Realistic or Modern Dōki no Sakura: A Tragic Yuri Roleplay Set in Wartime Japan [OPEN]

[Amazake]

Fumiyo Takahane
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 3 DEX 2 WIL 4​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Maebashi Station, Gunma
Participants: Amazake as Fumiyo Takahane, Daylight Fantasy as Hanako Okita, Meehrwillow as Kariko Amazuka, Evie Maiden Of Apples as Ui Tsubaru, viviionne as Honami Awaji, withinasapphire as Shiho Kimura, and deadly king as Homura Oyama.

The girl's eyes slowly opened as she awoke to the sound of screeching brakes, indicating that she had arrived at her destination. Correcting her posture, she noticed that the other girls sitting beside and in front of her had risen from their seats as they prepared to disembark. Not wanting to be jostled, she decided to wait until the carriage was fairly empty before getting off. She had intended to sit back and relax while looking out of the window, but since the carriage she was in was directly behind the locomotive, the grey smoke and white steam emitted by the Hachiroku obscured the view to the point where the platform was invisible. So she pretended to be busy checking her luggage, even though she was carrying only a leather suitcase and a kinchaku bag made of cloth with a bouquet pattern that was clearly not of Japanese origin.

After a moment of waiting and seeing that most of the other passengers had left the platform, the girl slung the strap of her kinchaku bag over her shoulder, stood up and lifted her heavy leather suitcase with her two small hands. Her wooden sandals clicked loudly as she walked towards the exit of the carriage and down the platform. She noticed that other girls had gathered there. Not one of them was accompanied by an adult, and many of them looked worried and confused. The girls were all dressed differently; some wore western style clothes, while others wore school uniforms reminiscent of sailors' uniforms, complete with ribbon ties, pleated skirts and Mary Jane shoes. The majority, however, wore komons, informal kimonos with repeating patterns that were worn on a daily basis. The girl continued to observe the other girls and noticed that some of them were also dressed in hakama-style work pants called monpe over their kimono and air raid hoods made of thick fabric to protect their heads from the debris and sparks caused by enemy bombs. Such strange and unfashionable clothing had been introduced at school ever since she could remember; she even still recalls learning how to put on a gas mask in primary school.

Seeing the other girls' clothes made her want to check her own. She placed her leather suitcase on the platform floor and turned to see her reflection in the train window. Her reflection in the window was staring back at her with brownish eyes that matched her own. The girl tried to smile and saw her reflection do the same, but she felt her smile was forced. There was clearly a lot going on in the girl's mind. She thought she looked silly in her red air-raid hood, which made her face look chubbier than it really was. And like most of the other girls, she too wore komon. Her kimono was white, almost monochromatic if not for the small pink cherry blossoms scattered across it. Looking down, she noticed the monpe she was wearing. It was white, just like her kimono, but it gradually took on a pink hue as it reached her ankles. In addition, the monpe had a more vivid and detailed floral pattern than the kimono she was wearing, and was clearly made of a higher quality fabric. The beauty of the designs on the silly looking trousers, which were far from feminine or elegant, brought tears to her eyes. This was because she remembered the original shape of the clothes before they were transformed into a monpe.

Fortunately for her, the cold breeze blowing into the station brought her back to reality and she wiped away her tears. The girl realised that she could see the steam from her breath, so she rubbed her hands together and blew her warm breath onto her pale, tiny fingers, which she hadn't realised had turned red from the cold. Turning away from her reflection in the train window, she continued to warm her hands as she looked around until her gaze settled on a wooden sign hanging from the ceiling of the station that read "Maebashi Station". Her train ride had been relatively short; her mother had brought her from their home in Nakaochiai, Shinjuku, to Ueno Station around two in the afternoon, which served as an assembly point for children being evacuated to the mountainous interior of the Kanto region. The Hachiroku steam train took them northwest for about an hour and a half to Takasaki Station, where many of the children evacuated to Mount Haruna disembarked. The train then travelled northeast for about 30 minutes to Maebashi station, at the foot of Mount Akagi. Although the journey was short, the cold air of Gunma's mountainous region made the girl feel as if the train she was on had transported her back a few months to a time when it was still winter. She remembers a similar story in a western novel she had never read, but had heard about from her mother's colleagues.

Soon after, the girl heard several men shouting the names of schools, including her own, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy. The girls huddled on the platform quickly moved from their positions in the direction where the man was shouting their respective school names. As the station began to empty, it was then that the girl could finally look out of the station and see Mount Akagi in the distance, its peak still covered in snow. The girl knelt down to pick up her leather suitcase, and as she followed the others out of the station, she looked up and saw that the sky was grey. It was still bright outside, but she couldn't see the sun anywhere. Whether it was the fault of the weather or not, when she looked around and saw the buildings around her, their paint seemed washed out, monochromatic. Even the blossoming petals of the cherry trees around the corner from the station had faded to a lifeless shade. Her gaze fell on the army trucks and cabriolets lined up along the road. The red of their flags also seemed dull. The girl watched as uniformed soldiers milled around the stations, ushering the girls into orderly lines. For some reason, however, those accompanying the Yurigaoka girls all wore white armbands with the words 'Kempei' written in red. The girl joined the line at the back, clutching her leather suitcase tightly. One by one, her new schoolmates climbed into the back of the truck with the help of the soldiers. She noticed a bespectacled, middle-aged man wearing a white lab coat over his army uniform standing near one of the trucks with a clipboard in his hand. He looked up occasionally to study the girls' faces before scribbling notes and shuffling his paperwork. As the girl waited her turn to board, a strong gust of cold mountain wind suddenly whipped through the area. The girl held her breath as she watched the fierce gales rustle the cherry trees, ripping a flurry of pale pink petals from their branches and scattering them into the grey, sunless sky until they disappeared completely from sight.

 

[Daylight Fantasy]

Hanako Okita
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 4 -> 3 DEX 3 WIL 5​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Maebashi Station, Gunma

A gust of wind blew through the long hair of Hanako as she was seated on a carriage. She sat idly, staring out the window for the entirety of the trip as the carriage took her to her new school; far, far away from her home island of Hokkaido. The deep sting of nostalgia was washed over her ever since her arrival to the mainland, missing her wanders in the streets of Sapporo. The thick smoke blocked most of the vision of the passing landscape. Her expression stayed the same for the entire trip, dull and uninterested, this was just a safe space for girls to shelter from a war and nothing else, right?

She felt the force of the vehicle as it stopped, her gaze leaving the outside scenery to gaze at some of the other girls riding with her. Seeing some of the other girls picking up their luggage and leaving, Hanako decided to follow suit. Forcing her weight up to stand, she took the only luggage she had, a leather suitcase and dragged it off the vehicle. As she waited for the passengers to leave the vehicle, Hanako adjusted her appearance. She took out a rubber band, tying a high ponytail as she straightened out her dress shirt and plaid skirt.

