Introduction
"Welcome to Blue Lotus, your cozy and comfortable home away from home. Here, we offer top-notch facilities that make your university living a dream. You don't have to travel far; Blue Lotus right in the middle of three universities: Kurogane Institute, St. Gabriel's Academy and Partisan Rose University.
We feature clean, semi-furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi, a cozy cafeteria, a swimming pool and various recreational facilities. All utilities would be added to your monthly rent to avoid the hassle. So what are you waiting for? Contact us now!"
The advertisement for Blue Lotus Residences remains as fragrant as ever. Yet for the old-time occupants of the almost 200 year old dwelling, too many inexplicable incidents have occurred in order to make it anything but comfortable. From tales of missing items turning up somewhere else after a long period of time, strange feelings of being watched within the comfort rooms, a rather unsettling "initiation rite" for new residents and supposed sightings of "shadow people" darting from place to place. With this all in mind, Blue Lotus begs just one question:
Will you still enter? Would you brave the wailing halls of Blue Lotus Residences?
We feature clean, semi-furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi, a cozy cafeteria, a swimming pool and various recreational facilities. All utilities would be added to your monthly rent to avoid the hassle. So what are you waiting for? Contact us now!"
The advertisement for Blue Lotus Residences remains as fragrant as ever. Yet for the old-time occupants of the almost 200 year old dwelling, too many inexplicable incidents have occurred in order to make it anything but comfortable. From tales of missing items turning up somewhere else after a long period of time, strange feelings of being watched within the comfort rooms, a rather unsettling "initiation rite" for new residents and supposed sightings of "shadow people" darting from place to place. With this all in mind, Blue Lotus begs just one question:
Will you still enter? Would you brave the wailing halls of Blue Lotus Residences?
Alright guys--well, this is practically the blurb for the setting of Story 4 of the How To series. Other places we plan on revisiting would make another appearance here. Both St. Gabriel's and Kurogane is back plus a third academy. Up to you on which character is in which place. The layout of Blue Lotus Residences is as follows:
Basement: Shelter, storage space
1st Floor: Lobby, Admin area, three units
2nd Floor: Cafeteria, Indoor Pool, Bathroom (Boys and Girls)
3rd Floor: Girl's Floor: Ten units plus public bathroom
4th Floor: Vacant AKA Non-existent
5th Floor: Boy's Floor: Ten units plus public bathroom
6th Floor: Vacant/Storage
Rooftop: Mini Pavilions, Water Tank
1st Floor: Lobby, Admin area, three units
2nd Floor: Cafeteria, Indoor Pool, Bathroom (Boys and Girls)
3rd Floor: Girl's Floor: Ten units plus public bathroom
4th Floor: Vacant AKA Non-existent
5th Floor: Boy's Floor: Ten units plus public bathroom
6th Floor: Vacant/Storage
Rooftop: Mini Pavilions, Water Tank
The rooms can each accommodate up to two people and comes with its own bathroom, bedroom, small kitchen and a small space that can be furnished into anything they want. Beds, drawers, closets, cupboards and kitchen and bathroom furnishings are included.
There will also be a "roommate" system which is of course...up to us.
Room Assignments:
5th Floor:
Makoto – 503
Soichiro – 501
Aziz – 507
Kujo – 507
Yoite – 510
Madoka – 502
Asagi - 503
3rd Floor:
Sora – 303
Nagisa – 303
Hotaru – 307
Menou – 307
Akeno – 301
Kanade - 302
Misaka - 302
Fuyumi - 310
Kirika - 306
Administration/NPCs:
Cel - 102
Ritsuka - 105
Nagao - 100
Mitsuru - Room Zero
5th Floor:
Makoto – 503
Soichiro – 501
Aziz – 507
Kujo – 507
Yoite – 510
Madoka – 502
Asagi - 503
3rd Floor:
Sora – 303
Nagisa – 303
Hotaru – 307
Menou – 307
Akeno – 301
Kanade - 302
Misaka - 302
Fuyumi - 310
Kirika - 306
Administration/NPCs:
Cel - 102
Ritsuka - 105
Nagao - 100
Mitsuru - Room Zero
Character Sheet: (I'm not obligating you to use this though. Just throwing it out there if you need it.)
Thank you for renting at Blue Lotus Residences! We hope you can make your stay a very meaningful one.
- Code: Select all
[center]Character Name here. Fontmeme or whatever[/center]
[center][img]http://media.tumblr.com/cdca0dc354a0c6fee76ecfb544fbeb1d/tumblr_inline_mxejcrFAwr1s2pyq9.png[/img][/center]
[left][img]http://placehold.it/450x600/000000[/img][/left]
[font=chasm][b]Name [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Age [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Gender [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Sexuality [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Appearance [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Face Claim [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Personality [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Room Number [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Roommate [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[center][img]http://media.tumblr.com/cdca0dc354a0c6fee76ecfb544fbeb1d/tumblr_inline_mxejcrFAwr1s2pyq9.png[/img][/center]
[right][img]http://placehold.it/500x800/000000[/img][/right]
[b]Likes:[/b]
[b]Dislikes:[/b]
[b]History [color=????]||[/color][/b]
[b]Colors[/b] [b][color=????]||[/color][/b] [color=????]Speech = ????[/color] / [color=????]Thought = ????[/color][/font]
[center][img]http://media.tumblr.com/cdca0dc354a0c6fee76ecfb544fbeb1d/tumblr_inline_mxejcrFAwr1s2pyq9.png[/img][/center]
Thank you for renting at Blue Lotus Residences! We hope you can make your stay a very meaningful one.
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 3 authors
Kanade was playing on her phone when Genji returned after being redirected.
"So, what'd he say?"
"He just told me to ask at the new Black Rose. Said something about me being a regular being an advantage on its own."
"Pff, you mean the only regular."
Genji rolled his eyes, rubbing his neck.
"Please, Kanade.The food there is actually good. I don't know why you would settle for less."
"Hey, fuck you, man, Wac gets better the more you get used to it."
"Whatever...can you at least tag along though?"
"Yeah, yeah, just tell me when you're done so we can head out."
Construction was already underway- it seemed like the building was almost done, with only a few more things to be added. Genji rubbed his neck again, more out of soreness from his slumped posture earlier.
"It almost looks done...wonder if they really need help here?"
"Hey, if they got Emirsdottir to help out, why wouldn't they take you?"
"Because I currently have nothing aside from my advantage of being a regular and having seen a lot of places?"
"Touche. Maybe you could go help out with how the place looks or shit. Or Emirsdottir's already beat you to it."
Kanade grunted, slapping a gloved hand on Genji's back to propel him forward.
"Anyway, just go! Sheesh."
"Fine, fine, you don't have to be so pushy."
Approaching, he could see the two figures earlier within. Knocking his knuckles lightly on the wall to hopefully attract attention, he cleared his throat.
"I-- uh, heard you were needing some help over here?"
The day was a little bit cloudy as Nagisa walked through the Kurogane campus. She could hear the sound of whispering nearby, and as she glanced over, she saw a bunch of students gathered around what seemed to be a display for the student that died recently.
Some girls gathered around, seemingly the person's friends, were mourning- Nagisa decided to stay away for now but walked over to a safe distance to listen in on the conversations.
"She wasn't doing anything wrong..."
"What a sick bastard!"
"Who the hell would do this?!"
Squeezing her eyes shut, Nagisa started walking away. All this was not good for her curiosity.
"So, what'd he say?"
"He just told me to ask at the new Black Rose. Said something about me being a regular being an advantage on its own."
"Pff, you mean the only regular."
Genji rolled his eyes, rubbing his neck.
"Please, Kanade.The food there is actually good. I don't know why you would settle for less."
"Hey, fuck you, man, Wac gets better the more you get used to it."
"Whatever...can you at least tag along though?"
"Yeah, yeah, just tell me when you're done so we can head out."
Construction was already underway- it seemed like the building was almost done, with only a few more things to be added. Genji rubbed his neck again, more out of soreness from his slumped posture earlier.
"It almost looks done...wonder if they really need help here?"
"Hey, if they got Emirsdottir to help out, why wouldn't they take you?"
"Because I currently have nothing aside from my advantage of being a regular and having seen a lot of places?"
"Touche. Maybe you could go help out with how the place looks or shit. Or Emirsdottir's already beat you to it."
Kanade grunted, slapping a gloved hand on Genji's back to propel him forward.
"Anyway, just go! Sheesh."
"Fine, fine, you don't have to be so pushy."
Approaching, he could see the two figures earlier within. Knocking his knuckles lightly on the wall to hopefully attract attention, he cleared his throat.
"I-- uh, heard you were needing some help over here?"
The day was a little bit cloudy as Nagisa walked through the Kurogane campus. She could hear the sound of whispering nearby, and as she glanced over, she saw a bunch of students gathered around what seemed to be a display for the student that died recently.
Some girls gathered around, seemingly the person's friends, were mourning- Nagisa decided to stay away for now but walked over to a safe distance to listen in on the conversations.
"She wasn't doing anything wrong..."
"What a sick bastard!"
"Who the hell would do this?!"
Squeezing her eyes shut, Nagisa started walking away. All this was not good for her curiosity.
With Hotaru's help, Kirika was able to come up with a satisfactory floor plan to show the designers once they arrive. With the furniture floor plan fiasco ended, Kirika was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The whole process took a bit longer than she thought though.
"Thanks to you, we were able to get this remodeling work back on track. Good work, and thank you." Kirika thanks the unexpected interior designer who helped out. "You can collect the payment from my brother in his office. Don't worry about taking it. Use it to hang out with friends or go on a date if you please."
Just as she was about to dismiss Hotaru for a job well done, another knock came and a rather sketchy looking guy peered into view. Apparently, he was one of the dormers and Kirika also recognized him a little as one of the regulars of the old Black Rose. He seemed to be asking for a job. Probably Mitsuru's referral again.
"We just finished up the one problem here though..." Kirika replied as she puts away the new sketches done with Hotaru. "But..."
Nonetheless, she looked around the place, inspecting every nook and cranny--see if anything's missing or lacking. Finally, her eyes trailed onto a small ceramic bowl on the counter.
"Our pasta dishes will be served in this bowl. While we're not particularly lacking, I believe we need to have more in hand should the influx of customers rise." Taking it in hand, she turned back to the dormer and handed it to him.
"Find a shop that sells this plain design for cheap. If you can, I'd like you to get me at least fifteen more bowls." It was a tall order but of course, Kirika didn't forget her manners.
"Please?"
Likewise, Asagi also covered his face upon seeing the horror trailers.
"Hehehe...good thing my roommate isn't the type who gets kicks out of scaring people hehe..." Asagi laughed sheepishly. The movie finally played after a couple more trailers and after three minutes in, Asagi was firmly engrossed.
(OOC: As with every post like this, cue time skip...XD)
"Aaahh~ That was a blast! We should go out like this more often." Asagi purrs contentedly as he exits the cinema with Menou. "Honestly though, I didn't expect the oni to be Isamu's brother. When he revealed that he was only doing all the evil stuff for the sake of his people, I kind of felt down a little. Villains are supposed to be...RRAWWR!!! Evil to the core!"
Asagi's closed his eyes for a bit as if recalling an old memory. "Well, I know we just ate popcorn but do you want to grab something sweet? I'm kind of hungry for a banana split myself!" Asagi invites Menou again.
"Yeah! Lead the way then." Kazuya gestured for Akeno to take the lead while he followed. Due to Partisan Rose's proximity to the dorm, it was possible to walk all the way there which Kazuya preferred as it allows him to memorize the place faster.
"Seriously, I'm quite bad with directions that I can't even go to new places without needing someone to show me around." And as expected, Kazuya starts babbling just as soon as they started walking. The girl Akeno said she didn't mind though which is a plus for him.
"--and then, I lost my train ticket almost immediately after, causing the shutter to close down when I tried passing through. People were held up and mad--agh! Utter chaos! Good thing this little lady helped me out. I mean, if she wasn't around I would've died!" Kazuya recalls the incident with a laugh. It was then he noticed something odd about the way Akeno carried herself. Kazuya thought she looked like a doll though he reckons she's probably grown tired of hearing that so he didn't bother.
They passed by a small clothes shop along the way and Kazuya was able to make out a quick casual set on the window display."Hey, I bet you'd look great in that dress!" He enthusiastically calls Akeno's attention while pointing at the window revealing a casual top and skirt combo. Not too stylish yet not too bland.
The whole council was practically busy all throughout the day. Erecting a small memorial for the student who was murdered on 14th Avenue turned out to be quite a difficult task. Makoto was excused from his class in order to help with the preparations such as writing and reading a small dedication for the girl.
