Prologue: Irrevocable Sacrifice

Of all the timelines The Watcher had observed, of all the alternative outcomes he had witnessed, few pained his heart as much as the one he observed now.

So much hatred.

So much bitterness.

All because a young boy had been too naïve to see the gift that was right in front of him.

"We have all heard stories of unrequited love, and perhaps have even been the subject of such an emotion," the Watcher began to say. "But of all those stories, this one...this universe...breaks my heart the most."

"In the timeline we know, the young boy by the name of Ren Nishikata admitted his true feelings to his teaser Mika Takagi-San. Relinquishing his juvenile pursuit of victory in her teasing game, Nishikata took Takagi's hand in marriage and the two of them were blessed with a vibrant, joyful daughter."

The Watcher turned his head to the alternate timeline, where a much more sinister story was playing out.

"But in this universe...Nishikata got his wish."