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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 19, 2018 17:01:01 GMT -7
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Hikaru could no longer force himself to go on any further. His momentum from his run carried him a few stumbling steps forward before he stood in place, panting heavily, his face plastered with sweat. It took all of his strength and willpower to not double over right there and fall to the ground. Instead he compromised with his tired body and moved a few steps to the side of the dirt path, using a thick tree as a wall to lean on.
Hikaru shook his head, his cheeks flushed as he continued to pant heavily. He was wearing a simple pair of black shorts with a gray t-shirt. Hikaru was completely disappointed in himself. He used to run this path all the time, back when he was in university; a way to stay in shape since he no longer had to contend with the demands of football practice. Since he started his job at Mishiro High, he had started coming far less frequently. In fact, the last time he had come for a run had been...what? 3 weeks ago? A month? Hikaru tried to remember the exact date as he leaned against the thick tree, but he couldn't.
And now the run, the run that he had done for years, felt...
Impossible he thought bitterly, pushing off the tree with one hand so he could stand on his own two feet without assistance. His breathing was still heavy, but it was (slowly) going back to its standard rate. He shook his head and angrily kicked at the dirt road, muttering a small curse to himself. Hikaru glanced up. The sun was beginning to set, the sky turning a bright shade of orange and red. Hikaru frowned at that. This area of Sanyo had quite a few rumors about it. Rumors that made ghost story enthusiasts drool over. Hikaru didn't believe them of course, but that didn't mean he wanted to get stuck this far out in the dark with nothing but a cell phone for light. I shouldn't have tried starting a run so late he thought, fresh frustration adding to his bitterness. He had seen a few people on the dirt paths at the start of his run, but nobody recently. That should have been my hint he thought.
He glanced forward, down towards the direction he was running. It was about half a mile further. Maybe he could attempt to finish his run, but then he'd be one mile further away from where he had parked his car. He glanced back the way he came and took a step in that direction, and paused. He glanced back behind him where, in a half mile, would be the end of his run. It didn't make sense to try and finish. It made much more sense to leave before it was dark and he'd be out in the forest, alone. Yet leaving now, before he finished, just felt so... so wrong.
So Hikaru stood there in the middle of the path, his head glancing in both directions, as the sun continued to set.
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 21, 2018 17:39:42 GMT -7
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Even she needed to go out and about sometimes and that was the truth. Maria Nakajima may now be a Shadow, but it didn't mean she liked staying in one place all the time. And then there was the fact that she also liked to be alone at times still. She loved being fawned over by the girls of her growing cult of personality, but sometimes simply enjoying a bit of alone time was nicer in its own way. Perhaps it was some remnant of that lost humanity, perhaps it was simply her own feeling. Regardless, it was what led her here to the forest as she went for a walk. Dressed in her more casual attire of a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, Maria began to whistle a bit as she walked along the path. Placing her hands into her pockets, she cast a gaze off towards the woods themselves, occasionally noting a rustling bush or the like. Such things were reminders of the rumors that tended to surround the woods, ghost stories and the like. Some she was certain were true, after all, the forest did have a genuine occasional appearance of supernatural spaces. The entire city did. Barring that underground area, in which case it was like that all the time. The way that she knew this was simple, an old understanding born of her existence as a Mindless Shadow, something not truly here nor there. She lacked any sort of intrinsic knowledge when it came to the matter of the how and why. For Maria, it quite simply was. Regardless, she also began to denote the setting of the sun after a few minutes had passed. Perhaps she had better turn around. Looping onto another path that led back towards the parking lot, she decided to at least enjoy a bit more of the view. Or she was until she saw a man standing in the middle of the path after she had cleared some distance. He seemed tired, out of breathe, but also constantly looking both ways. "Are you alright?" Well, it wouldn't hurt to humor him for a moment. --- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 21, 2018 18:31:24 GMT -7
