Now, If you want to read the new and improved version . . . It's right here!*
Hello and welcome... To the show!
Puppet show is a full OC story (That's right, no characters from the original novel here!)
Description:
After a promise is made in a snow-laden forest. Kichirou Susumu, a rather average guy with a few missing limbs returns to Yamaku academy for his second year. New friends are made, new things are experienced. High school life sure is fun isn't it? Even if you're disabled. Well, that's what they think...
Friendship, romance, hardship and personal demons dance around backstage. The unknown lies before our cast for this show... Will they continue dancing in place or will they push past the curtain?
Act 1- Before the Show:
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Chapter One- Visit (In this post)
Chapter Two- Class 2-3
Chapter Three- A Dragon in Formal Wear
Chapter Four- Disabled with Benefits
Chapter Five- Checkup
Chapter Six- Thankless Job
Chapter Seven- The Team
Chapter Eight-Preparation
Chapter Nine- The Festival Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Act 2- Start the Show:
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Introduction- Leg
Chapter One- Assessment Part 1 Part 2
Chapter Two- Fun Delayed
Chapter Three- Night amongst Neon
Chapter Four- Romance Recon Part 1 Part 2
Chapter Five- Observation in Close Quarters
Character Bios:
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Kichirou Susumu:
"Quiet, awkward and often wandering around in his thoughts. Kichirou is the protagonist of Puppet show and a second year student at Yamaku. He lost his left hand and most of his right leg in an accident."
Takashi Yamaguchi:
"Outgoing, clumsy, hot-headed and usually the butt of everyone's joke. Takashi is Kichirou's friend and a second year student at Yamaku. He has had minor Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) since he was a kid."
Hiromi Fukuhara:
"Graceful, kind and sometimes a little cheeky. Hiromi is Kyoko's friend, a second year student at Yamaku and is part of the Fukuhara Family. She has Elective Mutism."
Kyoko Kobayashi:
"Active, self-conscious and pretty easy-going. Kyoko is Hiromi's friend and a second year at Yamaku. Her condition is still unknown."
Chiyoko Iwasaki:
"Straightforward, a hopeless romantic and a little air-headed. Chiyoko is a second year student and a student council member at Yamaku. Her condition is still unknown but what is known is that she has a slight obsession with Kichirou Susumu."
Ayame Hanamoto:
"Elusive, crafty and sharp. Ayame is a third year student and president of the student council at Yamaku. She has Ideomotor Apraxia."
Fumio Nakajima:
"Thoughtful, meticulous and someone who always plays by the rules. Fumio is a second year student and vice president of the student council at Yamaku. He is blind so he always carries a cane with him."
Character bio will expand as more characters are introduced
Here is the first chapter for the story and the first post I ever made on the forum
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Hello everyone!
I'll keep this short. Katawa Shoujo was the first visual novel I ever read and after reading it, I grew to love these funny computer books with pictures. After reading many of them and reading several different fan-fictions, I realised that I really wanted to try my hand at writing something.
This is something I've been writing for a few short months, I've re-written this thing several times and now I feel brave enough to post it. This is also the first time I have ever been on a forum before, so I apologise if I mess up a few things.
Anyway, here it is! In a sense it's a one-shot but it kinda feels like a first chapter.
Chapter 1- Visit
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"I still really think you should consider it..."
"I already told you, I'm not going."
"..."
"Please Kichirou, listen to your Uncle."
"I've known some of the doctors there for years, you will be in capable hands."
"See? I think it's a great idea!"
"..."
"Well, let us know if you change your mind."
"Thank you doctor. Look, I'm sorry about the kid."
"It's quite alright sir. It's understandable why he would be so against it."
"He has been in this place for a long time now."
"..."
"I'll be back in a few hours."
"..."
"Uncle?"
"Yeah buddy?"
"Do you think I should go?"
"Let's face it kid, It's the best choice out of the ones we've looked at. We have to send you somewhere."
"No need to rush though, you still got some time to choose."
"..."
"Hey, will things really be different once I leave?"
"Of course they will."
*SMACK!*
Ouch! Wha-
A sharp pain shoots through my head, the blow causes me to lose focus, it takes a few seconds but I eventually feel conscious again. I must of been leaning against the car window while I was napping. Obviously I won't accept faliure so easily as I attempt to lean my head against it once again, but the bumps in the road make it a hard task.
C'mon! Just let me rest my head, We've been driving for hours now. Giving up on the idea of the passenger side window as a headrest, I lean back in my chair. The ache subsides and I finally remember the point of this journey.
That's right, today's the day. We're off to see my parents.
