Kurai and Rin’s story began in the seemingly ordinary setting of a school playground during recess. It was 3rd grade, and the world was still untouched by the impending apocalypse. The sun cast playful shadows on the ground as children ran around, their laughter echoing in the air.

Kurai was a girl with jet-black hair that reached her waist, and had piercing blue eyes.  Redheaded Rin was known for her mischievous nature, and often wore mismatched socks on purpose, just to get a reaction from her teachers.  Kurai was the quieter of the two, but equally sneaky when teamed up with Rin.

One day, as a prank, they decided to drag a cute boy from their class into the girl’s bathroom. It was a plan they thought was foolproof and that the other kids would find hilarious. They lured the unsuspecting boy close as Rin gestured that she wanted to tell him a secret. Once he came close, Kurai tugged at his arm, pulling him unwillingly through the doorway of the bathroom. Rin then joined in and grabbed the boy’s leg! The boy yelled out to the teacher as he clutched the door frame with all his strength, resisting his fate. As a result, their plan was foiled. Their teacher came to the boy’s rescue, scolding Kurai and Rin: “How would you like it if you got dragged into the boy’s bathroom!” Despite the scolding, the girls were still proud of themselves. They laughed about their mischievous prank for days, and the tale became cemented as the story of how they first met and quickly became BFFs.

As they grew older, the world around them began to change. The Yellowstone Park event created an economic and ecological collapse, and the carefree days of childhood were replaced with a sense of urgency and uncertainty. But amidst the chaos, Kurai and Rin’s bond only grew stronger.

They began sharing everything, from clothing to secrets. They exchanged snarky comments, making fun of the world and its absurdities, finding humor even in the darkest times. They developed a unique fashion sense, often borrowing elements from each other’s wardrobes, creating a blend that was uniquely theirs. Kurai would often wear Rin’s studded bracelets, while Rin would don Kurai’s signature mismatched socks.

Tennis became their escape. They would play for hours, the rhythmic sound of the ball hitting the racket and the ground a temporary reprieve from the world outside. It was during these matches that they would discuss their plans, dreams, and fears for the future.

Years passed, and the world as they knew it ended. But Kurai and Rin’s bond remained unbroken. Their shared experiences, from that mischievous prank in 3rd grade to surviving the apocalypse together, had forged an unbreakable bond between them. Through thick and thin, they remained each other’s constant, a testament to the enduring power of friendship.