Haruka, a world-weary science journalist, was on the brink of nodding off during yet another mundane interview. "When will this guy stop talking?" she thought, her eyes rolling for the third time.
Jake, a young, eccentric scientist, noticed her boredom. "I can see you're bored," he observed. "Why don't you come to my place? I'll show you something truly groundbreaking. Unlike this old geezer, I believe in show, not tell."
Intrigue sparked in Haruka's eyes. She followed him to a warehouse that doubled as his apartment and laboratory. A playful banter ensued.
"You're not going to kidnap me, are you?" she joked.
Jake chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Not this time, but you can't leave now that you're here." As he played a haunting melody on his piano, he continued, "These aren't phone booths, they're telepods!"
A daring proposition followed. To demonstrate his invention, Jake needed an object. Without hesitation, Haruka removed one of her stockings. With a flourish, Jake placed the stocking in one telepod and initiated the machine. Haruka, positioned in the other pod on the opposite side of the room, waited with bated breath. The doors slid open...
YOU ARE READING
Paruru Festival
Short Story"An anthology of short stories featuring Haruka Shimazaki in various roles, each with a different co-star. The collection includes both six-chapter stories and one-shot chapters, with each tale standing alone in its own unique setting and narrative...