Same with the previous cases, the victim was a girl who attended their school. Even worse was that she was in the same batch as Makoto. Yet that wasn't the worst part.
After the small ceremony was over, their committee was still tasked with lighting the candles and stowing away the chairs. Makoto was approached by the same girl who approached him earlier, carrying a can of iced chocolate for him.
"Here. Thanks for helping out." The girl solemnly expresses her thanks.
"No problem at all. As part of the committee, this still falls under my job." Makoto dismisses it and opens the beverage given to him.
"Still, you've already got historian work cut out for you. To still help with the dedication and preparation--"
"--is something I can do. Don't worry about it Kirihara-san." Makoto's eyes then trailed off to a very familiar male slumped down in one corner of the room. "I didn't think the murder would hit this close to home..."
"You're right...I wonder if he's doing okay?" Kirihara asks.
"He'll be fine." Makoto replied, feeling sure of himself.
"He hasn't eaten or drank anything since he heard the news." Kirihara digs into her bag and produces another can of chocolate. "Can you give it to him? I don't think I can--"
With an overcast smile, Makoto takes it in hand and walks over to the slumped down figure. "Hey, Aziz?"
"Wakaba-san...she always liked cars you know?" Aziz was able to finally speak up after a while. "I haven't met a lot of girls who aren't afraid to get their hands stained with machine oil and grease. I don't think you knew this since we're from different courses but, me and Wakaba can talk for as long as the crows come home about cars and stuff."
"Like how me and Cel can talk about horror?" Makoto gives him a solemn and sympathetic smile.
"Yeah...Or like how Nagisa and Kanade talk about their work." Aziz managed to look up for a bit and smile before slumping down again. Out of all the possible victims, he didn't expect his best friend to be the one taken away.
In his hands, he clutched a hard CD case with a disk inside. "Her birthday was coming up next week so I figured I'd get her this. I remember how pissed she was at missing the movie when it came out so I told her I'd help her out you know? Got her a good copy. Not a camrip but a good o'l digital copy. Disguised it in this cheap case to surprise her. Hehehe...she also loved cars you know?"
At that moment, Aziz's voice started turning a lot hoarse. Throughout the ceremony, he tried hard not to cry and maintain his composure. However, with only a handful of people left, it seems all the checks he's placed on himself have started wearing down.
"DAMN IT!!!" Aziz cursed as tears fell from his eyes, unable to look up at the other. With a sigh, Makoto sat down beside him.
"It's not your fault man. Things just--" Makoto cut himself off there. He felt it too pretentious to try and calm Aziz down. After all, he didn't know what he was feeling. Just earlier, he had been making light of the situation. Perhaps he also felt guilt at laughing it off with the others? Makoto didn't know. So he just sat down beside him.
At least until it was over.
"Thanks to you, we were able to get this remodeling work back on track. Good work, and thank you." Kirika thanks the unexpected interior designer who helped out. "You can collect the payment from my brother in his office. Don't worry about taking it. Use it to hang out with friends or go on a date if you please."
Just as she was about to dismiss Hotaru for a job well done, another knock came and a rather sketchy looking guy peered into view. Apparently, he was one of the dormers and Kirika also recognized him a little as one of the regulars of the old Black Rose. He seemed to be asking for a job. Probably Mitsuru's referral again.
"We just finished up the one problem here though..." Kirika replied as she puts away the new sketches done with Hotaru. "But..."
Nonetheless, she looked around the place, inspecting every nook and cranny--see if anything's missing or lacking. Finally, her eyes trailed onto a small ceramic bowl on the counter.
"Our pasta dishes will be served in this bowl. While we're not particularly lacking, I believe we need to have more in hand should the influx of customers rise." Taking it in hand, she turned back to the dormer and handed it to him.
"Find a shop that sells this plain design for cheap. If you can, I'd like you to get me at least fifteen more bowls." It was a tall order but of course, Kirika didn't forget her manners.
"Please?"
Likewise, Asagi also covered his face upon seeing the horror trailers.
"Hehehe...good thing my roommate isn't the type who gets kicks out of scaring people hehe..." Asagi laughed sheepishly. The movie finally played after a couple more trailers and after three minutes in, Asagi was firmly engrossed.
(OOC: As with every post like this, cue time skip...XD)
"Aaahh~ That was a blast! We should go out like this more often." Asagi purrs contentedly as he exits the cinema with Menou. "Honestly though, I didn't expect the oni to be Isamu's brother. When he revealed that he was only doing all the evil stuff for the sake of his people, I kind of felt down a little. Villains are supposed to be...RRAWWR!!! Evil to the core!"
Asagi's closed his eyes for a bit as if recalling an old memory. "Well, I know we just ate popcorn but do you want to grab something sweet? I'm kind of hungry for a banana split myself!" Asagi invites Menou again.
"Yeah! Lead the way then." Kazuya gestured for Akeno to take the lead while he followed. Due to Partisan Rose's proximity to the dorm, it was possible to walk all the way there which Kazuya preferred as it allows him to memorize the place faster.
"Seriously, I'm quite bad with directions that I can't even go to new places without needing someone to show me around." And as expected, Kazuya starts babbling just as soon as they started walking. The girl Akeno said she didn't mind though which is a plus for him.
"--and then, I lost my train ticket almost immediately after, causing the shutter to close down when I tried passing through. People were held up and mad--agh! Utter chaos! Good thing this little lady helped me out. I mean, if she wasn't around I would've died!" Kazuya recalls the incident with a laugh. It was then he noticed something odd about the way Akeno carried herself. Kazuya thought she looked like a doll though he reckons she's probably grown tired of hearing that so he didn't bother.
They passed by a small clothes shop along the way and Kazuya was able to make out a quick casual set on the window display."Hey, I bet you'd look great in that dress!" He enthusiastically calls Akeno's attention while pointing at the window revealing a casual top and skirt combo. Not too stylish yet not too bland.
The whole council was practically busy all throughout the day. Erecting a small memorial for the student who was murdered on 14th Avenue turned out to be quite a difficult task. Makoto was excused from his class in order to help with the preparations such as writing and reading a small dedication for the girl.
Same with the previous cases, the victim was a girl who attended their school. Even worse was that she was in the same batch as Makoto. Yet that wasn't the worst part.
After the small ceremony was over, their committee was still tasked with lighting the candles and stowing away the chairs. Makoto was approached by the same girl who approached him earlier, carrying a can of iced chocolate for him.
"Here. Thanks for helping out." The girl solemnly expresses her thanks.
"No problem at all. As part of the committee, this still falls under my job." Makoto dismisses it and opens the beverage given to him.
"Still, you've already got historian work cut out for you. To still help with the dedication and preparation--"
"--is something I can do. Don't worry about it Kirihara-san." Makoto's eyes then trailed off to a very familiar male slumped down in one corner of the room. "I didn't think the murder would hit this close to home..."
"You're right...I wonder if he's doing okay?" Kirihara asks.
"He'll be fine." Makoto replied, feeling sure of himself.
"He hasn't eaten or drank anything since he heard the news." Kirihara digs into her bag and produces another can of chocolate. "Can you give it to him? I don't think I can--"
With an overcast smile, Makoto takes it in hand and walks over to the slumped down figure. "Hey, Aziz?"
"Wakaba-san...she always liked cars you know?" Aziz was able to finally speak up after a while. "I haven't met a lot of girls who aren't afraid to get their hands stained with machine oil and grease. I don't think you knew this since we're from different courses but, me and Wakaba can talk for as long as the crows come home about cars and stuff."
"Like how me and Cel can talk about horror?" Makoto gives him a solemn and sympathetic smile.
"Yeah...Or like how Nagisa and Kanade talk about their work." Aziz managed to look up for a bit and smile before slumping down again. Out of all the possible victims, he didn't expect his best friend to be the one taken away.
In his hands, he clutched a hard CD case with a disk inside. "Her birthday was coming up next week so I figured I'd get her this. I remember how pissed she was at missing the movie when it came out so I told her I'd help her out you know? Got her a good copy. Not a camrip but a good o'l digital copy. Disguised it in this cheap case to surprise her. Hehehe...she also loved cars you know?"
At that moment, Aziz's voice started turning a lot hoarse. Throughout the ceremony, he tried hard not to cry and maintain his composure. However, with only a handful of people left, it seems all the checks he's placed on himself have started wearing down.
"DAMN IT!!!" Aziz cursed as tears fell from his eyes, unable to look up at the other. With a sigh, Makoto sat down beside him.
"It's not your fault man. Things just--" Makoto cut himself off there. He felt it too pretentious to try and calm Aziz down. After all, he didn't know what he was feeling. Just earlier, he had been making light of the situation. Perhaps he also felt guilt at laughing it off with the others? Makoto didn't know. So he just sat down beside him.
At least until it was over.
Hotaru smiled a bit at the strange young man who just entered the room. He seemed strange with long hair and a mask over his face but he seemed pretty harmless. Still, Kirika did ask him to buy the bowls so she figured he was an old member of the dorm. She approached him with a happy smile.
"Hi. My name's Hotaru Emirsdottir. I don't really know who you are but if you've been here for a while, welcome back! Do you need any extra pair of hands to help you out on this adventure?"
She turned to Kirika with a happy smile.
"Thank you for letting me help you out, Kirika-chan. It was really good getting to work with you."
She bowed a bit in front of Kirika before turning back to the strange young man for his answer.
Menou giggled a bit, significantly more relaxed after going through the movie in one piece.
"I can definitely see where you're coming from but it didn't make the final duel any less awesome. I absolutely loved the finishing move Isamu did! Wonder how long it took to perfect it?"
Her aura was definitely a lot more relaxed as she heard Asagi offer a banana split to her. She thought a bit about it. She was definitely having a lot of fun with Asagi, even calming down to the point where being in the public didn't scare her as much. Plus, anyone who turned down sugar was either diabetic or Satan.
"Y-Yeah, let's do it."
Despite the small stammer, Menou agreed happily.
Akeno just quietly listened to the man talk on and on. The quality of his voice was smooth. It wasn't too deep but it wasn't exactly high pitched either. Plus, it helped that he put a lot of emotion into his stories. It made her get sucked into them a little bit and wonder what adventures he would have tomorrow or the next day. Still, she felt a tiny bit envious of him. He seemed to be carefree and lucky. Akeno didn't have the luxury of being either of those things. Still, she offered him her weak but genuine smile as she listened to him talk. When his story ended, she flipped out her phone to "talk".
"You're really lucky, huh. People do tend to get mad easily so I'm just glad you managed to get out of that situation alright. I don't think I've ever had that type of problem though. Mainly because I keep my train pass in with my student ID in a wallet."
She showed off her green wallet with a four leaf clover on it. It was one of the few decisions she made for herself and she was proud of it. Still, her thoughts were interrupted when the main pointed out how she would look good in that dress. She cringed a bit internally at the word dress. Her mother had her wear enough frilly and cute looking dresses to last a lifetime and she was sick of them. She couldn't do anything about it though. Just as she was about to say she wasn't interested, she actually got a look at the dress in question.
The "dress" was actually a shirt and skirt combo. The skirt itself was rather short but colored cream with small pockets on either side where the hips were. As for the shirt, it was a beige long sleeved shirt with a small V-neck line where the sleeves went to the wrists of the mannequin. She stared at it. The clothes definitely looked cute but not doll like. Still, her mother wasn't around and the only person who would know was this guy...
"... O-Only on-ne way t-to fi-ind out..."
She stammered out, impressed that she managed to say two words without stumbling over them. Maybe her training was helping her regain her voice. Still, she motioned for him to follow her inside.
"Ah, welcome, ma'am! How can we help you?"
Akeno looked over at the worker and nodded a bit, pointing at the mannequin before typing out her response on the text to speech app.
"Can I please try on that outfit?"
"Of course you may, ma'am! Ah, but they won't really go well with your shoes and socks. May I get you some other shoes and socks to try on?"
Akeno was a bit surprised but nodded.
"Yeah, please. I'm about size 7 for shoe size. Any accessories you find would be great too..."
The woman grinned.
"Certainly. Right this way, ma'am!"
After three minutes, Akeno stepped out of the changing room to face the man. She wore the same shirt and skirt he pointed out to her but accompanying it were a pair of tan tights, light brown boots with dark brown soles and a small four leaf clover pendant adorning her neck. Akeno twirled a bit of her hair.
"There was a hat that she said would work well with it but I didn't really want to push it. Well, did it turn out well?"
She tilted her head at him.
