Cupid Syndrome

Prologue

A small, seven year old girl is facing a large maple tree. Her face is covered with her hands as she counts.

"15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20!"

She jumps out and grins widely.

"Ready or not, here I come!"

Off she runs along. She wears a simple denim jumper skirt with a striped pink shirt underneath. Her hair is a pale brown, while her eyes are hot pink. Her skin appears to be a light cinnamon color.

Another, slightly older girl peeks out from behind a bush. The brunette runs towards her.

"Found you, Samantha!"

The older girl, named Samantha, sighs and stands up. Despite being older than the other, Samantha stands shorter. Samantha is wearing a pair of loose, knee-length black shorts. She is also wearing a t-shirt with an intricate design on it (which she drew on with crayola marker). Her hair is in two pigtails, and it's a deep black.

"Aishite, I think I know where Kōmori is hiding!"

Samantha runs towards a large rock. The brunette, named Aishite, chases after her. Samantha was always the faster one.

A smaller boy is hiding behind the rock. His hair is short and purple, while his eyes are a dark blue. His skin is a bit lighter than Aishite's, but the same color range.

"Found you!"

Samantha giggles and walks around the rock.

Kōmori sighs and gets up. He looks around and smiles at Aishite.

"I don't remember where Jamie went exactly..."

Samantha frowns.

"You do know! You're just not telling us! All boys are stupid!"

In retort to the sudden accusation, Kōmori shakes his head.

"Not all boys are stupid! You're just saying that because you're being untrue!"

Samantha only shakes her head. She grabs Aishite by the arm and starts walking away.

"Well, me and Aishite are *actually* gonna go look for Jamie."

Kōmori frowns. He goes over to the rock he was hiding behind and sits down. He begins reading his own book he'd brought.

Aishite turns to Samantha as they walk away.

"Why did you say that all boys are stupid? Some boys are really cool and nice, like Jamie..."

Samantha sighs.

"I just don't like Kōmori. He's weird and distant..."

Aishite goes silent.

As they continue their walk, Aishite sees Jamie's small tamagotchi egg on the floor. As she walks over to pick it up, her eyes widen in horror.

There is Jamie. He was quite a young boy, around the same age as Samantha. The ten year old was slouched against the alleyway door, blood seeping from his head. The trail of crimson fluid flowed onto all of his clothes. Shards of green-tinted glass lay scattered on the floor around him.

"...Aishite? What's the matter....?"