, where Usagi would soon work, was equipped with high-end appliances and shiny stainless steel. A cooking island in the middle of the room had a marble countertop. Usagi swallowed. The apartment exuded wealth and elegance, and she felt out of place in this environment. She could only hope she would meet the expectations of the handsome man who had brought her here.

He gestured to the kitchen. "Actually, all the cabinets and the refrigerator are always fully stocked. I don't care what you prepare; as long as it tastes good and is enough for me and my guests," he said, lounging on the sofa. He casually put his feet up on the coffee table and turned on the TV.

Usagi still couldn't believe she was standing in this luxurious apartment, about to cook for this man. She nodded to him and began pulling ingredients from the well-stocked cabinets and fridge. Gradually, she sorted through her ingredients and considered what she could prepare. She settled on Sukiyaki, a hearty one-pot dish with thinly sliced beef, vegetables, and tofu simmered in a sweet soy sauce. The delicious aromas filled the kitchen, and the scent wafted enticingly.

As she peeled and chopped the ingredients, she couldn't help glancing at the man on the sofa. Suddenly, he caught her gaze. "That smells damn good already, what's it going to be, sweetheart?" he called over to her, and Usagi froze. What did he just call her? "Sukiyaki," she squeaked back, still unsure about this sudden nickname. She wasn't used to being addressed in this way, especially not by a stranger. The man leaned back on the sofa, crossed his arms behind his head, his smile never fading. "Sukiyaki, huh? I'm intrigued. I hope it tastes as good as it smells." "You're welcome to try; I'm almost done," Usagi replied.

He didn't need to be told twice. He swung his legs off the sofa onto the floor; his interest seemed piqued as he approached Usagi to get a look at the finished dish. Quickly, he grabbed a spoon from the drawer and filled it from the pot. He blew on it and tasted carefully. A satisfied expression spread across his face. "This is really excellent, sweetheart. You can cook really well. I could get used to your cooking skills."

A shy blush played on Usagi's cheeks, and she didn't know how to respond. She wasn't used to receiving compliments. Suddenly, the man pulled out his wallet and handed Usagi some banknotes. "Thank you for this wonderful meal, and I hope this is enough as payment." Usagi stared at the money in her hand as if hypnotized. She had never possessed so much money. "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?" she asked hesitantly. The man's bright blue eyes looked down at the bills in her fingers. "My regular chef takes this as a tip, and to be honest, your food is at least as good."

The man opened the cupboard next to her. "Would you set the table as well? After that, you can call it a day." Usagi slid the money into her pocket and nodded eagerly.

Eventually, the table was set, and Usagi stepped back to ensure everything looked perfect. "The food is ready, and the table is set. I hope you and your guests will enjoy it."

The man stood up and approached. "I'm sure it will be delicious. Thank you, sweetheart. I'll definitely call on you again. Are you always at that spot?" Usagi nodded shyly and then headed towards the door. She had rarely worked in such an elegant environment, and the encounter with this mysterious man had pulled her out of her usual reality. He had been so kind, not as arrogant as most others. When she reached the door, she turned to him.

"Thanks again for the opportunity to cook for you. I hope to see you again." The man smiled and winked at her.

With a broad smile, she closed the door behind her, counting the money again and still unable to comprehend it. Her first stop was a small clothing store where she selected a warm sweater for Chibiusa. The girl wouldn't have to freeze this winter anymore. Then she went to a nearby store and bought two new blankets to keep herself and her siblings warm in the cold night. The old, tattered blankets they had been using could finally be replaced.

Finally, Usagi headed to a snack stand. It was the first time in ages that they could enjoy a warm meal. The prospect of hot food was a true luxury for her and her siblings. As she picked up the food, she could hardly contain her excitement. Chibiusa and Shingo would surely think they had hit the jackpot when they saw the delicious meal.