Kaoru

As the novel was never finalized by Otsuichi, it is unknown how the story would have progressed.↗

Background

Kaoru used to be an elementary school student, but he does not remember anything about it. His earliest memory is being in a car with his father in 1997. His father said something to him while looking sad and patting his head. His mother told him that the car was in an accident after that, and his father was critically injured while shielding Kaoru. He was taken to a hospital and immediately underwent surgery, but passed away during the procedure.↗

In 1998, he meets another kid his age on a slide in the park and they quickly become friends, but Kaoru could no longer remember what they looked like after moving away.↗

On a winter night in around 1999 to 2000, Kaoru and his mother have no choice but to sleep at a bus stop and nearly freeze to death. She reveals to Kaoru about a mysterious pursuer coming for him in the future, though she claims not to know who it is. They are rescued by a lady who passes by them while driving, who allows them to stay at her house.↗

Moving to Morioh

On June 1, 2000, Kaoru and his mother get off the bus at a random stop, not even knowing that the town's name is Morioh until they see the sign on the bus stop. They luckily find a real estate agency shortly after walking from the station. Kaoru's mother asks for a cheap apartment where she could move in immediately and where the landlord wouldn't ask too many details, which raises the agent's suspicions. He asks her to bring an adult guardian if she's a minor, angering her.↗

Meeting Josuke

During an evening stroll in the shopping area on June 20, Kaoru accidentally collides with a middle-aged man, causing him to drop a wooden crate he was carrying. The sound of breaking glass is heard as the crate hits the pavement. The man checks if Kaoru is okay and then, quite vexed, explains that Kaoru's clumsiness has resulted in the breaking of a costly vase he was delivering to a customer.↗

As he walks home, Kaoru feels pain on his cheek from the earlier fall. Probing the area, he discovers a disk-like item embedded under his skin. Attempting to push it out through his eyelid, he reconsiders due to fear. Once home and assured of his mother's absence, Kaoru cuts into his cheek with a knife, resulting in a foreign gold coin clattering into the sink. His mother returns briefly during her work break, but Kaoru conceals the facial injury.↗

Old Man at the Park

Kaoru frequently encounters Josuke in town and they strike up a friendship. Josuke grimaces when he sees Kaoru reading Pink Dark Boy at Owson. Kaoru reveals that he and his mother were concerned about Rohan 's wellbeing during his hiatus, suspecting a car accident. Later, Kaoru discovers that the real reason for the hiatus was because Josuke beat up Rohan.↗

On July 5, on his way back home from the library, Kaoru pauses at a park bench. He appreciates the tranquil setting near the pond. An elderly man beside him initiates a casual conversation, reminiscing about Morioh's transformation from a quaint village to a modern suburb.↗

Feeling uneasy, Kaoru attempts to leave but is restrained by the man's firm grip. Thankfully, a nurse arrives, who gently coaxes the old man away. As they depart, Kaoru is left contemplating the incident, speculating the old man could be a patient from the nearby hospital. As Kaoru watches the children play in the park, the imprint of the man's grip on Kaoru's arm remains.↗↗