[center]
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Schoolgirls disappear and adults don’t bat an eye.
The pruner stalks skylines, leaving prophets blind.
Spiders smile and simper, paradise seasoned with lies.
Two men twist hearts to their own ends, their paths entwined.
Bleak graylight fills the night with sighs.
Pale sunlight sears the shadows from the day.
And somewhere, nowhere, the Lostman watches, waits.
For shooting stars, fallen astray.
For human desires, burning away.
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[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_lap6dzSUc][img]https://i.imgur.com/4BkJ6no.png[/img][/url][color=A9A9A9]...........................................................................................................................[/color][/center][indent][indent][indent]
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The metropolis of Tenoroshi exists under a veneer of calm, a monochrome cityscape in a constant state of rebirth. Monorails curve eloquently around towers dressed in scaffolding, while convenience stores sprout like weeds every three blocks. School-bound children share the same streets as wage slaves and punk rockers, a human melting pot created by a too-small world, while warehouses and amusement parks stand empty, unmade, relics of child-like dreams hollowed out by pragmatic necessity. No one forgets though. The smokestacks of the crematorium inhales and exhales day in and day out. A holy man stands watch over the graveyard, ringing a bell to help the dead pass on. Streetside memorials emerge as splashes of color upon the pavement, whether it be for those lost by accident, lost by malice, or simply lost. Grayscale is the world of eight hundred thousand people, no matter how bright the neon lights of the red-light district, how vibrant the beats of the downtown core.

This indifference and numbness though, is what keeps this microcosm of a world functioning.

Beneath the grayscale veneer of Tenoroshi is a world that no ordinary person would want to comprehend. Grisly murders go uninvestigated and unreported, dying with the memories of the victims. Buildings vanish overnight, leaving nothing but empty, overgrown lots. The mayor of the town never appears in person, but continues to win elections, over and over again. Rumors and superstitions cross the airwaves constantly, as television hosts invite psychologists and hacks to make sense of the incomprehensible. But no consensus is ever reached, and the legends only grow. Of the Widow, the ruin of all betrayers and deceivers. Of the Firefly, bearing a burning hand, a burning heart. Of Snip-Snip, the giant extending from long-cast shadows. Of Harmoney, the bond-maker and the bond-breaker. All things that no ordinary person would want to comprehend, all things that no ordinary person would want to face, to explore.

But for those that do delve beneath the grayscale veneer of the apathetic metropolis, they would undoubtedly be lead to a certain tale. The story of the Lostman, the miracle-granter who lights the way for the lacking. Never for any price, never for any design. The most famous enigma of all, the most obscure of them all, the most desired of all.

[center]They are there, on the underside of Tenoroshi

The root of every incident.

The beholder of all.

The asker of one.

What would you change? The world or yourself?[/center]
[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent][center][color=A9A9A9]...........................................................................................................................[/color][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Pz5832xzs][img]https://i.imgur.com/tEoHtob.png[/img][/url][color=A9A9A9]...........................................................................................................................[/color][/center]
[indent][indent][indent]
[hider=Lostman]
???
[/hider][hider=The Cabin]
They say it's somewhere north.
[/hider]
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[center][color=A9A9A9]...........................................................................................................................[/color][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGAwbLBCtlc][img]https://i.imgur.com/NPvyprB.png[/img][/url][color=A9A9A9]...........................................................................................................................[/color][/center]
[indent][indent][indent]Tenoroshi is a coastal city cut off from the rest of Japan by steep mountain ranges, with only one freeway and a set of railroads leading out of the city. Constantly renovating in an attempt to fight off economic stagnation and population decline, its efforts are often for naught. Children dream of growing up and leaving, while teenagers feel stifled and suffocated, no matter how they rebel. Still, during the summer, the beaches are nice, and the vistas afforded by mountain hikes offer a pleasant enough sight. With the right branding, the Revitalization Committee in Tenoroshi believes that the city can be a hidden gem of a tourist spot.

Tenoroshi can be broken up into nine districts, each which has a train station in for relatively easy commuting.[hider=Central District]
Bustling only during lunch time and afterwork hours, this motley collection of office buildings stands in a state of constant change, construction workers and stocks brokers walking the same streets in the morning and evening. Few boutique shops and restaurants are present here; in a downtown area as austere as this, only franchised eateries and convenience stores persist.
[indent][hider=Hijirido University]
Hijirido University is a mid-sized university found between the Central District and the Northeastern District. Amongst natives of Tenoroshi, it has the reputation of the sort of post-secondary institution you'd have if you failed to qualify for a ranked university. The class sizes are small, and course scheduling is a hassle when only core courses have multiple sections, but the campus itself is modern-looking enough and wide open enough to not be completely painful. It boasts a surprisingly strong, and even slightly famous, marine biology program, but that's the sort of trivia that only outsiders are really aware of.