A small sigh exhaled out of Hanako’s mouth when she finished adjusting her appearance; It was clear that there is no turning back to Sapporo now. The dull scenery seemed to match the dull expression Hanako seemed to illuminate. Holding her suitcase by the handles, she followed some of the passengers forward to the station. Some loud shouts entered through Hanako’s ears. They sounded like men, clearly figures of authority and importance. She heard the name of the school she would be attending, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy, and quickly assumed that they were calling new and wandering students around. Hanako dragged her luggage with her, trotting to the area where her and other students of different schools were gathered for the school entry. With the help of the officers, she was orderly organised into her school’s line. Standing behind an innocent-looking girl, she hoped that her new place would be alright.

 

[Nellancholy]

Tsuki Haruomi
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 5 DEX 3 WIL 4
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

A quiet clatter of wood emitted from the dormitory's broom closet as Tsuki let go of the mop she was holding, allowing it to fall against the wall. Leaning against the doorway, she awkwardly reached over to take hold of her crutch, easing it into place under her arm.

She turned around, taking a step out and letting the door swing shut behind her. Despite the fatigue in her muscles, a satisfied huff escaped her. The sunlight was shining through the windows which she had painstakingly dusted and wiped. Every floor, table, and drawer in the building had been cleaned in preparation for the new arrivals, who would hopefully take on a share of the responsibility once they settled in.

The work was far harder than cleaning the small house she used to live in, but perhaps...more satisfying. As she plodded back to Kitazono-sensei's room, she took in deep breaths, allowing the smell of soap and slightly humid air to ease her senses.

She considered falling straight into bed for her rest, but the thin layer of dust and sweat encasing her made her think better of it.

She settled for sitting on a stool placed a little away from the door, from which she could pick up the book she had been steadily getting through.

Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus​

She had heard it something of a lurid tale, and in some ways, it was.

But where some readers might feel pity for the Creature described in the story, Tsuki felt something more along the lines of...agreement. Sympathy?

I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.

She wasn't fully sure she could find it in herself to say something like that, but she knew where it came from.

The emptiness that came from abandonment. The anger at hypocrisy. The feeling of watching someone lie like they had done nothing wrong.

Oyuki Haruomi had shown more emotion in the few minutes spent begging the school to take Tsuki off her hands, than she had ever shown in their 13 years of life together. And Tsuki was just supposed to take that?

She shook her head gently. Suddenly she wasn't much in the mood to read any more. And anyway, she really should have showered first after doing the cleaning.

With that, Tsuki took hold of her crutch again, rising up to put her weight on her left leg.

As she made to leave the room, she heard the sound of someone approaching from the hallway. Could it be Kitazono-sensei?

Amazake

 

[Amazake]

Akemi Kitazono
Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 3 DEX 2 WIL 4​

Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

At that time, Akemi had just come back from the faculty room in the main building and was on her way to her room in the dormitory. She was carrying a white cardboard box that was about 30 centimeters wide. It looked plain white, but there was something about it that made it seem luxurious.

The young teacher was walking a little faster than usual. As a result, her Otsuka brand leather shoes made a loud, steady sound on the wooden floor in a 2/4 rhythm, echoing throughout the relatively empty dormitory. She was beaming from ear to ear, her face as radiant as the spring sun that melts away the snow and brings life back to flowers, plants, and other living things.

If that didn't show how jubilant the young teacher was, she'd been humming a soft tune to herself from the moment she left the faculty room. It was a familiar tune to many, but when heard, it would evoke many different opinions. The priests and nuns at the academy would probably immediately guess that it was the Christian hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," composed by preacher Joseph Scriven. However, for those who had heard the tune but were unfamiliar with Christianity, the song that came to mind was most likely "Hoshi no Yo," a secular version of Scriven's hymn whose lyrics were changed by a poet named Daisui Sugitani in 1910 before he died five years later. It didn't matter which version Akemi sang; she'd been told the story of Scriven and understood that he was a good man who had lost many loved ones and then dedicated the rest of his life to helping those in need. Akemi has also lost many loved ones and has been through very difficult circumstances. Now she tries to help everyone she can. Meanwhile, the lyrics that Sugitani recreated also depict a bright and hopeful future, something she considers a necessity, especially in these uncertain times.

As she turned into the hallway where her room was, she saw a familiar face; Tsuki-san. The girl was almost the same height as her, and she was the one she had come to consider like her very own sister or daughter. Tsuki's mother had left her at the academy a year ago, and the two of them had been living together ever since. Though Heaven hadn't been kind enough to provide her with a perfect body and a good family, Tsuki showed an unwavering determination that made Akemi proud and grateful that she hadn't given up on living.

"Ara~, where are you going, Tsuki-san?" The young teacher slowed down as she approached the girl with the crutch. Akemi thought that the relationship between the two of them was already quite close and she had started calling Tsuki by her first name, but it seemed that Tsuki was still reluctant or perhaps shy and still called her by her family name.

Unlike most of the teachers at the academy who always wore nun's clothes, Akemi always wore western clothes that were quite modern. Today, she wore a cream-colored half coat over a white silk blouse, a navy blue poplin skirt and black stockings. She also tied up her long, slightly brownish hair and let it rests atop her right shoulder.

Participants: Amazake as Akemi Kitazono and Nellancholy as Tsuki Haruomi

 

[Jackson123]

Kazuyo Akiyama
School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 3 WIL 4
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
​

---

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, their delicate petals fluttering gently to the ground, forming a soft pink carpet along the path leading to Yurigaoka Girls' Academy. The sight was a poignant reminder of the fleeting beauty of life, and to the grim reality of the ongoing war.

Kazuyo adjusted her white coat, the fabric slightly worn but meticulously maintained. The rationing of goods had made new clothing a rare luxury. She glanced at her Nihon Seika shoes (rebranded REGAL Shoe & Co in 1961), a present from her husband more than a decade ago, noting the careful repairs she had made to extend their life. Every resource was precious now.

She made her way to the infirmary, passing by the academy’s vegetable garden, a necessity due to the food shortages, growing sweet potatoes, soybeans, and radishes. She had also helped in maintaining the garden alongside other staff and students.

Inside, the infirmary was neatly organized, with rows of cots and a small desk cluttered with medical supplies. The scent of antiseptic mixed with the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms that drifted in through the open windows.

The shelves were lined with carefully rationed medical supplies. Bandages, herbal medicines, and the precious few bottles of penicillin she had managed to secure. Supplies were hard to come by, and she had learned to make do with some traditional remedies.