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Hikaru blinked when he heard the feminine voice, a little startled. He had been too engaged in his own thoughts that he hadn't noticed the girl until she was almost upon him. He tore his gaze away from the direction forward and turned to face the newcomer. She was younger than him but Hikaru couldn't exactly place her age. Maybe a university student? he guessed. She was a few inches taller than him, dressed for what most likely was a casual stroll in the forest. Hikaru sheepishly glanced down at himself. Parts of his shirt was drenched in sweat and he only now recently normalized his breathing, but his cheeks still felt warm from the run. And I look like a man who is too cheap and refuses to use a gym he thought with a grimace. It was accurate however. "Yeah. Of course." said Hikaru, nodding to the younger woman. He than gestured down the path he had been traveling. "I just thought I would go for a little run." He gave another pause and looked up at the sky. "But it's getting late. Thought I should head back before it get's too dark." Also since it looks like my body couldn't even finish the little run he thought to himself bitterly. Despite how hard Hikaru was obviously trying to show a cool, natural, and unconcerned demeanor, his tone clearly showed he was disappointed and angry. Hikaru glanced once more at the path forward. Only half a mile to go. He wanted to dash forward. Finish the run. Prove he still could. Yet his whole body ached and it took most of his strength to just stand there. And he was old enough to know that collapsing in the middle of the forest at night would be a bad idea. Hikaru forced himself to look away from the path and face the younger woman again. "You should head back too. Too many weird stories about this place at night. Best case scenario you run into a 'ghost'." Hikaru's tone when he used the word 'ghost' obviously showed that he didn't believe in such nonsense. "Worst case though: you'll be stuck here listening to some nutjob who will willingly spend all night here trying to take a picture of one of these 'ghosts'." ------------------------------ MARIA NAKAJIMA
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 21, 2018 18:51:38 GMT -7
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Maria nodded slightly at his answer. For what it was worth, he seemed physically fine. Though she wasn't sure what had been going on in his head. How curious a thought that tended to be for her. How odd it felt to not know. It was a thing that she had not truly gotten used to in the past 3 years since her initial triumph. "I suppose it is geting quite late, isn't it?"Briefly, the Shadow looked upon the setting sun once more. It did seem to be a bit lower now. Turning her gaze back to the man, he seemed to be staring intently ahead of him now. Past the golden-eyed woman and down the path she had come from. Curious... Perhaps he- Her train of thought was derailed as he began to speak again, looking at her once more now. He had felt it right to warn her of the area's oddity. There was that curious human compassion. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit though. Not in regards to the 'ghost' things or running into such people like a certain blonde she knew of. Rather, it was more due to how he seemed to think that Maria had anything to worry about. Oh, humans. "I'm not too worried about anything like that. Was just on the way back to my car, actually. I'd say the same sort of warning could apply to you though. You may not believe in the ghosts, but there's animals about too." She shrugged. "If you want, we can walk back together. You look tired, frankly speaking."--- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 22, 2018 12:08:16 GMT -7
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Hikaru noted her piercing glaze and for a single second he believed he had made an error. That she was one of those 'ghost hunters' who walked all over looking for evidence that wouldn't exist. That his joke did nothing but simply anger the younger woman, and he was mentally preparing himself for her angry rebuttal. Instead to Hikaru's immediate relief he heard the woman chuckle, believing she found his line about 'ghost hunters' amusing. He smiled, which was the only thing one could do when another laughed at your joke. When she offered to walk back together Hikaru couldn't think of a reason to refuse her. After all wouldn't it be nice to talk to someone that wasn't one of his fellow employees and older than a third year at Mishiro High, even if it was only for a short walk? Hikaru tried to stay in touch with some of his old friends but as the years went by it was becoming increasingly harder to meet up. "I'd be happy to join you. And I'll try not to slow you down too much" he said, accepting her invite with a nod, still smiling. Hikaru wasn't worried about any kind of animal attack. He did however believe (incorrectly) the young girl was, but was doing her best in an attempt to hide it. Which was probably the real reason she invited him to walk back with her; she was afraid of walking back herself when it got dark. Than again I'm not much of a 'protector' he thought, easily noticing how weak and tired his body currently felt. But he knew the golden rule: there are safety in numbers. Less chance of getting attacked if your traveling in a group. And while Hikaru wasn't afraid of an animal attack or a 'ghost' there were rumors about this place. And these rumors usually started somewhere with a grain of truth in them. Hikaru stood next to the girl, waiting for her to start moving down the path so he could follow. "Hikaru Nagase," he said, introducing himself. "I hope we'll work well tog-" Hikaru stopped himself from finishing '-ether'. His only social interaction had been work related for such a long time that that line had been ingrained on him to say after introducing himself. He sighed, shaking his head. "-I mean. It's nice to meet you." he said, horribly correcting himself. MARIA NAKAJIMA
