The sky over Neo Ashford was grey. It was not the grey of rain. It was the grey of dust. It hung low over the buildings. It pressed against the windows. Kaito walked to school. The streets were quiet. People moved slowly. They kept their heads down. They did not talk on phones. They did not listen to music. They walked like they were carrying something heavy.
Kuro said: "The air is thick."
Kaito said: "I feel it."
Kuro said: "It is not humidity. It is emotion."
Kaito said: "Whose."
Kuro said: "Not ours. Not theirs. It is coming from outside."
