Ape Kodomo Escape REDUX

Chapter 1 - Running Start (Side A)

Rain. That was all what Daichi was focusing on during the late night bus ride. He was playing with his hair, with his elbow on the windowsil and his hand up against his cheek. He was trying to find any subtle way to release his anxiety from the horrible experience he was going through. What experience was it? His school uniform. From the itchy navy dress pants to white shirt hanging off of his body, it was torture.

He moved his foot left to right, if only to make sure both of his bags where still there. One bag, the larger and plain black one, was full of his school books and pencil case. The other one, with a green camo design, was full of extra clothes and his other pair of shoes. He had carried both of them with him throughout the entire day, as he wouldn't be able to go home and pick one up in the afternoon. These thoughts and recolections of the day made him remember when he was told about this day, only a week ago.

His father, Kakeru, had announced that he would be gone for 2 weeks. He would be going to America to support Haruka, Daichi's mother, in the finale of the Mech World Championship. Both Daichi and his little sister wouldn't be able to say home, as Daichi was only 12, and would have to spend the 2 weeks with their long time family friends - the Professor and his assistant Charu. Before Daichi even had a chance to intervene and beg to stay home, his little sister Yuki squealed in excitement and ran to hug her father. All she wanted was to get a gift from America. With that, the plans were set and Daichi would have his routine ruined.

Daichi's hand ran through Yuki's hair. She was sleeping on his lap, with her plush cat backpack on her back. He knew that she would've fallen asleep, 10pm was far too late for a 6 year old to be up at. As the bus left the wooded area and met with streetlamps lighting up the surroundings, Daichi grew calmer knowing that the ride would be over soon.

He began to think of everything he was excited for. His childhood friend Akira would be staying in the same room as him, and school was even closer than usual. Him and his cousin were planning to watch the Mech World Championship live and support his mum. But he was annoyed that he couldn't sleep in his bed with his own duvet set for 2 weeks. Little things like that annoyed him all the time.

There wasn't anymore time to think about trivial things, though. He saw the sign directing families to the local playground and realized it was almost time to go.

"Hey, we're almost there!" Yuki's eyelids flickered a bit before settling in a half closed position. She got up with a yawn and rubbed her eyes.

When it was clear she was fine but just sleepy, Daichi pressed the button to tell the driver to stop at the next stop. He soon felt the slowing of the bus and grabbed Yuki's hand and threw his two bags over one shoulder. He started moving to the bus doors, which were only about 3 steps away, walking the tired child in front of him. He gave a smile with a nod to the bus driver when the doors opened and safely went down the steps.

The rain was lighter now, but still there. The siblings hadn't brought any jackets but only Daichi cared. As the bus drove off, Yuki dashed out of his grip and ran up the steps to the Professor's house. Quickly recovering from his flustered, speechless state, Daichi threw his bags over his shoulder one again and tried his best to run after her.

As he moved up the steps, he fumbled around with his keys to get the right one. At the top of the steps, Yuki was pacing in circles in excitement. Daichi slipped the key in on his first try, and easily unlocked the door. The door automatically slid to the side with a hum, and Yuki ran in immediately - heading straight to the guest room where she would always sleep. Daichi followed slower and locked the door behind him. Anything that was inside the house would stay there.

Daichi dropped his bags to his hands and dropped his composure. He steadily walked to the kitchen, pass the stairs and the door that had been locked for as long as he's been alive. The much heavier school bag was dropped on the ground and Daichi looked around....only to see that he was alone.