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 22, 2018 13:18:53 GMT -7
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"Nonsense. I was on a casual walk anyways." Maria replied to his concern about slowing her down. After letting him catch his breathe, she started to walk down the path once more. He then began to speak again, offering his name and starting to give a more formal sort of greeting. It was honestly another amusing point. Humans always seemed to value their work, delving into it perhaps too much. Not that she was one to speak in a certain fashion. "Maria Nakajima, proprietress of The Golden Rose. Nice to meet you as well, Nagase-san." Maria replied. "I take it you're the type who throws himself into his work, no?" She grinned in a friendly fashion as she looked over at him. "Nothing wrong with that."The trees began to rustle as a light wind passed through, drawing Maria's gaze briefly. Combined with the natural light of the setting sun, it was quite the beautiful sight. "For all its rumors, this forest still has a certain beauty to it."--- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 22, 2018 16:02:09 GMT -7
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Hikaru walked beside Maria, expecting some small chitchat before the two got into their cars and drove away from here. However the young woman quickly surprised him after her introduction. A proprietress he thought in disbelief. Her? As he walked he looked over at Maria, his mouth agape. He had walked past The Golden Rose before, running various errands in the Moon District. It was from some kind of decrepit looking shop. From what he gathered it got a fair share of business. Some of them looking like regulars. Maria looks like she's in her early twenties and she already owns her own business? That's...To think the girl was younger than him but already seemed so successful. Accomplishing so much. Like she already had life all figured out. A small pang of envy arose around him. ...amazing.Hikaru forced a smile when she asked about him and work. He thought about how draining the work days were at Mishiro High recently. How he would look at the clock more then some students during class. How he timed leaving Mishiro High at the end of the day based on how many other teachers would leave first so he could exit 'somewhere in the middle' and not look unprofessional. "Something like that," he said. There was a pause and Hikaru realized his answer was brief. Extremely brief. So he quickly added to it by saying, "Although I can't even imagine what its like owning your own business. The work you must do. You must put your heart and soul into that place." Hikaru continued to walk and he noticed Maria take in her surroundings. She seemed to enjoy being outside and about like this, which led Hikaru to dismiss his previous idea that Maria was nervous walking alone back to her car. When she mentioned the beauty of the forest he took in his sights as well. It truly did look gorgeous. But that beauty wouldn't last much longer. It was a 'trap' to stand and admire this beauty. Soon night would envelop this place. With that came darkness. And this path in the forest wasn't properly lit. In fact, Hikaru noted that he hadn't seen a proper light since the parking lot. "Yeah," Hikaru answered, his pace quickening some despite the rampant protest of his legs. "For now. But that 'beauty' wont last long. Soon it'll be dark enough that he wont be able to see our hands even if they were right in front of our face. We should try and hurry back." Jeez he thought to himself. Maybe I'm the worried, nervous one.MARIA NAKAJIMA
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 22, 2018 16:16:19 GMT -7
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Even without being a Shadow, the silver-haired young woman could tell that Hikaru was avoiding the subject. And with her nature, she could feel the anxiety that began to radiate off of him. Nonetheless, he tried to quickly change the subject as well. Deciding to oblige him, she began to speak again. "Indeed. The shop's a labor of love. I'd looked for years to find the right sort of work for me. It wasn't easy at first, but eventually I found my way to doing what I now love. Life's like that sometimes. You look and look, do thing after thing. A bit of a chore sometimes. But if you keep on your path, keep looking forward, and try your damnedest, then one day you can find the thing that works for you."Of course, she could still pepper her words with things to make Hikaru think as well. However, she noticed him shiver after she finished speaking. And given his next words, Maria's pace began to pick up like Hikaru's own. Perhaps he believed in those "ghost" stories after all? It was smart to do so, even if he wasn't aware of the truth. "I suppose we should. No use in tarrying any longer than we have to."--- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 22, 2018 17:35:17 GMT -7
