Sanura: Himari! | won, I won!

I burst into my dorm room, brandishing the envelope triumphantly, and my roommate's eyes widen.

Himari: Is that the acceptance letter?!

Sanura: It is! I won the internship! I'm going to Egypt!

Himari makes a sound of delight, hugging me tightly.

Himari: I'm so happy for you! Not that I'm surprised. You're the best student in the entire department. They'd be mad not to pick you!

I wave her away, but I can't help but grin.

Sanura: You're exaggerating. I've worked hard, that's all.. After all, I've been dreaming of this since I was little.

I close my eyes briefly, picturing sand dunes and pyramids.

Sanura: Best of all, I'll be learning from the leading researcher in the field-Dr. Manabu Sugiura! There's still so much we don't know about Egypt's pyramids. Just think of all the mysteries waiting to be discovered! Maybe we'll even unearth some mummies...

Himari chuckles fondly, shaking her head.

Himari: You really are something else, Sanura. You're the only person I know who gets excited about the prospect of finding dead bodies.

Sanura: They're not just dead bodies, Himari-they're history! You're studying anthropology, you should understand!

Himari: Oh, I do. I just prefer my discoveries not to involve dirt and ancient corpses.

Sanura: Then it's a good thing your upcoming field study doesn't involve any digging. Once you and I are full-fledged field researchers, you can leave all the hard labor to me!

Himari laughs before adopting a stern expression.

Himari: In all seriousness, I hope you make the most of this trip. Opportunities like this don't come around every day, you know.

Sanura: Don't worry, Himari. I will.

Suddenly, the clock on my desk begins to chime.

Sanura: Oh god, is that the time?! I have my internship briefing with the archaeology department in five minutes!

Himari: But that's on the other side of campus!

Sanura: I'll just have to make a run for it. See you later!

With a quick wave to Himari, I sprint out the door.

Sanura: Good afternoon, Mr. Suzuki!

Mr. Suzuki looks up from his desk as I walk into his office, still breathing heavily.

Mr. Suzuki: Ah, there you are, Sanura. Don't worry, you're right on time. Itsuki should be arriving shortly.

Before I can ask who that is, there's a knock on the door, and a smiling young man in a very striking outfit steps in.

Itsuki: Sorry I'm late, sir!

Mr. Suzuki: No need to apologize, Sanura just arrived. Sanura, meet Itsuki Miyashita. He's a third-year archaeology student and an expert in the study of hieroglyphics.

Oh, that's why I don't know him. He's a year above me.

Mr. Suzuki: Itsuki, this is Sanura, a very promising young student who will no doubt be leading her own expeditions before long.

I blush, turning to greet Itsuki.

Sanura: It's nice to meet you.

Itsuki's smile widens, making dimples appear in his cheeks.

Itsuki: Likewise!

Mr. Suzuki gestures to Itsuki's outfit.

Mr. Suzuki: I see you're already dressed for Egypt, Itsuki.

Itsuki beams, brushing himself down.

Itsuki: Well, I think it's important for researchers to blend in. So I began looking into modern Egyptian attire, and their fabrics are truly impressive. They're designed for hot weather, of course, and in terms of textiles, there's nothing...

I can't help but smile as Itsuki launches into an enthusiastic explanation, apparently oblivious to his surroundings.

Eventually, however, he seems to remember where he is, stopping mid-sentence with a nervous laugh.

Itsuki: O-Oh, I'm sorry-l didn't mean to get carried away.

Mr. Suzuki: No, no, your enthusiasm is infectious, Itsuki. But perhaps we should return to the matter at hand.

Mr. Suzuki takes a seat, gesturing for me and Itsuki to do the same.

Mr. Suzuki: By now, you might have guessed why you're both here at this internship briefing... Of everyone who applied, you were the two candidates the committee was most impressed with. Ultimately, we couldn't pick between you... so we simply arranged to send you both to Egypt!

Itsuki and I share a stunned look.

Sanura: Really? That's wonderful!

Itsuki: Thank you, sir.

Mr. Suzuki smiles as he reaches for a pile of papers on his desk.

Mr. Suzuki: Not at all, I'm sure you'll both do the university proud. Now, unless you have any questions, let's begin. I'd like to start by going over your itinerary.

