The Excellent Death of the Boy Shijimi

A classmate killed himself less than two months ago, kicking off an inexplicable chain reaction of suicides that gradually decimates your class, including the teacher. Several days later, the school announces that class of remaining students will be temporarily suspended, kept at home where they might be safer than on campus.

“Then today’s the day to die,”

Pronounces your childhood friend. In school, on a violently rainy day, in a remote village of past days inching along in its modernization.