Missing among Shadows Kurai yoru no kage

Chapter One

Year 2048

My name is Tsukoyamu Hoshiliga but I go by Azuki and I'm just your average 14-year-old attending Hoshizora no yōna me academic. Nothing too exciting, right? But sometimes I can't help but wonder what adventures await me. I'm content with being me and seeing where life takes me now.

Upon awakening, Azuki was filled with a sense of unease caused by a vivid nightmare that had left her drenched in sweat. Although the specifics of the dream eluded her, she quickly donned her school uniform - a sophisticated ensemble consisting of a sleek black leather long-sleeved shirt, paired with a matching thin leather skirt and a silky red tie. Her shoulder-length brown hair was meticulously braided, adding a final touch of refinement to her already polished appearance for the day. As she finished getting ready for another school day, her trusty alarm clock chimed its familiar tune. Knowing it was time to start her day, she gathered her belongings and made her way to the front door. Waiting for her there was her older brother Kai, who at 18 years old, was her only family member. With a warm smile, he greeted her and offered to drive her to school, as he often did. As always she didn't care for his kindness, she blankly accepted and climbed into the car. When arriving at the school Azuki has been informed that her friend Hina has been taken. Hina has been missing for a week and no one knows where she is. Azuki is feeling a sense of emptiness, as is often the case in such situations.Despite the noise and chaos around her, Azuki remained focused on making it to her class on time. As a 14-year-old high schooler she needed to behave, her friends Akanji Pikaikaju and Ckykau Kimrimi discussed their upcoming assignments and plans for the weekend. As soon as they stepped into the classroom, the students noticed that the atmosphere was tense and apprehensive. The sound of hushed whispers and shuffling feet was punctuated by the sight of law enforcement officials stationed around the room. The students felt a sense of unease as they took their seats, their minds racing with questions and concerns. The officials remained stoic and silent, adding to the air of mystery and tension in the room.Following Hina's disappearance, the police began questioning the students if they had any information about her whereabouts. Unfortunately, no one seemed to have any leads, which only added to the growing tension and unease amongst the student body. Many had heard rumors that Hina was skipping school, so some were hesitant to come forward, fearing they might get in trouble. One student, who happened to be close to Hina, couldn't keep it together and burst into tears during the questioning. Azuki, who was also present during the questioning, couldn't help but think how unhelpful it was to cry like that. Despite the police's efforts, it seemed like they were no closer to finding Hina, and everyone was left to wonder what could have happened to her.During the police questioning, Azuki slowly raised her hand. She seemed hesitant to speak, but eventually, she managed to say, "The last time I saw her was exactly one week ago. We were sitting at the back of the classroom, working on our algebra homework together. She had her red hair tied up in a neat bun, and she was wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and Nico branded shoes." One of the officers nodded and thanked her for the information. He then asked, "Do you have any more details that might help us in this case?" Azuki shook her head and replied, "No sir." After that, she sat down with a blank expression on her face for the rest of the day. The police officers continued to question them in every class up until lunchtime. Then they left, and the school resumed its normal routine. And math class had started up.