Aokigahara Forest: Japan - 18:00
The sun was setting down, shining his last rays of light through the abundance of trees. Deep within these woods, there was a small wooden house. It didn't provide much luxury, just the basics for a life. From inside, looking through the window, a curious boy watched the trees swing with the wind.
"Kanou, dinner's ready!" said a tender and comforting voice of a woman.
"Coming mother!" he replied.
He left the window and quickly ran to the small table. He sat down on the ground while his mother gave him a bowl with rice and a pair of chopsticks. There was also a big plate with some small pieces of cooked meat and vegetables on the table. The boy looked at the food with wide eyes and as he was about to dig in, his mother calmly grabbed his hands.
"Remember Kanou. What do we say before eating?" she asks, kneeling next to the boy.
"Oh, sorry mother. Almost forgot." the boy said, scratching his head. He then put his hands together and said "Itadakimasu!".
Both began eating. The house's location came with great isolation, which in term didn't allow much interaction with the outside world. It was always quiet, and the only activities had for fun revolved around hunting. Kanou had learned much from his mother, from how to maintain a hunting weapon, to what was the best way to track down his prey. And he had a natural gift for it.
The nice and quiet dinner was suddenly interrupted by a loud siren coming from the city. Both the boy and his mother approached the window as they saw hundreds of bright flashes in the distance. They were then followed by loud bangs. Bombs.
In panic the woman grabbed her boy and left the house. They ran through the woods and the flashes got closer and bangs got louder. She quickly threw herself onto the ground and opened a hidden door.
"Remember what I taught you Kanou!" she said, gently pushing her son inside the small basement. "Do not come out!" she said with a troubled look, frightening the boy. "I will come for you!"
"Promise?" the boy asked, not wanting to let go of his mother.
"I promise." she replied assertively as she closed the door.
That would be the last time the boy would see his mother with life still in her eyes.