บท 585: Some Onions For Y'all

The sound of the oven's soft chime, Ting!, reverberated through the silent household, marking the completion of yet another cake—an annual tradition that had become as routine as it was heart-wrenching. The Midoriyama household was unnervingly quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of feet or the faint sobs that lingered in the air like a persistent ache. It was Satoshi's death anniversary today, and for Midoriyama Tatsuki and Midoriyama Ayumu, the weight of loss bore down upon them like it had on every anniversary since their son's sacrifice.

Ayumu stood in front of the kitchen counter, her hands trembling as she gently pulled the cake from the oven. The familiar scent of freshly baked vanilla filled the air, usually a comforting aroma, but today it was a reminder of the emptiness that had swallowed their lives. She sniffled, her tears falling freely onto the apron she wore, streaking her cheeks as memories came flooding back.