4/6 Mon - En route to Port island - midnight

The train shakes, rocking every which way. There's practically nobody here, save for the one or two late-night riders, like me. My eyelids keep trying to shut themselves, but I fight the irresistible urge to just take a nap. My body is getting sluggish, pushing all my upper weight onto my knees.

Riding on a train sounded fun at first, but if someone told me it was going to be this miserable and suck this bad, I'd rather be driven to my destination. Though, it'd be embarrassing to be my age and not know how to ride a train.

"Maybe I should get some shuteye?" I tell myself, my drowsiness showing in my voice.

Originally, I went to school at St. Hermelin High, in the city of Mikage-cho, a city that holds no significant history of its own.

Last January, I was told that I was transferring to a different school, in a city far from Mikage-cho. A man-made island city named Tatsumi Port Island.

Honestly, I'm nervous about the whole idea, especially since I'll be living in a dorm with people I don't know. Yet I couldn't turn down such an opportunity. A new school, a new city, that would put anyone in a tense state of mind, but… Yeah, no, I'm just tense.

If I remember correctly, the school is called Gekkoukan High. It's a private school, and the only high school in the city. It's relatively new, but going can put you on a fast track to success… That's what the pamphlet said at least.

This doesn't make any sense though. I'm not a scholar or an athlete. Me getting into a school like this is just insane. All I know is that I was invited because of a "potential within myself". Whatever that means.

"Was he able to get me into this type of school? No way."

I mean, I can't complain. I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I'm not private school material. What if I stick out, or maybe I'll flunk, or what if-

"Now arriving at Tatsumi Port Island. Please take care to board before our departure."

It's too late to turn back, even if I have doubts about all this, I'd regret heading back after coming so far. All I can do is move forward…

"You can do this, Kei."

My nerves get the better of me as my foot moves onto the platform. It presses against the ground. I pull myself forward, leaving the train altogether. The air of the city makes its way into my lungs, inviting me as a newcomer. The train doors close behind me, telling me it's too late to turn back. Now that I've taken my first steps off the train, I feel...good. Though, kinda weird standing out here in the dead of night. Actually, what time is it?

I pull out my phone; the time displays itself right after flipping it open. 12:59 A.M!? Crap, I'm late! The RA is probably strict on new students being this late I mean, there was some delay from the last stop, and I kinda got lost. Then again, they probably don't care about that stuff. Oh, man, this is going to leave a bad impression! I'm gonna need to leg it!

I dash out of the station with a fire under my ass. My physique isn't bad, so if I keep running, I'll probably make it there before 2:00 A.M. The pamphlet has directions to the dorm, and since I was bored out of my skull, I practically memorized the directions from the station to the dorm; I can even quote the alumni.

While darting through the empty streets, my foot slips backward, throwing off my footing. My chin hits the hard, concrete ground. The impact rattled my brain. Everything spins, becoming nothing but hazy scribbles with vague shapes.

"Shit, shit! That hurts…! How did I… Huh, that's weird. Why are all the lights off?"

They were on a second ago, but they're not on anywhere, not in the buildings, street lights, or even traffic lights. The only source of light emanates from the moon, shining down a dirty green hue onto the world.

"...What is…?"

Something wet in my hand halts my train of thought. It's cool to the touch, soaking my shirt to the bone. A crimson liquid stained my shirt. It's almost like… Wait, hold on a minute! This is…!

"...Blood!?"

I lift my shirt, trying to find any wounds on my chest… Nothing, there's nothing. I let out a sigh of relief. Oh, thank God.

As I place my hand on the ground, a wet feeling brushes against my palm. There's a small puddle of red liquid under my hand. Where the hell did that come from!? Is this a hallucination or something? This can't be blood, right? My body is fine. Then why is this lying around here?

Then, disturbing my thoughts, something drips on the back of my head. Turning around to see what it was, I am met with an unbelievable sight, getting a blood-curdling scream out of me.

"Huh, what the…!?"

A large coffin looms over, blood dripping all around it. My mind goes blank, but my voice resounds across the dead city. Run, I have to run, I need to go! My fight-or-flight instincts kick in, helping me get away from the horrific thing.

Iwatodai dormitory - ?