A radio in the corner played the Patriotic March (Aikoku Koshinkyoku), its volume low. The broadcasts had become increasingly focused on maintaining morale and encouraging the public to support the war effort, yet from all those news of "victory" in the Imperial General Headquarters Broadcasts (Daihon'ei happyo) she could tell the fighting ground only keeps getting closer and closer to Japan.

These days whenever she's outside the school, she reckons the sight of Kempeitai patrolling the street is getting more often, clad in their grey-green Type 98 tunic uniform, forage cap, with their "military police" armband signifying their identity. Those Kempeitai would sometimes scold people on the street of being Hikokumin--"unpatriotic", for reasons ranging from defeatist remarks to the slightest transgrassion of wearing clothes that were a bit too colourful.

Kazuyo listened to the radio absently as she organized her notes, preparing for the arrival of the new students who would be trickling in later.

 

[Jackson123]

Yoshitake Kitazono
First Sergeant, Pilot
Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
STR 2 DEX 3 WIL 5
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Kodama Airbase​

---

The hum of the Ha-115 air-cooled radial engine filled the cockpit of the Ki-43-II as Yoshitake Kitazono guided his fighter plane down onto the runway at Kodama Airbase. The familiar landscape approached beneath him, as the wheels touched the ground, the plane bounced slightly before settling into a smooth roll. Yoshitake taxied to a revetment (a parking area for aircraft that is surrounded by blast walls on three sides), cut the engine, and climbed out.

The soft April breeze rustled the fresh green leaves, cherry blossom adorns trees and fragranced petals scatter like confetti.

Yoshitake disembarked from his beloved aircraft, exchanging brief greetings with the mechanics before heading to the headquarters. There, his new superior, Colonel Nonaka, was waiting for him.

"Sergeant Kitazono, good work. We've been expecting you," Nonaka greeted him.

Yoshitake saluted and replied, "Thank you, Colonel Nonaka."

The colonel's stern face softened slightly, but his eyes held a seriousness that immediately put Yoshitake on edge. "You have been reassigned to Kodama Training Air Group as a flight instructor. We are in desperate need of experienced pilots like you."

Yoshitake nodded, feeling a mix of pride and apprehension. "I understand, sir. What are my duties?"

Nonaka handed him a file. "You will be part of our instructors tasked with training a batch of 200 Special Pilot Cadets. These young men have been mobilized from their schools, and they must be taught to fly in three months."

Yoshitake's eyes widened in shock. "Three months? That's...far too short, hardly enough time to master even the basics."

Nonaka's expression grew even grimmer. "I know. But the situation is dire. We need every available pilot to defend our homeland. These cadets are eager to fly and fight, that's what matters."

Yoshitake opened the file, glancing through the names and backgrounds of the cadets. Adolescence, late teens or men barely out of their teens.

"I'll do my best, sir," Yoshitake said resolutely.

Col. Nonaka nodded. "I have no doubt you will. The cadets arrive tomorrow. Prepare yourself, Kitazono."

Yoshitake saluted again and left the office. He walked out onto the airfield, a group of mechanics was working on a line of Tachikawa Ki-9 trainer aircraft.

Three months. The thought echoed in his mind. His thoughts went back to when he himself was a pilot cadet, it took him two long excruciating years to finally earn his wings. He took a deep breath, and gave out a long sigh.

.....
...
..


After settling his belongings in his quarter of the airbase, a small, sparsely furnished room, Yoshitake Kitazono sat at a wooden desk, the sounds of the bustling airbase muffled by the thin walls. He hold his pencil in his hand, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts before beginning to write on the washi paper before him.

---

Dear Older Sister,

It has been a long time since I last wrote to you. I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. The past few years have been a whirlwind of battles and distant lands, and I regret that my duties kept me from writing.

I have been reassigned to Kodama Airbase as a flight instructor. The change is both a relief and a burden. The fighting in Southeast Asia was intense, but the task here feels almost insurmountable. I am to train the army special pilot cadets, boys who have been drafted from their schools. I worry for them, Akemi-neesan. They are too young, barely older than your students, and they must learn to fly in just three months.

I often think back to our childhood, how we survived together after the Great Kanto Earthquake. You were my rock, even when the world around us crumbled. You were always so strong, Akemi-neesan, even though you were just a year older. Your strength kept me going then, and I find myself drawing on that strength now.

How are things at Yurigaoka Girls' Academy? I imagine the view of Mount Akagi is as serene as ever, especially beautiful this time of year. Knowing you are safe gives me solace in these trying times. I'm certain your students are lucky to have you as their teacher, with the passion and dedication you showed in everything you did.

Take care, Akemi-neesan. I look forward to the day when we can see each other again, free from the shadow of war. Until then, I will keep you in my thoughts.

Yoshitake.

---

 

[Nellancholy]

Tsuki Haruomi
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 5 DEX 3 WIL 4
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

"A-ah, Sensei." A calming mood seemed to blow over Tsuki like a gentle breeze in response to Kitazono-sensei's greeting. They had gotten fairly familiar with each other over the course of the past year, what with Kitazono being the first person at the school to hear of the Haruomi's plight (mainly through Oyuki's rather biased telling) as well as the one to offer to share her room and...the one to argue for Tsuki's chance to a timely education.

And she was always so friendly to her too...Tsuki in turn, always responded to Kitazono-sensei politely, not in an overly familiar way. No matter what, she always kept in mind that this was not a relationship of equals, nor a familial relationship. She was careful not to overstep her boundaries, driven in part by her feelings of indebtedness.

But in quiet moments like this, she welcomed Kitazono's gentle expressions of kindness.

Adjusting her posture, she stood up straight and bowed as low as she could without toppling over with her crutch. "Kitazono-sensei. I had just finished cleaning up and was about to wash up myself. Everything is ready for the new arrivals. On that note...have you heard anything from them? About when they'll be arriving..."

Despite Tsuki's efforts to be mature and unfailingly responsible, she was still young. She had posed the same question to Kitazono every day for the past week, betraying a certain puppy-like expectancy in her gaze as she looked forward to more people moving into the dorms to liven things up.

Amazake

 

[Amazake]

Akemi Kitazono
Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 3 DEX 2 WIL 4​

Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

Akemi thanked Tsuki for her hard work and listened to the girl attentively while making a slightly serious expression to let her know that she was listening to everything she had to say. However, Akemi's countenance broke into a warm smile when Tsuki once again repeated the same question she had been asking her for the past week, just like a broken phonograph record.

"I'm sure it won't be long now." Akemi gives the girl a little nod before she turns her face out toward the window as if she could see beyond it as she continues, "I've heard the train they were on had arrived in Takasaki 30 minutes ago, so most likely they were currently off-boarding in Maebashi now. It'll be another 45 minutes for them to reach up here, I suppose. In any case, they'll be here before the sun is down."

