Yoake wo Kogasu Boshiboshi

A high school student reconnects with a childhood friend he had previously distanced himself from. While attempting to rescue a cat from falling into a river, both end up falling in. After waking up, he finds himself in an unknown location and tries to return home. His friend behaves oddly, and they are confronted by a group wearing unusual attire. The friend is captured, and the two are separated. The story takes place in a Chinese-inspired fantasy setting where the protagonist searches for his friend and uncovers past secrets in a strange yet familiar-feeling world.