Author's note: This Is my first fanfiction and I want to check if I'm capable of writing romance story or not. I hope you will enjoy the story and any review is appreciated. (Though more reviews will motivate me to write faster)

Warning: English is not my main language. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

"..." Normal chat

ABC Thought


CHAPTER 1

Tokyo Present days

The Sogo's family mansion

At 7 A.M in the morning.

Before leaving, I take a quick glance at myself in the mirror to make sure everything is fully prepared.

A white schoolbag consists of books and notebooks of today's subjects in my hand. Neatly combed hair and suited in school uniform, which is a grey skirt, white shirt and a blue coat with red ribbon near my neck.

Alright, Time to go.

Then I step down the wooden stair and head toward to the hallway. Yawning so much that almost hit my head onto one of the columns nearby.

"Good morning, Shiomi-sama. Did you have a good sleep?"

Our old butler greets me.

"Good morning, Shinobu-san. And yes I did have a good sleep until the clock woke me up."

When being informed that breakfast is ready at the dining room, I head there to meet my family members.

"Good morning, Shiomi."

My mom, who is sitting at the left side of the dining table, greets me.

"Morning mom, by the way where is Dad?"

I ask, finding Dad's seat empty.

"Oh, your dad still has some work unfinished at the hospital so he left early."

I take a seat on the right side of the big table, next to another figure. My older sister, Sogo Megumi (19) a college student at the University of Tokyo, studying in medical major.

"Right. I haven't seen him for days already."

People say my dad is quite a capable man. Not only owning a hospital, named Sogo, near here. But he also establishing a company several blocks away that provides medical equipment in order to boost his business performance. The only drawback, to us mostly, is that he has to sacrifice the time for his family to maintain all of that in place.

On the other hand my mom becomes housewife to enjoy her peaceful life at home, though she really wants to help him with his work yet complicated business stuff is really not her thing.

"Hurry up, my dear little sister. Or you're going to be late for school."

Megumi taunts as she puts another piece of toast into her mouth.

Megumi's height is about the same as mine, which is 1.7 meters. She has her hair loose down to her back and dyed blond right after graduating high school. A wild change that dad wasn't so pleased even up till now.

"Would you stop calling me little? We share the same height and only 2 years apart."

And then there is me, Sogo Shiomi (17), currently a high school student. Straight black hair down to my shoulder and brown eyes like any other people. Living a normal life here together with my mom, dad and my big sister.

"But you will always be my cute little sister. Wait! Don't tell me you hate that?!"

Suddenly she gasps, pretending to be hurt and leans to the back.

"Oh no…My sister hates me now! What should I do?! Is this the end of the world~?"

Watching her overreacting act sure is a great way to start the day, as always...

"Please, keep that melodrama to yourself and give me a break. It's only morning."

"Hee hee. I know you luv me, honey."

She grins and blows me a wind kiss. Of course, I evade that malicious thing like evading a plague.

"Yes, of course. Whatever you say."

Once done with the food, I grab my backpack and head to the front door. Only to be greeted by a smaller figure yet really, really heavy.

"Woof! Woof!"

It barks and waves its tail happily at me. Almost jumping onto me and pushing me down to the ground.

"Calm down. Mina, you know i can't play with you right now. So be good okay?"

Mina is a Berger that has stayed with us since it was still a little pup.

"Shiomi-sama. Are you certain that you don't need a ride?"

Our old butler from a while ago offers me a ride to school though I decline.

"I will be fine Shinobu-san. Beside walking is also a way of exercising."

"Yes, as you wish."

Therefore he bows, watching me run through our garden to the main gate from afar. Seeing me coming close, the guard quickly opens the gates. Not forgetting to greet me with a bow.

"Please be careful, Shiomi-sama!"

Shiomi's school

Phew! Looks like I'm on time.

The moment stepping into the school's ground, whispers of the other students (both male and female) can be heard all over the place.

"Hey look! It's Sogo-senpai!"

"Uwah. Sogo-san is as beautiful as always."

"I don't see the limousine. Did she walk here on her own?"

"Oh no, she's looking this way. Is my face look alright?!"

Spotting a group of girls in uniform below my grade greeting me enthusiastically, I smile to greet them.

"Kyaa! She's smiling at me!"

One girl squeals.

"No way! At me!"

