Ebisugaoka, Japan --- 1960s

within the rural mountain valley town of Ebisugaoka, was Hinako Shimizu. A highschool girl who was a resident of the town. Outside the dark wooden schoolhouse, Hinako sat on a wooden bench under a roof beside a building. Sitting beside her was a male student named Shu, smiling as he watched their two other friends — two female students (Rinko and Sakuko) standing in front of them talking to each other. One of the girls had a set of pigtails (Sakuko) and was giggling happily as the other (Rinko) who had her medium hair down with two pieces in the back held by a white clip, spoke to her.

Hinako however, was lost in thought. Remembering something someone told her... about friends being temporarily. He friends, suddenly disappeared from her sight. She slowly stood up, turning to her side... seeing a gloomy wall of fog going down the street towards her...

"Hinako...?"the voice of one of her friends broke her out of it. She puts on a forced smile, saying "Oh, sorry... What?"