The young teacher turned her gaze back toward Tsuki and gave her another warm smile. She didn't find her constant inquiries to be annoying in the slightest. On the contrary, she is happy for Tsuki to be excited about meeting her future schoolmates. While her disability makes her unlikely to be drafted to do war work at a factory, it still pained Akemi to think that the girl was unable to become a student even though she lives in an academy dormitory. It often crossed Akemi's mind that Tsuki most probably felt envy, no matter how small it may be, as she watched the students roam about the academy grounds in their beautiful uniforms.

"So, are you going to take a bath now? Let's go together, okay?" While Tsuki has certainly proven herself to be capable of doing tasks that any normal person is expected to be capable of, bathing was particularly something that Akemi was highly concerned about, as she feared that Tsuki would seriously injure herself if she fell due to the slippery tiles. As such, Akemi always made sure that she accompanied Tsuki to bathe as much as she could.

Participants: Amazake as Akemi Kitazono and Nellancholy as Tsuki Haruomi

 

[Evie Maiden Of Apples]

Ui Tsubaru
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 4 MEN 3​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日Maebashi Station, Gunma

Ui had been asleep for the majority of her journey to a new city, a new school, dreaming of her country achieving the victory that would surely come in the end. That was, of course, until the sudden screeching of brakes and the slight whiplash as her ride came to a halt woke her with a start - she looked around for a moment on alert, blinking a few times until it registered in her brain where she exactly was. With a sigh, she got up and grabbed her luggage, dressed in a traditional school uniform, the classic sailor look of course. She stepped out into the cold April air and shivered a bit, and when a sudden gust of wind whipped by her hair got in her mouth.

"PFTTTPFPFPTPTPFPFPFFT!"

She spat and sputtered as she brushed her long dark hair out of her face, if she had known it'd be this windy she would have tied her hair back! Ah, well. Noting where the other girls of the academy stood, she bounded over to them and stood towards the back of the line, looking around and marveling at the pretty Sakura petals that flittered through the air like tiny butterflies. With a grin, she managed to catch one of them out of the breeze and held onto it, putting it in her uniform jacket pocket. For good luck, of course.

 

[withinasapphire]

Shiho Kimura
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 3 DEX 2 WIL 4​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Maebashi Station, Gunma

As the carriage continued to move onwards to its destination, Shiho found herself in an ongoing battle against her eyes, who only seemed to keep welling up with tears no matter how often she wiped them away. Thoughts and wishes ran through her mind with no end in sight, piling up ceaselessly.

She thought a lot about her older brother. She wished with her whole heart that he could be here with her now. His presence alone probably would help to relieve her of the anxiety and uncertainty she felt.

She was told this would be a good thing, her mother said so. The place she was heading to…was like a shelter, right? But even so, Shiho wasn’t feeling too great about it. The farther the carriage took her, the farther she was getting from home. From what she knew.

There was a sense of familiarity being at home, despite everything. But this was new. And she had to go into it alone.

As the sound of screeching brakes reached her ears, Shiho found herself wrenched from her thoughts and brought back to her reality. Hurriedly wiping away her remaining tears, she watched the other girls around her leaving with their luggage in hand. Figuring she should do the same, Shiho managed to pick up her suitcase after struggling with its weight for a moment, soon following the others in exiting the carriage and heading towards the station.

It wasn’t long before she could hear the sounds of shouting men. They were loud and Shiho couldn’t help but to jump a little in surprise. They were calling out names of various schools, including Yurigaoka Girls’ Academy, a name Shiho could recognize. Noticing other girls moving towards where the men were shouting, Shiho once again followed after where everyone else was going, though a bit more nervously this time.

She fell into line with the other Yurigaoka girls, her suitcase held more tightly in her hands. Sniffling a little, Shiho found herself fighting a new wave of tears, blinking repeatedly in an attempt to keep them away. Standing here, it was all beginning to truly sink in. She wouldn’t be going home anytime soon.

Using one of her hands to rub at her eyes again, Shiho briefly looked up and noticed that pink sakura petals were blowing in the wind. A couple tears made their way down her face then, but there was a small look of wonder in her eyes as she watched them before they disappeared.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Aiko Nakamura

School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 4 DEX 2 WIL 1
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

​

---

Aiko Nakamura stood at the entrance of Yurigaoka Academy, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. The journey back to Gunma had been arduous, both physically and emotionally. Her limp was a constant reminder of the past, each step a silent painful of what she now perceived as the sins and arrogance of her alter ego, Mai Sakurai. As she clutched her modest handbag, containing her few remaining possessions and a small stash of money, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the days ahead.

Her life as Mai Sakurai felt like a distant dream now, overshadowed by the stark reality of her present situation. The glamorous dresses, the adoring audiences, and the rebellious spirit that once defined her were replaced by a humble resolve to survive and rebuild. Her personal life had also been shattered; her mother had died during her absence, and her father and siblings ostracized her, disapproving her runaway from the family, fortunately still ignorants of her days as Mai Sakurai. As she navigated the school hallways, the contrast between her past and present was glaring. With a mixture of hope and trepidation, Aiko made her way to the school infirmary, recently she had been exchanging some letters with her older cousin Kazuyo Akiyama (née Nakamura), the thought of meeting her again had been a small beacon of hope, which makes her feel guilty every time she wrote her telling her she had been a regular worker in Tokyo.

As she approached the infirmary door, Aiko paused for a moment. She adjusted her simple, worn-out dress and smoothed her hair, wanting to make a good impression despite her humble appearance. With a deep breath, she knocked gently on the door before entering, but crossing the door felt like she was traveling in time. Inside the infirmary, the air was filled with the sterile scent of antiseptics, mingled with a faint hint of herbs. She tried to sound friendly, though she was very tense about this meeting.

“Good morning, Kazuyo-nee … or should I call you Dr. Akiyama?”.

 

[Nellancholy]

Tsuki Haruomi
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 5 DEX 3 WIL 4
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

Frankly, Tsuki had grown a little unsettled by the overall consistency in which Kitazono-sensei accompanied her to bathe. It wasn't like she read any kind of malevolent or prurient intention into Kitazono's behavior (despite her own background), but...she felt like she was being fussed over, just a little too much.

She had long gotten used to cooking and cleaning (that included cleaning herself) in a small house that often had no inhabitant but herself while Oyuki was out...entertaining. She wasn't a little kid who needed help or watching. Just because of her condition...

Even so, she had yet to voice her objections. She couldn't, not while looking Kitazono-sensei in her kind eyes.

"Yes, sensei. Let's."