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Hikaru listened to Maria as she spoke. The girl seemed to speak with a mixture of confidence and wisdom that many people years older than her simply lacked, perhaps even Hikaru included. When Maria spoke, offering simple words of encouragement to be 'better', those words spoke true to him. He couldn't explain it but merely felt it. As Hikaru reflected a little longer however, he noticed those words weren't anything he hadn't heard before. He had heard the 'work hard' and 'power through' speeches before. Those were the common phrases that people used to inspire children to study, teenagers to abandon bad behavior, and adults to work harder in hopes that they would better themselves. Nothing but cliche speeches in hopes that they might influence others. Subconsciously and without even knowing it himself moved a little farther away from Maria as they walked. He didn't need cliche one liners. What he needed was...something. Hikaru didn't know what he was missing. Only that it was a vague feeling that only frustrated him more and more when no clear answer came to him. "I suppose we should. No use in tarrying any longer than we have to."Hikaru nodded his head at her, thinking about his recent days. Dragging his feet through the workday at a job that gave him little to no meaning anymore. Than heading home where he'd 'need a beer or two' to relax only to get a phone call from his mom. How she would update him with information about people he knew when he was younger. Somebody get a promotion. Someone else got a raise and was now moving into a giant new place. And all Hikaru could do was answer back in polite, tense responses. So many people seemed to be moving forward....all while he seemed to be stuck. "You're right," Hikaru nodded. "No use tarrying any longer..." He continuing walking for a few moments in solitude, and realized he had been so focused on his own thoughts that he hadn't been a very good 'fellow hiker' to Maria. After all conversation was the polite thing to do. And he really should choose something simple. He cleared his throat. "Still though. You're very own shop. Your parents must be proud." MARIA NAKAJIMA
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 22, 2018 19:27:14 GMT -7
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Hmm. An interesting response. Not for the words, perhaps. But for just how little he said. Even the types who didn't care would act dismissive or even somewhat agressive in response. Instead, he simply shut down. This man certainly had some issues. Quite a reminder on why her ultimate goal was a necessity for this city. "Still though. You're very own shop. Your parents must be proud." Maria shrugged. "Mother died in birth. Haven't talked to my father in years." Her tone said she wasn't too worried about the words that she just said. "Doesn't really matter though at the end of the day. As long as I'm happy with myself, that's what matters. The fact I can also use it to help others enjoy their days or even help my employees to enjoy their own lives is what matters as well."She looked at Hikaru. "At some point, you just have to stop caring about what society thinks." Another shrug. "But then, that's easier said than done for many people. But the point is all the same. You have to act. Doing nothing only leaves you standing in place, rotting away."--- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 23, 2018 14:24:27 GMT -7
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Well that's depressing thought Hikaru, about to mentally kick himself for bringing up the topic of her parents which Hikaru undoubtedly believed would be a sore subject. Yet when she continued, Hikaru realized by Maria's tone that she was being surprisingly... neutral about it all. If the death of her mother or estrangement of her father had bothered Maria, it definitely didn't anymore. As Hikaru listened to Maria, the older man felt like he could interject nothing more into what she was saying. He simply nodded. After all doing something you enjoy as well helping a few people along the way? Who could find any fault with that? Hikaru definitely couldn't. "That's..." started Hikaru after Maria finished, pausing briefly before say anything, "...a rather romantic notion on how one should live their life. Perhaps even a noble one." Hikaru turned his head and gave her a genuine smile. "Well. I know this wont mean much coming from a stranger. But... I wish you the best of luck Maria Nakajima. On all your endeavors. I truly believe you'll do great things at that flower shop of yours." Hikaru had a feeling that Maria was choosing her words rather carefully to Hikaru. Perhaps trying to offer some kind of helpful advice without coming off as too pushy. ( God Hikaru thought. The girl was younger than me and was trying to offer me advice). While he appreciated the thought and effort, Hikaru needed more than a few choice words walking in the forest to make some kind of life altering decision. After all he hadn't always felt so apathetic about teaching. In the beginning he had been passionate. That same passion just seemed to fade a little more month after month. Where as Maria seemed confident, truly believing in some kind of self purpose. That confidence and self-assuredness made Hikaru a little envious. The forest was already getting darker as they walked, but Hikaru knew they were making excellent progress. As a precaution however he took out a weathered looking phone from his shorts pocket, checking the battery: 11%. He sighed but kept the phone out, adding some extra light to their path. MARIA NAKAJIMA
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 23, 2018 14:44:53 GMT -7
