Fatal animal attacks on humans are extraordinarily rare. Most deaths during hiking or camping trips are caused by accidents, harsh weather, or illness. Hikers and campers usually know how to avoid provoking wild animals. And Mt. Takao wasn't just any mountain, it was a famous destination, drawing thousands of tourists every year. The wildlife there had long grown accustomed to human presence. For them to suddenly turn savage and violent like this was baffling.
"Well, maybe Nobita's right." Ream said after a pause. "We're probably just blowing things out of proportion. Animals attacking people isn't unheard of, and it usually comes down to territorial disputes or humans provoking them… Either way, there just isn't enough information to draw any conclusions. We won't really know anything for sure until something actually happens."
Her tone was firm, rational, like a stern mother trying to explain things away to calm her children. And she wasn't wrong. The information they had was scarce at best, vague at worst. For all they knew, Eiichi's friend might simply be exaggerating things to get attention. The internet was full of bored people who enjoyed spreading false rumors just to scare others.
Suneo also spoke up: "Yeah, and if the military's already looking into it, then they'll probably take care of it soon enough. No point stressing over something that doesn't even affect us. Besides, we live in the city, other than crows and stray dogs, it's not like there's wild animals around."
The group nodded at Suneo's words. If there was any place safe from wild animals, it was the city. Encounters with them here were practically nonexistent, and most residents never even thought about it. Their only real "contact" with wildlife came through TV, online videos, or the occasional stray cat and dog. Some people hadn't even laid eyes on a real wild animal once in their lives.
"That's true. I want to show you guys this just to be alert. You see any animal or pet displaying aggressive behavior, you get the hell out of there."
Eiichi's warning was well-received. It was rare to see him worry about everyone like this, and Nobita thought it kind of touching. No matter how much they liked to act carefree, he knew they all looked out for each other in their own ways.
"Anyway, I think we should head back to class. If the teachers find out the whole squad ditched together, we're screwed."
The voice came from Miki, who had been stay quiet till now.
"Huh? What's with you, Miki? Since when are you a good kid?" Eri gawked at her.
"No choice, okay!" Miki scratched her head. She loved hanging out on the rooftop and didn't want to ruin the mood, but she'd already skipped more than a few periods this month. If she got caught again, it'd mean detention, maybe even a call home. And if her mom had to show up at school again… well, Miki was pretty sure she'd get kicked out of the house this time.
"Ah, right... You're about to set a new record for class-cutting this month, huh? Even I can't keep up with that." Eri smacked her fist into her palm, her voice dripping with mock admiration.
The rest of the group nodded along, wearing exaggerated looks of respect.
"Cut it out with those stupid faces already!" Miki snapped, glaring at them.
They burst out laughing, then exchanged a few more reminders before finally wrapping up their chat and heading back to their class. Suneo slung an arm around Nobita's shoulders as they made their way down.
Kenichi, meanwhile, noticed the empty chairs left scattered around and quickly stacked them under the awning, so the wind wouldn't topple them. Once done, he hurried to catch up and nearly crashing into Eiichi, who was trailing at the back.
"C'mon, let's go before trouble finds us first!" Kenichi laughed, grabbing Eiichi and sprinting to the front.
The boy genius sighed. Why does he have to be stuck with the hyperactive one?
The group descended the stairwell and reentered the main hallway of the school. But instead of the usual calm, they were met with chaos. Students were spilling out from the classrooms, backpacks on, shoving past one another in their rush to leave. The hallways were crammed with bodies, a flood of students rushing home.
But… classes had only just begun. Maybe a fire drill? Don't look like this tho.
Confused, Nobita quickened his pace back toward his classroom. By the time he arrived, everyone was gone. His backpack and pencil case had been neatly placed on his desk, with a handwritten note resting on top. He recognized the handwriting instantly.
"I packed your things for you. Ms. Mami just dismissed the class. Oh, and by the way, I scored higher than you. :P"
A faint smile tugged at Nobita's lips. Mizue really was cute.
But that still didn't answer his question. He folded the note and slipped it into his pocket, then noticed only Taro remained in the classroom, tidying his bag. It seemed like he was just waiting for the halls to clear before leaving.
"Hey, Taro, what's going on? I just... Come back from WC."
Taro slung his bag over his shoulder, waving absently. He seemed just as baffled. One moment, Ms. Mami had been correcting their tests, and the next her expression had turned stern. And without any warning, she had abruptly announced that class was dismissed and students should head back home.
"Oh hey Nobita, Ms. Mami just announced class is over."
"Why all of a sudden?" Nobita asked.