With that, she placed her crutch steadily under her arm and set out to the communal bath. She had long gotten used to her own unique gait, and needing to walk longer distances consistently as she cleaned the dorms had helped her develop a good pace, though still not quite equal to the pace of most of her peers at a brisk walk.

Early on, she had worried about sensei walking faster than her, or slowing down so much as to be noticeable. But by now, they'd walked together long enough to have some level of coordination between them.

Arriving at the bathroom with little delay, Tsuki ensured the doors were properly closed behind her and sensei before turning her back and undressing nonchalantly, leaving her clothes in a nearby wicker basket. Would it be better for her to be self-conscious? Would she eventually develop said feelings of self-consciousness?

Either way, the harder part was to follow. Leaving her crutch by the door, Tsuki opened the door to the main space of the bathroom and got on her knees, easing herself towards the nearest stool and faucet.

It was undignified, perhaps. Up until this moment she had not worried about other kids her age seeing her like this. But well, it was the safest way.

Placing herself on the stool, she filled a bucket with warm water and began rinsing herself. Taking a bar of soap into her hand, she worked up a lather and wrung out her dusty, sweaty hair.

"Sensei..." She glanced over her shoulder at Kitazono-sensei, waiting for her to inevitably join in.

Amazake

 

[Amazake]

Akemi Kitazono
Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 3 DEX 2 WIL 4​

Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

Along the walk to the bathing room, Akemi kept glancing down at the white box that she was carrying. For whatever reason, Tsuki doesn't seem to have the slightest curiosity to comment on what it might contain. And Tsuki's wish to take a bath was quite a detour from what Akemi had expected when she came back to the dorm building to meet with her younger dorm mate. Nevertheless, she thinks that it'd be a good thing to let Tsuki bathe first; not that Akemi had even a sliver thought crossed her mind that Tsuki would ruin the content of the box with her 'dirty' self.

Once they entered the bathing room, and after thanking Tsuki for closing the door, the young teacher placed the white box on one of the shelves in the wooden rack where the wicker baskets were kept. For now, she has remained silent about the box she was carrying; she thinks that it is a good thing that Tsuki hasn't commented on it.

The young teacher undressed herself while ruminating about the best time to bring up the subject again next time after bath. However, as her mind was far too preoccupied with the box, she didn't notice that, by the time she was finished undressing, Tsuki had already entered the bathing room all by herself. It wasn't the first time she had seen it, but the young teacher simply couldn't stand to witness a girl of that age dragging herself on her knees like that. Not only was that unbefitting of a prestigious girls' school student, she could also hurt herself like that.

"Tsuki-san... There you go again, doing something like that." Akemi let out a sigh; the face she was making at that time could very well be attached next to the dictionary definition of the word 'disappointment'. The young teacher knew that the girl was trying to be independent despite her condition, but Akemi believed that the girl could learn to ask for help from time to time.

---

Participants: Amazake as Akemi Kitazono and Nellancholy as Tsuki Haruomi

 

[Jackson123]

Kazuyo Akiyama
School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 3 WIL 4
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
​

---

Kazuyo looked up from her desk, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized the familiar face standing in the doorway. Aiko Nakamura, her younger cousin, stood before her, a mix of apprehension and hope etched on her features. Kazuyo rose from her chair, a warm smile spreading across her face as she crossed the room to greet her.

"Aiko-chan," Kazuyo said softly, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "It's so good to see you. Please, come in." She gestured towards the empty chair beside her desk, inviting Aiko to take a seat.

As Aiko entered the room, Kazuyo couldn't help but notice the subtle signs of weariness and hardship etched into her cousin's demeanor. Her clothes were worn, her posture tense.

"You can just call me Kazuyo-nee," Kazuyo said with a gentle smile, using the affectionate term for older sister. "Dr. Akiyama feels too formal, especially between family."

"Looks like you've been through quite a bit," she noticed the slight limp in Aiko's gait, "Does it still hurt?"

---

Interaction: Blitzkrieg Bob as Aiko Nakamura

 

[viviionne]

Honami Awaji
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 5 WIL 4​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Maebashi Station, Gunma

The low hum of the carriage in motion fills her thoughts, serving as white noise, as she sits nearly perfectly still on the carriage seat. Her hands lay limp on her lap and her eyes can only be described as distant. She isn't exactly focused on anything at the moment, her gaze trained onto the floor throughout the majority of the ride. Her head lulls downwards and despite her eyes being wide open, it's almost as if she were asleep. Early in the journey, she had distracted herself by observing the other girls in the carriage -- subconsciously taking note of their appearances and behavior and dedicating it to her memory. It's a habit she picked up throughout the years, considering she could never talk to the other kids, she spent her time observing them instead. It was an isolating hobby, but there was nothing much Honami could do.

She would be lying if she said she didn't feel the slightest bit on edge. Yes, Honami is aware that this Academy was established to shield and educate girls like her, but she still feels nervous nonetheless. She digs her fingers into her palm, making crescent-shaped marks. What if they wouldn't be safe? What if something happens? What if she were to be kicked out for a misdeed? What if --

Honami shakes her head softly, trying her best to waft away the incessant thoughts that consumed her mind. She relaxes her fingers, wincing slightly at the sting on her palms. Thankfully, her grip wasn't strong enough to make her bleed. Honami forces her hands to keep still on her lap.

Then, as if a sign, the brakes screech and the carriage comes to a halt. She watches as the other slumbering girls jolt awake, whilst those were already up and about merely had their attention caught. She stands up from her seat, grabbing her suitcase that held her luggage and following the girls as they exited the vehicle. As one of the first to have left the carriage, she stood on the platform and waited for the rest to follow suit. Her suitcase weighed heavy in her hand, prompting her to adjust her grip in order to make the hold a little more comfortable. Honami couldn't help notice the freezing cold temperature of the area as a gust of cool wind blows through her hair and causes a little shiver to run through her body. At least she wore a ponytail, she thinks to herself as she trembles slightly, at least her hair wouldn't be flying everywhere.

As the last of the passengers exit the vehicle, she takes the opportunity to observe her would-be companions for the time being. Majority seemed to be sad, or crying, which Honami thought to be justifiable considering their current condition. The others just seemed to look indifferent, which she thought was slightly odd. Honami doesn't seem to realize that she was also one of the indifferent ones, or at least appeared to be.

Then, her attention is grabbed as men shout the name of the Academy she was supposed to attend. Honami watches as a group of girls huddle to that area and decides to join them, standing at the back. She spots soldiers surrounding the area, standing tall and wearing a grave expression. She can't help but be reminded of her brother, who stood just like these very soldiers. Except, maybe his expression would just be one of complete and utter arrogance. She could almost hear his arrogant voice alongside that mental description. She gets pulled out of her thoughts as she stumbles, having been jostled as another girl accidentally bumps into her. Honami can't really bring herself to be too upset as she boards the back of the truck with the assistance of some soldiers, sitting next to some girls that she recognized were from the same carriage.

