Stray Memories » Places

         

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Class had finished for Eizawa high school half an hour ago, and Nao, like most of the students, had decided to eat outside before heading home. Unlike most of the other students, who left in groups or pairs, Nao intended to eat alone. After hanging out with his classmates for most of the day, doing work and projects and engaging small chat, Nao would much rather have some time to himself for relaxation before heading home. Keeping up pleasantries when you had no idea why 'I saw Mizushiro kissing Tanaka in the courtyard, they're dating! Cute!' or 'Have you heard?! Haruka-san is coming up with a new album!' or 'C'mon, baseball isn't that bad, lets talk strategy and sports!' was so important to others was exhausting. So was feigning just enough interest to prevent himself from looking like a douche, which would just cause him more trouble.

Really... it was so tiring to keep up with people sometimes.

Nao's tiredness wasn't helped by the email he got. Halfway to a ramen shop he liked to frequent, his IDC gave the little bleep that indicated he had mail. Soft rock beating gently in his ears through earphones, Nao pulled up the mail only to see two clues.

??? @ Sent to: Nao Kazurimori
Clue for Condition 1: The person who has your secret reminds one of Kaguya.
Clue for Condition 2: The person who owns the secret in your file still attends school.

...

Unlike people who normally reacted to others having their lifelong secrets in their hands (anger, tears, begging, all encompassing fear that it might get out etc), Nao just blinked at the message as if it were nothing special. Then he sighed and continued to walk towards his destination.

Clues for the Game. Alright. Nao wasn't entirely sure why the person was doing this, but there was no point denying it to be false. For one thing, he had an inaccessible videofile with him, which made the person seem more likely they were telling the truth. For another, Nao didn't want any possibility of his secret getting out. The memory was visible proof that he had committed murder; he had no desire for his and the people he loved lives to be destroyed by that information if it got spread out.

At least the rules were clearcut. The problem would be figuring out who the people were, and what the clues meant. They were too vague; would more clues be coming on the way? And who or what is Kaguya?

Well... he could think about it over food. Nao paused, looking up at the Ramen shop. The shop was painted in dark but elegant colours, with a Japanese feel to it. Of note was the sign which said Ramenplay at the top in gold letters. It was a small place, but it served good food at reasonable prices, which was a lot more cheaper than the cafe opposite it. And more importantly, it had free wifi, which made it a godsend to anyone who was looking for a good place to eat and work at the same time. Shouldering his backpack, Nao strolled into the restuarant.

A waitress looked up, seeing nothing but a guy in a white short sleeved dress shirt and navy pants enter the restaurant. It was clear he was a student stopping by for a bite to eat. "Welcome! Please, have a seat." She said cheerily, store smile on her face as she directed him to a place near the entrance. If he looked out of the side, he could see the mall over the banister. Nao was lucky - the place was packed during peak hours. As it was, while there were people eating an early dinner, there was still space to seat. "What would you like to eat?"

"Shoyu ramen, please." Nao answered quietly. The girl took the order and left, and for a moment Nao closed his eyes and leant back against his seat, taking the moment to relax.

Moment over. Pulling out his IVC, Nao began to look for 'Kaguya', a frown on his face as he conducted his search online.