Taro shrugged, pushing his chair back under the desk.
"Some kind of urgent message maybe? She was looking at her phone, and then dismissed class in a rush."
Just then, Ream and Eri arrived and waited outside Nobita class. They'd gone asking around, and it seemed every class had received the same sudden announcement: class ended early, go back home.
It is suspicious to say the least, this has never happened before and for it to happen so suddenly without any prior notice or warning? Something is not right.
Ream folded her arms, deep in thought. Likely every teacher had received the same alert, maybe from the principal through some emergency group chat. But if it was truly urgent, why wasn't there a broadcast over the PA system? Why handle it so discreetly?
"I don't like this." Eri muttered.
She scanned the empty halls. A minute ago they had been bursting with students, and now silence reigned. The lockers stretched down the corridor, the sunlight falling in faint shafts through the classroom windows. Everything looked normal, yet an uneasy tension pressed in on them. A silence that seemed to watch, that made the imagination conjure shadows and worst-case fears.
"It seems like an internal matter. Everyone's been sent home." Nobita said as he waved goodbye to Taro, then walked over to join Eri and Ream.
Standing around in the empty classroom wasn't going to give them answers, so they headed downstairs where most of the students could be seen chatting while waiting for their parents or transporters. But what stood out most was the hallway leading to the faculty office had been blocked off. The security doors were shut tight. Curious, the trio moved closer only to be stopped by school guards. The guards eyed them for a moment, then curtly told them to head home unless they wanted to face disciplinary action.
The three exchanged glances. Security tightened to this extent could only mean one of two things: something had slipped into the school grounds, or there was an external threat no one had told them about. Similar things had happened before, but the school had always made public announcements. This time was different, however.
They stood there for a moment longer, then turned to leave. Just then, the soft chime of the school elevator drew their attention. Teachers and staffs can be seen exiting the elevator with their bags and purses in hand, one of which Nobita keenly recognizes.
"Ms. Mami! What's going on?"
The red-haired teacher halted her movements for a few moments as the rest of her colleagues continued to make their way to the meeting room. She assumed a stoic expression and spoke hastily. Now was not the time to answer students' questions.
"You're being dismissed early, that's all. Further announcements will be made through your class group. For now, go home." As quick she was to answer him, she simply left without further elaboration.
The trio looked at each other.
"That's the coldest response we've ever gotten from Ms. Mami." Eri crossed her arms.
"Today sure is more and more surprise." Ream added, her gaze flicking toward the sealed hallway.
Whatever is happening has to be serious and confidential, but they weren't necessarily too worried about it. As far as they know, it could be an annual evaluation report or a sudden meeting hosted by the Parent Teacher Association group.
With no reason to linger, the group left the school grounds. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the thick, rolling storm clouds above. The storm was closing in fast, if they didn't hurry, they'd be drenched in minutes.
"Nobita, Eri, I'm heading home first. I'll dig deeper into that hiker attack, something is fishy about all of this."
As always, Ream's analytical mind couldn't ignore unanswered questions. She might have told the others not to worry, but she was probably the one most preoccupied by it all. Shoving her hands into her jacket pockets, she glanced up at the blackened sky, with a thoughtful expression.
Nobita looked as Ream, sighed: "Don't get too caught up in this... And don't go "dusting off" your old Patrol gear."
Ream frowned, but didn't argue. She only gave a curt nod before heading off toward her apartment.
Meanwhile, Eri was furiously texting her "sister" who apparently expected her to handle dinner tonight.
"I need to stop by the supermarket." she said, slipping her phone into her hip pouch. "You and Fuuko coming?"
Nobita hesitated. The thought of walking to the store right before a storm wasn't really appealing. So like any good friend, he quickly conjured up an excuse to not disappoint his friend while getting him out of the situation.
"Probably not. Fuuko and I already shopped on Wednesday."
Eri gave him a thumbs-up. Shopping alone wasn't ideal, but it wasn't so bad either, at least no one would judge her for sneaking extra snacks in the basket. Usually her sister came along, and the number of arguments they'd had over a "mystery chips bag" appearing at checkout was beyond count.
"By the way, we be on Discord tonight, same as usual, yeah?"
"Same as usual." Nobita nodded. And by "same as usual" it meant everyone would show up at wildly different times.
Waiting around for everyone to join the voice chat had become its own kind of ritual, a warm-up time before the chaos of their late-night talks. The unhinged nature of these conversations and topics must not be revealed to the outside world. They weren't ready for the horrors that lurked in the imaginations of teenagers who'd brushed against the supernatural, especially when none of it was censored.