kaninchen
𝓫𝓲𝓻𝓭𝓲𝓮
Spring in Wakubetsu had always been one of towering cherry blossoms, restless students ready to leave school, curious tourists prowling on the boardwalks to spy fishing boats, and seasonal shops opening for their primetime. In 2005, the image the city came to be known for was never clearer; the cusp of summer ever approaching as cicadas and afternoon naps moved in to consume its residents.
There was no greater day for the girls to meet. A Saturday before noon: enough time to have grabbed a coffee and sorted out an outfit, but leaving plenty to move on with afterward. Of course, it was pointless, they would not be moving on. Not every girl in the city was attending, many had filed out for universities or the call of the unknown that perhaps they were not even aware of what was happening to their former friends in the place their powers hailed from. But all that mattered is that there was enough.
It had been a month since the first death, which had been followed quickly by another: a girl named Aoi. She was as close to a household name in the dreamworld as one could get, bubbly and chased by pink streamers and admirers wherever she went. When they found her body, the beloved scepter she had flipped time again for her audience was found alongside her. She was minutes from her home. Girls became nervous, of course, and their paranoia was validated when the third girl was found like all the others. Long past friendships rekindled and those who had abandoned Wakubetsu for greater frontiers suddenly returned to their hometown. They knew something had to be done, their past escape sought them one by one.
The idea of a meeting floated around the girls briefly before one began to organize it: Ishii Riko. Time, date, and location passed through word of mouth and rudimentary social media contact; whoever they could get a hold of was extended an invite, and whoever they knew would receive one in return. Now Riko was waiting for the girls to arrive, not knowing how many would arrive nor if any would at all, but certainly knowing they all had one thing on their mind: it was now or never.
There was no greater day for the girls to meet. A Saturday before noon: enough time to have grabbed a coffee and sorted out an outfit, but leaving plenty to move on with afterward. Of course, it was pointless, they would not be moving on. Not every girl in the city was attending, many had filed out for universities or the call of the unknown that perhaps they were not even aware of what was happening to their former friends in the place their powers hailed from. But all that mattered is that there was enough.
It had been a month since the first death, which had been followed quickly by another: a girl named Aoi. She was as close to a household name in the dreamworld as one could get, bubbly and chased by pink streamers and admirers wherever she went. When they found her body, the beloved scepter she had flipped time again for her audience was found alongside her. She was minutes from her home. Girls became nervous, of course, and their paranoia was validated when the third girl was found like all the others. Long past friendships rekindled and those who had abandoned Wakubetsu for greater frontiers suddenly returned to their hometown. They knew something had to be done, their past escape sought them one by one.
The idea of a meeting floated around the girls briefly before one began to organize it: Ishii Riko. Time, date, and location passed through word of mouth and rudimentary social media contact; whoever they could get a hold of was extended an invite, and whoever they knew would receive one in return. Now Riko was waiting for the girls to arrive, not knowing how many would arrive nor if any would at all, but certainly knowing they all had one thing on their mind: it was now or never.