[center][url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZCfywnIsuDRCs227vkT-rkX2tLazcVJ/view][i]~~ Nichijou 日常 ~~[/i][/url][/center]

[color=#ffbae8]"It's cold today too, huh...?"[/color]

Rui clutched her scarf a little as she walked down the streets, her bag in the other hand. Her home was close enough to not have to take the train, but it was still a few minutes worth of walking. Not that she wanted to rush it; if anything, Rui was walking slower so she could avoid it for as long as possible. She paused at the corner of one of the many walkways she passes through daily. [color=#ffbae8]"Maybe I'll go this way, just for today..."[/color] Rui told herself, taking a slight detour from the usual. She felt the road less travelled more familiar than her daily routine. And, looking down another street, she knew why. She went off-course again, stepping foward to a location she hadn't visited in a while.

[color=#ffbae8]"..."[/color]

Contemplative and silent stood Rui in front of the entrance to a playground, a public pen for young children. Nobody comes here much anymore, but Rui's lived in this town long as she can remember. She and Sora used to come here so much. She was the older of the two, yet could never keep up with his energy. He was so much better at the climber, and still bars... Rui often just sat on the swings and watched. Her glasses were a little foggy, but she wasn't looking much at the location as it is. Rui was caught up in her own mind, smiling softly at the warm memories as she tightened the grip on her scarf just a little more.

[color=#038a34]"Is this place special to you?"[/color]

Rui jumped ever so slightly as the unfamiliar voice next to her snapped the girl out of her trance. She turned her head, seeing a [url=https://i.imgur.com/8XMd2f7.jpg]masked boy[/url] having suddenly come stood next to her. He wasn't looking at Rui, keeping his gaze turned at much the same location she had been staring at. [color=#ffbae8]"Um... I guess so. Just a little,"[/color] she answered him. A brief pause, then she posed a question of her own: [color=#ffbae8]"What about you?"[/color]

He still didn't turn to look at Rui. In fact, the boy barely moved a muscle save for raising his chin up a little. [color=#038a34]"Me, huh...? No, not really. Or if it was, I can't remember."[/color] he said. Rui felt awkward. She didn't know this person and he hadn't given her a name either. She'd ask, but that mask unnerved her. He was a weird person, but she couldn't just run away either. After a bit, he finally turned his head to Rui. She could just barely make out his emerald eyes beneath the holes. [color=#038a34]"My apologies for disturbing you. Something about you... no, nevermind. Memories are precious. Whatever you were thinking of... keep it close to your heart. You should hold onto your past, no matter what."[/color]

After his cryptic (and [i]weird![/i]) speech the boy turned away from Rui and walked off. She had questions; a lot of them, even, but didn't have much heart to press them.  Rui looked back at the playground. [color=#ffbae8]"...I'd never forget. Even if you hadn't told me that,"[/color] she muttered to herself, irritation at the idea welling up inside of her. She didn't [i]want[/i] to forget.[hr][color=#ffbae8]"I'm back, mom!"[/color] Rui shouted into the entryway of her house as she immediately began to take off her shoes.

"Welcome back, Rui. Dinner is almost ready." she heard coming from the kitchen. Rui stepped down the hall, towards that place. The girl stared at her mother's back as she stirred the pot. It smelled like Curry.

[color=#ffbae8]"Um... what about Sora, mom? He's not home yet,"[/color] Rui asked timidly. His shoes weren't there.

"That boy always comes home late. He can reheat his dinner later," she curtly told her.

[color=#ffbae8]"I see... I'll be in my room,"[/color] Rui said, darting off to drop her bag and throw herself onto the bed. She felt so bothered. So [i]bothered[/i]! Rui shot a glance down to her stuff on the floor and reached out to fumble for her phone. She still had that texting window open to her brother. Rui turned around on her bed, laying now with her back against the sheets. She began to type another text, and this time, actually sent it when she was done.

[color=#ffbae8]"Are you far from home? Mom's almost done with dinner. She didn't wait to hear from us."[/color]