A beautiful day graced Ishinomaki City, as it often did. Blue skies stretched above, dotted with partial clouds, while the sun shone down on the beachside. The sand sparkled under its rays, and the water glittered like a sheet of glass. Amid this tranquil scene, a family of five gathered to celebrate a milestone: Kiyomi Takashi's acceptance into
Kiyomi, at 19, was a standout even among the brightest. A recent graduate of
"Takashi-san? She's on another level entirely. I don't think she's ever scored less than perfect on anything."
"I heard Kiyomi-chan hasn't missed a single day of school—not even with a cold. That's beyond dedication!"
But perfection came with a price. Jealousy fueled rumors and hate from some, yet Kiyomi never faltered. She met insults with a calm smile, her kindness and humility often left her criticizers bewildered and faintly ashamed.
Unnoticed by her family and classmates, Kiyomi led a secret life of sorts. She wasn't one for rebellion, but she had a quiet indulgence: video games. It wasn't a passion that consumed her—nothing like that could compete with her love for books and study—but a way to unwind. She'd slip away to a childhood friend's house, claiming she was there to tutor or review notes, and spend a few hours lost with a controller in hand. It was her small escape, a break from the relentless pressure of expectations, and being the best.
Today, though, she stood on the beach with her family, celebrating her university acceptance. As much as she enjoyed gaming as relaxation, she treasured these moments more. Family time was a rare and precious thing, even if it meant putting up with her brother's over-the-top antics.
"Oi, Kiyomi!" Kenji's voice boomed as he thumped her on the back, hard enough to make her stumble. His roughness was familiar, a clumsy expression of affection she'd long grown used to.
"Look at you, all grown up," he said, his tone dripping with mocking sentiment as he slung an arm over her shoulder. "Can't believe my little sis is leaving me in the dust. I'm so freakin' proud of you!"
Kiyomi wriggled free and shoved him off. "Ugh, Kenji! Stop being so clingy! Maybe if you didn't waste all your time wallowing away in your room you'd be more successful!"
Kenji staggered back, clutching his chest as if wounded. "Hitting me right where it hurts, my heart I say my heart!"
Their parents, Hiroshi and Yumiko, watched the exchange with faint smiles, used to the siblings' back-and-forth.
"Oh, you two, enough already," Yumiko said with a gentle sigh. "We're here to enjoy the beach, not to squabble."
Hiroshi cleared his throat, amusement glinting in his eyes. "Well… Kiyomi's got a point, Kenji. You do spend an awful lot of time in your room. Maybe it's time you get out and get a job somewhere."
Kenji slumped in exaggerated defeat, while Kiyomi's lips twitched into a triumphant smirk, basking in her father's backup.
"Alright, alright, let's get this celebration underway!" Yumiko declared brightly. The family set up their beach chairs, Hiroshi and Yumiko settling in to soak up the sun while Kiyomi and Kenji bolted for the water.
It didn't take long for Kenji to drench Kiyomi's long black hair with a barrage of splashes. Then, in a sudden ambush, he hoisted her up and flung her into the waves. She surfaced, glaring, while he cackled from a safe distance.
"You're dead for that!" she shouted, launching her retaliation. She splashed him back and lunged, trying to tackle him, but her slight frame was no match for his bulk.
Their parents chuckled from the shore, enjoying the show. After a while, the family regrouped on a blanket for a picnic lunch, the sea breeze carrying the scent of saltwater.
As they ate, Hiroshi turned to Kiyomi with a warm smile. "So, Kiyomi, have you picked a major yet? With your record, the world's yours to conquer."
Kiyomi nibbled her sandwich, lost in thought. "Honestly… I don't know yet, it's hard deciding what path I want to go."
Kenji, chomping on a rice ball, grinned at her. "I see, hey, maybe you'll end up chillin like me soon!"
Kiyomi chuckled softly. "yeah no, I'm not big on lounging around all day. I'd rather dig into something out there and figure it out."
Hiroshi patted her shoulder with a proud nod. "Whatever you choose, you'll shine at it. We're so proud of you."
A warm flush spread across Kiyomi's cheeks, blending pride with a touch of bashfulness. "Thanks, Dad. I'll do my best."
The meal stretched on with lighter chatter. Kenji rambled on about the latest cliffhanger in his favorite anime, his hands moving as he described the fan theories he'd been dissecting with his online buddies. Meanwhile, Yumiko shared her own interest from the gardening club, her eyes bright as she talked about coaxing a stubborn rosebush into bloom. Kiyomi listened, a soft smile on her face, savoring the warmth of her family's presence. For all her focus on studies, these moments kept her steady.
But as they packed up the picnic, the ground beneath them began to shake. It started as a faint tremor, easily mistakable for the usual quakes, but within seconds, it erupted into a fierce, unrelenting earthquake. The sand shifted violently, sending beach chairs toppling and scattering their neatly packed belongings. Hiroshi and Yumiko, who had been folding the blanket, stumbled and fell to their knees, grasping at the unstable ground.
"Earthquake!" Hiroshi yelled, his voice cutting through the rumbling as he reached for Yumiko to steady her.
Further down the beach, near the water's edge, Kiyomi and Kenji had been rinsing off their sandy feet. The quake hit them differently—the shallow water around their ankles churned as the sea floor jolted beneath them. Kiyomi staggered, clutching Kenji's arm for balance, while he flailed against the sudden, choppy waves tugging at their legs.