As soon as the door shuts behind us, Itsuki meets my eyes with a slightly giddied smile.

Itsuki: That was an awful lot to take in, wasn't it?

Sanura: I can't believe we leave in just a week.

Itsuki: Neither can I.

For a moment, we stand in silence, just looking at each other as reality sinks in.

I can't believe I'm actually going to Egypt to participate in a dig.

A sudden wave of anxiety rolls Over my excitement, and Itsuki tilts his head at me with a frown.

Itsuki: Are you alright?

I force myself to smile.

Sanura: Of course, only... I've never left Japan before. Have you?

Itsuki: No, but I'm excited! Nervous too... but mostly excited.

I lean my back against the wall and take a deep breath.

Sanura: I think l'm the other way around right now...

Itsuki leans next to me.

Itsuki: Here, try this. It's a trick one of my sisters taught me to manage anxiety. Picture the one thing you're most excited to do in Egypt and then say it out loud.

He flashes me an encouraging smile.

Sanura: O-OK..

What's the one thing I'm most excited to do?

Sanura: It's hard to pick... but probably exploring the pyramids. There's still so much we don't know about them. What was their purpose? Who built them-and why?

Itsuki chuckles.

Itsuki: There you are, you’re excited again! Don't worry, Sanura. It's going to be incredible. We'll be doing field surveys, cataloging artifacts, speaking with local historians...

As he talks, Itsuki rummages around in his satchel, eventually pulling out a small paper bag of star candy.

He pops a handful in his mouth before offering them to me.

Sanura: Oh, thank you! I love star candy. Are these from Yamamoto's?

Itsuki gives me a look of surprise.

Itsuki: Yes! How Could you tell?

Sanura: I go to Yamamoto's all the time. Their sugar candy is

the best in Japan...

Itsuki: I don't know about that-Arashima's is really good too.

Sanura: True, but I still think Yamamoto's is better.

Itsuki: Well, you're entitled to be wrong, I suppose.

Sanura: Says the man offering me the supposedly inferior product!

Itsuki: That's only because Arashima's is temporarily closed at the moment!

Itsuki: If they weren't, I'll have you know-

I start laughing, and Itsuki breaks off to join me.

Itsuki: See, Sanura? It's going to be fine.

Itsuki: Better than fine. And if it isn't.. we can always retire to our tents and argue about candy.

Sanura: You're right.

Itsuki holds out his hand.

Itsuki: Let's make a pact. Let's do our very best to enjoy everything this internship has to offer, nerves be damned.

I smile, taking his hand.

Sanura: Done.

One week later, I lean against the window of my hotel, looking out over the city.

I can't believe I'm really here. The journey already feels like a distant dream.

I take a deep breath, relishing the faint breeze against my skin.

Even the air here feels rich with history. I can't wait to go exploring.

A knock on the door pulls me from my reverie.

Itsuki: Are you ready, Sanura?

Sanura: As I'll ever be!

Itsuki and I walk down to thebhotel lobby and out into the street, where our guide is supposed to be meeting us.

Itsuki: No sign of him yet...

Sanura: Do we have a name?

Itsuki: No, unfortunately.

I scan the street, but no one seems to be waiting for us.

Sanura: Why don't we ask someone for directions to the site? How's your Arabic?

Itsuki scrunches his nose.

Itsuki: Passable. I can read better than I can speak. My focus is more on dead languages than living ones.

At that moment, a tall young Egyptian man walks over to us.

Stranger: Good morning. You're the archaeology students from

Japan, yes? Itsuki and Sanura?

I resist the urge to gape.

Itsuki: Y-You speak Japanese?

The stranger smiles.

Stranger: Of course. You see... I'm Youssef, a university student

and Dr. Sigiura's interpreter on this excavation.

Youssef: It's nice to meet you.

Sanura: A-And you...

Youssef jerks his thumb Over his shoulder.

Youssef: The main site is just on the city outskirts, about a twenty-minute walk from here.

Youssef: Stick close, keep an eye on your personal

belongings, and follow me.

I adjust the strap of my satchel nervously.

Sanura: Should we be worried about thieves around here?

Youssef: Here, there, anywhere in the city. The locals call this area the Diggers' Quarter, since it's where the majority of archaeologists secure lodgings.