Once she was seated safely, she turns her head to watch the cold, almost lifeless view, as the truck roars to life and drives the girls to, Honami presumes, the Yurigaoka Girls' Academy. Huffing out a cold breath, Honami mentally and physically prepares herself for her new life.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Aiko Nakamura

School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 4 DEX 2 WIL 1
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

​

---

Aiko felt a knot of apprehension tightening in her chest as she approached her older cousin's office. Would Kazuyo offer a cold reception out of mere family obligation, or perhaps even judgment for the choices Aiko had made? It wasn't an unreasonable fear, considering how her own father had refused to talk to her after she returned from Tokyo and how she had been practically thrown her out of her former house without a second thought for her handicap or dire situation. But as Aiko stepped into the room, the tension in her shoulders eased at the sight of Kazuyo's warm smile. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes, reassuring Aiko that despite everything, she was still considered part of the family. "Thank you, Kazuyo-nee," Aiko said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude. "You've always been so kind."

Aiko nodded, a flicker of emotion passing across her features. "Indeed," she said, forcing a polite smile onto her face. "I guess this is just the accumulated karma following my bad decisions." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, tapping her limping leg as if to distract herself from the weight of her words. "When I heard you became a physician, I thought I should've studied harder," she added, attempting to lighten the mood with a touch of self-deprecating humor followed by a barely perceptible giggle.

Aiko's smile faltered, her gaze dropping to her hands folded in her lap. "Yeah, it does. I mean it hurts sometimes," she admitted quietly, avoiding Kazuyo's eyes. "Physicians in Tokyo told me the damage is permanent, but the pain can diminish with physiotherapy. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford such treatment in Tokyo." There was a moment of silence as Aiko struggled to find the words to express her feelings. "I feel really ashamed to come here and talk to you after such a long time, just to ask you for favors," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper as her main goal in coming to see Kazuyo was no other than begging for her help. She couldn't even keep eye contact with Kazuyo after saying this.

​

---

Interaction: Jackson123 as Kazuyo Akiyama

 

[Nellancholy]

Tsuki Haruomi
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 5 DEX 3 WIL 4
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

Kitazono-sensei's disapproval pricked her, it really did. Tsuki knew that sensei meant well for her, but it very much reminded her of the glares she got back in her small town. The kind of look that showed the mildest of disdain for someone like her, because any greater contempt would be a waste of effort. The daughter of a harlot with an unknown father, coming out with an obvious deformity and therefore twice cursed. Few of the townsfolk so much as gave her the time of day, though at least a few did speak kindly to her. And of course all of them were quite willing to take Oyuki's money when Tsuki handed it to them for the modest quantities of rice and fish and pickles they could afford.

And so the young Tsuki had a lot of work to do, sifting through her responses to contempt, neglect, pity, and concern in equal measure. Surely one day even her heart would be able to open up and truly bloom, even with dark clouds on the horizon.

At this present moment where she had finished rinsing the first time, there was a more straightforward choice to be made. She could continue to assert her independence as she felt she should, and not contribute to (what she believed were) Kitazono-sensei's burdens. Or, just this once, she could ask for a bit of help, more to placate sensei, putting her heart at ease and really...help her feel like she was doing the right thing.

It didn't take long for Tsuki to make up her mind in that respect.

She stood to her feet.

As would always happen when she stood unaided, her right leg bent at the ankle in order to have a chance of putting her upright in the first place. Her odd posture and gait would be obvious for anyone to see, especially as she leaned an inch or two to the left to keep balance. No one could walk in this manner for more than twenty meters or so without feeling the strain.

Nodding to Kitazono-sensei, Tsuki lightened her tone just a bit, playing up her apparent need. "Sensei...could you...would you like to help me into the bath?"

Amazake

 

[Jackson123]

Kazuyo Akiyama
School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 3 WIL 4
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
​

---

“Aiko-chan, you are family. You have nothing to be ashamed of. We all need help sometimes.” Kazuyo smiled before she stood and moved to her shelves, carefully selecting a few items: a small bottle of medicinal herbs, a roll of gauze, and a jar of salve she had prepared from local plants with anti-inflammatory properties.

“These may not be the modern treatments you’d find in Tokyo, but they have their own kind of capacity,” Kazuyo said, “First, let’s start with this. It will help reduce the inflammation and ease the pain.”

She soaked a clean cloth in a warm herbal infusion and gently wrapped it around Aiko’s injured leg. The warmth and the soothing aroma of the herbs could be felt almost immediately.

“Now, this,” Kazuyo continued, opening the jar and applying the ointment with gentle, circular motions. “It’s made from camphor and menthol. It won’t cure the injury, but it will help manage the pain and promote circulation.”

The salve have a cooling sensation that would set in. Kazuyo wrapped a fresh piece of gauze around the leg to hold the ointment salve in place.

“And, maybe do some some exercises,” Kazuyo said, demonstrating a few simple stretches and movements. “Help strengthen your muscles and reduce the pain over time.”

---

Interaction: Blitzkrieg Bob as Aiko Nakamura

 

[Amazake]

Akemi Kitazono
Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 1 (3) DEX 0 (2) WIL 4​

Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

It had happened in a flash, but at the same time, it felt like an eternity. When the young teacher saw Tsuki trying to get up all by herself, she screamed the girl's name and ran towards her with her right arm outstretched. At that moment, perhaps in a dark twist of irony, the young teacher fell victim to her own fear for the girl, whom she had warned countless times to be careful while in the bathroom.

The young teacher put her right foot on the wet tile floor, and at that moment, she slipped. First she saw the blurry image of Tsuki's face, then she saw the dimly lit bulb on the roof, and after that, everything suddenly went dark.

The changing area, which separated the dormitory hallway from the bathing area, had a slightly elevated floor to prevent the water from getting onto the changing area and the hallway. When Akemi slipped, the back of her head hit that elevated part of the changing area floor, which was made of wood. The sound of the impact was loud and could probably be heard outside the room in the hallway.

The naked figure of the young teacher now lay motionless on the cold tile floor. Thick red liquid oozed from the back of her head, dripping heavily onto the floor before being partly washed away by the warm water Tsuki had used to rinse herself earlier.

---

Participants: Amazake as Akemi Kitazono and Nellancholy as Tsuki Haruomi

 

[Nellancholy]

Tsuki Haruomi
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 5 DEX 3 WIL 4
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

It happened so fast, and all for no reason.