"Hi. My name's Hotaru Emirsdottir. I don't really know who you are but if you've been here for a while, welcome back! Do you need any extra pair of hands to help you out on this adventure?"
She turned to Kirika with a happy smile.
"Thank you for letting me help you out, Kirika-chan. It was really good getting to work with you."
She bowed a bit in front of Kirika before turning back to the strange young man for his answer.
Menou giggled a bit, significantly more relaxed after going through the movie in one piece.
"I can definitely see where you're coming from but it didn't make the final duel any less awesome. I absolutely loved the finishing move Isamu did! Wonder how long it took to perfect it?"
Her aura was definitely a lot more relaxed as she heard Asagi offer a banana split to her. She thought a bit about it. She was definitely having a lot of fun with Asagi, even calming down to the point where being in the public didn't scare her as much. Plus, anyone who turned down sugar was either diabetic or Satan.
"Y-Yeah, let's do it."
Despite the small stammer, Menou agreed happily.
Akeno just quietly listened to the man talk on and on. The quality of his voice was smooth. It wasn't too deep but it wasn't exactly high pitched either. Plus, it helped that he put a lot of emotion into his stories. It made her get sucked into them a little bit and wonder what adventures he would have tomorrow or the next day. Still, she felt a tiny bit envious of him. He seemed to be carefree and lucky. Akeno didn't have the luxury of being either of those things. Still, she offered him her weak but genuine smile as she listened to him talk. When his story ended, she flipped out her phone to "talk".
"You're really lucky, huh. People do tend to get mad easily so I'm just glad you managed to get out of that situation alright. I don't think I've ever had that type of problem though. Mainly because I keep my train pass in with my student ID in a wallet."
She showed off her green wallet with a four leaf clover on it. It was one of the few decisions she made for herself and she was proud of it. Still, her thoughts were interrupted when the main pointed out how she would look good in that dress. She cringed a bit internally at the word dress. Her mother had her wear enough frilly and cute looking dresses to last a lifetime and she was sick of them. She couldn't do anything about it though. Just as she was about to say she wasn't interested, she actually got a look at the dress in question.
The "dress" was actually a shirt and skirt combo. The skirt itself was rather short but colored cream with small pockets on either side where the hips were. As for the shirt, it was a beige long sleeved shirt with a small V-neck line where the sleeves went to the wrists of the mannequin. She stared at it. The clothes definitely looked cute but not doll like. Still, her mother wasn't around and the only person who would know was this guy...
"... O-Only on-ne way t-to fi-ind out..."
She stammered out, impressed that she managed to say two words without stumbling over them. Maybe her training was helping her regain her voice. Still, she motioned for him to follow her inside.
"Ah, welcome, ma'am! How can we help you?"
Akeno looked over at the worker and nodded a bit, pointing at the mannequin before typing out her response on the text to speech app.
"Can I please try on that outfit?"
"Of course you may, ma'am! Ah, but they won't really go well with your shoes and socks. May I get you some other shoes and socks to try on?"
Akeno was a bit surprised but nodded.
"Yeah, please. I'm about size 7 for shoe size. Any accessories you find would be great too..."
The woman grinned.
"Certainly. Right this way, ma'am!"
After three minutes, Akeno stepped out of the changing room to face the man. She wore the same shirt and skirt he pointed out to her but accompanying it were a pair of tan tights, light brown boots with dark brown soles and a small four leaf clover pendant adorning her neck. Akeno twirled a bit of her hair.
"There was a hat that she said would work well with it but I didn't really want to push it. Well, did it turn out well?"
She tilted her head at him.
"Of course."
The request seemed rather easy at first glance- get at least fifteen more bowls. Not too complex.
But as he started to step away the revelation sank down on him. He didn't have money. What a pathetic sight.
Just as he was about to despair though the bubbly girl approached him and offered her help. Turning around, he smiled- though it was still hidden under his mask.
"Ah, yes, I could use some help. Carrying fifteen bowls would be quite the task."
He motioned for her to follow him outside, where Kanade was leaning against the wall. She arched an eyebrow at him as he came out.
"Oi, Gecky! You done already?"
"Afraid not. It's not that bad of a task though I'll need your help. Ah, before I forget--"
He turned to face Hotaru again.
"My name is Genji Yukitora. You're correct- I am, indeed an old resident of the dorm. I have been out on a trip, which is why you haven't seen me until now."
Kanade rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, right, Emirsdottir, you can just call him Gecky. All the cool kids are doing it."
"You mean the whole dorm..."
Once they've gone a little ways off from the cafe, Genji sighed.
"I just have one problem with this..."
"Oh my god, no."
He carefully inspected the bowl in his bandaged hands, scrunching his eyebrows together.
"I was sent to buy fifteen more bowls of this same design...but with almost no money on me how am I going to do that?"
"Holy shit, Gecky, you sure are taking advantage of this great genius's kindness."
"It's not that! I just need a little help here."
He rubbed his neck, sighing.
"I may have to ask Aika after all..."
"Sheesh, if it bothers you that much I'll help out with paying. You'll still have to ask your sister though."
"I know, I know...fine. Ugh...all because one of my pockets had a hole in it..."
Kanade straightened up, snickering.
"Alright, squad, to St. Gabriel's it is!"
"Yo, Makinami!"
As Nagisa was starting to walk away, a familiar figure started approaching her. Kujo's steps were urgent, and when he got close he placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it a bit, a grim look on his face.
"Got a moment?"
"...Yeah. What is it?"
"So that's what it is..."
It was odd looking at Kujo being so strangely serious. He had his hands shoved into his pockets as they traveled down the hall slowly. Nagisa noticed that he moved almost sluggishly, like a weight was on his shoulders.
"Yeah...I didn't know it would be Wakaba. The news, the internet- they never tell you this shit, man. Nobody ever does."
"I think it's for the safety and credibility of the institute if anything."
"Fuck safety. Friends have a right to know. Shit...and she was so close to Bro too."
From a little ways off, Nagisa could see Aziz and Makoto. It seemed like the brunette was trying to calm down the grieving boy- Kujo scratched his neck and stopped for a bit, leaning a bit closer to Nagisa.
"For now...I'm thinking of asking someone at the dorm to make something to cheer him up. Anything, anything at all."
"Like asking Kanade to build him something?"
Kujo shook his head.
"Nah. Nah, I probably won't ask Takamine. But help me out a little here alright?"
Nagisa thought briefly.
"How about asking someone to cook something?"
"Nn...yeah. Yeah, that probably works. Thanks, Makinami."
Kujo straightened up again and briskly walked over to the two. Nagisa paused, thinking of whether she should come by or not- then followed soon after.
She watched as Kujo sat on the other side, lightly patting his shoulder.
"Nobody thought it'd be her, man." He mumbled. "Nobody."
Seeing all the grief going on, a thought struck her.
"We'll get to the bottom of this..."
She hadn't realized she had voiced that thought out loud before Kujo looked up at her, surprise in his eyes.
"Isn't that--"
"There's no way the Institute's going to let this pass, is there? That wouldn't be right--"
She cut herself off, teeth grit a bit. Despite herself, she was letting the grief going on get to her. Count that with the paranoia of being caught, being the next name in a list of deaths, and Nagisa couldn't stop her own thoughts.
"Or...h-hey, Itsuna. The council's not just gonna sweep this under the rug are they? There's no way we're gonna let this go unanswered-! Hell no!"
Things were getting dangerous. Nagisa knew she shouldn't be getting involved. But as much as she didn't quite like the two, there was no telling what could possibly happen if this killing went unsolved.
The request seemed rather easy at first glance- get at least fifteen more bowls. Not too complex.
But as he started to step away the revelation sank down on him. He didn't have money. What a pathetic sight.
Just as he was about to despair though the bubbly girl approached him and offered her help. Turning around, he smiled- though it was still hidden under his mask.
"Ah, yes, I could use some help. Carrying fifteen bowls would be quite the task."
He motioned for her to follow him outside, where Kanade was leaning against the wall. She arched an eyebrow at him as he came out.
"Oi, Gecky! You done already?"
"Afraid not. It's not that bad of a task though I'll need your help. Ah, before I forget--"
He turned to face Hotaru again.
"My name is Genji Yukitora. You're correct- I am, indeed an old resident of the dorm. I have been out on a trip, which is why you haven't seen me until now."
Kanade rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, right, Emirsdottir, you can just call him Gecky. All the cool kids are doing it."
"You mean the whole dorm..."
Once they've gone a little ways off from the cafe, Genji sighed.
"I just have one problem with this..."
"Oh my god, no."
He carefully inspected the bowl in his bandaged hands, scrunching his eyebrows together.
"I was sent to buy fifteen more bowls of this same design...but with almost no money on me how am I going to do that?"
"Holy shit, Gecky, you sure are taking advantage of this great genius's kindness."
"It's not that! I just need a little help here."
He rubbed his neck, sighing.
"I may have to ask Aika after all..."
"Sheesh, if it bothers you that much I'll help out with paying. You'll still have to ask your sister though."
"I know, I know...fine. Ugh...all because one of my pockets had a hole in it..."
Kanade straightened up, snickering.
"Alright, squad, to St. Gabriel's it is!"
"Yo, Makinami!"
As Nagisa was starting to walk away, a familiar figure started approaching her. Kujo's steps were urgent, and when he got close he placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it a bit, a grim look on his face.
"Got a moment?"
"...Yeah. What is it?"
"So that's what it is..."
It was odd looking at Kujo being so strangely serious. He had his hands shoved into his pockets as they traveled down the hall slowly. Nagisa noticed that he moved almost sluggishly, like a weight was on his shoulders.
"Yeah...I didn't know it would be Wakaba. The news, the internet- they never tell you this shit, man. Nobody ever does."
"I think it's for the safety and credibility of the institute if anything."
"Fuck safety. Friends have a right to know. Shit...and she was so close to Bro too."
From a little ways off, Nagisa could see Aziz and Makoto. It seemed like the brunette was trying to calm down the grieving boy- Kujo scratched his neck and stopped for a bit, leaning a bit closer to Nagisa.
"For now...I'm thinking of asking someone at the dorm to make something to cheer him up. Anything, anything at all."
"Like asking Kanade to build him something?"
Kujo shook his head.
"Nah. Nah, I probably won't ask Takamine. But help me out a little here alright?"
Nagisa thought briefly.
"How about asking someone to cook something?"
"Nn...yeah. Yeah, that probably works. Thanks, Makinami."
Kujo straightened up again and briskly walked over to the two. Nagisa paused, thinking of whether she should come by or not- then followed soon after.
She watched as Kujo sat on the other side, lightly patting his shoulder.
"Nobody thought it'd be her, man." He mumbled. "Nobody."
Seeing all the grief going on, a thought struck her.
"We'll get to the bottom of this..."
She hadn't realized she had voiced that thought out loud before Kujo looked up at her, surprise in his eyes.
"Isn't that--"
"There's no way the Institute's going to let this pass, is there? That wouldn't be right--"
She cut herself off, teeth grit a bit. Despite herself, she was letting the grief going on get to her. Count that with the paranoia of being caught, being the next name in a list of deaths, and Nagisa couldn't stop her own thoughts.
"Or...h-hey, Itsuna. The council's not just gonna sweep this under the rug are they? There's no way we're gonna let this go unanswered-! Hell no!"
Things were getting dangerous. Nagisa knew she shouldn't be getting involved. But as much as she didn't quite like the two, there was no telling what could possibly happen if this killing went unsolved.
Just as Kazuya mentioned it, the girl Akeno Furuya immediately went inside in order to try out the clothes he pointed out. He found it rather weird but quite interesting at the same time. He wasn't really the type who buys clothes on impulse. Following shortly after her, he busied himself with looking at the other merchandise on display while he waited for her to come out.
When she came out, it was almost like a different person stared at Kazuya. More than the clothes, he saw that she had chosen to accessorize a bit as well, particularly the pendant on her neck. Another thing was that she also swapped shoes, though it may be a bit difficult to see at a first glance.
"Hm! I like it. It's got quite a bit of character." Having said that, Kazuya approached her to also look in the mirror beside her. "While some people would say otherwise but image does matter. At the very least, you need to try to look like someone who needed to be taken seriously."
Hearing him say that made him laugh a bit. "It probably won't sound too appropriate coming from me though, with all the blunders and dumb decisions I make. But, until I told you about it, I bet you didn't expect this guy here to be such a klutz right? That's the thing with presentation. I mean, look at those--"
Kazuya pointed to a display on the men's formal wear showing a bunch of professional men in suits and ties. "They all looked "dolled" up and intimidating but really, they're just like me. I should know; I've gone to karaoke and manga cafes with people of that sort once. However, don't you agree that dressed like that, they just look so composed and confident?"