Youssef: As a result, you'll find many pickpockets hoping to separate foolish foreigners from their money.

Beside me, Itsuki shifts the pouch on his hip.

Itsuki: Thanks for the warning.

For the next few minutes, Our guide leads us through the bustling city streets, pointing out areas of interest as we go.

Sanura: By the way, your Japanese is excellent.

Youssef's eyes crinkle at the corners.

Youssef: You're not just saying that to be nice, are you?

Sanura: N-No! I'm not one for flattery.

Youssef: Oh, is that right?

Youssef leans in close and winks.

Youssef: In that case, I should warn you-I am.

I blush, making Youssef laugh.

How irritating... I hope he won't be carrying on like this when we get to the site.

Itsuki wags his finger at Youssef.

Itsuki: You remind me of my brother Akira. I'd better keep an eye on you.

Youssef just laughs again, clapping a hand on Itsuki's shoulder and almost knocking him over.

Youssef: I'll take that as a compliment! You can both think of

me as a big brother looking out for you. Don't hesitate to ask me for anything. I want you both to feel free to confide in me. Now, prepare to feast your eyes on Egypt's pride and joy-the Great Pyramids of Giza!

I follow Youssef through the dig site in a daze, Scarcely able to believe what I'm seeing.

It's just like in the photographs...I'm really, truly here!

Before long, an older Japanese man strides over to us with a beaming smile.

Walking behind him is a vaguely familiar youth with a surly

expression.

Older Man: You must be Sanura and Itsuki. I'm Dr. Manabu Sugiura. Welcome to the Giza complex!

Itsuki: H-Hello, Dr. Sugiura.

Sanura: It's an honor to meet you.

Dr. Sugiura: I'm looking forward to working with you both. Now, to start off with, I want you helping out on Site C.

He gestures to the aloof young man beside him.

Dr. Sugiura: My son Kaito will show you the way and provide you with tool kits and other necessities. I'Il be joining you shortly, but feel free to ask Kaito any questions you have in the meantime.

With that, Dr. Sugiura turns to Youssef.

Dr. Sugiura: Youssef, we need you at Site F for a moment.

Youssef: Sure thing, Doctor.

Youssef gives us a wink and a wave as he follows Dr. Sugiura.

Youssef: I'll see you two later!

Once they're gone, Kaito regards us coolly for a moment before pointing to a spot beside the nearest pyramid.

Kaito: Site C is near the west most pyramid. Follow me.

Itsuki and I trade looks as we begin walking through the complex.

That was... succinct. Kaito seems like the complete

opposite of Youssef. But perhaps I've simply gotten

the wrong impression.

I quicken my pace until I'm walking alongside him.

Sanura: So, have you been in Egypt long? Itsuki and I are

students-are you studying too?

Perhaps I've seen him at the university, and that's why he looks so familiar.

Kaito: I've been here two months. And no, I'm a recent graduate.

His tone is clipped, forbidding, and I slow down again, letting him move on ahead.

As Itsuki catches up to me, I lower my voice to a whisper.

Sanura: I didn't know Dr. Sugiura had a son. Do you know anything

about him?

Itsuki: Not much. I hear he's Worked on excavation sites all over the world with his father. One of my professors calls him the most promising young Japanese archaeologist in decades.

Sanura: Well, I hope he's willing to impart some of his knowledge. He doesn't seem too keen on working with us, unlike Youssef.

Itsuki: Youssef's definitely more immediately friendly.. Then again, Kaito wouldn't be the first researcher to dread the arrival of interns. I'm sure once he sees how serious we are, he'll warm up to us soon enough.

I nod, feeling bolstered by Itsuk's optimism.

Sanura: You're right.

After getting us set up with tool kits, Kaito methodically takes us around the dig site.

Kaito: We currently need help with both cataloging artifacts and excavation. Where would you rather start?

I glance at Itsuki, but he just shrugs.

Itsuki: I don't mind doing either, so you can pick.

Sanura: Alright then.. We'll help catalog artifacts. I want to see what you've found so far, so I have a better idea of what to look for.

Itsuki: Good idea.

Kaito: Very well, follow me.

The next two days pass in a blur of activity.

Although Kaito remains curt and unsmiling, Youssef is more than talkative enough to compensate.