Due to student demands, Hijirido University has recently constructed a new set of three-story sharehouses bordering the Eastern District, so students who lust after an opportunity to live away from their parents, but were unable to quality for an out-of-city university, could still live independently.

There is almost an excess of ocean-related clubs in Hijirido University, from surfing to waterskiing to scuba diving to sailing to swimsuit appreciation, which eats up a lot of the budget allocated to the clubs and absolutely infuriates non-water-based student clubs.[/hider][hider=Storage Dog!] A surprising meme among the netizens of Tenoroshi. Located right on the edge of the southern district and central, Storage Dog! is where people can rent out large storage lockers. That's about it, really. The most interesting thing about it is the massive, gaudy neon sign that has a poorly drawn shiba inu munching on a hotdog while saying "Storage Dog!". The act of cannibalism has since become a meme on internet message boards.[/hider][/indent]
[/hider][hider=Eastern District]
Over choppy waters stands the fisherman's wharf, which bursts with muted liveliness every Tuesday and Saturday when the Fisherman's Market is live. Otherwise, the Eastern District is a quiet, place. Warehouses stand abandoned, testaments of a more productive past, while the shore is composed of barnacle-ridden rocks.
[indent][hider=Corsair Boxing Gym]
Nestled away within the Eastern District, one of Tenoroshi's most respected crucibles of combat sports sits within a small warehouse, just a mile or two from the wharf. Named such after Tanno's maritime background, adherents of his "Train Smart, Work Hard" philosophy jokingly dub themselves "pirates", in no small part due to their raids on the Saturday Fisherman's Markets. Hey, you don't get much better than fish for lean eating on a weight cut. Regardless, fighters both pro and amateur can be seen throughout the day during the gym's hours of operation, on their Road Work route through the district, friendly smiles for anyone passing by. Unless they're dead tired, of course.[/hider][hider=Sayuri's Spot]
A normal-looking part of the fisherman's in the Eastern District. There doesn't seem to be anything special about it, but it's where Sayuri goes when she needs space. She makes sure to not go when it's populated by fishermen.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Northeastern District]
White sand for miles, bordered by a rustic boardwalk and various beach huts. The sky and the horizon spread out unmolested by architecture, and parking lots accompany rental shops for all sorts of gear. A peaceful, calming place, popular with locals and tourists alike.
[indent][hider=Yuki-Hama]
Imaginatively dubbed "Snow Beach" on account of its white sands, this straight stretch of coastline is just around the bend from the Northeastern District's popular boardwalk, and it's a picture of solitude. The tranquil waves lapping against the sands both soothe troubled minds and wash away the tracks of those who would grow tired of doing all their running on pavement. A respite for the joints never hurt. It's a good refuge to be alone with one's thoughts, if that's really what you need, especially at night.
[/hider][hider=Nagaku Marine]
A ferry company founded by Otoya’s grandfather in the seventies. Relatively stable business, if not overly reliant on the seasonal stream of tourists. Humble and kept afloat by a handful of loyal employees. Otoya’s father underwent the transition from the helm to bookkeeping a few years ago.
[/hider][hider=Bon Appe-tea]
A small cafe where Sayuri works part time as a waitress/cashier. She doesn't earn much money, but since it's so close to where she lives, she doesn't get home late. She's just glad that Hiroyuki likes it, too. Located in the Northeastern District, it's supposed to be a little cozy go-to for all types of people.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Northern District]
The streets get steeper and the stairs multiply, but the Northern District remains the most luxurious district within Tenoroshi, home to fanciful resorts and hotels both charmingly rustic and modern. Bordering Tenoroshi's mountains, fine dining and onsen-spa experiences can be found the higher up you go, but the final flight of stairs lead only to the heavens: a Shinto temple stands at the end of the stairs, overlooking the rest of the city.
[indent][hider=Hinata]
Nestled along the border of the Northern and Northwestern districts is Hinata, a furiously popular coffee shop thanks in no small part to exclusive recipes, good management and it's prime location. With hot drink and food prepared in time for breakfast every morning, those commuting from the suburbs of the West make a quick stop at the café before finding their work North. Early morning hours means even the early birds can catch their worm.

