Chapter 1 - Happy Birthday

"Ne, Mika, what did you get for number six?"

"87"

"Wah! I had that originally! Then I changed it to 85.. huu~"

A smirk danced across the second girl's lips as she watched her best friend pout. The two of them were making their way down a busy road. The sun was beginning to set, stretching their shadows across the gravel. They stayed after school to get the answers from their professor after finishing their exam. Only one of the top student at the university would do that - Shukuyu Mika.

The two girls chattered on as they made their way home. It was nearly winter now and the darkness grew on them quickly, but they paid no mind. After all, they've been taking the same path ever since they were in grade school. Always together. They made a quick stop by the convinence store, grabbing something warm to drink before they reached their daily destination, the playground.

It was free of screaming children, in which meant that the swings were free as well. They laughed and giggled while they swung themselves back and forth all the while trying to balance the hot cocoa in their occupied hands. They enjoyed their time there, not realizing that the sun had disappeared. The lamps were what kept the playground from being shrouded in complete darkness. Minutes passed by before their swings grew lower and their laughters calmed. The girls merely sat there, smiling to themselves.

However, that peaceful moment soon disappeared when all the lights suddenly gave out. Nao was the first to make a sound. "M-Mika?" There was a hint of panic in her voice, but before Mika had the chance to respond to her, Nao screamed. Though it was loud, the voice wasn't next to her anymore. Her heart thumped loudly and her throat dried. She gripped onto the chains tightly. Her entire body was scared frozen, yet she shook so much from fear that it rattled the chains. There was only silence. She hoped for her eyes to adjust to the darkness; she told herself not to be scared - that Nao was merely playing a prank on her. After all, today was Mika's 19th birthday. A prank just like all the other times.

Just a prank.

"MIKA!"

If it was just a prank - just a prank - why did her voice seem so panicked? Why did she sound so scared? She shut her eyes and held her breath. Just a prank. Just a prank. Just a prank. Just a prank.

"MIKA!"

Her eyes snapped opened. They darted left and right, hoping to see something - anything. Nothing. "N..." Her voice trembled. "N....Nao?" She whimpered, shifting slightly in her seat. "Nao?" Mika called out once more before she waited for a response. She heard a scream from the left, and without thinking twice, Mika jumped up. She ran towards the sound. Her hands were out in front of her, hoping to see whatever obstacle stood in her way, but it didn't help especially when she still tripped over what felt like a lump of log. Her hands saved her from falling flat on her fac, but she still managed to make a scratch on her face. "Ow..." She groaned. Her brows furrowed as she pushed herself back up, wiping off the sand that was stuck on her damp skin.

She stopped halfway, realizing that she was able to see the ground. Mika looked up to see a faint flicker of light coming from a lamp not too far away. She hesitantly turned around, curious for a moment, to see what it was that she tripped over. A wave of relief washed over her as it was just a log that she tripped over.

Nao.

Forgetting about her injury, she jumped back onto her feet. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. Nao. She almost skipped over it - not sure how that happened - but she nearly did. Nao! She saw a dark creature standing in the middle of the playground. In its hand, held Nao. But it wasn't Nao anymore. It was just her body. Her head rolled lifelessly back and forth as the creature shook her.

"Gone already?" It chuckled. The sound that came from the demon was eerie. Almost like a ghostly cackle. "What a shame, I didn't even get the chance to enjoy her fully." The demon continued to shake Nao. "Whatever - she wasn't the one I was looking for anyway..."

Suddenly, Mika felt a chill running down her spine as she felt a pair of demonic eyes focusing on her. "The smell must be coming from you then. Now... don't run away." It dropped the corpse and shot towards Mika.

Despite what the monster commanded and the fact that her knees felt like buckling, Mika sprinted towards best friend's lifeless body. "Nao. Nao. Nao." She whispered over and over again, shaking her friend, hoping to see a glimpse of life return to her eyes once more. Tears streamed down Mika's face now.

"Silly little girl..." A voice suddenly whispered in her left ear. She gasped and crawled over to the other side only to find herself face to face with the creature. It was more disgusting up close. "It's okay. I made sure she died a quick death... after all, she was just at the appetizer. What was her name again...?" It paused for a moment. "Nao?"

"Don't say her name." Mika managed to whisper between gritted teeth. "DON'T SAY HER NAME." She clutched onto her best friend's body tightly. "DON'T SAY HER NAME!" She cried as her body was suddenly emersed in blue flames. The demon shrieked and pulled back suddenly as the flames licked it. "You disgusting thing." Mika growled as she stood up, gently setting her friend to the side. "You don't deserve to even whisper her name, let alone touch her." Tears continued to stream down her face as she glared at the monster.

"W-what is this?" The monster spoke up in a confused tone. "Wh-whatever. After I'm done with you, I'll be rank one!" Without a moment's hesitation, the demon charged at Mika.

She shut her eyes tightly, squeezing the last of the tears of out of her eyes. She could hear the sound of the rushing wind blowing past her ears as the demon roared. In response, she shouted at the top of her lungs and the blue flames that surrounded her, shot forward, engulfing the demon. It screamed in pain as it writhed back and forth. Its skin burned into dark crisp before it disappeared into thin air.

The air was only filled with Mika's sobs as she stood there, staring up at the starry sky. Another voice came along, this time different from the demon's.

"We were too late."