Dr. Sugiura, meanwhile, comes by to oversee our work on several occasions, giving invaluable pointers and advice.

(It's everything I dreamed of. l'm already learning so much!)

On the third day, we're working by the pyramid again when Kaito calls us Over.

He and Dr. Sugiura are standing in a shallow trench, scraping away at a dirt wall where a stone surface is showing through.

Kaito: This carving here seems intentional, doesn't it?

Itsuki and I clamber down into the trench to investigate.

Itsuki: Wait a moment... those look like they might be hieroglyphs!

Itsuki fumbles for his tool kit, and before long we're all brushing sand delicately away from the stone surface.

Sanura: It's a door!

Dr. Sugiura: A door?!

As the professor crouches to investigate, Kaito flips through his notebook with a frown.

Kaito: There's no mention of a door or chamber here in previous surveys.

Youssef: Then it just hasn't been discovered yet.

Itsuki: But what could it be?

Dr. Sugiura: We'll find out!

Straightening up, Dr. Sugiura motions Youssef over, and the two of them shove the stone door open together.

The revealed passage is so dark it hurts my eyes.

Dr. Sugiura: Ill go first.

The professor fetches a torch and lights it.

Kaito: Is that wise?

Youssef: You should call one of the workers to investigate first-

Dr. Sugiura shakes his head.

Dr. Sugiura: You two know as well as I do about booby traps. l'd never forgive myself if any of the students or workers were hurt because of my negligence.

Itsuki looks at the professor with admiration.

Itsuki: Be careful, Doctor.

Dr. Sugiura nods and slowly enters the chamber.

His figure is immediately swallowed by darkness, and | strain my ears for any sound.

A few minutes pass in silence.

Kaito shifts on his feet behind me, and I turn to see his usually passive face animated with worry and excitement.

Kaito: If we don't hear anything soon, I'I-

A loud grating sound cuts him off, and the ground trembles as something heavy thuds down onto it.

Sanura: What was that?!

Kaito: Dr. Sugiura!

Thankfully, we soon hear Dr. Sugiura's voice from the depths.

Dr. Sugiura: I'm alright! Enter one at a time, and make sure not to touch anything.

One by one, we light torches and inch our way into the darkness.

Before long, the passageway opens up into an ornate chamber.

This isn't just any room-it's a tomb!

Youssef gazes around, whistling in appreciation.

Youssef: Look at the walls.

I raise my torch, marveling at the drawings and inscriptions that climb all the way to the ceiling.

Sanura: It's Osiris, the god of death and rebirth.

Kaito: This must predate the surrounding chambers by at least a hundred years, maybe more.

Dr. Sugiura: Come, look here!

Glancing up, I find Dr. Sugiura leaning over an open sarcophagus in the center of the room.

I hurry over, and my jaw drops as I look down to see the mummified corpse inside.

Dr. Sugiura, meanwhile, seems less interested in the body than the two items buried alongside it.

He reaches gingerly inside the sarcophagus and picks up a long golden rod and book.

Dr. Sugiura: This looks like it was a scepter of some kind, symbolizing the power and dominion of ancient Egyptian gods. And this here... Yes, this appears to be a personal record, perhaps a journal.

Dr. Sugiura gently wraps the book and scepter in a

protective cloth.

Dr. Sugiura: Let's get these to the surface for analysis.

Kaito: But shouldn't we photograph everything first?

Dr. Sugiura: No, it's late. We'll get started mapping the tomb and cataloging artifacts tomorrow.

As Itsuki's shoulders slump in disappointment, Youssef lets out a breathless laugh.

Youssef: Don't worry, Itsuki. This tomb isn't going anywhere.

Dr. Sugiura: Youssef, Kaito, help me put the lid back on. We wouldn't want our new friend getting cold.

As we make our way back down the passageway, I can't help

but glance back one last time, heart pounding with the thrill of discovery.

Who was that mummy, and why was he buried here? I can't wait to find out!

The next morning, Itsuki and I arrive to find a somber mood hanging over the field site.

Workers huddle in small groups, muttering and darting uneasy glances at us.

Sanura: What's going on?

Itsuki: I'm not sure. My Arabic isn't good enough to make out what they're saying. Oh, there are Youssef and Kaito. Maybe they'll know.

