So, this is my first story...

Seth: and what a wonderful story it is!

Me:Suck up

Seth: thank you!

Me:Seth, that wasn't a complement...

Anyway, on with the story!

Trigger Event

Sitting quietly, acquiescing to the seemingly futile situation she was in, Rika Furude sighed in exasperation.

"Rika," Hanyuu whispered, "we must keep trying."

Rika looked over to Satako, who was sleeping soundly on her futon.

"I've lost track of how many times I've been in this same position. I cannot even comprehend the number of ideas I have implemented," Rika replied, her tone being one of defeat. "What else is there to try?"

"I'm not sure," Hanyuu said softly, kneeling beside Rika. "However, I do know that you can't succeed if you don't try. We have four days until the cotton drifting festival. We must try all we can. We cannot abandon our friends."

"You're right Hanyuu." Rika smiled sadly. "I don't suppose you know which one will succumb to paranoia this time, do you?"

Hanyuu sighed, shaking her head. "Sorry."

"Rika! Wake up!" Satako exclaimed, shaking Rika gently. "We're going to be late for school!"

Rika yawned, lazily getting herself into a sitting position, and smiled at Satako.

She found comfort in the predictable. Satako would always be her best friend, school would be the same, the club would occur after school, and Satako always woke her up the same way. She got to her feet and rolled up her futon.

After changing into her school clothes and eating some breakfast, Satako and Rika arrived at the school building. They almost always arrived before the rest of the students. They leisurely made their way down the hallway.

Rika's heart began pounding, each beat echoing within her, when she realized she hadn't seen the trigger; the event that triggered the always fatal effects of the Hinamizawa Syndrome.

"You okay, Rika?" Satako asked. Rika shuddered slightly, but shook her head; shaking the thought from her mind.

"Mii?" Rika smiled innocently. Satako giggled, rolling her eyes. As soon as Satako was no longer looking, Rika's smile vanished.

Rika's thoughts swarmed over possibilities like a hive of angry bumblebees. If she found Keiichi on the other side of the classroom door, she knew he was the one to be concerned about. The same went for Rena.

Rika took a deep breath and held it as Satako slid the door open, and braced herself.

"Good morning Chie-sensei!" Satako shouted.

Rika exhaled, quaking slightly. A sliver of relief passed over her, however the anxiety stayed where it was. The problem still remained; one of her friends was sure to lose it, she still didn't know who, and she hadn't completely ruled anyone out as a possibility.

"Good morning Satako-chan, Rika-chan," The teacher responded happily. Satako made her way to her desk, but Rika remained just inside the doorway, lost in thought.

"Something wrong Rika?" Satako asked, twisting to see her from her seat.

"Nothing's wrong, I was just wondering what a kitty would do if he went to school," Rika replied, snapping out of her trance. "Do you think he would only say 'nyao nyao' or maybe just purr?" Rika smiled, hoping Satako would believe her bold-faced lie.

"If I were you," Satako began, "I wouldn't be so worried about what the kitty would say, but how it would do its school work!" Satako cackled mischievously.

Rika took her seat and watched, fascinated and entertained, as Satako removed the screws, nuts, and bolts from one particular desk and chair. She laughed a little louder with each metal plink on the floor.

Satako gathered up the evidence and rushed back to her seat and "immersed" herself in school work Rika knew was already complete.

Soon, the loud chatter of a small group carried through the hall and into the classroom. The door slid open, and three people walked in; two girls and one boy. The boy was looking around cautiously, and glared at Satako.

"I'm on to you," he accused, jabbing a finger at Satako.

"Yeah yeah. Whatever Keiichi," Satako waved her hand dismissively. "I assure you I have no idea what you are implying." Keiichi's glared turned into a look of surprise briefly. His eyes narrowed shortly there after.

Satako watched Keiichi intently, but carefully, so as not to turn her head. She smirked as Keiichi set down his school bag and began to sit down.

She had rigged it so that he could pull the chair out without it coming apart, but it would come apart with any amount of pressure or weight.

There was a crash and a thud.

"Damn it Satako!" Keiichi shouted. He reached up to his desk for support in his effort to stand, but was only rewarded with the desk coming apart and his face smacking into the floor. "I hate you." He said; his voice muffled by the desk/chair debris, as well as the floor his cheek was smashed up against.

"Ah Ha Ha Ha!" Satako laughed maniacally. "Surely, you must have known you would not escape my traps! This is what sets me apart from the rest, what marks me as a true professional. You expected it, yet still fell for it. Ah Ha Ha Ha!"

"You really should have known better Keiichi," one of the girls whispered.

"Rena!" Keiichi ranted. "Just whose side are you on!"

"Don't take your anger out on Rena! It was your own fault," the other girl laughed.

"Mion's right, Keiichi," Rika piped up.

"Some friends you are," Keiichi grumbled. "Now, would you help me put my desk back together please?" he chuckled. Satako obliged, giggling all the way.

Well, that's this first chapter anyway. I separated sections of time, just a heads-up.

Anyway, please review, comment, etc. Thanks For Reading!