Checking his watch for the time, Kazuya noted that it was getting a bit late. Not dark but, a little past the time he was expected to arrive. "Well, I think we've tarried on long enough. Let us resume our adventure, Miss Akeno Furuya!" Kazuya struck a pose as if he was some cartographer pointing at an uncharted territory.
The ice cream shop Asagi lead Menou into wasn't anything particularly big or fancy. However, a lot of students their age frequent it thanks to its affordable prices and nice interior. Plus, the ice creams were good without needing to pay a premium.
"Hmm~ This is usually the best time to come around to this place. Come 5 or 6 in the afternoon, this place would be swarming with students. Order something like this banana split and you'll have to wait ten or fifteen minutes before it's served." Asagi explained in between spoonfuls of ice cream, happy as a lark while eating the frozen treat.
"Hey, hey! Don't you think it'll be great if the new Black Rose served ice cream too! That means we can snack on it anytime we want without having to go through the hassle of commuting here. Man, that would be quite a dream~" Asagi went on talking enthusiastically about it. "Ah! But since they're close to opening again that probably means they have their menu figured out. It probably wouldn't change for another two months."
Setting aside his ramblings, Asagi focuses his attention back on to Menou, hoping most of her anxiety had already melted away."Hey, Koizumi-san? How's the dorm life been for you? Any awesome, juicy experiences? Find a person you like? You can tell me! I probably don't look like it but, I'm quite a listener for stories!"
Kujo and Nagisa arrived shortly afterwards in order to check up on Aziz. Makoto decided it was best to leave it to them in the meantime, granted that the two were much closer to him than he was. He left Aziz's share of the chocolate down on the side table behind him as he went out for a bit to check up on the cleanup.
"Thanks man..." Aziz thanks the two who came over out of concern for him. "Damn, this is why my family thinks I'm gay you know? Getting all up in tears like this isn't really manly." Aziz manages a weak joke and laugh as he wiped his tears away with the sleeve of his shirt.
"I'll be fine so don't worry." Aziz assures the two as he took the chocolate given away by Makoto and rank it down. "I...may not be able to attend her vigil though. I'm not really brave enough to look at people in their coffins. Plus, I want to remember Wakaba-san when she was alive."
Makoto rejoined the two shortly while Aziz excused himself to write a small dedication for his departed friend. Listening in to their concerns, the reality of how much the string of recent incidents are casting an almost deathly mist over Castle City hit Makoto. When Nagisa voiced her misgivings over the school's stance, Makoto couldn't help but feel a little concerned.
Of course, he wanted to try and help with the investigations. If they could, he would've helped Aziz take the perpetrator down with their own hands. However, the reality is that it takes a lot of lengthy processes to pin down a suspect and they can't exactly just stake out places and ambush the perpetrator. Makoto silently cursed just how limited are the things they can do.
He realized he had yet to give Nagisa an answer when Kujo also echoes the same sentiment. Of course, he could've always placated them with the usual spiel the administration had been giving for the past two years since the killings started. However, he reckoned they'll be able to see through that lie nonetheless. There was no other option but to give them the truth.
No matter how disappointing it is.
"If I'm going to be totally honest here..." Makoto looked around to make sure no one from the council could hear him before continuing. "The school administration can't really do much. Wakaba-san was murdered at the 14th Avenue--way outside the school's jurisdiction. If anything, the local government's the one in charge of this. So don't blame the Institute for it." Before the two could lose their cool, Makoto thought it best to voice out the facts of this case now, at least, the ones he actually knows about.
"Though it looks notorious, the murders are all actually quite small scale. Two years ago, two girls were killed. Last year, there was only one victim. Wakaba-san's the fourth one this year. I'm not quite familiar with the earlier incidents since I wasn't part of the committee yet but, Kurogane did launch a full inquiry along with the police at one point. Their searches didn't turn up anything. This suspect's one slippery contender." Makoto explained. "While the body count is small, it is the notoriety of not being able to catch this suspect which is making us wary."
"Like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands."
Seki Kirihara arrived a little after that, informing Makoto of their meeting. He nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to the two. "Well, I can't promise any concrete results but we will do what we can with the limited faculties we have. If nothing else, please note that us in the student committee are doing everything we can--however limited our resources and faculties may be."
As he walked out, Makoto passed by Aziz who was near the center of the memorial.
"Yo, King-wannabe..." Aziz called out to him.
"Eh? What is it?" Makoto paused for a while to talk. Aziz awkwardly walks up to him.
"Just want to say thanks. For that dedication speech." Aziz holds a hand out to him. "I'm sure Wakaba-san liked the way you put it."
"I don't think she would--I mean, it wasn't exactly my best work to date. All those words were barely enough to do a person like her justice." Makoto sighed as he recalls writing it down on the spot. Nonetheless, he still shook hands with Aziz.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it was enough. I for one can't write something like that for her." With a smile, Aziz parted ways, heading back to where Kujo and Nagisa were. "Looking back on it now, maybe I should've written a letter with that CD as well..."
As he reached the two, Aziz was finally calm and composed enough again. "Hey...do you mind if we stop by the pizza parlor for a while? My parents told me it's not a good thing to go home directly after coming from a vigil like this."
When she came out, it was almost like a different person stared at Kazuya. More than the clothes, he saw that she had chosen to accessorize a bit as well, particularly the pendant on her neck. Another thing was that she also swapped shoes, though it may be a bit difficult to see at a first glance.
"Hm! I like it. It's got quite a bit of character." Having said that, Kazuya approached her to also look in the mirror beside her. "While some people would say otherwise but image does matter. At the very least, you need to try to look like someone who needed to be taken seriously."
Hearing him say that made him laugh a bit. "It probably won't sound too appropriate coming from me though, with all the blunders and dumb decisions I make. But, until I told you about it, I bet you didn't expect this guy here to be such a klutz right? That's the thing with presentation. I mean, look at those--"
Kazuya pointed to a display on the men's formal wear showing a bunch of professional men in suits and ties. "They all looked "dolled" up and intimidating but really, they're just like me. I should know; I've gone to karaoke and manga cafes with people of that sort once. However, don't you agree that dressed like that, they just look so composed and confident?"
Checking his watch for the time, Kazuya noted that it was getting a bit late. Not dark but, a little past the time he was expected to arrive. "Well, I think we've tarried on long enough. Let us resume our adventure, Miss Akeno Furuya!" Kazuya struck a pose as if he was some cartographer pointing at an uncharted territory.
The ice cream shop Asagi lead Menou into wasn't anything particularly big or fancy. However, a lot of students their age frequent it thanks to its affordable prices and nice interior. Plus, the ice creams were good without needing to pay a premium.
"Hmm~ This is usually the best time to come around to this place. Come 5 or 6 in the afternoon, this place would be swarming with students. Order something like this banana split and you'll have to wait ten or fifteen minutes before it's served." Asagi explained in between spoonfuls of ice cream, happy as a lark while eating the frozen treat.
"Hey, hey! Don't you think it'll be great if the new Black Rose served ice cream too! That means we can snack on it anytime we want without having to go through the hassle of commuting here. Man, that would be quite a dream~" Asagi went on talking enthusiastically about it. "Ah! But since they're close to opening again that probably means they have their menu figured out. It probably wouldn't change for another two months."
Setting aside his ramblings, Asagi focuses his attention back on to Menou, hoping most of her anxiety had already melted away."Hey, Koizumi-san? How's the dorm life been for you? Any awesome, juicy experiences? Find a person you like? You can tell me! I probably don't look like it but, I'm quite a listener for stories!"
Kujo and Nagisa arrived shortly afterwards in order to check up on Aziz. Makoto decided it was best to leave it to them in the meantime, granted that the two were much closer to him than he was. He left Aziz's share of the chocolate down on the side table behind him as he went out for a bit to check up on the cleanup.
"Thanks man..." Aziz thanks the two who came over out of concern for him. "Damn, this is why my family thinks I'm gay you know? Getting all up in tears like this isn't really manly." Aziz manages a weak joke and laugh as he wiped his tears away with the sleeve of his shirt.
"I'll be fine so don't worry." Aziz assures the two as he took the chocolate given away by Makoto and rank it down. "I...may not be able to attend her vigil though. I'm not really brave enough to look at people in their coffins. Plus, I want to remember Wakaba-san when she was alive."
Makoto rejoined the two shortly while Aziz excused himself to write a small dedication for his departed friend. Listening in to their concerns, the reality of how much the string of recent incidents are casting an almost deathly mist over Castle City hit Makoto. When Nagisa voiced her misgivings over the school's stance, Makoto couldn't help but feel a little concerned.
Of course, he wanted to try and help with the investigations. If they could, he would've helped Aziz take the perpetrator down with their own hands. However, the reality is that it takes a lot of lengthy processes to pin down a suspect and they can't exactly just stake out places and ambush the perpetrator. Makoto silently cursed just how limited are the things they can do.
He realized he had yet to give Nagisa an answer when Kujo also echoes the same sentiment. Of course, he could've always placated them with the usual spiel the administration had been giving for the past two years since the killings started. However, he reckoned they'll be able to see through that lie nonetheless. There was no other option but to give them the truth.
No matter how disappointing it is.
"If I'm going to be totally honest here..." Makoto looked around to make sure no one from the council could hear him before continuing. "The school administration can't really do much. Wakaba-san was murdered at the 14th Avenue--way outside the school's jurisdiction. If anything, the local government's the one in charge of this. So don't blame the Institute for it." Before the two could lose their cool, Makoto thought it best to voice out the facts of this case now, at least, the ones he actually knows about.
"Though it looks notorious, the murders are all actually quite small scale. Two years ago, two girls were killed. Last year, there was only one victim. Wakaba-san's the fourth one this year. I'm not quite familiar with the earlier incidents since I wasn't part of the committee yet but, Kurogane did launch a full inquiry along with the police at one point. Their searches didn't turn up anything. This suspect's one slippery contender." Makoto explained. "While the body count is small, it is the notoriety of not being able to catch this suspect which is making us wary."
"Like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands."
Seki Kirihara arrived a little after that, informing Makoto of their meeting. He nodded in acknowledgement before turning back to the two. "Well, I can't promise any concrete results but we will do what we can with the limited faculties we have. If nothing else, please note that us in the student committee are doing everything we can--however limited our resources and faculties may be."
As he walked out, Makoto passed by Aziz who was near the center of the memorial.
"Yo, King-wannabe..." Aziz called out to him.
"Eh? What is it?" Makoto paused for a while to talk. Aziz awkwardly walks up to him.
"Just want to say thanks. For that dedication speech." Aziz holds a hand out to him. "I'm sure Wakaba-san liked the way you put it."
"I don't think she would--I mean, it wasn't exactly my best work to date. All those words were barely enough to do a person like her justice." Makoto sighed as he recalls writing it down on the spot. Nonetheless, he still shook hands with Aziz.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it was enough. I for one can't write something like that for her." With a smile, Aziz parted ways, heading back to where Kujo and Nagisa were. "Looking back on it now, maybe I should've written a letter with that CD as well..."
As he reached the two, Aziz was finally calm and composed enough again. "Hey...do you mind if we stop by the pizza parlor for a while? My parents told me it's not a good thing to go home directly after coming from a vigil like this."
Hotaru nervously giggled as she saw that the returning regular, Genji, was seriously tapped for cash. Part of her wished she could get out of it, grab the other cash and help the others out- wait, that actually sounded like a really good idea. The bowls were basic enough of a price and Hotaru technically wasn't clocked out for the day so she could lend Genji and Kanade the assistance.
"Ah, Gecky-kun, Kanade-chan! I actually have a solution to our tapped out of cash problem!"
She grinned.
"I'm still not technically done with interior design as bowls count towards a theme of a room. Everything needs to have a proper place in terms of looks so while it sounds dumb now, the bowls are important not just for holding food but for adding the aesthetics to the room itself. Now, I'm done with designing the room itself but if it comes down to it, until the bowls are the same and add to the charm of the room, my work isn't done quite yet. So, please follow me!"
She walked over to Mitsuru's office, checking behind her every now and then to see if the two were following her. When she arrived, she knocked and waited for Mitsuru to open up the door.
Menou's face burned bright red at Asagi's innocent question before she cleared her throat.
"You really don't pull any punches..."
