1999. Nakamura, Japan. Population: 35,000.

This would be the new home for Senji Kamura, a seventeen-year-old boy with medium-length chestnut brown hair and deep blue eyes. Driving him was his mother, Hinaka Kamura. She was in her early thirties, with long curled chestnut brown hair, ocean blue eyes enhanced with black eyeliner and a slim petite figure. Having lost his father to a fatal illness, the now widowed Hinaka wouldn't be able to keep up with the payments to stay in their large home in Tokyo. So she withdrew her late husbands funds from the bank, closed their joint account and with the help of her parents, found an affordable home for the two in their hometown of Nakamura. After packing their things and hiring a driver from an independent moving company, Hinaka and Senji took the five hour drive to Nakamura where their new home in the spacious suburbs was waiting.

With their belongings unpacked and furniture organized, Hinaka lead Senji into the car to head to the local high school a few blocks away. Hinaka had already gotten adjusted to the local news stations. She dialed the volume up to hear what was being spoken;

"-And we are unsure of what is going on. This marks the fifth consecutive disappearance in a row so far in the span of the last three months. Residents once again are reminded to be careful when going out at night and we encourage that young women under the age of eighteen are to either be escorted by a parent or guardian or to stay indoors at night. Police and the mayor have just recently hired the aid of a renowned detective from Sendai to come to the town to help with the ongoing investigation-"

Senji felt a chill down his spine listening in on the news report. Hinaka turned the volume down and sighed, gently stroking his shoulder.

"I know mother mentioned something about this but... I had no idea that it was this terrible. What a time to move here..." She murmured, shaking her head. "...But it's okay. We can't let ourselves get down. We've already gone through so much lately... But my heart does go out to those poor parents who must be so worried. I do hope the authorities can figure this out..."

Senji knew his mother was trying her best to be optimistic and reassuring, but the grim subject matter wasn't what he wanted to hear. Especially after having lost his own father. He lifted his head up to see the high school just up ahead. It was a large two-story building with a gym attached and had a large open field for sports. The sign just outside the entrance read: Nakamura High School. Home of the Track Team Champions. 

Once they found a parking spot, Senji followed his mother inside and to the main office. The older lady behind the desk glanced up at them with a smile on her face.

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"Greetings. How can I help you?" She asked with a cheery tone.

"Hello. We just moved here and I wanted to get my son registered to your school. He's a junior year. I have all of the paperwork from his old school with me. I called yesterday." Hinaka stated holding up the tan folder she had brought with her. The lady took it to scan the contents. She nodded and handed it back.

"I remember. Very well. If you could head to the room behind me just off to the left here. That's the principals office. He'll get you sorted out."

Hinaka and Senji headed into the office. A tall, stout middle-aged man with a receding brown hairline and thick black-rimmed glasses in a black suit sat at his desk. He greeted the two of them with a warming smile. Hinaka shyly waved as the two of them took a seat.

"So you must be miss Hinaka Kamura and your son, Senji. I was informed of your arrival just the other day when you called. Welcome to Nakamura High School. I'm principal Touta Tanaka. If you could just hand me that folder. I'll get started on this paperwork here..." He said. Hinaka handed him the folder.

"Thank you sir." She replied.

"I do wish you had picked a more... Well, peaceful time to move here. Nakamura is a beautiful town with lovely people and a quiet atmosphere. However as I'm sure you have heard-"

"Y-you mean of the disappearances?"

"...yes. Five of our precious students have gone missing over the past three months. Not one of them has been found yet. Hopefully this 'renowned' detective we're getting help from can figure this situation out."

Some small talk between the two of them passed the time. They all stood up, Tanaka shook their hands and he shoved the file into his desk drawer. Now that Senji was registered, he was told that he would be starting tomorrow. On a Wednesday. Senji wasn't the most thrilled about this but felt hopeful that he could fit in as the new kid. As him and Hinaka were on their way to the entrance, one of the classroom doors opened and a group of girls stepped out into the hallway and headed in the opposite direction.. He was unsure of where they were going but he met eyes with one of the girls briefly while passing by. He was a bit confused why only she noticed him but he shrugged it off.

As he laid on his bed, Senji kept thinking about how tomorrow would go. His mind was flooded with anxiety being the new student. What would his classes be like? What would the atmosphere be like compared to the larger high school he attended back in Tokyo? How were the others going to treat him? Would he make friends? He was fine at socializing back home, but was also from the city and had to cut ties with his old friends, only being able to stay in touch over phone with them. Were people out in the rural parts much different then people from the city? All of this he was unsure of. What he was sure of, was that his life was about to change starting tomorrow.