Sanura: Good morning. Is everything alright?

Youssef gives us a thin smile.

Youssef: Not quite. One of our workers didn't appear for his shift this morning.

Kaito: Apparently, he didn't return home last night either.

Itsuki: I hope he's alright.

Youssef: So do we all.

Kaito: In any case, we're a little shorthanded as a result, So we won't be working on the new chamber yet. The focus today is going to be sieving for artifacts. You should find a spare mesh screen over there.

I push down a flare of disappointment and nod, moving over to help Itsuki assemble the screen.

For the next few hours, we're kept busy sifting through dirt and sand for shards of pottery and other small artifacts.

Around noon, Kaito walks over to me while I'm sifting through the dirt with my trowel.

Kaito: Where's Itsuki?

Sanura: He went to get some more water from the main tent. He should be back-

A high-pitched wail of fright cuts through the air, and the

trowel tumbles from my hand.

Sanura: That sounded like Itsuki!

Kaito and I race off in the direction of the sound.

Eventually, we spot a figure kneeling at the base of a small sand dune on the edges of the complex.

As we come closer, I see it's Itsuki.

Kaito immediately drops beside him and grabs onto his shoulders.

Kaito: Itsuki, look at me! Are you hurt?

Itsuki: N-No, but..

Youssef: Itsuki! What's wrong?

I look up to see Youssef racing toward us.

Itsuki: Over there, it's..

Itsuki points a shaking finger toward a shallow depression in the sand a few yards away.

My heart in my throat, I follow Youssef and Kaito to investigate.

Half-buried in the sand lies the shriveled husk of a human body.

Kaito: What in the world.

Youssef swears under his breath, turning to take me by the shoulders.

Youssef: Don't look, Sanura. I push his arms away, fighting back a swell of nausea.

Sanura: N-No, I have to see. That's-that's a mummified corpse, isn't it?

Youssef lets go of me with a sigh before turning back to crouch in front of the body.

Youssef: I'm not so sure.

He pinches a piece of fabric hanging off the bony arm between his fingers.

Youssef: These are modern clothes.

Sanura: That's impossible. That corpse looks-well, completely desiccated-

Suddenly, a group of workers crests the dune, spotting the body with a cry of alarm.

Youssef straightens up hurriedly, turning to Kaito.

Youssef: Quick, get your father!

As the workers descend upon us, voices raised in panic, I stare

at the corpse, somehow simultaneously entranced and horrified.

Who was he? What happened here?

Is this really a mummy dressed in modern clothing...

.... Or is it something worse?

Following the discovery of the body, work completely stops for the afternoon.

Kaito, Itsuki, and I stand huddled together, watching anxiously as Youssef and Dr. Sugiura speak with the local police.

After they eventually leave with the body on a stretcher, Youssef walks over to join us.

Youssef: If you couldn't tell already, everyone is very unnerved. Most of the workers are convinced the body is the missing worker.

Kaito: It can't be. That body was almost completely mummified. Such a process doesn't happen overnight.

Youssef: True, but the clothing was most certainly modern. Itsuki, what do you think?

Itsuki flinches, drawing his arms around his shoulders.

Itsuki: I.. I don't..That is.

A flicker of guilt crosses Youssef's face, and he quickly turns to me.

Youssef: Sanura, you saw the corpse too. Any thoughts?

Sanura: I agree with Kaito. It was clearly mummified. What else could it be? That kind of decay takes time.

Youssef rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Youssef: I suppose it could be the body of some poor soul who lost his way in the desert..

Kaito: Exactly. Conditions here are dry enough for the corpse to have mummified naturally, given enough time.

Youssef: But we're so close to Cairo. Would anyone really

get lost out here?

Just then, a group of workers passes by, speaking in an undertone.

Youssef waits until they're gone before letting out a heavy sigh.

Youssef: The next few days will be difficult, I think. Rumors are spreading already..

Sanura: What kind of rumors?

Youssef: Well... the main one is about the King's Curse.

Itsuki: Curse? What curse?

