<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Chapter 01: Another World</strong></span></span><br/><br/><strong>Carnation Cake Shop<br/>Saisei, Japan</strong><br/><em>3:30pm Tuesday Afternoon</em><br/><br/>The weather outside is bright and sunny. The only sign of autumn’s approach is a slight chill to the wind and a few golden leaves. Today was the first day of the new school semester and to celebrate, a group of friends have decided to gather at Carnation Cake Shop after school. It is the first time they’ve all been together again since the beginning of summer break.<br/><br/>Carnation is located three blocks west of Saisei High School. Owned and run by the Gozen family, Carnation is known throughout Saisei for having the sweetest confections, attracting visitors from all over town who want to treat themselves to a little something special. The outside of the shop has a large display window that looks into the interior. Carnation Cake Shop is written in blue lettering on the window surrounded by flowering vines painted along the window's edges. Most of the time, three white flower boxes sit out front of the shop beneath the light blue awning that hangs over the front window and door.<br/><br/>The interior of the shop is small, but still contains room for a half dozen white tables, each surrounded by four white chairs. The chairs have pastel cushions on the seats, with wire backs, while the tables all have a small vase of flowers sitting at the center. There is also a small raised brick fireplace on the right hand wall that has pictures of cakes arranged on the mantle along with several small cat figurines and vases of flowers. Several cushions embroidered with floral designs sit in front of the fire place. On the back wall, there's a glass counter that displays some of the cake shop's current wares and also holds the cash register off to the left. Wooden shelves sit behind the counter holding a small collection of figurines, as well as a pair of wooden double doors that swing back and forth, leading to the kitchen. The pleasant scent of freshly baked goods always fills the air mixing with the subtle scent of flowers. The walls are decorated with prints of flowers and covered with floral design wallpaper.<br/><br/>Today, Mr. Gozen sits behind the counter. He’s a smiling older man approaching, but not quite fifty yet with a full head of short dark hair, a short, well-trimmed beard and mustache and a pleasantly round face. He’s wearing a stiff white shirt, with a double row of buttons and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows along with a pair of round, wire-frame glasses.<br/><br/><br/>