Exhaustion takes over. My brain is thumping inside my head, and my legs are pounding like a drum from running for so long. Any more and I'll throw up what I had for breakfast. No matter where I went, coffins were everywhere, on the streets, in cars, and alleyways, and puddles of blood stained the street. Next to me is the dorm. I'm not well-versed in architecture, but the building itself isn't what I would call "common". Most likely, it was a Western-inspired design, giving it a cultural feel. Getting inside sounds good right about now.

"Who's there!"

A female voice booms from inside. My body freezes in place; fear traps me in my own body. Shit, that might be the RA… Maybe I should wait outside, just to be safe. No, I don't see that working out in the end. And going inside beats being outside with all these coffins. I'll just peek in from here.

Opening the door a few inches, a girl with brunette hair, wearing a pink cardigan, stands across from someone. The darkness inside covers their faces. In her hand, a silver object gleams through the shadows inside the dorm. Is that… No way! That's a gun! First the blood and those coffins, now this! If she has a gun on her, then that means she's going to use it. That guy in there is in danger. Wonder what he did…? Could this be one of those big high school lovers' quarrels!?

She slowly raises the weapon in her hands, directing the barrel at the boy.

My body springs into action on its own. I swing open the double doors, diverting everyone's attention to me. Adrenaline pumps through my veins, numbing my fear.

"Please don't-"

Somehow, on a whim, I trip on myself. The carpet floor meets with my face… I'm trying to get up, but my head hit the floor too hard, not to mention that I'm too embarrassed to even move a muscle

"Takeba, wait!?"

A new arrival announces herself. Her voice is commanding, carrying a sense of distinction, and bewilderment. Guessing that would be because of me. Despite the setback, I get up with whatever sense of dignity I have left. The girl is still holding a gun in her hand, though lowered. Next to me is the boy who was being threatened. His Navy-blue hair stands out, with striking gray eyes that matched a pair of earphones hanging around his neck, and a face that says he's just as confused as I am.

"Uhh…is this the Iwatodai dormitory?" I ask, acting like I didn't just embarrass myself.

The brunette lets out an audible "huh" before hiding the gun away behind her. "Oh, um–"

Suddenly, the lights turn on, brightening the entire room. There are couches and two armrest chairs on the right-hand part of the room, a dining area in the back, and a sign-in desk right next to the entrance. This must be the lounge and a nice-looking one at that. Music booms from the boy's headphones as if it was brought back to life.

The scarlet-haired girl descends the stairs at the back of the room. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest as she paces towards us. The way she moves and presents herself screams "noble". She must be rich, not that there's an issue with that.

"I didn't expect you two to arrive so late," the red-haired girl speaks up, her voice holding true to my assessment of her.

"Really? Well, in that case, I'm very sorry." the blunette apologizes, giving a curt bow.

"Um, me too!"

I give the same brief bow, but it just feels like I'm doing it out of obligation.

"It's fine. I'm Kirijo Mitsuru, I'm one of the students who live in this dorm."

Kirijo… That name is familiar. I think I heard of it on TV, but nothing's coming to mind.

"I'm Yuki Makoto. It's very nice to meet you."

Okay, time for first impressions. Just need to give my name properly. "I am Kazuki Kei. It is nice to meet you!"

That was a bit stiff, I admit, but I don't want to sound impolite.

"Is it okay for them to be here?" the girl with the gun asks, hiding behind the taller girl.

She sounds uncomfortable with us being here. A bit ironic given the situation a minute ago, though

"I guess we'll see… Anyway, this is Takeba Yukari. She's a second-year, just like you two."

Takeba Yukari... Hm… Ah, got it!

"Yuka-chan.".

Did I just say that out loud? I mean, it doesn't sound like a bad nickname, so there shouldn't be any problem. If she doesn't like it, I could change it to something else. But is it okay to give nicknames now? Maybe we need to be somewhat acquainted?

"Um, hello? I'm supposed to show you to your room."

Yuka-chan's voice snaps me out of my train of thought. Her beautiful hazel-colored hair catches my attention.

"Wh-what? Um, s-sure. Sorry."

If I didn't ruin everyone's first impression of me already, then me standing around like an idiot sure did.

...