The other girl in the group protests.

"Back off all of you! That's obviously aiming at me! Good day to you, Sogo-senpai!"

Another girl shouts, pushing the other school mates aside to step in front. So that her passionate cheer can be seen better.

Getting embarrassed by their overly energetic performances, I rush through the school's door to get away from other's watching eyes. Once reaching to my shoes locker, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder and turn around.

"Morning, Shiomi-chan!"

This girl is Hana, my classmate. She has long straight brown hair just below her shoulder a bit, wearing the same uniform as mine and carrying a blue schoolbag.

"Hey guys."

Kasumi, who is also a classmate of mine, approaches. She wears the same uniform, black hair tied into a high ponytail and carrying a black schoolbag.

"That was some entrance you got there, Shiomi-chan!"

She snugs my shoulder, grins mischievously.

"What entrance are you talking about now? I was just trying to greet them. That's all."

Meanwhile I don't see anything amusing about that situation, at all.

"Yeah I know. But anything you do to anyone would end up being a big fuss."

Kasumi shrugs and Hana nods in agreement, having her arm around my arm. "That's what you get for being famous."

Then the two laugh out loud, as if having watched an interesting comedy.

"I don't remember ever asking for any of that. I don't even know how that even happens in the first place."

"You already know it's unavoidable, right? Who told you to be born into a rich family, and yet beautiful and study well. Having good performance in clubs and many other things."

I groan inside while listen to what Kasumi is listing out.

Hana pouts. "I know right, you're always ranked 1st at school ever since starting elementary. How unfair."

Even so, being born rich and pretty was not something I could control. They were simply blessings that I received from my parents. And those traits did not define me for who I was.

Deep down inside I admire both Kasumi's sport talent and Hana's artistic soul. After witnessing them doing everything they could in order to achieve their dreams, I wish I had that kind of passion as well.

Unlike them, there is nothing I can be extraordinary at. I have no hobby, no passion to do anything and not even good at making friends.

Not wanting to be left behind, I tried very hard at stuff that I could do in order to realize my worth. From studying to school activities and many more. Just like that, time keeps passing by before my eyes and up to this point. I have yet to figure out what I am seeking for.

"Life sure is unfair..."

After school.

"See you tomorrow, Shiomi-chan."

Hana and Kasumi wave to me as we separate into the opposite ways.

After walking a bit more. I stop at the high staircase on my right side and absently look up, admiring its height. These white steps lead to the Higurashi shrine, aren't they?

Despite having passed by this place many times before, this is the first time I actually *notice* it. Somehow I have a feeling that there something up there attracts me, calling out for me. But what is it exactly?

Maybe I should drop by and get myself some lucky charms, for mom and Megumi too.

And I begin to take the first step onto the stairs up the shrine. Imagining the effort that I am about to spend to get to my goal and gulp down a mouthful of air.

This is going to be so much painful for the legs though...

After endless amount of running and whining, I finally reach to the shrine's gate. Gasping for air and wiping the sweat away from my forehead, I curse the shrine's owner, for the nth time.

What in the world did they have to build this place so high for?! Were they trying to kill demons with extreme climbing or something?!

After wandering around for a while yet still unable to find the spot that selling lucky charm. I take a seat onto a chair nearby, getting bored as my eyes dart around the place.

This area sure is empty when there's no special event, huh.

There's nothing but several small houses, white tiles. Still, what shines above them all is the humongous tree that they have.

I wonder why it is sealed? And what's with this nostalgic feeling even though I have never been here before?

Soon I spot a straight long black haired girl in a school uniform, green skirt and white blouse, standing not too far away. Huh? That uniform looks so familiar.

"Uhm. Excuse me."

Assume that she knows something about this shrine, I approach her from behind to ask and she turns around.

"Yes? Do you need something?"

Now that I can finally have a better look, the uniform she is wearing is definitely from my junior high school. Green sailor-styled collar with red necktie.

We keep staring at each other until she gasps in realization. "W-wait! Aren't you Sogo-senpai!?"

"You know me?"

It's a surprise, since I don't expect to be recognized by a student from another school.

"O-of course, everyone would. I-I mean we studied under the same school before and senpai was really popular back then. And I was 2 grades below you."

She flusters. And I can't help but chuckle at her cuteness.

"My full name is Sogo Shiomi. It's nice to meet you."