I haven't seen them in quite some time. I wish I could see them in a better state then the one I am in right now, I look like I've been dragged behind a truck for miles and the only thing that I could hang onto that would stop me from being left behind was its numberplate. I didn't have a lot of time to get ready this morning since a certain someone I know had suddenly become an early bird. I frown and glance at the culprit, he sits in the driver seat with one hand on the wheel and another on his balding head.
My Uncle, the man with the fading hairline. I would laugh about it but I better not, I think it bothers him. What's left of his hair is slicked back and held together rather well thanks to a certain product I've seen him use. The lines in his face are heavy and an unruly five o'clock shadow covers most of his jawline.
Overall, he's quite worn. I do remember hearing once that he was rather crazy in his younger days, but with that smile on his face almost constantly, I think he ditched the drink the long time ago; or maybe not at all.
And about the smiling, it hasn't dropped off his face since he picked me up, It can be a little weird at times. Either way, I'm glad I can call this man, Haruto Susumu, my Uncle.
He coughs and rubs his nose. Can't blame him, It is still very much winter. To fight against this unreasonable weather he has covered himself with a thick grey jacket, complete with a pair of 'fashionable' brown pants and mountain boots to match. Where did he hide these things? I never saw them around his place. He only now notices my accusatory glance.
"You alright there Kichi? You're giving me them bug eyes again." He laughs a little.
"Huh? I'm alright." I mutter tiredly while I stretch out my neck and rub my head. The pain from earlier still hasn't left me, guess that headrest business was a bad idea afterall.
"That's good to hear." He rubs his nose again, "It has been a long drive after all."
I nod and peer outside, the tall trees fly past us as we drive. Each one covered in snow and reaching further than one would think, I hope Uncle knows where he's going. The last thing we need is the two of us getting lost out here.
It's a lot brighter outside since I last checked. Our car continues at a moderate pace through the mountain roads, the snow in the air continues to fall at a relaxed pace. I let my head rest on my stub as I gaze downwards.
Why do they have to be so far away? I've never been a fan of long journeys... Uncle likes them, of course. I heard he liked to travel when he was younger so I'm sure he's seen most of Japan by now. I am a little jealous to be honest. Compared to him, I never left my hometown intil I entered high school. I ended up moving to the other side of Japan just to continue my education.
My current highschool is a place known as Yamaku Academy, It is well known for the fact that caters to students with disabilities. I wasn't a fan of the idea at first but in the end, it was my only option. I was also quite hesitant when I arrived that day but things worked out and I enjoyed my first term. Our year end holiday started a few days ago and I thought it would be best if I stayed with Uncle for the entire duration before going back. I missed the guy and I'm sure he missed me, so it only seemed natural. This trip, on the other hand, was his idea. I tried to resist but he won me over somehow. Still, I can think of worse fates.
At some point we left the road we were on and got onto a highway. The car suddenly turns off as we change lanes, I almost hit my head on the window again from the force. We soon get off the highway and resume the rest of the trip on another mountain road. A few backroads later and we eventually reach our destination.
Uncle turns off the engine and braces himself before opening the door. The cold air outside hits us immediately, I try to sink further into my jacket for warmth.
"Damn, gimme a warning next time!" I grumble. My Uncle only offers a sarcastic sorry in response. He climbs out of the car and opens the back door, grabbing something off the backseat before shutting the door again.
Readying myself, I open my door and instantly regret the action. But nevertheless, I step outside, bravely embracing the cold while keeping my hand on the door frame for support.
I should've stayed in the car...
Uncle soon appears next to me with a basket in one hand and my crutch in the other. He hands me the crutch before staring at the metal gates across the road.
"It's been a while huh?" He rubs his hands together briefly before walking off. I adjust my footing and follow after him at a slightly slower pace, it is hard to hop through this snow with one leg after all.
The creaking sound of metal can be heard as Uncle opens the gates, he waits for me to enter before closing them behind us. The snowfall has stopped and the hazy blue sky stares down at us as we climb the steps in silence.
.....
Black in colour, and covered in snow. The Susumu family grave stands before us. I stare at the names carved into the stone as Uncle places the basket down.
We both look over the stone, not a word is said between us as we take in the monument. The air feels much colder than it was a minute ago.
Shaking a little, I look away from the stone and sigh audibly. I don't even remember what they sounded like. I've even forgotten what their faces looked like.
Some son I am.
"Well, I'll give it a clean." Uncle says before walking off in search of something to get the job done. I decide to look for a place to sit. don't know if I can stare at this thing any longer then I already have.
Walking back a few steps I turn my gaze to the trees around us. Uncle returns with a bucket. Finding a spot to sit, I watch silently as Uncle starts wiping down the gravestone, top to bottom.