Just when Tsuki thought she'd give Kitazono-sensei a chance to assuage her own worries, she just had to overreact and hurt herself like that.

Kitazono-sensei paid so much attention to her, she should have known Tsuki could walk short distances unaided. Why'd she have to go and do that?

Just why? All the nasty words some adults used to say regardless of her presence boiled up, and she wanted to yell.

Blood was flowing, not severely but it wasn't stopping. This was far worse than the little bumps and scrapes Tsuki used to get on the island and had to care for herself.

She fell to her knees. "S-sensei, sensei! A-are you alright? Wake up, please..." Shaking and slapping her was no use. Already on her knees, she repeated her awkward crawl to the entryway, barely remembering to grab a towel to wrap around herself as she rushed out of the room.

Having neglected to take her crutch in the rush, she again leaned her right side against the nearest wall, making a quick (but hardly rushed) pace towards the infirmary.

"Sensei! Akiyama-sensei!" Tsuki cried, hobbling along. "Sensei, she's-" she pointed behind herself, towards the communal bathroom. "Sensei fell!"

Amazake Jackson123 Blitzkrieg Bob

 

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Aiko Nakamura

School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 4 DEX 2 WIL 1
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

​

---

"Thank you, Kazuyo-nee," Aiko whispered, lowering her head. Her gratitude was layered with deep emotion, a stark contrast to the greed of Tokyo and the resentment she had faced from her own family. This was pure, uninterested help, and she was profoundly moved by it. Yet, she also knew the treatment would be far from pleasant.

"Akkk," Aiko moaned softly as Kazuyo wrapped her leg with a warm cloth. The heat quickly reached her nerves, igniting a sharp pain that had never diminished since that fateful day when an air raid shattered her career. She had merely learned to manage it, to control her reactions, suffering without showing it. That barely audible moan masked immense pain, a skill she had honed as a former actress, trained to disguise her true thoughts and feelings under fake courtesy.

"Oh, how many exercises should I..." Aiko began to ask about the exercises when the door to the infirmary opened suddenly. Her eyes widened in surprise as an almost naked girl, looking worried and distressed, stumbled into the room. Aiko's surprise quickly turned to concern as she recognized the familiar pattern of a limping body, immediately reminding her own condition.

"Kazuyo, Dr. Akiyama, this young lady seems to be in need of your help," Aiko said, addressing her cousin formally. It wasn’t just a gesture of politeness; it was a deliberate attempt to keep their familial connection —and thus her own past—hidden from the newcomer.

---

Mention: Jackson123 Amazake Nellancholy

 

[Jackson123]

Kazuyo Akiyama
School Infirmary Teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 3 WIL 4
CS link
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Infirmary, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

Kazuyo Akiyama’s heart raced as she heard Tsuki's words and connect it to the loud sound she just heard earlier.

"Sensei! Akiyama-sensei!" Tsuki’s voice trembled with fear. "Sensei, she's-Sensei fell!"

Kazuyo’s pulse quickened, but she kept her expression calm. She grabbed her first aid kit bag, its contents carefully packed with the limited supplies she had.

Kazuyo hurried through the quiet hallways, her footsteps echoing loudly in the eerie silence. She reached the bathroom, and Kazuyo’s breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. The naked Ms. Kitazono lay motionless on the cold tile floor, a pool of thick red blood spreading from the back of her head. The stark white tiles contrasted sharply with the crimson liquid, making the scene all the more harrowing.

Kazuyo knelt beside Akemi, her training taking over. She checked for a pulse, feeling a weak but present beat beneath her fingers. Relief washed over her briefly, but she knew they were far from safe. With no paramedics available due to the wartime shortages, it was up to her to stabilize Akemi.

"Haruomi-san, I need you to stay calm and help me", Kazuyo said firmly, looking up at the terrified girl. "Find some towels and bring them here. Quickly.”

Kazuyo carefully examined the wound, careful not to move her spine for possible spinal injury. It was deep, and the blood flow was worrying. She found a bottle of antiseptic, ever scarce in these war-torn times, and a roll of bandages from her first aid kit. Quickly, she poured some antiseptic over a clean cloth from her bag, and applied pressure on the wound, trying to stem the bleeding. The acrid smell of blood filled the air.

"I'm sorry, I know it hurts", she whispered, "but I need to keep this clean."

With practiced hands, she secured the cloth with the bandages, making sure to keep the pressure steady. She then gently turned the woman's head to the side, hoping to prevent any choking should she vomit.

Kazuyo poured some more antiseptic onto a clean cloth and wiped the edges of the wound as carefully as she could, knowing that infection was a serious risk.

"Kitazono-sensei, can you hear me?” Kazuyo called softly, watching for any sign of consciousness. Kazuyo knew it's best if she can be send to a proper medical facility as soon as possible.

---

Interaction: Amazake as Akemi Kitazono Nellancholy as Tsuki Haruomi

 

[Amazake]

Fumiyo Takahane
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 3 DEX 2 WIL 4​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Maebashi City, Gunma

At last, it was the girl's turn to board the truck. The uniformed soldier, a clean shaven young man, possibly in his early 30s, first took the leather suitcase from the girl's hand. The suitcase, though heavy for the girl, was a mere inconvenience for the soldier, who lifted it easily onto the truck bed, where there was another soldier up there who helped the students arrange their luggage.

As the truck was a little high, it was a little difficult for someone like the girl to board it by herself. As such, the young soldier politely asked for her permission and stood directly behind the girl. He then put both of his hands under her armpits, lifted her up, and passed her to the soldier on the truck. It was embarrassing for the girl to be passed around like that at her age; however, she could not easily express her displeasure, especially to the intimidating soldiers, the majority of whom wore strained and annoyed expressions.

Now standing on the truck bed, after being put down by the soldiers who lifted her around like she was a cat, the girl readjusted the upper sleeves of her kimono and proceeded to sit on the vacant spot on the wooden bench that was attached to each side of the truck. She put her kinchaku bag over her lap so it wouldn't inconvenience the other passenger beside her. The back of the truck was covered by a canvas tarp, making it dark and a little hot inside, despite the cold mountain weather. It was so humid that the girl decided to lower her air raid hood, revealing her bobbed black hair.

As the last student boarded the truck, the soldier who was on the truck jumped off and fixed the tailgate in place. Soon the engine came alive, and the truck spewed black smoke from its exhaust. The girl, along with some other students, rocked slightly to the side as the truck accelerated forward.