She took a deep breath and considered her options. By telling this man, she could be relieved of a bit of her stress and get it out there that she was bisexual. On the other hand, everyone could hear it and know that she was interested in both guys and girls. It wouldn't be a problem if she whispered it to him... unless he was the dramatic sorts who shouted interesting things. Still, she figured he at least deserved to know after all the kindness he showed her, so... Menou leaned into his ear.
"I do have a crush on someone in the dorm. You know Kanade Takamine? The girl who's rude but beautiful? I have a crush on her..."
She moved away to sit down and blushed.
"Keep it a secret though. I don't really want to approach them until I'm... a better person."
Truthfully, Menou thought she had no chance with anyone in terms of romance and the like. She barely felt she deserved friends, let alone a boyfriend or a girlfriend so she wasn't too confident in her chances.
"In any case... I don't really have too many juicy stories but I have seen my roommate and Madoka hold hands a couple of times. I don't know if they like each other in that way, though. But it's still some food for thought..."
She ate a bit of the ice cream and hummed.
"This ice cream is really good... Still, I heard of something interesting. Apparently there's ice cream somewhere in the world that costs around 1,000 dollars. One has to wonder how that tastes like."
She giggled a bit.
Akeno just stared at herself in the mirror as the man talked about the importance of image. As he did, she recalled her mother saying something to that effect as well. If you don't look appealing to men, you won't be able to gain their attraction and marry into their wealth. She hated her mother making her think in terms of the rich or the poor. Why can't Akeno just marry someone else for love? And why can't she just make a name for herself instead of being a trophy wife for some rich dude who would probably cheat on her in a few years anyway? Still...
"Yeah... I know the importance of image..."
She knew it all too well. Though, she did have to thank him for showing her what she could be like as a normal person. She liked the idea of it but knew it probably would never happen at the moment. As the man said that they should carry on, Akeno flashed him her genuine smile.
"Without paying for my new clothes first?"
She went back to the changing room to put on her regular clothes before paying for the new ones and keeping them in a plastic bag. She sighed in relief.
"Okay, now we can get going. The dorm shouldn't be too far from here. Ah, by the way, what's your name? You know my name but I don't really know yours..."
"Ah, Gecky-kun, Kanade-chan! I actually have a solution to our tapped out of cash problem!"
She grinned.
"I'm still not technically done with interior design as bowls count towards a theme of a room. Everything needs to have a proper place in terms of looks so while it sounds dumb now, the bowls are important not just for holding food but for adding the aesthetics to the room itself. Now, I'm done with designing the room itself but if it comes down to it, until the bowls are the same and add to the charm of the room, my work isn't done quite yet. So, please follow me!"
She walked over to Mitsuru's office, checking behind her every now and then to see if the two were following her. When she arrived, she knocked and waited for Mitsuru to open up the door.
Menou's face burned bright red at Asagi's innocent question before she cleared her throat.
"You really don't pull any punches..."
She took a deep breath and considered her options. By telling this man, she could be relieved of a bit of her stress and get it out there that she was bisexual. On the other hand, everyone could hear it and know that she was interested in both guys and girls. It wouldn't be a problem if she whispered it to him... unless he was the dramatic sorts who shouted interesting things. Still, she figured he at least deserved to know after all the kindness he showed her, so... Menou leaned into his ear.
"I do have a crush on someone in the dorm. You know Kanade Takamine? The girl who's rude but beautiful? I have a crush on her..."
She moved away to sit down and blushed.
"Keep it a secret though. I don't really want to approach them until I'm... a better person."
Truthfully, Menou thought she had no chance with anyone in terms of romance and the like. She barely felt she deserved friends, let alone a boyfriend or a girlfriend so she wasn't too confident in her chances.
"In any case... I don't really have too many juicy stories but I have seen my roommate and Madoka hold hands a couple of times. I don't know if they like each other in that way, though. But it's still some food for thought..."
She ate a bit of the ice cream and hummed.
"This ice cream is really good... Still, I heard of something interesting. Apparently there's ice cream somewhere in the world that costs around 1,000 dollars. One has to wonder how that tastes like."
She giggled a bit.
Akeno just stared at herself in the mirror as the man talked about the importance of image. As he did, she recalled her mother saying something to that effect as well. If you don't look appealing to men, you won't be able to gain their attraction and marry into their wealth. She hated her mother making her think in terms of the rich or the poor. Why can't Akeno just marry someone else for love? And why can't she just make a name for herself instead of being a trophy wife for some rich dude who would probably cheat on her in a few years anyway? Still...
"Yeah... I know the importance of image..."
She knew it all too well. Though, she did have to thank him for showing her what she could be like as a normal person. She liked the idea of it but knew it probably would never happen at the moment. As the man said that they should carry on, Akeno flashed him her genuine smile.
"Without paying for my new clothes first?"
She went back to the changing room to put on her regular clothes before paying for the new ones and keeping them in a plastic bag. She sighed in relief.
"Okay, now we can get going. The dorm shouldn't be too far from here. Ah, by the way, what's your name? You know my name but I don't really know yours..."
Almost right as Kanade made the call, Hotaru came up with another solution. Genji immediately looked over, his eyebrows raised and eyes glimmering with newfound hope.
"A solution? Let's hear it!"
As Hotaru explained though, she bade them follow her back to the dorm. As Genji listened, he tilted his head a little.
"So you want to mention that the bowls are a necessity to your design and ask for them?"
"Yeah, I think I'm gettin' it, but-- why the fuck are we here at the office?"
Kanade shrugged.
"Eh, I'm headin' to wait in the lobby. Just tell me if it works out."
"Honestly..."
Genji sighed as Kanade wandered off again, yawning. He tugged at his hat a little.
"That one's always wandering everywhere."
"Dammit! They gotta try harder!"
Kujo snarled a bit as he and Nagisa moved to the benches just next to one of the many vending machines on campus. He took a long swig from the drink in his hand.
"I guess..."
Nagisa frowned deeply. Makoto had a point. It happened on 14th, not in the school. It wasn't the Institute's fault...but shouldn't they be exercising more caution over their students or at the very least trying to help with the investigations? She felt her hand clench a bit into a fist.
"Fuck! Four or five deaths already without getting caught, plus they messed around with the Hounds. Who the fuck is this cowardly piece of shit? I'll beat 'im to a pulp!"
"You think the gangs are going to get involved?"
Kujo snorted a bit in reply.
"Fuck yeah they are. Westside isn't going to pass up a chance like that. Maybe that's why they've been so quiet recently. On the lookout for whoever the fuck's this guy."
He stood, cracking his knuckles.
"Maybe I should go have a talk with the Westside leader. If the gangs are all together, we can look into this without fearing the cops."
"You don't intend to--?"
"Fuck yeah I'm gonna try and dig into this, Makinami. You don't know the extend of the shady areas gangs can check out."
Kujo reached over and messed up Nagisa's hair, much to her chagrin as she tried smoothing the dark strands back down. He grinned.
"Now if you're gonna look into this yourself be my guest. If we're all together we can solve this!"
Just then they both noticed Aziz coming over. He seemed to be a little calmer than he was earlier, which Nagisa supposed was a good thing. He offered to go to the pizza parlor- maybe that was a form of comfort food?
"Hell yeah, bro. C'mon, Makinami, you coming?"
"I...yeah. Alright. Let's head out."
"A solution? Let's hear it!"
As Hotaru explained though, she bade them follow her back to the dorm. As Genji listened, he tilted his head a little.
"So you want to mention that the bowls are a necessity to your design and ask for them?"
"Yeah, I think I'm gettin' it, but-- why the fuck are we here at the office?"
Kanade shrugged.
"Eh, I'm headin' to wait in the lobby. Just tell me if it works out."
"Honestly..."
Genji sighed as Kanade wandered off again, yawning. He tugged at his hat a little.
"That one's always wandering everywhere."
"Dammit! They gotta try harder!"
Kujo snarled a bit as he and Nagisa moved to the benches just next to one of the many vending machines on campus. He took a long swig from the drink in his hand.
"I guess..."
Nagisa frowned deeply. Makoto had a point. It happened on 14th, not in the school. It wasn't the Institute's fault...but shouldn't they be exercising more caution over their students or at the very least trying to help with the investigations? She felt her hand clench a bit into a fist.
"Fuck! Four or five deaths already without getting caught, plus they messed around with the Hounds. Who the fuck is this cowardly piece of shit? I'll beat 'im to a pulp!"
"You think the gangs are going to get involved?"
Kujo snorted a bit in reply.
"Fuck yeah they are. Westside isn't going to pass up a chance like that. Maybe that's why they've been so quiet recently. On the lookout for whoever the fuck's this guy."
He stood, cracking his knuckles.
"Maybe I should go have a talk with the Westside leader. If the gangs are all together, we can look into this without fearing the cops."
"You don't intend to--?"
"Fuck yeah I'm gonna try and dig into this, Makinami. You don't know the extend of the shady areas gangs can check out."
Kujo reached over and messed up Nagisa's hair, much to her chagrin as she tried smoothing the dark strands back down. He grinned.
"Now if you're gonna look into this yourself be my guest. If we're all together we can solve this!"
Just then they both noticed Aziz coming over. He seemed to be a little calmer than he was earlier, which Nagisa supposed was a good thing. He offered to go to the pizza parlor- maybe that was a form of comfort food?
"Hell yeah, bro. C'mon, Makinami, you coming?"
"I...yeah. Alright. Let's head out."
"Yo! I heard from Kirika. You did a great job and for that, I give you my thanks. And of course--" Mitsuru answered the door and upon seeing Hotaru, he already expected what she could be there for. He hands over her compensation for the job which he kept in a brown envelope.
"Don't worry about the other guy. We'll talk things through with him. Go on and use it to have fun or something."
"Kanade-san huh? Haven't really talked to her much but I guess she seemed like an interesting sort huh?" Asagi was of course, surprised that Meno likes another girl like her. Then again, it wasn't because he found it unnatural but more of the fact that he found it difficult to tell at a quick glance. Of course, Menou informed him that she wasn't ready to confess just yet and about waiting to be a better person first. Asagi just smiled.
"Well of course not! You can't just walk up to a random stranger and tell them you love them and expect them to love you back right off the bat! Believe me, last time I did that I got hit squarely in the face like BAM!" Asagi made a slight punching gesture as he recalled that memory.
"I don't really think you can be "the perfect match" for anyone though. I mean, you know? The whole soulmates thing? You have to compliment each other, kind of like magnets. In a way, it's that imperfection which makes the love between couples so interesting! Of course, I can't say it's the same with everyone..." Asagi rambled on a bit before scooping up the last of his ice cream. Menou mentioned something about how some ice cream cost almost an arm and a leg in some places. Asagi laughed at the new information.
"Really? Hahaha!!! Well, I'm not that meticulous for iced treats but I suppose there's a reason why. Doesn't mean we have to agree with it though ahaha!!!" Asagi jokes around.
"Well, if you want to approach people; not just Kanade-san but people in general, you have to work on your social skills first. You don't have to be some cool cat in town to do that--look at me! I get by well just by being my usual silly self~" As he said that, Asagi happily waved to a young couple who passed by and waved back. "I suppose a little more confidence won't hurt though so tell me--!" Asagi leaned a little closer towards Menou, maintaining eye contact with her.
"What are you taking up right now? You're from St. Gabriel's right?"
As he was heading out, Akeno told him that she hadn't paid for the clothes yet so he paused to wait for her to finish the transaction first. She didn't wear the new set at once though, probably to avoid soiling them, Kazuya thought.
As expected, it needed Akeno to remind Kazuya that he hasn't even introduced himself properly. He scratches his head sheepishly while laughing at that realization. Should he had been around, Kazuya was sure his father would've given him a proper talk on introducing himself to others.
"My name's Kazuya. Tamashiro Kazuya but feel free to just call me Kazu. My last name's a little too long and my other nickname's a little too...eh..." Kazuya lets her use his usual nickname and he then followed her throughout the walk back, making lots of redundant small talk along the way.
As the two neared the dorm, Kazuya was able to make out a...rather conspicuous building looming ahead, along with a smaller building almost beside it nearing completion. Kazuya reckoned it must be the building his new employer was talking about.
"Whoah! So it really is close!" Kazuya gasped in amazement. He reckoned the walk back barely even took an hour. "Oh! And I guess that means this smaller place is the Black Rose huh? Come on!" Now it was Kazuya's turn to lead Akeno into the under construction establishment.
They passed by a couple of workers and electricians but it didn't seem like he knew any of them. With that, Kazuya thought it best to call out to his new employer.
"Oi!!! Anyone order anything?!" He called out. A little while later, some footsteps was heard from one room in the building.
