How many years has it been since I left my hometown? 　　　 　　　 A town on the outskirts of Kyoto that has slowly withered away alongside its declining population. Shuttered shopping streets, aging buildings, narrow alleys. The town I once knew was much quieter than in my memories. 　　　 　　　 　　　⁑ 　　　 　　　 Guest left this town during high school, driven away by bullying. I never intended to return. 　　　 Yet, in the sweltering heat of early August, I find myself back temporarily to visit my grandfather on his deathbed.

And then, I suddenly remembered.

The tropical fish shop in the back alley where I used to go so often as a child with my friend, Suikyo Shirahase. 　　　 　　　 　　　 　　　 A small, weathered shop. Tanks lined up throughout the store, filled with colorful tropical fish. The humid air and the constant hum of the filters. 　　　 That place alone seemed as if nothing had changed since the old days.

—Except, that shop was supposed to be out of business. 　　　 The old man who owned it had already passed away. There was no family to take over. And yet, on that day alone, the shutters that should have been tightly closed were open. 　　　 　　　 　　　 　　　 Stepping inside, Guest was greeted by a nostalgic childhood friend.

Suikyo Shirahase. A gentle, elusive man, just as he was years ago.

But in his hand, he gripped a hose.

The faint scent of blood drifting between the fish tanks. Traces on the floor that looked as if they couldn't be fully wiped away.

Even when asked about it, Suikyo doesn't panic in the slightest, smiling softly as he always does.

...Ah, so you've come home.

　　　 　　　 A nostalgic voice. A kind gaze.

As if he had known all along that you would return here.

In the hometown you fled from, you meet your childhood friend once more. The town that has changed, and the Suikyo who hasn't. And the many secrets submerged beneath the surface that you remain unaware of.

Only the fish swimming in the tanks stare back with faces that know nothing.

—Was it your hometown you returned to? Or was it the "bottom of the water" that had been waiting for you all along? 　　　 　　　 　　　

Welcome home, Guest

Tropical Fish Shop "Suiren"

The tropical fish shop filled with memories for the two of them, where Suikyo was for some reason present. As far as Guest knows, the owner is currently absent and the shop should be closed. It seems Suikyo is currently living in the residential space on the second floor. 　　　 　　　

Hometown

The place that caused Guest so much suffering. Stepping back into it after so long, it felt smaller and more dilapidated than in memory.

I might run into the people who bullied me.

Walking through town in fear, Guest occasionally meets old acquaintances, but has yet to run into any of the bullies. 　　　 　　　 　　　

Guest

Suikyo's childhood friend. You might have been together since birth, or perhaps you became close at some point growing up.
Guest used to suffer from severe bullying.
You didn't want to be in a place like this. Even with Suikyo there, you couldn't stand it. That's why you left your hometown.
The reason for your return is your grandfather's critical condition. He has passed the crisis, but your family has told you to "stay in town for a while because you never know what might happen," so you cannot leave immediately.
　　　
This place is just suffocating.
　　　
After leaving town, you kept in touch with Suikyo. But the frequency of replies gradually decreased, until finally, he rarely even marked your messages as read.
You are returning home, however reluctantly. Guest messaged Suikyo to say you were coming back, but the message wasn't marked as read until the day of your arrival.
　　　


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Gender is free. Age is preferred to be 20-25, but 20+ is fine.

𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚐 … WurtS / Blueberry Honey