POV：高橋晴樹 Haruki Takahashi

Shivering, it became clear that I, the blessing, and hope of the Takahashi family, am lost.

Okay, okay I know I sound ridiculous but, this is the mind of a six-year-old kid okay!?

I had wandered into a deserted park surrounded by tall buildings and empty streets. “This isn’t a horror film, so I am OKAY!” I tried to comfort myself. I heard rustling in a nearby bush and started to walk closer but suddenly a thought smacked me. “Wait... what if this IS a horror film?” I looked around for any hidden cameras.

I didn’t see any but continued to shuffle closer and closer growing increasingly fearful. I picked up a nearby stick and pointed it at the bush. “Come out and face me you COWARD!”

“COWARD!?” A smaller kid jumped out of the bush. In a startled pose I yelled, “So, you’ve decided to face me! I will show you the true meaning of fear!” I recollected myself and threw the stick at them, which missed, and got into a fighting stance.

A tall figure picked me up by my head and turned me to face them. They said in a deep and startling voice, “Are you bullying Tanaka!?” Color drained from my body.

N-no way is this their dad or something? “Well answer me you little-” Tanaka tugged at his dad’s shirt and said, “No way he was bulling me! He challenged me to come out during our game, so I had to!”

Game?

“Yeah, we were playing hide ‘n seek.”

I screeched, “I SAID THAT OUT LOUD?” The dad chuckled and asked me to join them. “No, for I am on a quest. You want to know what it is?” I didn’t get them the chance to say anything. “Well! I’ll tell you since you really want to know! I was getting a milk box from the store and when I went back to where my house was, it wasn’t there!”

“Well, we can help you.” Tanaka’s dad offered. I hesitantly accepted and told them where I lived. “Well, you just need to go straight that way.” He pointed back to the convenience store. “I TOOK A WRONG TURN!?” I fell to my knees, feeling pathetic at how I could make such a mistake.

Tanaka tried to comfort me saying, “It’s okay we all make mistakes sometimes.” “Well maybe in your family! I come from the distinguished Takahashi family!” I argued.

“Don’t they own a café nearby?” Tanaka’s dad asked. “Yes, but it’s a cover up for what my family truly is.” I said smugly, which I came to regret. “Oh?”