Shinosuke Koume
The blonde girl gazed at the ground timidly. Her cheeks were rosy red all the way up to her ears and she held her mother's hand but her sleeves were so long that they covered her hands, making it seemed like she was younger. Her mother cast about for a moment before glancing down to the little girl, tugging her along crooning soothing sounds. "Come on. It's okay Koume."
The little girl wrung her other hands in front of her and slowly made her way forward. They duo proceeded for a while like that before a man approached with a wide grin. “Mariko. There you are, how is she?” The man referred to the girl and the woman, Mariko chuckled. “She’s stopped crying. I think this is just a bit much for her. Jean? What’s that?” Mariko squinted at the plushy in his hand.
Jean squatted and held out the soft, fuzzy blue doll to the girl, Koume. She raised her gaze warily then let out a sharp gasp. “Dad!” She reached for the doll and cradled towards her chest as she smiled. Some of the uneasiness faded away visibly and the girl held out the doll to scan it over. It was a bunny with long floppy ears, and sharp eyes. Koume’s smile brightened even more and she held the doll up to her mother. “Here!” Mariko took the doll and smiled gently. “What?” Mariko asked as if in surprise. Koume waved her arms, making the sleeves go every which way. “You can have it. You looked worried, mommy.” Koume remarked. Mariko nodded and laid a hand on Koume’s shoulder. “Thank you, Koume.”
The family then moved on, Koume prancing in front but never going to far before glancing back nervously. They went to the different rides, which Koume could get on. All the lights, scents, and sights overwhelmed her. It was as if she were in some sort of fantasy world where the people could play forever. Eventually they stopped for funnel cake. Koume laughed when the white powder got on her cheeks. She had never had friends to go to places like this. All she had ever been to was picnic. Her parents stopped at a game booth and she stood off from them reluctantly. The Ferris wheel drew her attention, towering over the entire carnival like a beacon. Her brown gaze followed the pods around one cycle before a thought occurred to her. What if she could stay forever? In this place where you could forget your worries.
She bounced back over to her parents and tugged on the tip of her mother’s blouse. “Not now sweetie. Hold on. I’m about to win!” Mariko exclaimed proudly. Koume watched for a moment before wandering back to where she could see the Ferris wheel. Somehow, she wanted to ride it to the top and then scream at the top of her lungs. She chuckled; it was just like a kid. She glanced back at her parents before shrugging and giving up on the idea for the moment because the laughter from a large group of kids caught her attention. She watched them joke around, pushing each other to get to the next ride. A sharp pang ran through her and she skipped over to where her mother was whooping for glory. “Mom. I want to go on the Ferris wheel.” Koume tugged on her shirt again and the woman quieted regaining her breath with a laugh. “Oh, sorry. We’ll go now. C’mon Jean. Koume wants to ride the Ferris wheel”…
Koume grinned. There was one piece left to complete the fantasy