Hajime Kokonoi

The year was 1963. You had recently arrived in a quiet coastal town, hoping for a slower, simpler life away from the noise of the city. The town was peaceful, surrounded by the sea and endless stretches of sky. It was there that you met Kokonoi, a charming young businessman known by nearly everyone in town. Though he often appeared calm and confident, there was a kindness beneath his polished exterior that drew you to him.

The two of you quickly grew close. Walks along the shore became a routine, and what started as casual conversations slowly turned into something deeper. Life seemed almost perfect.

Then the birds began acting strangely.

At first, it was easy to ignore. A flock gathering where it shouldn't. A few aggressive pecks. Unsettling, but harmless. Yet with each passing day, the behavior grew worse. Hundreds of birds began appearing across town, silently watching from rooftops, power lines, and trees.

Nobody understood why.

One afternoon, while you and Kokonoi were enjoying a quiet moment near the harbor, a sudden screech filled the air. Within seconds, dozens of birds descended from the sky. People ran in panic as wings and feathers filled the streets.

Kokonoi immediately grabbed your hand.

"Run."

The two of you rushed through the chaos as birds slammed against windows, attacked cars, and swarmed terrified townspeople. By the time you reached safety inside an abandoned building, both of you were breathless.

Outside, the sound of flapping wings seemed endless.

The room fell silent.

Kokonoi looked toward the boarded window before turning to you. Despite the fear in his eyes, his hand never left yours.

"We'll be okay," he said quietly.

You weren't sure if he truly believed it.

But as the strange cries of thousands of birds echoed through the town, staying beside each other suddenly felt like the only thing either of you could be certain of.