Me: Happy White Day to everyone! Hope you get awesome presents! :) Sadly, I'm starting to write a tragedy on such a joyful date! I know it's crazy, but... I just had to publish this. Sorry...

Vanilla: Hana-chan doesn't own Yumeiro Pâtissière!

Me: NOTE - I couldn't figure out how to incorporate the Sweets Spirits into this story, so they won't make any appearances in this one...

Chapter 1: Revealing the Wound

"Ugh, spring cleaning sure sucks..." Kashino Makoto muttered to himself as he sorted some papers into huge piles. Digging through his drawers, he pulled out many files, assorted in age.

"What? Sketchbook #5?" He fingered a bounded book and started flipping through it, staring at the drawings etched into the pages. "Whoa, this was from my middle school days!"

He studied his plans for the Cake Grand Prix and some sketches of cakes. "I should finish that someday," he told himself as his gaze fell upon a half-completed sketch of an intricate chocolate sculpture design.

One page was a bit loose and jutted outwards, almost desiring for Kashino to flip to it. Curious, he turned to it and glanced at the drawing before him. Suddenly, his heart stopped and his mind started reeling.

"Sweets are meant to be eaten with the people you love, you know?"

"Hey, don't force yourself. We are your friends, so let us help you. You shouldn't have to face everything all on your own."

"You can do it, Kashino! I believe in you!"

The blond gasped as memories flooded his brain. Trembling, he slammed the sketchbook shut and flung it across the room. It hit the wall with a loud 'thump'. "Argh, she... She... That face haunts my dreams... I want all thoughts of her out of my life!" he spat, face pale.

Kashino was now panting hard, clutching his throbbing head. "Why do I keep thinking of her? Why do I remember these things?"

~Flashback~

"H-here..."

"For me? Oh, thank you, Makoto! It's so cute!"

"That charm reminds me of you - my sweet and beautiful, little strawberry."

"M-Makoto... I love you so much!" She leaned in for a kiss.

"I do too, Ichigo. I do too." He gently pressed his lips against hers, breathing in the scent of her.

"Makoto... I want to stay like this forever..."

"Exactly how I feel too," Kashino grinned before kissing her again.

~Flashback 2~

"My parents... They are still always nagging me about becoming a doctor. It's just so... annoying!"

"They still don't realize that you're serious about your dream?"

"No! After all these years, they still don't get it! Argh, it frustrates me so much!"

"Just continue to pursue your dream, Makoto," Ichigo squeezed his hands with hers. "Although the struggles seem tremendous, never give up when it comes to your future will. You'll definitely be very successful, I'm positive!"

"Ichigo..." Kashino murmured, "You're so encouraging, thank you... I love you so much..."

She giggled. "Always?"

"Always."

~End of Flashbacks~

"I-it never turned out like that..." Kashino gritted his teeth. "There was really a time when we loved each other? It seems like such a distant memory..."

To put his mind off of her, he continued to rummage through his drawers. Distractions were totally needed at the moment. Minutes later, his hands felt something out of place.

"Huh? What's this?" Kashino pulled out a regular, unopened envelope. He stared at the heading:

To: Kashino Makoto

From: Amano Ichigo

Oh... Just the sight of her name made Kashino's surroundings turn upside-down. I-I can't look any longer... He set the envelope face-down onto the ground as events of his past rushed into his head.

~Flashback~

"That's it. I'm sick and tired of you! I am leaving once and for all!" Kashino stormed out of the condo.

"J-just do whatever you want, baka!" Ichigo called after him, trembling as she stood on the porch. "You can go far away for all I care!"

"Hmph! I'm packing once I come back," he muttered to himself. He angrily jumped into his car and drove off, leaving a crushed Ichigo gazing after him.

~Flashback: Time Lapse~

"Currently boarding, Boeing 747. Will all passengers of this plane please come to Gate A4 immediately."

Kashino sighed and stood from his seat, gathering his things. It was really late into the night, and he was getting tired. As soon as I board that plane, I'll catch a few winks-

"KASHINO!" A voice called from behind.

The blond turned in surprise to see the familiar brunette struggling to get free from the clutch of two security guards.

"Ma'am, if you're not flying, please leave immediately," one told her.

"B-but I have to see someone off!" she wailed, kicking the men fiercely.

Kashino ran up to her, expression cold and emotionless. "What are you doing here? Go back home."

"Here!" She thrust an envelope at him, still squirming in the guards' grips. "Read it when you board the plane!"

Kashino didn't even look at it before flinging it back to her. "I don't want it," he replied icily, heading to the boarding gate with his luggage.

"W-WAIT!" She screamed, still resisting the officers. However, Kashino only gave her a mere wave over the shoulder without turning back.

~Flashback: Time Lapse 2~

Kashino reached into his mailbox, pulling out its contents.

Junk mail, ads, bills... He flipped through the stack of paper. At the bottom, there was a white envelope. Kashino only had to glance at it for one second before feeling a chill run down his spine.

It was sent from Amano Ichigo.

It's the same letter from that night at the airport, he realized. How did she know my address? She must have asked someone else... He closed the mailbox lid and headed back into his apartment, plopping the mail on the table. Still holding the envelope, he wondered, What am I supposed to do with it? He didn't want to read it, since it just didn't... seem right.

I might as well throw it away, then... Kashino started towards the trash can in the corner. However, he was about to get rid of it when something in his brain sparked. Somehow, he didn't want to throw the envelope away because of how much meaning there was within it. If Ichigo had tried so hard to get the letter to him, then wasn't it pretty important seeming?

But then again, he didn't feel like reading it yet. Maybe some other time, when I'm ready... He then picked it up and stuffed it into the depths of his drawer, hoping to never have to read it anytime soon.

~End of Flashbacks~

"That's right... It's that letter from the time when..." Kashino trailed off, collecting his memories. "It's all coming back now..."

He held the envelope in his hands, running a finger over the letters of Ichigo's name. Should I...? Taking a deep breath, he tore open the seal and reached in.

There was only a piece of paper that seemed like it had been ripped from a small notebook. Kashino unfolded it, slowly, bracing himself for what was to appear on the page. Glancing at the words, written in Ichigo's bubbly handwriting, he felt his heart stop. Time froze, and an unpleasant feeling swept through him.

This... This can't be true, he thought.

For on the paper, written in black ink, was just one simple sentence:

Kashino, I have cancer.

Me: Well, how was it? First cliffhanger of the story! This is my first tragic tale, so... It might not be good... ^^" And it might have been a bit confusing and too short...

Chocolat: Please, everyone! Comfort Hana by reviewing! She's awfully disappointed with her 'Photo Booth' story...

Me: Yeah, no one seems to like it! D: I'll never delete it, but still... Is it the topic? Is something wrong with my writing? Please, peoples! Tell me! T.T I lack self-confidence!

Chocolat: Hope you liked the story so far! Please review! :D