"Get back here, now!" Yumiko shouted, her tone sharp with panic as she struggled to her feet.
The siblings scrambled up the beach, their wet feet slipping on the shifting sand. Around them, the scene dissolved into chaos—other beachgoers screamed, some dropping to the ground, others bolting toward the streets. The earthquake roared on for what felt like an eternity, then abruptly ceased, leaving an unnatural stillness. The only sounds were the distant cries of confusion and panic.
Kiyomi's breath came in quick gasps, her mind racing. She had enough common sense to know what an earthquake this strong, this close to the coast, could mean. "That was huge," she said, her voice steady despite the fear prickling her skin. "We need to move—higher ground."
Kenji, still catching his breath, nodded shakily. "Y-yeah, that didn't feel normal."
Hiroshi scanned the horizon, his face taut with worry. "She's right. If a tsunami's coming, we can't stay here."
As if summoned by their words, the tsunami sirens blared to life, their piercing wails echoing across Ishinomaki City. The beach erupted into a frenzy—people snatched up bags and children, sprinting for safety, their shouts blending into a cacophony of terror.
Kiyomi pointed toward a hill in the distance, a green rise barely visible beyond the city's edge. "There! That's our best shot!"
The family exchanged a quick, resolute glance before breaking into a run. Kiyomi took the lead, weaving through the panicked crowd, her sneakers sinking into the soft sand. Hiroshi and Yumiko followed, slower but determined, while Kenji stayed close to his mother, urging her on with a hand at her elbow.
The streets beyond the beach were filled with fleeing residents and gridlocked cars. Horns blared as drivers abandoned their vehicles, joining the mass exodus on foot. Kiyomi's heart pounded, not just from the sprint but from the weight of what she knew: tsunamis moved fast—faster than they could outrun to that hill, a kilometer or more away. She stole a glance back at the ocean and froze for a split second. The water was retreating, pulling away from the shore at an unnatural speed, exposing glistening patches of seafloor.
"Oh no," she whispered, her voice lost in the chaos. "It's coming."
"We have to keep going!" Hiroshi yelled, his grip tightening on Yumiko's arm as they pushed through the crowd.
They'd made it several blocks when Kenji's voice broke through, raw with dread. "Look!"
Kiyomi turned, and her stomach dropped. A dark, towering wall of water loomed on the horizon, swelling higher with every second, its roar a distant but growing thunder. It was still minutes away, but its speed was relentless—there was no way they'd reach the hill in time.
"Too far!" Hiroshi realized, his voice cracking. "We need a building—something tall, sturdy!"
Kiyomi's eyes darted around, scanning the commercial district they'd entered. Shops and cafes lined the street, but most were single-story and flimsy. Then she spotted it—a multi-story concrete building, maybe a hotel or office, standing out among the lower structures. "There!" she shouted, pointing.
They veered toward it, legs burning as they fought through the thickening crowd. The air grew heavy with the scent of salt and the faint chill of the approaching wave. The ground trembled again—not an aftershock, but the sheer force of the tsunami nearing the coast.
They were a block away when the first surge hit—not the main wave, but a precursor that flooded the streets with ankle-deep water, then knee-deep in moments. Kenji slipped, nearly going under, but Kiyomi yanked him up, her own strength waning.
"Keep moving!" she urged, her voice urgent.
The building loomed ahead, its glass doors flung open as people poured inside. The family shoved their way into the lobby, a sea of soaked, frantic faces surrounding them. "Stairs!" Kiyomi directed, spotting a sign and leading them toward it.
They climbed, wet shoes slapping against the steps, their breaths ragged. Second floor, third, fourth—the higher they went, the more the building seemed to groan under the strain of the force outside. On the fifth floor, Kiyomi risked a glance out a window and felt her heart seize.
"We're not high enough!" Hiroshi panted, his face pale. "Keep going!"
Sixth floor, seventh—they burst into a hallway on the eighth, finding an empty office. They slammed the door shut and dragged a desk against it, a futile gesture against the tsunami's power. Water began seeping under the frame, pooling on the floor.
The family huddled together, clinging to one another as the building shuddered violently. The roar outside was deafening—glass shattered somewhere below, walls creaked, and the floor tilted. Kiyomi's mind spun with terror and defiance. She wouldn't let it end like this—not for her, not for them.
"I love you all," she choked out, tears mingling with the saltwater on her face.
"We love you too," they echoed, their voices trembling but fierce.
Then, with a catastrophic crash the foundation fell apart, the tsunami engulfed the building. The walls buckled, windows exploded inward, and the room became filled with water . Kiyomi felt the current rip her from her family's grasp, her hands clawing at nothing as she was swept away.
Debris battered her, water filled her lungs, and darkness crept in. In her final, fading moments, a desperate cry echoed in her mind: "I won't die here—I have to live, to protect them if only I was… strong enough"
A faint, mechanical voice pierced the stillness, its tone cold yet resonant:
"[System Acknowledging. Initiating Transfer…]"
Kiyomi's senses blurred, "Where… am I going?" she murmured inwardly, her mind slipping away."
[Transfer Confirmed. Destination: Aiona. Designation—]"
In that moment Kiyomi lost all consciousness…