.....
Time passes and with most of the excess snow and dirt removed, Uncle gives the stone one last rinse before standing.
"There we are!" he exclaims with surprising gusto. I glance over the stone as he walks off, To his credit it looks a lot nicer than it did before. I stare at the floor again as I ponder why I haven't cried yet, I always thought it was something you do when you visit a grave. Then again, I think if someone visits something like this often enough eventually they'll get used to it. But this is the first time I've seen it in years, so why is nothing happening to me? I realise I'm not alone anymore, Uncle's back.
He kneels down and ushers me over slightly while pointing at the basket. I look it over and pull out what seems to be a lighter and a box of incense.
Deciding against standing, I crawl over and hand him the items, he's a little weirded out by this. He should know by now that if I don't have to stand, I'll just crawl around instead. Taking the incense out of the box, he places it at the foot of the stone. I kneel next to him as he gives the lighter a few clicks.
Soon, a small flame emerges and Uncle places it over the incense. It takes a few tries intil the flame sparks. Smoke begins to lazily waft through the air, carrying a peaceful scent along with it. Wasting no time Uncle claps his hands together and prays, distracted by the smell, I quickly place my hand against the stub that was once my left hand, and join him.
I'm not entirely sure what I am supposed to be doing right, I've never visted any shrines or things like that before. My old friends would often talk about the fortunes they would get, I always wanted to try but I never got a chance.
Intil now. But then again, this hardly feels like good fortune.
I open one eye and look to my side, Uncle puts his hands in his lap and stares at the grave, "I'll be back sometime alright" He says to no one in paticular.
"Oh and don't worry about Kichirou here," He snakes his arm around my shoulder. "You've got nothing to worry about here, I'll look after him for ya."
I smile as he lets go. He stands up and dusts off his pants, I chuckle slightly. He's never gonna get those things clean now. He suddenly pats me on the back, "I'll be in the car alright? Take your time." I listen to the sound of his footsteps as he walks off. I can no longer hear them and I'm left alone with only the gravestone as company.
Watching the smoke rise from the incense, I realise that can't watch it burn forever. However, I don't feel like leaving yet.
....
The snowfall has returned. Opening my eyes again, I feel myself being coated in white. Failing to shake the snow off myself I reach for my crutch, I hoist myself up and look towards the sky. As I stand I end up speaking to myself, "Things..." I sigh and look over the stone one last time.
"Things will be different from now on."
And with that, I pocket the lighter and start slowly hopping away through the snow. I hesitate at the gates but eventually I push them open. Hopping over the road, I reach my ride.
Before I get in, I look back at the metal gates of the cemetery. The snow falls calmly, carrying with it a sense of finality. I exhale slowly and watch the smog from my breath drift off into the sky.
Uncle somehow snuck up next to me, I hand him my crutch, and climb into the car, strapping myself in. I stare out the window as Uncle sits down in the driver seat. I flinch a little as he places his hand on my shoulder. The hands grip only gets stronger.
"You did good today Kichi, It's good that you came with me." I nod slightly as the car starts, the engine mutters as we drive away into the white-tipped forest.
.....
Sun reflects off the window. I stare at the large, fancy gates silently. I begin opening my door slowly, every inch bringing more light into the car.
I spent the rest of my holiday quietly with my Uncle after that trip, not much happened apart from a few antics involving some misunderstandings about who gets the television and when to go to bed. But overall I enjoyed myself. The gravesite visit shook us both up but Uncle managed to lighten the mood after some time passed.
I'm glad now that I didn't have to take that trip alone. I probably would not have done it myself. Not sure if I like the idea of using someone as a 'crutch', but who am I kidding, I needed it.
A presence shakes me out of my thoughts, my Uncle faces me, a backback and crutch in his outstretched hands.
After taking my bag and checking my balance, I look at the man in front of me. He smiles at me and slaps my shoulder.
"Well, your all set! Your sure you don't need any help?" I shake my head.
"I'll be alright." I motion with my crutch, "I think I'll only collapse when I get to my room."
He chuckles at that and walks over to his car, he looks me over briefly and climbs into his seat.
Rolling the window down, he calls out, "Hey! Take care now alright? Don't forget about this old geezer!"
The car starts its journey down the hill as I wave with my stub.
"You're not old you idiot" I smile and lower my arm. Turning around, I look up at the gates. As I walk through the school grounds, the thoughts of what I said that day in the snow sound out in my head.
"..."
"I promise. Things'll be different."
You've given enough to set the scene, but just enough to keep me wondering. I'd say you've done a pretty nice job, here!
