She was a first-year high school student, and the unfamiliar uniform felt strange against her skin. As she walked into the entrance hall of her home, a single piece of airmail lay on the counter. The return address was from Alice Cartalet, …

Life at Shinobu’s house had become a comfortable rhythm for Alice. She was settling into high school in Japan, surrounded by the gentle kindness of Shinobu, the composed yet occasionally absentminded Aya, and the vibrant, ever-hungry Yoko. …

A subtle shift had occurred in their perception of the world. The women found themselves increasingly aware of strangers passing by, their faces and mannerisms registering with a newfound attention. It wasn't a conscious effort, but rather …

She had a cold, and while her classmates fretted over her, Yoko bounded up to the group, announcing she’d discovered a letter tucked away in her shoebox.

Aya helped Shinobu with her math, a subject the younger girl struggled with, earning zero points on her latest test. Reluctant to let the matter rest, Aya offered tutoring, and soon Karen joined them, requesting assistance as well. While st…

A yearning for the sea clashed with a desire for the peaks. Yoko dreamt of sand between her toes, while Karen envisioned rugged trails and towering mountains. Their differing visions brought them to a point of contention, yet as summer brea…

During lunch, Karen arrived at the friends’ classroom laden with bags of food – snacks and bread seemed to spill from every one. It appeared her classmates had been showering the popular girl with gifts. Startled, Karen was questioned by Al…

The night before the festival, Alice marked the date with a smile, telling Shinobu that tomorrow held special significance. Yet, Shinobu seemed unable to recall the reason for the occasion…?!

Aya announced one afternoon that she would have the house to herself, her parents away on a trip. Initially, she tried to casually mention her loneliness, but her friends seemed oblivious. Later, they attempted to cook in her kitchen, a sta…

She watched the morning horoscopes on television with Shinobu, a delighted smile gracing her lips when her sign was declared the luckiest of the day. Alice, however, was dismayed to learn hers was the unluckiest. Driven by superstition, she…

Aya and Yoko idly discussed their first dreams of the year at school as the new year dawned. Suddenly, Karen appeared, draped in a Japanese kimono, and announced that something terrible had happened to Alice in her dream. Shinobu materializ…

A flicker of excitement ignited within her as the new term began, but it quickly faded, replaced by a growing unease. The shift in her schedule, the unfamiliar faces – everything felt wrong. She found herself withdrawing, her usual bright …