As the convoy drove through Maebashi city, the girl found herself turning her head to the side for most of the ride. She could see two other army trucks following behind as they drove past the buildings on the side of the road. Having come straight from Shinjuku, the buildings in Maebashi were not at all interesting to her; they all appeared dull and boring. However, her eyes soon catch a rather peculiar sight, for there are absurdly long lines of people on the roadside. It must have been around a hundred or so people waiting in the line, for it took the truck more than 5 seconds to finally reveal the end, or perhaps the start, of the line. There, the girl saw several women wearing kappōgi and a white sash that goes from one shoulder to the hip on the other side that says Dai Nippon Fujinkai, Greater Japan Housewife Association. The women were seen manning a stall with some steaming pots and numerous stacks of bowls. A large rectangular cloth banner hung vertically on a wooden pole next to the stall has 'rice gruel' written on it.

It was a familiar sight for the girl, but certainly not one she expected to see here in Gunma. Recently, the food situation in Tokyo has gone from bad to worse, to the point that people would need to wait in line for hours on end to buy rations. As the girl's mother was a working woman, she often substituted for her mother to buy rations from the Tonarigumi (Neighborhood Association) after she came home from school. There were times when she needed to wait for hours in line. It was tough, but again, it was not something she could easily express in her complaint to her mother, who always seemed to come home exhausted from work but still mustered the strength to cook for her every day.

---

Participants: Amazake as Fumiyo Takahane, Daylight Fantasy as Hanako Okita, Evie Maiden Of Apples as Ui Tsubaru, viviionne as Honami Awaji and withinasapphire as Shiho Kimura.

 

[Amazake]

Rena Shinohara
Literature teacher
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 2 DEX 3 WIL 4​

Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy

If one were to believe in reincarnation, they might suspect that she was a cat in her previous life. Aloof and full of curiosity, Rena Shinohara is the literature teacher notorious for haunting the nooks and crannies of the entire academy. Her thirst for knowledge and new experiences knows no bounds, and worse, she doesn't hesitate to bother others to get what she wants.

Fellow teachers, academy staff, and even her students have likely experienced moments where Rena would follow them everywhere and barrage them with questions about any particular expertise or hobbies they might have. Perhaps Rena admitted to someone some time ago that she does what she does to gather research material for her novel. However, though Rena often carries a notebook around, she is never seen writing, let alone carrying manuscript paper usually used by writers to draft their works.

Although this cat-like teacher is often found wandering around the academy, she is actually fairly easy to spot in these three places: 1. the faculty room, when she has to fulfill her obligations as a teacher; 2. the library, when she is looking for new reading material; and lastly, 3. in her dorm room, when she holes herself up reading the books she borrowed from the library. It was this routine of literature readings in between her habit of roaming around the academy that put her in the right place to witness the incident that occurred in the bathroom that afternoon.

The academy on the Sabbath had always been quiet for all she knew, ever since she first served as a teacher in the academy. Teachers, staff, and students whose homes are not too far from the academy usually use this day to return home. In addition, mass on Saturdays, which before the war was mandatory for all academy members to attend, regardless of whether they were Christians or not, has now been made voluntary. As a result, more and more teachers, staff, and students go home on Saturday mornings to meet their families and then return to the academy on Sunday evening or Monday morning. This tranquility makes the Sabbath a perfect day for Rena to lock herself away and read a book in her dorm room.

That morning, after finishing breakfast, Rena immediately made a beeline toward the library and borrowed several books before locking herself up in her room all day. When she heard a commotion in the dormitory hallway, her curiosity took over, and she left her room to find out the source of the disturbance. She knew today was a little busier than usual because a new group of first-year students would arrive that afternoon, so the student council members did not take the day off to welcome their new underclassmen. However, her gut told her that the commotion she heard had nothing to do with the new arrivals. She slowly walked down the empty hallway, listening to where the noise was coming from. Finally, she approached the bathroom and heard Akiyama-sensei's voice, which was higher than usual. She walked in and gasped when she saw her other junior colleague, Kitazono-sensei, lying naked on the tiled bathroom floor, bathed in her own blood gushing from the back of her head.

The bibliophile teacher had often read how several writers attempted to describe blood in their works, but seeing it in person gave a much different sensation. She found herself standing still, her breath panting and her heart beating rapidly, while staring at the horror of the thick red liquid dripping heavily from her junior's head onto the white tile floor before being partly flushed by the flow of water into the drainage. She also smelled a peculiar rust-like scent, but she didn't know whether it was from the blood gushing from Kitazono-sensei's head or the chlorine used in the bath. Even though the incident shocked her, she couldn't help but make a faint, twisted grin because she could feel the thrilling sensation of a new experience.

Escaping the mesmerizing, gruesome sight, she looked around; her eyes then landed on the disabled girl that Akemi had been taking care of for the past year. She was about to order the girl to call for an ambulance but stopped at the last moment because time was of the essence, and sending someone like her to run for the phone would probably take too long. She then looked Akiyama-sensei in the eyes and says; "I'll go call 119". With that, she quickly left the bathing room and raced for the nearest phone.

---

Participants: Amazake as Akemi Kitazono and Rena Shinohara, Nellancholy as Tsuki Haruomi, Jackson123 as Kazuyo Akiyama, and Blitzkrieg Bob as Aiko Nakamura.

 

[Nellancholy]

Tsuki Haruomi
First-year student
Yurigaoka Girls' Academy
STR 5 DEX 3 WIL 4
Afternoon, Sunday, 1944年04月02日
Dormitory bathroom, Yurigaoka Girls' Academy​

---

Things were tough on the outside, but here in the school the situation was still under control.

In the sense that Tsuki could call for help from adults, from her senseis, and be answered.

Akiyama-sensei was prompt to respond towards the unexpected sight of the drenched girl hobbling towards her office in a towel, and she headed to the scene of the accident, followed by a woman Tsuki was less familiar with.

It took a bit more effort for Tsuki herself to double back, but she put all her concentration into the simple act of walking (mostly) upright so that they could get to work patching up Kitazono-sensei.

"Y-yes! Sensei!" She responded promptly to Akiyama-sensei's instruction, picking up a few more dry towels and handing them to her before joining the two by Kitazono-sensei's side.

The entire situation left her numb, not from the sight of blood in itself which she had gotten used to on some small level. Altercations between adults happened just as much in a village just as much as they did in the cities, and once in a blue moon they turned...ugly.

But what really hurt was the fact that Kitazono-sensei, the woman who doted on her and showed her kindness, could be put in such peril by simple bad luck, taken away from her and the school just like that.

The girl never put much stock into the gods, beyond the customary practices that everyone did. But perhaps they might see fit to give Kitazono-sensei the same feeling that Tsuki was experiencing as her head spun, sparing her the worst of the pain she would otherwise be feeling...

Even though she lay in a daze only a few inches away, Kitazono-sensei was almost entirely out of her hands.

Amazake Blitzkrieg Bob Jackson123