Youssef: The King's Curse is said to fall upon those who disturb the tombs of Ancient Egyptian royalty. Rumors of the curse spread after the first group of archaeologists began excavation in the Valley of Kings. After discovering certain burial chambers, several people associated with the dig died or disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The curse takes several forms, depending on who you ask. But many say it sucks all the moisture from your body, leaving you mummified like the very Pharaoh you disturbed. The gods require sustenance, after all. I find myself thinking back to the body's twisted shape and gaping mouth with a shudder.

Sanura: What an awful way to die...

Beside me, Kaito rolls his eyes.

Kaito: That's nothing more than superstition. There's no correlation between the discovery of the burial chamber and the body. It's mere coincidence.

Youssef clicks his tongue.

Youssef: I know you don't mean to be disrespectful, but you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss local folktales. All stories contain a grain of truth-even children know that.

Kaito's lips thin in annoyance, but before he can say anything, I quickly jump in.

Sanura: Well, I'm sure we'll know more once the police have concluded their investigation. In the meantime..

I trail off, glancing around.

Sanura: Where's Itsuki?

Youssef frowns, looking around as well.

Youssef: He was just here.

Kaito: Yes, he was. He left when you began talking about curses.

Youssef: Are you saying l am to blame?

The two glare at each other again, but this time, I'm too worried about Itsuki to notice.

Sanura: Never mind... I"ll go look for him.

Ducking into the nearest tent, I find Itsuki slumped over in a

chair, eyes closed.

Sanura: There you are!

He looks up with a weak smile, pushing his hair off his forehead.

Itsuki: Oh, hey. Sorry for wandering off. I just needed to get out of the sun for a minute.

Sanura: Of course. Are you...

I trail off, realizing the inanity of my question. Itsuki's face is paler than usual, his hand trembling lightly where it clutches the armrest.

I can't leave him like this. Maybe it's better to give him

some space.

Sanura: I was just wondering where you went, that's all. If you need anything or want to talk, you know where to find me.

Itsuki: Thanks, Sanura. I'll be there in a minute.

Sanura: Take whatever time you need.

As I walk back to the others, I can't get Itsuki's slumped form out of my mind.

I really hope he's alright...

It's another five minutes before Itsuki reappears, much of the color returned to his cheeks.

Sanura: How are you feeling?

Itsuki: A little better, thanks. I think the shock must finally be wearing off. I appreciate you checking on me.

Sanura: Of course.

Kaito gives Itsuki a careful once-over.

Kaito: Dr. Sugiura says you're welcome to return to the hotel if you'd like.

But Itsuki shakes his head, squaring his jaw.

Itsuki: That's very kind, but l'd much rather stay here. Working will help keep my mind off... morbid topics.

After a moment, Kaito nods, and there's a new appreciation in his eyes as he looks at Itsuki again.

Kaito: Very well. In that case, you and Sanura will both continue working at Site C until Dr. Sugiura says otherwise.He's suspended work on the new chamber until morale has improved a little.

Itsuki and I wave goodbye to Youssef before following Kaito back to the dig site.

As we walk, I can't resist studying Kaito's blank, expressionless face.

He really isn't rattled by this turn of events at all... If anything, he seems more displeased by the rumor of a curse than the discovery of a dead body.

It must take a lot to get under his skin.

Up ahead, Dr. Sugiura emerges from a tent, muttering under his breath.

Dr. Sugiura: Very interesting.. but l'm missing something..

Kaito: Is something wrong, sir?

Dr. Sugiura glances up with a flash of annoyance that quickly dissipates.

Dr. Sugiura: Oh, Kaito, it's you.

Sanura: Are you alright, Doctor?

Dr. Sugiura: Don't mind me, I'm just talking to myself. My son can attest to how often I do that!

He chuckles lightly before beckoning me and Itsuki closer.

Dr. Sugiura: You two look as if you're doing well, given the circumstances. It's a terrible shame, what happened. But alas, accidents like these are inevitable in the desert.

He looks between the two of us, determination overtaking his expression.

Dr. Sugiura: Despite this tragedy, we must soldier on. I'm convinced

we've stumbled upon the discovery of the century, and we'll continue our work here, no matter what. We will uncover the secrets of that tomb!

Sanura: Yes, we will!

Itsuki: We'll work hard, sir!

Dr. Sugiura: I know you will!

He claps Itsuki on the back before stepping away.

Dr. Sugiura: Now, carry on! I'Il be along shortly.