We climbed the stairs to the second floor. This floor is where the boy's rooms are, and the third floor is where the girl stays, from what Yuka-chan told me. At the end of our brief trip upstairs, Yuka-chan shows us to our rooms.

She hands me my room key. "Make sure you take good care of it or you'll never hear the end of it."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it." She walks off to escort Makoto to his room. However, she stops to turn her attention to me again. "Hey, can I ask you something? Did you see anything strange on your way here?"

My mind flashes to the coffins, the blood, and the dirty green hue the world took on. It was all beyond strange, let alone comprehension. However, who would believe me? She'd just think I'm strange…

I put on a smile, wanting to avoid any unnecessary trouble. "Nah, it was normal."

She narrows her glance before shrugging her shoulders. "Sorry for asking a weird question. I hope we can get along, Kazuki-kun."

A beautiful smile appears on her face and she leaves with Yuki.

"Yeah, I hope so too."

I wave goodbye as I enter my room. Closing the door behind me, a sigh of relief slips out. The hard part is over. I can't say it went swimmingly, but I guess it wasn't a total failure either, since no one paid any mind to me tripping my way in.

Inside this dank, confined room is the stuff I had transported here. Stacked in rows and piles, I have no idea what's in each of these boxes, and I don't if I have enough space for it. Unpacking can wait, though. Me, pillow, bed, now!

"But what am I gonna do with these?" I take off my blood-stained shirt and pants, disgusted by the sight of them. Blood isn't impossible to wash out, I just need to run it in hot water. But the blood will get old before I can wash it. Guess I'll have to throw these away then. Good thing I wasn't wearing my favorite jacket… Come to think of it, why didn't anyone ask me about this? Maybe they thought it was just a design? Oh well, better not to bring it up.

After changing into something comfier, I jump into bed. The mattress is no different from the one I used back home. I bask in the softness that swallows me in a comfy embrace as I stare up at the ceiling.

So, I guess this is my room away from my room now. No, that sounds weird. Eh, screw it. I'll be living here for a while until I'm done with high school. I've been a nervous wreck about all this stuff up until now, but finally settling in, I don't feel as anxious. In fact, I'm excited; a new city, a new school, with new people.

"This is gonna be awesome!" I curl myself in my new bedsheets, shutting my eyes to get ready for tomorrow. Giddy with excitement and brimming with joy.

Not two minutes after shutting my eyes, my phone goes off. I get out of bed to pick it up from my new desk.

"Hello?"

"Kei, did you make it there safely?"

A casual and friendly voice comes from the other end.

"Yeah, I got here safely, but I was pretty late."

"Did you find the trains like we practiced?"

"Yeah, but there was a delay, so it had me panicking because I didn't know where to go, and then I-"

"Hey, hey, hey, Kei, I get it, I get you. You did great getting there on your own."

"T-thank you." Sounds like he's praising a child for crossing the street. Though, I don't mind it, albeit, patronizing. "...But are you sure this is good for me? I mean, I'm not private school material, and-"

"It's okay. As long as you don't screw up, you'll be fine. Don't worry about it." I trust his judgment on this sort of stuff, but the "as long as I don't screw it up" part is laying it on thick. "Well, it's pretty late, so you should get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll need the mental strength."

"Come on, you should know the first day is easiest."

"Nope, private schools are tough. Let your guard down, and you're done for. So get some sleep, okay?"

"Okay."

Talking to him always makes me think everything will be alright, even if he's making it sound tougher than it is.

"...And Kei."

"Yeah?"

"You better make some friends while you're down there."

"I'll try. Thank you, Naoya. I'll call after school tomorrow."

"Cool, I'll be waiting."

"Okay, bye."

Hanging up, I put my phone to my chest. It'll be awhile before I can see Naoya again. He'll be busy at work, and I'll be down here studying my butt off. It'll be lonely without him.

"I'll have to tough it out for a while." He put his trust in me to make the best of this opportunity. I won't mess it up! "It's okay, Kei, you got this, you got this!"

Once again, I throw the blanket over my body and close my eyes, yelling encouraging words in my head. Tomorrow will be the first day of a new start. I better be prepared... Hopefully, Naoya doesn't burn the apartment down; cooking was never his strong suit.