Hikaru on page 4, Shiori on 7, Sakurai twins on 8, Raku on 9, Miyu on 10, Satoru on 11, Shu on 12, Rena and Nazuna on 13, Hiroyuki on 14, Reika on 16, Miharu on 17, Toru on 18, Usagi on 19

Yui: ...Who...are you?

I ask.

???: Who?

He looks away, scratches his head like a little loss, then stands up straight and throws his arms wide in a pose.

Hikaru: Name’s Hikaru Sakaki. And who the hell are you, huh? Hurry up and──

Yui: Okay. Hikaru, right? Um, have you seen *a boy* around here?

My question bursts out. I cannot stop myself from following it up hastily.

Yui: I gotta find *him*. I’m really...really worried,

Hikaru: Huh? Haven’t seen anyone. What does he look like?

Yui: He is...

Then I stop.

There is nothing to continue the words. Nothing lefts in my mind. I cannot recollect his face, voice, or even a conversation that we might have had. Not a single trace remained.

I raise my hand and hold it up to the dim light. My fingers tremble. My heart pounds erratically. My breathe also races.

That is when I realize his presence has already faded as scent.

Hikaru: Forget the boy for now. Are YOU alright?

Hikaru asks me. It is only then that I smoothes my braid.

Yui: ...I don’t think I am.

My eyes drifts, unfocused.

Yui: I woke up inside a locker, and I have no idea how I got here...or even where it is.

Hikaru: Heh, then we’ve got ourselves in the same boat.

He looks at me intently. His gaze is sharp, but an honest shade of brilliant blue.

Hikaru: I don’t know what this place is either, but it’s probably not safe. If we stick together, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. Just come with me, okay?

Hikaru: And...what do you go by?

He gives me a friendly smile. Being two together is much less frightening than being alone, which makes me truly grateful.

Yui: Yui. I’m Yui Yotsuba. Nice to meet you.