Fragments of the Past
The underground station was alive with a dull hum, a symphony of muffled voices, hurried footsteps, and the occasional rumble of a train in the distance. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a sterile glow that reflected off the cold, metallic surfaces. The air was thick with the scent of damp concrete, engine oil, and the faint mustiness of underground tunnels, blending into an atmosphere that felt oddly suffocating.
Tanaka shifted his weight against a steel pillar, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes, sharp and calculating, studied the three girls in front of him. They stood close together, their body language guarded, as if instinctively seeking comfort in each other's presence.
The first girl, Rina, had a bob-cut with reddish-brown hair, her lips pressed into a thin line. She tapped her fingers impatiently against her elbow, her stance slightly aggressive, like she was ready to challenge anything she didn't like hearing. The second, Ayaka, had long, straight black hair tied into twin tails, her large eyes darting between her friends, filled with unspoken uncertainty. The third, Chisato, was the tallest of the group, her petite glasses perched delicately on her nose as she anxiously clutched the strap of her schoolbag, her fingers tightening with every passing second.
"So, you're asking about Haruka Benight?" Rina finally said, arching an eyebrow. Her tone was steady, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed a hint of unease.
"We haven't seen her in three weeks," Ayaka added, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, her polished black school shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor.
Tanaka exchanged a glance with Blasta, the air between them heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"She's not the type to just disappear like that," Ayaka continued, exhaling sharply. "Haruka's always been the most outgoing of us. Like, if anyone had plans, she was always at the center of them."
"She transferred here from America last year," Chisato added, her voice softer, more hesitant. "She fit right in from day one. Super friendly, always laughing… she made things fun, you know?"
Tanaka remained silent for a moment, processing the information. His fingers instinctively tightened around the strap of his bag.
Blasta, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. "So, you're saying she just vanished? No warning? No messages? No calls?"
"Nothing," Rina muttered, crossing her arms. "One day she was here, and the next, she was just… gone."
The station's speakers crackled to life with a dull, robotic announcement, momentarily cutting through the tension. A train rumbled somewhere in the distance, sending a faint vibration through the tiled floor. The scent of rusted metal and electric oil mixed with the cold, artificial air, wrapping the moment in a strange sense of isolation.
---
A Glimpse Into Yesterday
The world shifted.
Sunlight poured through the gaps between city buildings, painting long golden streaks on the pavement. The streets buzzed with life—shopkeepers arranging their displays, couples walking hand in hand, children dragging their parents toward toy stores. The air carried a mixture of fresh pastries, caramelized sugar, and the rich aroma of coffee drifting from a nearby café.
At the center of it all was Haruka Benight.
Her loose blonde curls bounced as she twirled in excitement, holding two ice cream cones in the air like trophies. She wore an oversized cream-colored sweater, slightly slipping off one shoulder, paired with denim shorts that barely reached mid-thigh. A pair of pink sneakers completed her effortlessly carefree look.
"You HAVE to try this flavor!" she declared, practically shoving one of the cones into Rina's hand. "It's called Sakura Dream! Doesn't it sound super fancy?"
Rina wrinkled her nose as she examined the ice cream. Its soft pink hue swirled with delicate streaks of white, almost glowing under the warm sunlight. She hesitated before taking a small bite. Her lips curled slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Tastes like regular strawberry," she said flatly.
Haruka gasped, placing a hand over her heart in exaggerated betrayal. "How DARE you! That is an insult to the fine craftsmanship of Japanese desserts!"
Ayaka and Chisato erupted into laughter, their giggles blending with the distant hum of city life.
The ice cream melted quickly in the afternoon heat, leaving sticky trails down their fingers. Haruka, with her usual boundless energy, playfully dabbed some onto Ayaka's nose.
"You're such a child!" Ayaka squealed, swiping at her face.
"You love it," Haruka teased, sticking out her tongue.
That day had been perfect.
A day that now felt impossibly distant.
---
The Unknown Pink-Haired Girl
The present felt colder.
Tanaka's sharp gaze locked onto Chisato. "You mentioned Haruka was spending time with someone before she disappeared. Who?"
Chisato hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blazer. "...A girl. Pink hair. But she wasn't a student at any school around here."
Blasta's expression darkened. "And you have no idea who she is?"
Rina scoffed, her arms tightening around her chest. "Not much. Haruka wouldn't stop talking about her, though. Said she was 'cool' and 'mysterious' or whatever."
"She made it sound like they had some deep connection," Ayaka muttered, gripping her sleeve. "But we never met her properly. She just kind of… appeared out of nowhere. It was weird."
Chisato swallowed hard. "Haruka started keeping secrets after that. She'd cancel plans last minute, stop answering texts. She was still smiling, still laughing—but it felt different, you know? Forced."
A memory resurfaced—one they had ignored at the time.
"That girl's trouble."
"Haruka's been acting different ever since she met her."
"You think she's a bad influence?"
"Or worse. What if she's dangerous?"
Now, Haruka was gone.
---
An Unexpected Connection
Blasta clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "This is starting to sound like a pattern. First Naomi, now Haruka. If this pink-haired girl was involved, she might have answers about both of them."
Rina exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of her neck. "Damn, this is getting creepy."
Ayaka's hands curled into fists, pressing against her sides. "We thought about going to the police, but we don't have any proof. And we don't even know the girl's real name."
Tanaka pulled out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly as he typed something before looking up. His expression was serious, almost unreadable. "Here—take my number. If you remember anything, even the smallest detail, call or text me immediately."
Blasta did the same, his voice firm. "Same goes for me. If anything weird happens, let us know."
Rina hesitated before taking the contact information. For once, her confident smirk was nowhere to be seen. "Got it. If Haruka's really in trouble… we want to help."
As they parted ways, the dim underground lights flickered slightly, casting long, distorted shadows across the walls.
Tanaka and Blasta remained still for a moment, the cold hum of the station settling around them like an invisible weight.
A creeping unease clawed at the back of their minds.
This wasn't just a missing-person case anymore.
This was something much bigger.
Something much darker.