Author's Note: Happy birthday to Mika and Namie's object of affection, Yagiri Seiji. It's been too long. I already had this written out since last month. We are finally moving forward on discovering more tadpoles. I already have the next bit for Masaomi's birthday written and waiting to be posted next week. I might get an early start on the chapters for Vorona and Saburo's birthdays next month. I already know what I am going to do for them. I have the pictures I saved from Reddit that I am going to use and everything. On top of that, season thirteen of the Wasteland Project will start in two weeks. For now, enjoy this latest bit.

Tea Party in the Snow

-Sasaki-

I don't remember this place at all. I'm sitting somewhere in the woods. It's snowing but I don't feel cold. I'm not even dressed to be outside.

There isn't much to see out here. There are dead trees everywhere. Dead trees and the snow. I'm sitting in one of those metal chairs that have a design on them. There's another chair sitting next to me. It looked like there was a stone firepit at my feet. I don't know what I am doing here. I tried to remember anything about this place but nothing is coming. Again, I don't try to get up. What am I doing here? I don't like this.

I closed my eyes and took a listen. There's nothing out here. I can't even hear the wind blowing. Not even any animals. My stomach turned. I can't figure it out. Why am I here?

I looked up at the sky. It's so empty. Hey, I can move my head. But that's about all I can move. I haven't tried with anything else. I still can't figure out why. I could just as easily get up and leave. But I don't do it.

I tried to remember anything, something. But my mind keeps coming up blank. All I see is the snow in my head. No! That's not right! I shouldn't be here! I want to go home.

But… Where is home?

I froze.

Why can't I ever remember anything? I know I must come from somewhere. I must have a family somewhere looking for me. There has to be.

I looked at the empty chair next to me. Was someone supposed to be here with me? I don't think so. Maybe I was waiting for someone? No, that can't be right. Can it?

How long have I been out here? I can't tell. I haven't seen anyone around for kilometers. Somehow, I don't think anyone is coming out here. Why would they? I don't think anyone knows that this place exists. Then how did I know how to get here?

I haven't tried to stand up. I can look up at the sky. That empty, empty sky above. It looked so pale. I wanted to reach up and touch it for some reason. My arms were hanging down by my side. I haven't thought to lift them.

Why would you want to leave?

Hm? I have to go home.

But why?

I tried to think of an answer. Again, I came up with nothing. Why couldn't I think of anything? I knew I had a reason. But why can't I say it?

Stay!

No. I have to get back. I have to go home.

But where is home?

I… I don't know! I thought I was going to scream.

I found myself back in my room. It's been getting worse. It's like I keep dropping into other places on a dime. That realization led to scarier thoughts. When will be the next time I get pulled and never come back? How long before I lose touch with reality? I stared up at the ceiling in the dark. At least that is still there. I reached as if to try and touch it. Will I be able to do this again?

This evening, Mama said that she was going to the store to buy some tofu. I said that I would do it.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes, it's fine," I said. Honestly, I just wanted to get out of the house. Maybe if I was moving I would stay grounded. There weren't many people out here in the crowd tonight. I rubbed on my arm as I kept walking.

I walked into the konbini with plans to make this a quick trip. Just go in, grab the tofu, and get out. I darted straight to the vegetable section. Mama wanted one block of firm tofu. Fine. I can do this. I secured the tofu after taking a look through the section. Now, this konbini has a large tank fish tank in the middle of it. This will be important for what happened next. I was starting to make my way to the cashier when I felt a hard jolt in my spine. I froze up for five seconds. What… What was that?

I turned my head to the left.

I couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl looking at me from the other side of this fish tank, grinning. I knelt in for a closer look. They were pointing upward. Against my better judgment, I stood up.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"You're Sasaki, aren't you?" they asked. Right away, I knew they were a boy who looked like a girl.

"Yeah, why?" I asked. He perked up.

"We've been looking for you," he said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Guys, I found her," this boy said.