"So you managed to find the bowls? You work faster than I--huh?" Expecting the weird lizard guy, Kirika was a little surprised to see Kazuya here so early.
"Yo! Found the place at last!" Kazuya greets her. Kirika merely gave her a good look over until her eyes fell on the girl beside him.
"You're not Cel." Though she shared the floor with the other girls, Kirika doesn't really see them often to engrave a name to associate with the faces she may have seen everyday.
"Nope. This is Akeno-chan! A student of Partisan Rose and my new friend!" Kazuya introduces her, placing both hands on Akeno's shoulders. "Cel-san was busy so I had to ask another dormer to accompany me in finding the place."
"Really now?" Kirika walked over to them, her eyes looking over at Akeno. "Just for this incident,I would like to apologize for any inconvenience he caused you."
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Akeno-chan said she had fun walking around with me. Right Akeno-chan?" Kazuya flashes Akeno his usual carefree grin. "Now then, what should I do today?"
Wordlessly, Kirika picks up a piece of bond paper containing printed words of some sort. Kazuya took it with one hand and read it. "This is...a menu?"
Kirika nodded. "Do you still recall how to make any of those?"
"Leave it to me!" Kazuya replied with much enthusiasm. "Just give me the right supplies and appliances and I'll whip it up in a heartbeat! Ah...but, your place doesn't look too hot for brewing right now though."
"I've left the brewing and mixing devices upstairs. We can still use the old Black Rose."
"Is that so? Well let's go then!" Kazuya urges the two ladies along though he was immediately stopped by Kirika tugging at his sleeve, her eyes still looking down on the floor. "Huh? What's wrong?"
"You haven't introduced me..." Kirika muttered softly it almost seemed like a whisper. "You haven't introduced me...to her."
"Ah! Right, right!" Again, the realization struck Kazuya and he immediately clears his throat as he stood between the two girls.
"Ahem! Kirika-san, this is Akeno-chan! My new friend from the same school." He introduced Akeno to Kirika first as he didn't really know much about her to properly do so yet.
"Akeno-chan, this is Kirika Katsuragi. She's an old friend of mine from when we were younger and from the way you see it now, my new employer. I hope you get along. Hm!" Taking both their hands, he clasped them together, nodding to himself in contentment. He was sure that if his father had been around, he would've surely been proud with how he introduced them.
"Thanks guys." Aziz thanks both as he let out a sigh. He turned to look at Nagisa with a weak smile. "Thanks Makinami. Don't worry, I'm buying." He placed a soft hand on her shoulder before leading the two out of the memorial hall.
Due to the recent incident encountered, the Kurogane Student Council was called in a meeting in order to talk about some possible countermeasures they can implement. Leading the discussions was a young woman with long black hair, gazing worriedly at the tabloid right in front of her.
"Murder on 14th Avenue. Wakaba-san makes what? The third victim now?" The girl asked around, heavy silence settling in the room.
"Fourth." Makoto corrected it.
"This is concerning." The girl rubbed her temples. "14th Avenue is way beyond our jurisdiction. At this point, I don't think the board can even do anything about it either."
"Seriously though, is it even our problem at this point? Why not just leave it to the law-enforcing body? Incompetent as they are, they should at least have found a lead by now." Another male piped up. Compared to the worried stances and expressions on the rest of the members, he seemed rather relaxed, propping his feet up on the table.
"Normally we would've written off Wakaba-san's death as just a stroke of bad luck and a coincidence." Makoto turned to face the man, their eyes meeting with each other's. "The problem is--almost everyone that was murdered in question here are all students of this institution."
"The Iron Killer. That's what people have been labeling him on the forums."
"Ugh...I don't really like reading on those forums." Seki Kirihara groaned. "The people there are quite nasty when it comes to their comments. Saying things like us Kurogane students deserve it and that the killer should chase after this student next..."
"They can only do that because they're anonymous online. Don't let it get to you too much, Seki-san." The other girl assures her before turning back to the others. "Going back on topic, I'm considering proposing the daylight savings time to the board again so the students can at least head home early."
"I don't think that can work though. Most students will probably just use it to go to malls or the arcade instead of heading straight home. Plus, it won't benefit the students who have evening classes." Makoto opposes the idea.
"Still, having at least a temporary countermeasure is better than not having anything right?" Seki tries to convince Makoto otherwise.
"No. People will just say we're only buying time. Not that our assessment matters at this point though. However, I just heard of talks about how the various gangs are all riled up since they knew some of the victims. We also need a means to address that."
"This situation got out of hand way too fast." The other girl sighed as she tried to think of something.
"If it even was within our hands to begin with. For one, even if we were to come up with an idea, do you think the board will just allow us to implement it? These folks are more concerned with their public image rather than the safety of their own students!" The relaxed man points out.
"Taichi-san, you aren't really helping!" Seki was quick to call him out.
"Like hell I do! Unlike some of you guys, I only won cause I'm popular. Hell do I know about implementing policies." With a grin, he turns to face the girl seated at the head of the table. "I'm merely the negotiator for your ideas and proposals. Isn't that right, President Kazenari?"
Kazenari merely ignored his remark and turned to Makoto. "You said the gangs are all up in arms over the incident. Would you happen to know anything about them Itsuna-kun?"
"I might. But what exactly are you planning Kazenari-san?"
Kazenari was able to let out a small, determined smile. "I may just have an idea."
"Don't worry about the other guy. We'll talk things through with him. Go on and use it to have fun or something."
"Kanade-san huh? Haven't really talked to her much but I guess she seemed like an interesting sort huh?" Asagi was of course, surprised that Meno likes another girl like her. Then again, it wasn't because he found it unnatural but more of the fact that he found it difficult to tell at a quick glance. Of course, Menou informed him that she wasn't ready to confess just yet and about waiting to be a better person first. Asagi just smiled.
"Well of course not! You can't just walk up to a random stranger and tell them you love them and expect them to love you back right off the bat! Believe me, last time I did that I got hit squarely in the face like BAM!" Asagi made a slight punching gesture as he recalled that memory.
"I don't really think you can be "the perfect match" for anyone though. I mean, you know? The whole soulmates thing? You have to compliment each other, kind of like magnets. In a way, it's that imperfection which makes the love between couples so interesting! Of course, I can't say it's the same with everyone..." Asagi rambled on a bit before scooping up the last of his ice cream. Menou mentioned something about how some ice cream cost almost an arm and a leg in some places. Asagi laughed at the new information.
"Really? Hahaha!!! Well, I'm not that meticulous for iced treats but I suppose there's a reason why. Doesn't mean we have to agree with it though ahaha!!!" Asagi jokes around.
"Well, if you want to approach people; not just Kanade-san but people in general, you have to work on your social skills first. You don't have to be some cool cat in town to do that--look at me! I get by well just by being my usual silly self~" As he said that, Asagi happily waved to a young couple who passed by and waved back. "I suppose a little more confidence won't hurt though so tell me--!" Asagi leaned a little closer towards Menou, maintaining eye contact with her.
"What are you taking up right now? You're from St. Gabriel's right?"
As he was heading out, Akeno told him that she hadn't paid for the clothes yet so he paused to wait for her to finish the transaction first. She didn't wear the new set at once though, probably to avoid soiling them, Kazuya thought.
As expected, it needed Akeno to remind Kazuya that he hasn't even introduced himself properly. He scratches his head sheepishly while laughing at that realization. Should he had been around, Kazuya was sure his father would've given him a proper talk on introducing himself to others.
"My name's Kazuya. Tamashiro Kazuya but feel free to just call me Kazu. My last name's a little too long and my other nickname's a little too...eh..." Kazuya lets her use his usual nickname and he then followed her throughout the walk back, making lots of redundant small talk along the way.
As the two neared the dorm, Kazuya was able to make out a...rather conspicuous building looming ahead, along with a smaller building almost beside it nearing completion. Kazuya reckoned it must be the building his new employer was talking about.
"Whoah! So it really is close!" Kazuya gasped in amazement. He reckoned the walk back barely even took an hour. "Oh! And I guess that means this smaller place is the Black Rose huh? Come on!" Now it was Kazuya's turn to lead Akeno into the under construction establishment.
They passed by a couple of workers and electricians but it didn't seem like he knew any of them. With that, Kazuya thought it best to call out to his new employer.
"Oi!!! Anyone order anything?!" He called out. A little while later, some footsteps was heard from one room in the building.
"So you managed to find the bowls? You work faster than I--huh?" Expecting the weird lizard guy, Kirika was a little surprised to see Kazuya here so early.
"Yo! Found the place at last!" Kazuya greets her. Kirika merely gave her a good look over until her eyes fell on the girl beside him.
"You're not Cel." Though she shared the floor with the other girls, Kirika doesn't really see them often to engrave a name to associate with the faces she may have seen everyday.
"Nope. This is Akeno-chan! A student of Partisan Rose and my new friend!" Kazuya introduces her, placing both hands on Akeno's shoulders. "Cel-san was busy so I had to ask another dormer to accompany me in finding the place."
"Really now?" Kirika walked over to them, her eyes looking over at Akeno. "Just for this incident,I would like to apologize for any inconvenience he caused you."
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Akeno-chan said she had fun walking around with me. Right Akeno-chan?" Kazuya flashes Akeno his usual carefree grin. "Now then, what should I do today?"
Wordlessly, Kirika picks up a piece of bond paper containing printed words of some sort. Kazuya took it with one hand and read it. "This is...a menu?"
Kirika nodded. "Do you still recall how to make any of those?"
"Leave it to me!" Kazuya replied with much enthusiasm. "Just give me the right supplies and appliances and I'll whip it up in a heartbeat! Ah...but, your place doesn't look too hot for brewing right now though."
"I've left the brewing and mixing devices upstairs. We can still use the old Black Rose."
"Is that so? Well let's go then!" Kazuya urges the two ladies along though he was immediately stopped by Kirika tugging at his sleeve, her eyes still looking down on the floor. "Huh? What's wrong?"
"You haven't introduced me..." Kirika muttered softly it almost seemed like a whisper. "You haven't introduced me...to her."
"Ah! Right, right!" Again, the realization struck Kazuya and he immediately clears his throat as he stood between the two girls.
"Ahem! Kirika-san, this is Akeno-chan! My new friend from the same school." He introduced Akeno to Kirika first as he didn't really know much about her to properly do so yet.
"Akeno-chan, this is Kirika Katsuragi. She's an old friend of mine from when we were younger and from the way you see it now, my new employer. I hope you get along. Hm!" Taking both their hands, he clasped them together, nodding to himself in contentment. He was sure that if his father had been around, he would've surely been proud with how he introduced them.
"Thanks guys." Aziz thanks both as he let out a sigh. He turned to look at Nagisa with a weak smile. "Thanks Makinami. Don't worry, I'm buying." He placed a soft hand on her shoulder before leading the two out of the memorial hall.
Due to the recent incident encountered, the Kurogane Student Council was called in a meeting in order to talk about some possible countermeasures they can implement. Leading the discussions was a young woman with long black hair, gazing worriedly at the tabloid right in front of her.
"Murder on 14th Avenue. Wakaba-san makes what? The third victim now?" The girl asked around, heavy silence settling in the room.
"Fourth." Makoto corrected it.
"This is concerning." The girl rubbed her temples. "14th Avenue is way beyond our jurisdiction. At this point, I don't think the board can even do anything about it either."
"Seriously though, is it even our problem at this point? Why not just leave it to the law-enforcing body? Incompetent as they are, they should at least have found a lead by now." Another male piped up. Compared to the worried stances and expressions on the rest of the members, he seemed rather relaxed, propping his feet up on the table.
"Normally we would've written off Wakaba-san's death as just a stroke of bad luck and a coincidence." Makoto turned to face the man, their eyes meeting with each other's. "The problem is--almost everyone that was murdered in question here are all students of this institution."
"The Iron Killer. That's what people have been labeling him on the forums."
"Ugh...I don't really like reading on those forums." Seki Kirihara groaned. "The people there are quite nasty when it comes to their comments. Saying things like us Kurogane students deserve it and that the killer should chase after this student next..."
"They can only do that because they're anonymous online. Don't let it get to you too much, Seki-san." The other girl assures her before turning back to the others. "Going back on topic, I'm considering proposing the daylight savings time to the board again so the students can at least head home early."
"I don't think that can work though. Most students will probably just use it to go to malls or the arcade instead of heading straight home. Plus, it won't benefit the students who have evening classes." Makoto opposes the idea.
"Still, having at least a temporary countermeasure is better than not having anything right?" Seki tries to convince Makoto otherwise.