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She could tell her second round of words started to have an effect on the man. Perhaps it would be enough to push him along to face whatever issues he held and perhaps they wouldn't. But at least she had him thinking and that was often a difference maker. The Shadow smiled back at the human. "Thank you. And I wish you well too in your endeavors, Hikaru Nagase."She noticed him start to reach into a pocket after a moment more, drawing out a phone before adding some extra light to the path. "Ah, that's a good idea actually." Granted, she wasn't quite as bothered by the dark as humans were, but nonetheless. Pulling out her own newer looking smartphone, she checked the battery, still a solid 50% left in it given that she hadn't been out too long herself. After a moment more, she tapped her flashlight app, a bright light illuminating the path. "Say, Nagase-san. Out of curiosity, what is it that you do for a living?"--- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 23, 2018 15:18:54 GMT -7
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"I...thanks," said Hikaru sheepishly when Maria wished him well. Maria's brighter light joined Hikaru's, the path growing even brighter. Hikaru let out a deep breath, sounding a little relieved. Hikaru would never admit to being terrified of the dark, but he would always claim that it made him uneasy. Hikaru believed it was one of the common trait shared among all of the humans since the dawn of time. When cold, seek warmth. When hungry, seek food. When in darkness, seek light. At least telling himself that made him feel better. Better to blame science on that instead of his own cowardice. When she asked about his occupation he smiled, albeit a little grimly. "Education. I teach at Mishiro High. Been there for a few years now." He looked over at Maria, as if trying to find some kind of reaction from the girl. MARIA NAKAJIMA
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 23, 2018 16:29:40 GMT -7
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Education. That and the general business world seemed to be quite stressful amongst humans as she'd slowly noticed over time. "Mishiro, huh? I used to go to Wakaba, actually. Bit of a hellion before I calmed down and figured out what I wanted to do. Could even say I had a rather forced encounter with my issues a couple years ago now." Not a lie, but perhaps not the whole truth. Such things were quite a curious bit of debate from a philosophical point of view thanks to... Well. At any rate, such curiosities were not at the heart of the matter. "Life's just kind of like that around here sometimes." She shrugged after a moment more, briefly looking over at a rustling bush and starting to step just a little quicker. While she wasn't worried about the animals, she'd still rather not have to actually deal with any that got aggressive. If nothing else, she was pretty sure that they were getting closer to the parking lot now. --- Tags: HIKARU NAGASE
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Unfinished Run [Open] - Posted Apr 24, 2018 16:07:53 GMT -7
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"Wakaba?" repeated Hikaru with clear and evident surprise that showed on his face. Wakaba High had quite a reputation to it . Those students who scored low on entrance exams (or for some reason or another not taken any) sometimes found themselves forced to go to Wakaba High as there only choice for an education. And around here in Sanyo there were multiple high schools one could go to, with far better reputations. Being placed in Wakaba meant one was automatically placed at a disadvantage when trying to get into the work force or University. Hikaru hadn't thought about it, but if he had he'd have guessed the girl to be from Futuba High. A bit of a hellion thought Hikaru, repeating in his mind what Maria had told him. He thought about it briefly. I doubt she did anything that bad though. Despite Hikaru's disbelief on her being a 'hellhound' when Maria was younger, he nodded in agreement about what she said afterwards. "Life might be like that. But I don't think Sanyo City has anything to do with it. For all it's talk its like all the others." He paused than added. "Well. Except for the freak weather and bad reception I get from time to time. That might be Sanyo City specific." Hikaru chuckled a little at his own bad joke, stopping only when he heard the rustle of bushes and moved his meager light source in it's direction. Nothing. He matched his pace with Maria, all the while telling himself that it must have been some kind of rabbit. They continued to move forward and Hikaru saw dim light ahead of him. Multiple other paths that spread throughout the forest converged, all of them joining into one which ended next to concrete steps. Those steps led upwards to where the bus station and parking lot would be. Not far now he thought to himself. He briefly toyed with the idea of heading home and rewarding himself with a nice beer or two afterwards. He than (begrudgingly) told himself some water would do instead. With the end not far Hikaru let out a small moan of delight. He was so tired that he couldn't wait to be sitting, even if it was just to drive himself back home. He was definitely going to be feeling this tomorrow. Hikaru moved forward barely glancing away from the path ahead of him. He was glad the pair of them made it in time, for the sun was gone now and the first sets of stars were slowly becoming visible in the night's sky. He'd be run-walking to those stairs up to the parking lot if he had the energy (and if Maria hadn't been there to see it). In fact his vision was so focused forward (paired with how dark it was) that he didn't notice the haze a few feet off the path and to the right, deeper in the forest. --------------------- OC: There. Possible dark happenings. OR NOT! OOOOOOOO. MARIA NAKAJIMA
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