Seeing me offering my hand as greeting, she takes it and smiles shyly. The girl's so excited that she almost forget to introduce herself.

"Right! My name is Higurashi Kagome. But you can just call me Kagome. Sogo-senpai."

Turns out this is her family shrine and her whole family has been living here for generations. What a coincidence!

"By the way senpai, is there something you're looking for?"

It's not until she asks that I finally remember the reason I'm here. Therefore I tell her about the lucky charms and she agrees to get them immediately. Also inviting me to come along to visit her house while we're at it.

"It's alright, I have to go back home soon so maybe another time."

Sadly, I have to refuse her offer since today isn't possible, even though I would love to. Perhaps I should bring some gifts next time coming to visit.

"You're welcomed here anytime."

She then asks me how many charm is needed and I gesture three fingers.

"Alright, I'll be back soon."

After telling me to stay put, she makes her way toward to the charm booth.

Once she's gone out of sight, a white fox suddenly appears right in front of me.

Eh? Where is it coming from? Is it Kagome's pet?

Curious, I stare at the weird fox as it is also staring back at me. Such bright red eyes, is it normal for a fox to have that color?

"So you've finally come."

Out of nowhere an unfamiliar voice echoes inside my head and cause me to jump in surprise, almost falling out of my seat.

"Huh?!"

Quickly, I spin around to check but there's nobody in sight. Just houses and trees.

"W-Who's there?" No response.

"Anyone there?" No response.

What was that all about? Someone's weird prank?

Could it be that the voice was coming from this thing? Did it just talk to me?

Turning back to that strange fox, it's still sitting there looking at me.

Nah, It can't be. I must be having hallucinating.

That ridiculous thought almost makes me laugh out loud. Perhaps my older sister had influenced me with one of her craziness.

Probably getting bored with me, the fox leaves toward to a small house with white decoration not too far away. Once there, it runs straight into the house, passing through the closed door and vanishes right in front of my eyes.

Cannot believe in what I've just seen, my jaw drops. Did that thing just go through the door?!

I rub my eyes several times, bonus several slaps to the face to make sure that I'm not daydreaming. First some weird voice in my head and now this?! Did i drink too much caffeine?!

Hesitating for a while before deciding to follow it out of curiosity. I make my way to that small house and notice a small board standing nearby.

It says Bone-Eater's well.

Bone-Eaters huh? Remind me of Mina somehow, I chuckle at the thought, imagining how she's waiting desperately for me at home right now. Maybe i will buy her some treats on the way home. She's going to be so happy.

Just as my hand is about to reach to the door, I hear Kagome's voice from behind. "Senpai!"

Then she approaches and hands over three charms. Accepting them from her, I ask for the payment but she refuses.

"Considering it's a gift from me!"

Seeing my displeased face, she adds. "Please, senpai. I insist."

And I have no choice but to give in. Just then that fox's image pops up in my head.

"Say... Do you happen to own a white fox as pet?"

Therefore Kagome shakes her head in response. Claiming that the only pet she has is an overweight Japanese bobtail cat, named Buyo.

"I don't think fox hang around in civilized places. But why? Did something happen?"

"Oh no, it's nothing."

And I believe her, thinking that there's nothing to lie over this simple matter. So it was just an illusion? It looked too real to be one though...

"Okay. It seems that I have to go back now. I'll see you soon, Kagome-chan."

Looking at the watch on my hand and notice that it's already late. I take my leave and Kagome bids me goodbye.

"Yes. Take care, Senpai."

Quickly, I make my way down the staircase and hurry home before everyone gets worried.

After returning home, I give each charm to my big sister and mom and keep one for myself. Again, big sister goes overreact and jumps onto me, kissing my check while saying thank you nonstop.

Shiomi's room.

At 9 P.M

Shiomi is now lying on her bed. Staring at the lucky charm in her hand while thinking about what happened back at the shrine.

Kagome isn't just cute but also kind too, Recalling back to our unexpected meeting, I smile and that fox comes across my mind once again.

Such a mysterious fox. And what's with that weird voice too. Are they really connected? Was it just some kind of a trick?

After tiring myself with various kind of questions, I fall into a deep slumber yet decide not to turn off the bedroom lamp. Perhaps being afraid of something would come after me from the depths of darkness.