"No. People will just say we're only buying time. Not that our assessment matters at this point though. However, I just heard of talks about how the various gangs are all riled up since they knew some of the victims. We also need a means to address that."
"This situation got out of hand way too fast." The other girl sighed as she tried to think of something.
"If it even was within our hands to begin with. For one, even if we were to come up with an idea, do you think the board will just allow us to implement it? These folks are more concerned with their public image rather than the safety of their own students!" The relaxed man points out.
"Taichi-san, you aren't really helping!" Seki was quick to call him out.
"Like hell I do! Unlike some of you guys, I only won cause I'm popular. Hell do I know about implementing policies." With a grin, he turns to face the girl seated at the head of the table. "I'm merely the negotiator for your ideas and proposals. Isn't that right, President Kazenari?"
Kazenari merely ignored his remark and turned to Makoto. "You said the gangs are all up in arms over the incident. Would you happen to know anything about them Itsuna-kun?"
"I might. But what exactly are you planning Kazenari-san?"
Kazenari was able to let out a small, determined smile. "I may just have an idea."
Hotaru smiled a little at the dorm owner.
"Alright, but Gecky-kun really needs help so please do whatever you can. Good luck, Gecky-kun~!"
While she said that, she slipped some of her money in his right pocket, away from Mitsuru's eyes before taking off with the rest of it. She knew Mitsuru told her to spend it for herself but she couldn't just do that without helping out someone who really needed the extra hand. Still, she walked downstairs to see Madoka coming home from his classes. Hotaru grinned.
"Hi, Madoka-kun! I got my first official job~"
Madoka raised an eyebrow as he saw the bubbly brunette jog to him.
"Job? What're you talking about? Don't you have a job?"
Hotaru smiled and laughed.
"I meant my first official job for my career~ I helped design Black Rose a bit!"
Madoka blinked before smirking a bit.
"Did you now. How do you know it was actually a job?"
Hotaru grinned happily before showing him the money she earned.
"Mitsuru-san paid me for my hard work. Wanna go out somewhere?"
Madoka stared at the girl for a bit before shrugging.
"Why not? I have nothing better to do."
Hotaru cheered happily as she led Madoka out. As they left the dorm, a man with dark blue hair walked in, listing to his music while his eyes were closed. Once he opened his eyes, he saw the dorm room greet him.
"This is Blue Lotus... Least that's what the directions should say."
The man just let out a heavy sigh as he stepped into the dorm, lazily glancing around until he found a couch. Immediately, he sat down on it to pass out for a while.
Menou was a bit startled when Asagi suddenly asked her what major she was in. She looked to the side, nervous.
"I... I kind of haven't decided that yet..."
She played with her hair a bit. There was absolutely no way that she was going to tell him that she hadn't decided because she might kill herself by her next birthday. So, what to say to lie to him...?
"My parents didn't really get me into a lot of stuff as a child so I never really got to experience that much. So, I don't really know what I want to do with my life once I get out of college."
It was for the most part the truth. Her parents never really showed her much in regards to the world as they found it full of sin and Menou ended up being corrupted by the sin. Still, what she hid was that she didn't know if she even wanted to live long enough to find out what to do with her life. Shaking it off, she smiled a bit at Asagi.
"What about you? What do you want to do?"
Akeno was very surprised at the turn of events. First, she managed to get Kazuya's name, or Kazu as he preferred to be called. Somehow, it fit him well. Second, she got some new information out of him. He's apparently going to work in the new Black Rose café in the dorm as part of the cooking and brewing. Would this mean that he was going to live here? Honestly, Akeno hoped so. It was genuinely nice to have someone she could be somewhat real around. Third, he called Akeno her friend...
"Friend... Heh... It's actually been quite a while since I heard someone actually call me that... I wonder if he'll stick around..."
Lastly, he introduced her to an old friend of his. She studied the other girl in front of her. Black hair, brown eyes, 5'4'', looked like she could be a model... In other words, she looked to be the exact opposite of Akeno herself. She felt out of place with her light blue hair, pink eyes, petite figure and doll-like appearance. If her mother wasn't so controlling, perhaps at one point she could have been beautiful like this woman. Alas, such was not the case. Yet, she didn't feel bitter about it. She briefly remembered what Kazuya said about images.
"If I had to guess, her image is that of a model. Still, she seems almost like a ghost in some regards. Regardless, she seems important to Kazu..."
She decided to try and be real around this girl too. She flashed the girl a weary but genuine smile.
"Hi... I'm Akeno Furuya, though I think Kazu already said that. Don't worry about my phone talking for me, it's a long and complicated story. In any case, I hope we can get along well... Kirika..."
She felt a small burden being somewhat lifted off of her shoulders as she acted as her natural self. Though she also felt a bit worried. She never normally acted like her usual self, always as the peppy and cutesy doll her mother forced her to become. What would happen if her mother saw her try on regular clothes and act like a normal person around other people? She decided that she would only do it in front of these two, just in case.
"Alright, but Gecky-kun really needs help so please do whatever you can. Good luck, Gecky-kun~!"
While she said that, she slipped some of her money in his right pocket, away from Mitsuru's eyes before taking off with the rest of it. She knew Mitsuru told her to spend it for herself but she couldn't just do that without helping out someone who really needed the extra hand. Still, she walked downstairs to see Madoka coming home from his classes. Hotaru grinned.
"Hi, Madoka-kun! I got my first official job~"
Madoka raised an eyebrow as he saw the bubbly brunette jog to him.
"Job? What're you talking about? Don't you have a job?"
Hotaru smiled and laughed.
"I meant my first official job for my career~ I helped design Black Rose a bit!"
Madoka blinked before smirking a bit.
"Did you now. How do you know it was actually a job?"
Hotaru grinned happily before showing him the money she earned.
"Mitsuru-san paid me for my hard work. Wanna go out somewhere?"
Madoka stared at the girl for a bit before shrugging.
"Why not? I have nothing better to do."
Hotaru cheered happily as she led Madoka out. As they left the dorm, a man with dark blue hair walked in, listing to his music while his eyes were closed. Once he opened his eyes, he saw the dorm room greet him.
"This is Blue Lotus... Least that's what the directions should say."
The man just let out a heavy sigh as he stepped into the dorm, lazily glancing around until he found a couch. Immediately, he sat down on it to pass out for a while.
Menou was a bit startled when Asagi suddenly asked her what major she was in. She looked to the side, nervous.
"I... I kind of haven't decided that yet..."
She played with her hair a bit. There was absolutely no way that she was going to tell him that she hadn't decided because she might kill herself by her next birthday. So, what to say to lie to him...?
"My parents didn't really get me into a lot of stuff as a child so I never really got to experience that much. So, I don't really know what I want to do with my life once I get out of college."
It was for the most part the truth. Her parents never really showed her much in regards to the world as they found it full of sin and Menou ended up being corrupted by the sin. Still, what she hid was that she didn't know if she even wanted to live long enough to find out what to do with her life. Shaking it off, she smiled a bit at Asagi.
"What about you? What do you want to do?"
Akeno was very surprised at the turn of events. First, she managed to get Kazuya's name, or Kazu as he preferred to be called. Somehow, it fit him well. Second, she got some new information out of him. He's apparently going to work in the new Black Rose café in the dorm as part of the cooking and brewing. Would this mean that he was going to live here? Honestly, Akeno hoped so. It was genuinely nice to have someone she could be somewhat real around. Third, he called Akeno her friend...
"Friend... Heh... It's actually been quite a while since I heard someone actually call me that... I wonder if he'll stick around..."
Lastly, he introduced her to an old friend of his. She studied the other girl in front of her. Black hair, brown eyes, 5'4'', looked like she could be a model... In other words, she looked to be the exact opposite of Akeno herself. She felt out of place with her light blue hair, pink eyes, petite figure and doll-like appearance. If her mother wasn't so controlling, perhaps at one point she could have been beautiful like this woman. Alas, such was not the case. Yet, she didn't feel bitter about it. She briefly remembered what Kazuya said about images.
"If I had to guess, her image is that of a model. Still, she seems almost like a ghost in some regards. Regardless, she seems important to Kazu..."
She decided to try and be real around this girl too. She flashed the girl a weary but genuine smile.
"Hi... I'm Akeno Furuya, though I think Kazu already said that. Don't worry about my phone talking for me, it's a long and complicated story. In any case, I hope we can get along well... Kirika..."
She felt a small burden being somewhat lifted off of her shoulders as she acted as her natural self. Though she also felt a bit worried. She never normally acted like her usual self, always as the peppy and cutesy doll her mother forced her to become. What would happen if her mother saw her try on regular clothes and act like a normal person around other people? She decided that she would only do it in front of these two, just in case.
"This is very much appreciated. Thank you."
Genji nodded his head in Hotaru's direction as she left, and walked back to the lobby where he saw Kanade eyeing another figure, seemingly asleep on the couch across from her. She glanced at him, eyebrows furrowed.
"What the fuck...?"
"I, uh...let's leave this to the reception people. Let's go, I got the money now."
"Thank fucking god," She groaned as she started to stand up. Genji sretched as they started back outside.
"Yeah, so you know the hobby shop that sponsored me? They're running a limited thing."
"Really now? Tell me about it."
As they arrived at the pizza parlor, Kujo managed to find a good spot for them and ordered. Though Nagisa wasn't a massive fan of his choice in it- she almost felt her arteries clogging just at the picture in the menu of what he ordered-, she wasn't going to complain now.
She glanced up as Kujo caught the look in her eye and laughed.
"Didn't know you were on a diet Makinami!"
"I'm not. I'm just...fascinated by the fact that that much meat can be on one pizza without giving the first person that tries it a heart attack."
Genji nodded his head in Hotaru's direction as she left, and walked back to the lobby where he saw Kanade eyeing another figure, seemingly asleep on the couch across from her. She glanced at him, eyebrows furrowed.
"What the fuck...?"
"I, uh...let's leave this to the reception people. Let's go, I got the money now."
"Thank fucking god," She groaned as she started to stand up. Genji sretched as they started back outside.
"Yeah, so you know the hobby shop that sponsored me? They're running a limited thing."
"Really now? Tell me about it."
As they arrived at the pizza parlor, Kujo managed to find a good spot for them and ordered. Though Nagisa wasn't a massive fan of his choice in it- she almost felt her arteries clogging just at the picture in the menu of what he ordered-, she wasn't going to complain now.
She glanced up as Kujo caught the look in her eye and laughed.
"Didn't know you were on a diet Makinami!"
"I'm not. I'm just...fascinated by the fact that that much meat can be on one pizza without giving the first person that tries it a heart attack."
"Eh? Don't you normally try to get into a course in order to get into a college first even if you're not decided yet?" Asagi found Menou's answer a little odd. Given that she is in the prestigious St. Gabriel's she surely has something in her to be able to get there. For a while, Asagi felt that he wasn't hearing the full story.
Menou recounted her experiences to Asagi, particularly with regards to her parents who she claimed didn't let her try most of the things she wanted to try. In a way, Asagi was able to draw parallels between him and the shy and meek Menou when it comes to their parents strictness. She asks Asagi what he wanted to do with life.
"Hmm? Well, I'm not going to say I'm 100% certain with the direction my life is taking per se. But, I'm doing fine." Asagi answered back with a smile. "I'm in Partisan Rose for fashion design while currently apprenticing for this fashion designer so she could enter some show, I guess? Having an apprentice is one of the requirements for it. I also get some projects and commissions from time to time, allowing me to earn my keep which is nice~"
Asagi gulps down a glass of water before carrying on. "For now, I'm working to earn a scholarship within school so I don't have to feel guilty for my dad who's handling some of my expenses." Asagi took a moment to give Menou a good look again.
"Hmm...just out of curiosity, would you mind telling me about your skills? Things you can do or can't do. You don't have to feel shy--think of it as career counseling."
Kirika found the fact that the girl Akeno spoke to her using a phone app a little odd. Was she mute or something? She didn't know. Having been acquainted already, Kazuya urges both girls onto the second floor, all the while whistling to himself happily.
As per Kirika's words, most of the equipment has been left there in the meantime and so has the remaining ingredients which were actually quite a lot considering rarely anyone stops by the place. Kirika sat across Akeno while Kazuya got to work on preparing some stuff.
"So...what do you ladies want?" Seemingly satisfied with himself, Kazuya turns to Akeno first, checking to see if she has anything specific in mind. "Do you have anything specific you want?"
Before the girl could answer though, Kirika immediately speaks up. "An iced latte, a dark mocha frappe and a cappuccino." Kirika practically orders for the three of them, surprising Kazuya.
"Umm...I wasn't talking to you though." Kazuya meekly informs her.
