-We interrupt your regular programming for this breaking news. Good evening, I'm your host, Shinichi. Tonight, we're bringing you a special report on one of the most enduring and enigmatic mysteries of our time. The structure known as the Nurikabe, an immense wall that stretches out in every direction - horizontally, vertically, and even underground - has become a site of increasing concern due to a series of recent disturbances.
Recent reports indicate that the area surrounding Nurikabe has experienced a series of small earthquakes, each followed by mysterious disappearances. These incidents have sparked a flurry of activity among geologists and researchers trying to understand the underlying causes of these seismic events and the nature of the wall itself.
Experts have long been puzzled by the wall's origins, its composition, and its purpose. But something new has come into focus. This being the various instances of seismic activity that continue to grow in frequency as the months go by. Speculations about what lies beneath or within the wall might be the cause of these disturbances are running rampant.
Local authorities are currently advising the public to stay away from the area as teams of scientists and emergency personnel work to monitor the situation and ensure public safety. We'll continue to provide updates as this story develops.
In the meantime, we're going to take a closer look at the Nurikabe and what it might mean for our community. We'll be joined by a panel of experts who will share their insights and perspectives on this complex and fascinating topic.
But first, let's take a look at some of the footage from the area. (pauses to show footage of the Nurikabe) As you can see, the wall stretches out as far as the eye can see. It's a truly awe-inspiring sight, but also a reminder of the mystery and uncertainty that surrounds it.
We'll be back after this break. Stay tuned for more on this developing story. -
In the deep embrace of night, the city pulses subtly under the cover of darkness. A kid, his hair in natural locs, sits alone on a weathered bench in a deserted park. With the glow of a street lamp flickering nearby, he takes a slow, contemplative puff from a joint, its tip glowing like a small ember in the cool air. As he exhales, the smoke drifts upward, mingling with the murky city haze.
Looking up, his gaze meets the sky, where stars twinkle against the vast, dark canvas. These celestial bodies flicker with a rhythm of their own, some shining steadily while others appear to shimmer as if winking in and out of existence.
Around him, the city is a scene of quiet activity. The distant hum of traffic is a constant backdrop. Occasionally, the sharp honk of a car or the distant clatter of a late-night train punctuates the night, slices of sound that momentarily rise above the urban drone. Neon signs buzz softly at the periphery of his vision, painting patches of the night with sudden swaths of color—reds, blues, and greens that flicker and fade.
The cool breeze carries with it the faint, mixed scents of city life—exhaust mingled with the distant echo of ocean air and the occasional waft of fast food from a nearby all-night diner.
As he looks at the stars, the park around him is bathed in shadows and soft light. Trees line the walkways, their leaves whispering among themselves as the wind sifts through them, a natural symphony for any who take the time to listen.
"Hey Obinai, you okay?" Darren asks, his voice low and smooth as he approaches the bench. He's dressed in a faded hoodie and jeans, his baseball cap turned backward as usual.
The kid...Obinai nods absently, his eyes still fixed on the stars above. "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking about stuff."
Darren sits down beside him, his eyes scanning the surrounding area before focusing back on his friend. "Stuff, huh? You're not still thinking about the test, aren't you?" He chuckles, nudging the kid playfully with his elbow.
Obinai's eyes refocus, and he hesitates at first but nods slowly. "...Yeah...I am. I don't know, man."
Darren, with his short, curly hair and ever-present baseball cap turned backward, has a mischievous smile that seems to permanently play at the corners of his lips.
"Man, Ms. Patterson really has it out for me, I swear," Darren complains, blowing a stream of smoke upward and watching it dissipate into the night air. "Every time I even breathe too loud in class, it's like I've summoned her wrath."
Angel chuckles, taking the joint from Darren. "Could be worse. You could be failing math like me. I just can't get those formulas to fuckin stick, man."
Darren snorts, shaking his head. "Dude, you're killing me. I'm surprised you didn't flunk it outright."
Angel pushes his hair away from his face, his voice a little quieter as he speaks. "Hey, I'm trying my best, okay? It's just...math, man. It's like trying to solve a puzzle with the pieces all mixed up."
Obinai, still looking on with a calm expression, offers his thoughts. "I think I get it, Angel. You just haven't cracked it yet."
Angel glances at him, feigning indignation. "What? No, I'm good at it. Just... not great yet, you know?"
Darren lets out a low chuckle as he takes the joint back from Obinai. "Yeah, yeah, future math wizard, we get it."
The conversation shifts, and Angel casually passes the joint over. "So, how's it going with Jenna? Still giving you the silent treatment?"
Darren lets out a dramatic sigh, leaning back. "Silent treatment? More like a full-on freeze-out. Tried talking to her earlier, but it's like trying to have a conversation with a brick wall. I'm way out of my depth."
