Chapter One: Bad dream

"Ranaru, come on, walk faster."

"You're the one who has to go slower, Mika."

"But I want to get there soon."

"It's not like a cave is going to grow legs and run away."

"Humph. Go faster and period."

"Right, right. Miss bossy."

"Hehe... I know you love me."

Two children could be seen walking through the forest together, a girl and a boy. The girl had long blonde hair with blue eyes. The boy had black hair and eyes the same color as his hair. They were heading to a cave, which they had found on one of their earlier little adventures together through the woods. And today, they decided to go investigate her.

"Mika, I really don't think it's a good idea for us to go investigate this cave alone."

"Stop being fearful, Ranaru, you are a man, act like one."

"I'm a cautious man, that's all."

"To me, it's the same as fearful. You crybaby."

"Tch. Now you pay me, Mika."

"You don't catch me. Bleehh..."

Ranaru, started to run after Mika.

"With that speed, you'll never catch up with me, Ranaru."

"That's what we'll see!"

Ranaru chased Mika through the forest for some time, until he managed to catch up with her.

"I got you. Now it's time for revenge!"

"Don't even think about it, Ranaru."

"Oh, I'm thinking yes."

"Ranaru started tickling Miko."

"Haha... Stop it, Ranaru... Haha... Please... Haha..."

"Humph! I hope you learned your lesson."

"Of course, of course. Let's continue now."

After that, they continued on their way deeper into the forest.

"Finally!"

Mika exclaimed, after reaching the cave.

"Let's go inside, Ranaru."

"Mika, I'm saying this isn't a good idea."

"There you go again with that story."

"Mika, listen to me just once."

"Blah blah blah. Stop talking and let's go inside."

Ranaru sighed and followed behind Mika as she entered the cave. The deeper they went into the cave, the colder it got. Ranaru soon realized that something was wrong.

"Mika, let's go back, something is wrong."

"It's just a little cold, nothing's wrong. Let's continue."

"Honestly... You're very stubborn, Mik-"

Before Ranaru could finish his sentence, the ground beneath them began to crumble.

"Ahhh..."

"Ahhh..."

The two then fell.

"Ranaru... Hey, Ranaru. Wake up."

Hearing the call, Ranaru finally opened his eyes.

"Argh, what a pain. What the hell happened..."

Ranaru said as he stood up.

"We fall."

Turning around, he saw Mika leaning against the wall.

"I said it was a bad idea to go into the cave"

"I think I should have listened to you."

Looking around, he realized they had fallen into some sort of underground passageway.

"Come on, let's see if we can find a way out."

"I can't walk."

"What happened?"

"I think I sprained my ankle."

Ranaru sighed.

"Get on my back, and I'll carry you."

With Ranaru's help, Miko climbed onto his back. With that, Ranaru started walking around, trying to find a way out.

Some time later, they found an exit, which led straight into the forest.

"We finally got out."

Ranaru spoke.

"Yes, we finally got out."

Mika confirmed.

Ranaru started walking through the forest, carrying Mika on his back.

"I think we'll have to tell our kids about this adventure in the future, Mika."

"Yes. But you'll have to give me another engagement ring, this one is already scratched from the fall."

"Yes, yes, I'll give you as many as you want."

They continued their journey in silence after that. Some time had passed when Ranaru finally saw the village they lived in the distance.

"The village is ahead, Mika."

However, there is no answer.

"Mika?"

"Hey, Mika."

"Wake up. Don't sleep on my back."

No matter how much Ranaru spoke, Mika didn't respond.

Ranaru felt liquid running down his shoulder. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Mika bleeding from the mouth and nose. Quickly, he set her down.

"Hey, Mika! Wake up!"

"Mika! That's not funny!"

"Mika, wake up, please!"

"Help!"

"Somebody help me!"

Ranaru began to shed tears of despair. Mika, his childhood friend, the girl he loved, had died.