Work Text:
Like fluid, the children pour out of the doors to splatter their germs and joy onto the playground. Flocks of cliques form; two girls sprint out together towards the sandbox.
With a jump, one pair of feet plant into the boxed off strand. The second pair remains rooted to the open grass, her gaze fixed backwards.
“Ran?”
No reaction. From afar, the doors again swing ajar; the final student arrives to recess, bringing a toy along to boot: a doll.
With toy in tow, hand in porcelain hand, a line begins to be drawn in the dirt by its dainty foot. Its white dress becomes stained with dust and disregard.
Eye meets eye and eye meets item. “You have a doll?”
A glance downward is all her friend gives it before the doll’s dress then gains grass stains on top of its dust ones en route to the sandbox.
Ran spins, and she spots Sonoko’s sparkling expression.
“Oh! Can I play with her Shi—”
Ssshhhhiiiii
Fistfuls of sand sieve from fingertips unceasingly, raining loose strand onto threaded golden strands. Under willful hands, a grave is made.
“No.” Sand covers luster bittersweetly, her image annihilated. “But I am here, aren't I?.”