The café is owned by Ike Otake. A woman who is as fierce as she is beautiful. She's begun to travel in search of profitable business ventures in other countries with an eye for expansion. There are currently six employees working for her, two of which are Mochi himself and Nora.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Northwestern District]
Recent renovations has made the Northwestern District popular with new families, a smattering of grocery stores and laundry services present to deal with all the needs of one's daily life. The streets are wide, safe, and while the houses all look the same, that's not too bad either. Comfortable regularity pervades this district.
[indent][hider=Nacchan's Grocery]
In the homey, inviting suburbia of the Northwestern District there lies an equally homey, inviting market. Sitting on the corner of a well-lit street and a public park, Nacchan's is a one stop shop for any of your foodstuff needs, from instant ramen to the illustrious (amongst young mothers, anyway) kale. Recently added a deli thanks to a good year, and are currently hiring to fill those new part-time shifts. Good prices for where it's at.
[/hider][hider=Spice Tea]
In the Northwestern district, there is a small corner shop that sells specialty tea and spices. Fumiko frequents the shop for a variety of teas that she cannot find elsewhere, as well as to tutor the owner's younger sister as an occasional part-time job.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Western District]
Older buildings ride up and down the hilly terrain of the Western District, a living representation of Tenoroshi's history. The shops here are generational, and the roads are narrow, winding, a labyrinth that even Tenoroshi natives can get mixed up in. One can never be too certain what they'd chance upon, if they'd only take a turn where they normally wouldn't.
[indent][hider=Camera & Film]Tenoroshi's premier vintage camera shop. Located in the western district, it's also one of Tenoroshi's only vintage camera shops. It has everything a vintage camera lover would need. Film, replacement parts, and an open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no questions asked dark room. Unsurprisingly, business has not been booming since digital cameras became commonplace. Owned and operated by Tsunoda Koji.[/hider][hider=Amano & Ito] A used book store that Aya works part time at. While they often have a handful of shipments of the newest manga magazine and hot release, they most often deal with whatever used books people want to bring in. As a result, much of their catalog consists of rare titles, confusing self-published works, and horrible shlock that nobody wants to read. It's located in the western district and its traditional architecture manages to hold a homely charm.[/hider][hider=The Feather and Seed]
When she isn't working, studying, or hanging out with her boyfriend, Sayuri can be seen skirting around the cages at The Feather and Seed. This small establishment is home to a variety of rescued bird breeds and serves as an adoption agency rather than a shop. Sayuri lends a hand when she's able. Located in the Western District, The Feather and Seed has been around for generations, first having been started by an older couple over one hundred years ago.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Southwestern District]
The turf of the Hiritsuji-kai, the Southwestern District is a thinly-veiled red-light district that only gets more raucous the further south you go. Rent prices are cheaper, but nothing is insured, and the walls of every neon-blasted building are awfully thin. Though chaotic and violent, there is still a sense of order present; no sense in driving business away, after all.
[indent][hider=Den-Setsu]
In the southwestern district, there is a somewhat racy dance club that sees visits from many college-age students. While the club is a legitimate business, it goes without saying that the owners turn a blind eye to various less-than-savory activities that go on within.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Southern District]
Office buildings, concrete and pale, stand empty and unlicensed, a thousand rusted fences erected in an attempt to dissuade miscreants from invading. During the economic boom of the late 80s, the Southern District was envisioned to be built as an extension of the Central District. But the bubble burst, funding dried up, and unfinished buildings were left alone, claimed by disenfranchised youth seeking a safe place to renegade. Graffiti cover walls, and live houses rage with alternative music.
[indent][hider=Galaxy]
One of the first live houses built in Tenoroshi. Home to bands such as Green Daughter, The Quartermasters, and of course, Jettas, it draws in plenty of crowds during the weekend afternoons and is usually booked at least two months ahead of time. The aesthetic of the building is futuristic, with neon lights and jet-black walls painting a striking image inside.
[/hider][hider=Hoshiboshi Lane]
A pedestrian lane. The cream of the crop gather here, an unspoken code dictating who can or cannot display their street art in this place of local legend. The walls span three storeys high and graffiti adorns every inch of them. A hotspot for photo shoots, much to Otoya’s ire.
[/hider][hider=An Abandoned Office Building]
This empty and desolate building in the southern district has very little official markings on it, but Fumiko recognizes it as the place she first met Gakawa. An observer passing by daily could note a slowly expanding scrawl of grafitti across the walls, a sign of different artists slowly repainting the entire building, sometimes clashing with previous works, other times building off of them.
[/hider]
[/indent]
[/hider][hider=Southeastern District]
White smoke plumes out of warehouses repurposed as manufacturing plants, while train carriages stand at the desolate railyard, awaiting repair. The only train line leading out of the city is in the Southeastern District, and no one lingers if they don't need to. Vending machines with hot food line the streets in lieu of shops, and at night, only unfortunate security guards linger beneath streetlamps.
[/hider][/indent][/indent][/indent]