CHAPTER 2: FAREWELL, PURE LAND.

"Have you packed all your things?" Mother asked, her voice half-drowned by the chaos around us.

The past few days had been a whirlwind—phone calls, paperwork, packing. Somehow, between it all, I'd managed to find a small student apartment near campus. The kindness of our neighbors made it possible. They'd asked around, talked to their relatives, even helped me scout out options. I was lucky—*blessed,* really—to grow up in Hiraizumi, surrounded by such warmth.

"Yes, Mother! Last box is downstairs!" I called, rushing down with one final suitcase in hand.

"Hurry up!" Dad barked, half-laughing and half-panicking. "How on earth did you sleep through your alarm today?"

Outside, our neighbors were already loading my things into a small moving truck. Farewell gifts—bags of snacks, good luck charms, handmade trinkets—piled into my arms. It was overwhelming in the best way.

"Hikari! Wait!" a voice cried from down the street.

Aoi.

My best friend since kindergarten came running toward me, breathless, holding a small pouch in both hands.

"Aoi-chan! What took you so long?"

"Here. Take this." She pressed the pouch into my hands. "It's a good luck charm. Grandma and I made it together, and we had it blessed by the monk. Promise me you'll keep it close."

Aoi was the spiritual type—her family ran the town's oldest temple. People said their bloodline was blessed by the gods. Whether I believed in that or not didn't matter. Her friendship, her sincerity—it meant the world to me.

"Thank you, Aoi-chan. I'll keep it with me. Always. I'll video call you once I settle in, okay?"

We hugged tightly. "Next time I visit, I'll treat you to something fancy!" I said, blinking back tears.

"You better!"

In the car, Hanabi poked her phone in front of my face. "Nee-san… look at this."

On the screen was a horrifying image—some kind of crime scene. A woman found dead in Tokyo.

"Why are you showing me this?" I asked, frowning.

"Because you're going *there*. You need to be careful. People have been going missing."

"Hanabi…"

She looked pale. Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"I've been having weird dreams. And I think… someone's been following me."

My heart skipped. "What? You mean a stalker?"

She nodded, then quickly motioned for me to lower my voice.

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?!"

"I tried. But you were always so busy. I didn't want to burden you…"

I clenched my fists. She was my little sister—quiet, sensitive, the kind who hid her pain too well. A few months ago, we caught her harming herself. Since then, we'd been trying our best to help her heal. But now this?

"Hanabi, you have to tell Mom and Dad. Go to the police. Show them everything."

"I will," she said softly. "I promise."

"What else happened?"

"Strange texts. From random numbers. Sometimes I can't even read them… they're in some weird language."

"Show me."

She scrolled through her phone. Dozens of messages. Different numbers. Same disturbing tone. I didn't recognize the language either. Creepy. Too creepy.

"It's probably a stalker. Maybe someone trying to scare you. Have you helped any strangers recently? Anyone stand out?"

"No… I mean, I help people all the time. A lost pet, a grandma with groceries, classmates with projects. I don't know who it could be."

"Then let the police figure it out. But listen—you're not to go anywhere alone. After school, straight home, and always with a friend. Got it?"

She nodded.

I put my arm around her. "We'll get through this, Hanabi. Together."

Thirty minutes later, we reached the airport. Dad parked the truck and we loaded my things onto a trolley.

"Check your ticket," Mom said, brushing my hair from my face. "Don't lose it."

"I won't."

We said our goodbyes. Long hugs. Promises. Silent tears. I waved at them one last time as I stepped into the elevator toward the boarding gate.

ARRIVAL.

The flight was three hours, but it felt like a blink. The second I stepped into Tokyo's arrivals hall, I spotted them.

"The freshman is here!" Nanako yelled.

"Welcome to Tokyo!" Ayumi waved with both hands.

"Guess I've got another mouth to feed," Jasmin added with a smirk.

My online gaming senpai—Nanako, Ayumi, and Jasmin—had become real-life friends over the years. They were a year ahead of me and already attending Campbell University.

"Hey, hey! We meet again!" I said, running into their group hug.

"Minivan's out front. Let's get your stuff and eat!"

"Food?" I perked up.

"Jasmin cooked," Nanako said, grinning. "She went all out."

As we drove through the dazzling lights of Tokyo, I leaned back, soaking it all in. My new life was beginning—and I wasn't alone.

"Have you called your parents?" Ayumi asked, ever the motherly one.

"Ah! Not yet." I grabbed my phone and dialed.

"Mother! I arrived safely. The girls picked me up."

"Good! Thank them properly. And behave, alright?"

"I will. How's everyone?"

"Your sister's resting. She was exhausted. Dad's still helping Aoi's grandmother at the temple."

"Okay. I'll call again soon. Love you."

We pulled up to my apartment—small but perfect. Open kitchen, cozy bedroom, and most importantly: affordable with my student discount.

"Let's celebrate Hikari's arrival with a feast from our one and only chef, Jasmin!" Nanako announced.

Jasmin carried in a giant tray of food—bento boxes, fresh sushi, grilled meat, the works.

"This is insane!" I gasped.

"This is *normal*," Jasmin replied.

"*Itadakimasu!*" we all shouted, digging in.

We spent hours eating, laughing, and planning all the places we'd go. Tokyo, nightlife, clubs, late-night ramen spots—my world had just exploded wide open.

When the feast ended, they helped me clean up and said their goodbyes.

"Don't be late tomorrow, freshman!" Nanako called.

I smiled as they left.

Alone now, I unpacked my clothes, hung up my uniform, and soaked in a hot bath. Tomorrow was the opening ceremony.

And my new life at Campbell University would begin—for real.