Angel chuckles, shaking his head. "Dude, you're such a romantic. Maybe you should just give up and move on."
Darren shoots him a mock-angry look. "Hey, I'm not giving up. I'm just...taking a break, okay? To regroup and recharge my romantic energies."
Obinai laughs, taking a hit from the joint. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. You're a romantic at heart."
They all laugh, the sound echoing slightly in the open air of the park. Finally, the conversation turns to something they've all been quietly pondering.
"Hey, have you guys heard the stuff about the wall?" Obinai asks, trailing off as he looks at his friends.
Darren stretches, leaning back on the bench. "You mean that Nurikaba... whatchamacallit?" He snaps his fingers, trying to remember. "Yeah, I saw something online. Weird stuff happening over there. Sounds like some X-Files shit."
Angel nods, taking a long drag from his joint and exhaling slowly. "Disappearances and tremors, right? Creepy as hell. Makes you wonder..." He lets the thought hang in the air.
Obinai picks up the thread. "And no one knows why it's there, or what it's even made of. Imagine, something that huge, just poof – outta nowhere." He gestures with his hands for emphasis. "What do you think it's for?"
Darren shrugs, gazing thoughtfully at the glowing tip of his cigarette. "Secret government project? Alien landing strip? Who knows, man." He chuckles. "Maybe it's just one of those things we'll never figure out." He pauses, then adds with a grin, "Or maybe Obinai knows and he's just not telling us."
Obinai rolls his eyes playfully. "Very funny, Darren. Like I'd be in on some top-secret government conspiracy." He nudges Darren with his elbow. "If I knew, I'd be using that knowledge to ace Ms. Patterson's tests, not getting Cs."
Angel laughs. "Good point. Though, honestly, with the way things are going, that wall could be anything. Maybe it's a portal to another dimension." He shivers dramatically. "Or a giant alien ant farm."
Darren snorts. "An ant farm? Seriously, Angel?"
"Hey, stranger things have happened," Angel replies with a shrug.
The laughter from their conversation about the Nurikabe fades into a comfortable silence. Darren, with a smirk, nudges the conversation in a new direction.
"Speaking of mysteries," he says, glancing slyly at Obinai, "how about the mystery of Obinai studying his ass off only to snag a C on that chemistry test? Now that's a real unexplained phenomenon."
Angel bursts out laughing, nodding in agreement as he playfully elbows Obinai. "Yeah, man, I saw you in the library every day last week! I was betting you'd ace it for sure. What happened, Einstein? Did all the facts slip out your ear the night before?"
Obinai rolls his eyes, a grin spreading across his face as he takes the teasing in stride. He takes a long drag from the joint, holding the smoke in for a moment before exhaling and delivering his comeback. "So, I got a C, big deal. At least I didn't flunk it like some people," he says, looking pointedly at Darren and Angel. "Seems like you guys couldn't even find the classroom, let alone pass the test!"
Their laughter echoes in the quiet park, a moment of shared camaraderie and humor. Darren throws his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, you got us there. Can't argue with the truth!"
Angel wipes a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Yeah, you're the king tonight, Obinai. The king of Cs!"
The laughter dwindles, leaving a veil of smoke and a momentary silence. Angel's face turns serious.
"Actually... speaking of strange things happening... have you guys seen Jasmine around?" he asks quietly.
Obinai and Darren sober up instantly, sensing the change in mood. "Jasmine?" Obinai echoes, picturing Angel's little sister.
"Yeah, Jasmine," Darren adds, his voice tinged with worry. "No, I haven't seen her. Why, what's up?"
Angel sighs, fiddling with the edge of his jacket. "She's... she's one of the people who disappeared after that last quake. The one last Tuesday."
Both Obinai and Darren recoil in shock. "What? Jasmine disappeared? But how did you find out?" Obinai asks, his voice a mix of disbelief and worry.
Angel rubs the back of his neck, looking down at his feet before meeting their gazes again. "It was weird, man. Late that night, right after the quake, some guys in suits showed up at our place. Like, Men in Black shit, you know?"
Darren leans forward, his curiosity piqued despite the grim topic. "Guys in suits? At your door? What did they want?"
"They said they were from some private government organization—didn't give a name or anything. They told us they're working to find her and that it's all top secret," Angel continues, his voice a blend of confusion and frustration. "They kept saying how they're 'working tirelessly' to find her and all that. It was all super hush-hush. Didn't tell us shit."
Obinai frowns, taking a moment to process the information. "That's insane, dude. Do they think it has something to do with the wall or the quakes?"
Angel shakes his head. "Nah, they didn't get into details. Just kept saying they're on it and that we need to stay out of it for our own safety. It's like something out of a weird conspiracy film."