Infection ~~ Chinchikurin (CONTENT WARNINGS IN DESCRIPTION)

Masuada ~~ 1

Masuda Village. With it's declining population of around 100 people and overall lack of entertainment, life became pretty uneventful after a while, but the residents found ways around that.

There on a desolate dirt path walked three students on their way to school.

"So, when do you think we'll make it out of this hellhole?" One of them asked, kicking rocks from the path under his feet. Hanabishi Kuruwaya, 17 years old and a resident of Masuda Village. Despite getting all the grades needed to pass, he was still held back in school.

"Oh come on, Han! You're always asking this! Let's just wait and see what happens." Another replied. Seito Kure, the only other resident of Masuda the same age as Hanabishi. The two had been raised like brothers by Seito's grandma, and still viewed each other as such to this day.

"Damn.. you guys are givin' me a headache! Quit your babbling and let's just get to school." Boron Makuroshi, another resident of Masuda village. Though he was 25 years old, him and the others had still been very close their whole lives. He often presented as cold and always fed up with "The other's bullshit" as he called it, but he really did deeply care for his friends.

After a while longer of more walking and jokingly taking jabs at each other, they finally arrived at school.

"There you guys are! Where did you go? We were looking for you!" Toru Garakuta called out. Toru was the oldest of the group at 30 years old, yet was still held back in school just like everyone else. He acted as the father figure of the group and liked to make sure everyone was safe.

"Sorry about that! We took a different route today, and someone wouldn't get out of bed." Seito said, chuckling at Hanabishi. Hanabishi lightly punched Seito in the arm. "Oh, piss off."

"So where's Haruma?" Boron asked as the four of them walked into the school. Haruma Neko was one of the older ones in the group at 28 years old. He often didn't attend school as he didn't see the point in going anymore.

"He went out hunting again, he said he'd be back later on tonight." Toru replied, entering the classroom. Inside, Keita sat patiently at his desk waiting for them. Keita Ookami was 24 years old. Him and Hanabishi had a rather complicated relationship but they made it work out. He always kept his hair draped over his eyes, so no one really knew what he looked like even after all these years.

"Keita? You're never here this early, what's up? Hanabishi asked, leaning on Keita's desk as he spoke.

"Ehh.. just bored, y'know? Decided to switch up the schedule a bit."

Hanabishi nooded and took a seat at his own desk just like everybody else had.

School came and went as as it always did, the same routine as every other day. The five friends decided to walk home together.

"So? Can we crash at anyone's house tonight?" Seito asked. Hanabishi sighed. "Not mine. My dad will be home tonight." He said. He really hated his old man for not being there for him as a child. Hanabishi's dad, Papitaro, tried his best to create a better relationship between them, but his efforts were never enough for Hanabishi.

"Well then... I'm sure my grandma wouldn't mind us staying at mine!" Seito smiled. He still lived with his grandmother, but she loved the others and would always welcome them over.

"Sure! I'll let Haruma know so he can come by later." Toru said, pulling his flip phone from his pocket to text him.