Kirika seemed taken aback for the moment though she quickly regained her composure. "I don't want you to mix up some stupid concoction again and make us sick." Kirika explained. "I'd rather you make your usual."
"I see but...did something like that happen?" Kazuya tried to recall such an incident while scratching his head.
"Middle school...3rd year...I vomited in the classroom..." Kirika digs out details to make him remember.
"Hmm...Oh, yeah--! Hey! I've improved a lot ever since you know?!" Kazuya vehemently protests against it.
"Then prove it to me. Make those three I asked and bring it here."
"Grr!!! Just you wait!" With that Kazuya walked off to the counter, muttering under his breath all the while. "And I really wanted to make the specials too..."
Kirika remained in silence while Kazuya mixed the drinks she asked him to. All the while she just stared at the motions of the man in the counter, keeping quiet even if Kazuya made a few small errors here and there. It was clear he hadn't flexed those muscles in a while. He was able to finish after around ten minutes though, serving all three to the ladies in front of him.
"Ta-da!!! Told you I still have it!" Kazuya proudly declares to the girls. Had his father been there, he was sure he would've been proud as well. Without delay, Kirika picks up the iced latte and raised the glass to her lips. "What do you think? Better than Spacebucks no?"
Kirika shot him a slight glare as she brought the glass down on the table. "It's too strong. I think you used too much coffee..."
"Hmph! Your tastes are just unusual!" Kazuya turns towards Akeno. "Because I'm sure Akeno-chan enjoyed my drinks yeah?" Kazuya asks her with a big smile. Kirika could only sigh.
"You never change..."
Seeing Kujo and Nagisa argue lifted Aziz's spirits a little. He could feel some of his energy coming back to him, knowing he was with the two. Taking a slice of the pizza, he immediately gobbled it down with almost no time to waste.
"Ah~ Now this is comfort food. Wakaba-san liked this flavor as well." Aziz then calls over their waiter to their table. "I'll have a chicken and mojo basket as well, thanks."
Aziz can finally joke around after that ordeal. "Nothing wrong with busting your diet every now and then Makinami-san! Hey, what do you say to ordering the triple chocolate smoothie and seeing who gets brain freeze first?"
Menou recounted her experiences to Asagi, particularly with regards to her parents who she claimed didn't let her try most of the things she wanted to try. In a way, Asagi was able to draw parallels between him and the shy and meek Menou when it comes to their parents strictness. She asks Asagi what he wanted to do with life.
"Hmm? Well, I'm not going to say I'm 100% certain with the direction my life is taking per se. But, I'm doing fine." Asagi answered back with a smile. "I'm in Partisan Rose for fashion design while currently apprenticing for this fashion designer so she could enter some show, I guess? Having an apprentice is one of the requirements for it. I also get some projects and commissions from time to time, allowing me to earn my keep which is nice~"
Asagi gulps down a glass of water before carrying on. "For now, I'm working to earn a scholarship within school so I don't have to feel guilty for my dad who's handling some of my expenses." Asagi took a moment to give Menou a good look again.
"Hmm...just out of curiosity, would you mind telling me about your skills? Things you can do or can't do. You don't have to feel shy--think of it as career counseling."
Kirika found the fact that the girl Akeno spoke to her using a phone app a little odd. Was she mute or something? She didn't know. Having been acquainted already, Kazuya urges both girls onto the second floor, all the while whistling to himself happily.
As per Kirika's words, most of the equipment has been left there in the meantime and so has the remaining ingredients which were actually quite a lot considering rarely anyone stops by the place. Kirika sat across Akeno while Kazuya got to work on preparing some stuff.
"So...what do you ladies want?" Seemingly satisfied with himself, Kazuya turns to Akeno first, checking to see if she has anything specific in mind. "Do you have anything specific you want?"
Before the girl could answer though, Kirika immediately speaks up. "An iced latte, a dark mocha frappe and a cappuccino." Kirika practically orders for the three of them, surprising Kazuya.
"Umm...I wasn't talking to you though." Kazuya meekly informs her.
Kirika seemed taken aback for the moment though she quickly regained her composure. "I don't want you to mix up some stupid concoction again and make us sick." Kirika explained. "I'd rather you make your usual."
"I see but...did something like that happen?" Kazuya tried to recall such an incident while scratching his head.
"Middle school...3rd year...I vomited in the classroom..." Kirika digs out details to make him remember.
"Hmm...Oh, yeah--! Hey! I've improved a lot ever since you know?!" Kazuya vehemently protests against it.
"Then prove it to me. Make those three I asked and bring it here."
"Grr!!! Just you wait!" With that Kazuya walked off to the counter, muttering under his breath all the while. "And I really wanted to make the specials too..."
Kirika remained in silence while Kazuya mixed the drinks she asked him to. All the while she just stared at the motions of the man in the counter, keeping quiet even if Kazuya made a few small errors here and there. It was clear he hadn't flexed those muscles in a while. He was able to finish after around ten minutes though, serving all three to the ladies in front of him.
"Ta-da!!! Told you I still have it!" Kazuya proudly declares to the girls. Had his father been there, he was sure he would've been proud as well. Without delay, Kirika picks up the iced latte and raised the glass to her lips. "What do you think? Better than Spacebucks no?"
Kirika shot him a slight glare as she brought the glass down on the table. "It's too strong. I think you used too much coffee..."
"Hmph! Your tastes are just unusual!" Kazuya turns towards Akeno. "Because I'm sure Akeno-chan enjoyed my drinks yeah?" Kazuya asks her with a big smile. Kirika could only sigh.
"You never change..."
Seeing Kujo and Nagisa argue lifted Aziz's spirits a little. He could feel some of his energy coming back to him, knowing he was with the two. Taking a slice of the pizza, he immediately gobbled it down with almost no time to waste.
"Ah~ Now this is comfort food. Wakaba-san liked this flavor as well." Aziz then calls over their waiter to their table. "I'll have a chicken and mojo basket as well, thanks."
Aziz can finally joke around after that ordeal. "Nothing wrong with busting your diet every now and then Makinami-san! Hey, what do you say to ordering the triple chocolate smoothie and seeing who gets brain freeze first?"
Menou played a bit with her hair as Asagi asked that question.
"I... I definitely like to play games... They're really fascinating and I think my favorites are RPGs. I also like to write small stories with other people on the internet, but..."
She looked to the side.
"I also really enjoy singing. I don't think I'm too good at it but it always helps me out when I need to calm down."
She sighed.
"That's about it as far as likes go. My dream was to become an idol or pop singer of some kind but there's absolutely no way I'd ever get in the industry..."
Tadakatsu woke up slowly after his quick nap on the couch. He stretched a bit and yawned. It was almost odd how despite him falling asleep, he still felt incredibly tired. Still, he supposed that was long enough and looked to try and find someone who was willing to show him to his dorm room when a man with light green hair showed up. He just stared at him as the man smiled.
"Hey~ Can I help you out?"
He rest against the door as Tadakatsu looked at him before shrugging.
"Can you tell me where room 502 is?"
The man was confused before getting it.
"Ah! You're a newcomer, huh? My name's Yoite Arakaki, glad to meet you~ Who might you be?"
Tadakatsu yawned a bit before answering.
"Tadakatsu Fukui."
Yoite grinned.
"Pleased to meet you, Tadakatsu. Right this way, I'll lead you there."
Tadakatsu just nodded as he followed the eccentric male.
Akeno just giggled a bit. Even if she was trying to be more real around them, she couldn't quite muster up her real laughter. She didn't really want to embarrass herself in front of them so she just took a sip from the mocha first. Her eyes widened slightly. The taste was a bit bitter, yet the chocolate was still there. She almost greedily gulped it down, coughing a bit and drinking some water after. She supposed she got a bit to excited but...
"Ah, sorry... I've only ever drank tea before so to taste coffee like this... I got really excited and couldn't stop drinking..."
She supposed her words were disjointed but she had to get across how delicious the drink was. After calming down, she drank the cappuccino next. Was that cinnamon...? She drank it a bit more slowly to try and savor the taste a bit more. The cinnamon tasting drink brought her to a warm and happy place as she continued to enjoy it. Once she was done, her tongue was burning itself alive in her mouth so she cooled it down by drinking the iced latte. It tasted bitter but also sweet. She didn't really like the last one all that much but continued to drink it anyway. When she finished, she happily smiled. Unlike the usual happy smiles, this one felt real and genuine to her.
"This tastes really delicious... Thank you, Kazuya..."
Still, she should at least explain why she enjoyed it so much.
"My mother doesn't really approve of coffee too much. She said it's awful tasting and tea is a more classy type of drink. I've always wanted to try coffee for myself but I never got the chance to. So... thank you for finally letting me try it, Kazu..."
"I... I definitely like to play games... They're really fascinating and I think my favorites are RPGs. I also like to write small stories with other people on the internet, but..."
She looked to the side.
"I also really enjoy singing. I don't think I'm too good at it but it always helps me out when I need to calm down."
She sighed.
"That's about it as far as likes go. My dream was to become an idol or pop singer of some kind but there's absolutely no way I'd ever get in the industry..."
Tadakatsu woke up slowly after his quick nap on the couch. He stretched a bit and yawned. It was almost odd how despite him falling asleep, he still felt incredibly tired. Still, he supposed that was long enough and looked to try and find someone who was willing to show him to his dorm room when a man with light green hair showed up. He just stared at him as the man smiled.
"Hey~ Can I help you out?"
He rest against the door as Tadakatsu looked at him before shrugging.
"Can you tell me where room 502 is?"
The man was confused before getting it.
"Ah! You're a newcomer, huh? My name's Yoite Arakaki, glad to meet you~ Who might you be?"
Tadakatsu yawned a bit before answering.
"Tadakatsu Fukui."
Yoite grinned.
"Pleased to meet you, Tadakatsu. Right this way, I'll lead you there."
Tadakatsu just nodded as he followed the eccentric male.
Akeno just giggled a bit. Even if she was trying to be more real around them, she couldn't quite muster up her real laughter. She didn't really want to embarrass herself in front of them so she just took a sip from the mocha first. Her eyes widened slightly. The taste was a bit bitter, yet the chocolate was still there. She almost greedily gulped it down, coughing a bit and drinking some water after. She supposed she got a bit to excited but...
"Ah, sorry... I've only ever drank tea before so to taste coffee like this... I got really excited and couldn't stop drinking..."
She supposed her words were disjointed but she had to get across how delicious the drink was. After calming down, she drank the cappuccino next. Was that cinnamon...? She drank it a bit more slowly to try and savor the taste a bit more. The cinnamon tasting drink brought her to a warm and happy place as she continued to enjoy it. Once she was done, her tongue was burning itself alive in her mouth so she cooled it down by drinking the iced latte. It tasted bitter but also sweet. She didn't really like the last one all that much but continued to drink it anyway. When she finished, she happily smiled. Unlike the usual happy smiles, this one felt real and genuine to her.
"This tastes really delicious... Thank you, Kazuya..."
Still, she should at least explain why she enjoyed it so much.
"My mother doesn't really approve of coffee too much. She said it's awful tasting and tea is a more classy type of drink. I've always wanted to try coffee for myself but I never got the chance to. So... thank you for finally letting me try it, Kazu..."
"Funny how you asked Emirsdottir for help on carrying bowls and she helped you with money instead...but now we've got 16 bowls."
Genji hummed as he and Kanade made their way back, bowls in hand. Still carrying 8 each, he made sure to keep them secure. Kanade on the other hand seemed tireless, still walking with a brisk pace while he was left to wonder how she hadn't shattered anything yet.
"Come on now. It's just a little ahead."
"Great, cause I'm hitting the Wac and freezing my brain after all of this. You down for the Lounge tonight?"
The masked man shook his head a bit, unable to make his usual hand gestures.
"I'll have to pass. I still need the remaining money, plus I need to get my stuff sorted out in my room. Are you heading there though?"
"Yeah, unless anything important comes up. I need a damn drink after all this shit. Akame's not gonna be there since--"
She cut herself off, shaking her head. Genji glanced over in concern.
"Eh, school reasons. The others can fill you in."
"Oh, looks like we're here."
As they reached the cafe, Genji poked his head in, seeing two more unfamiliar figures. He called out.
"Excuse me? We have the bowls here."
"Hell yeah, let's do it!"
Kujo laughed through bites of his own slice. Nagisa absentmindedly bit at hers, glancing over at the two.
"You'd think they'd know that I have a bad habit of getting brain freeze through convenience store slushies..."
"If there's one thing I'm good at, it's keeping a hot head! Prepare to get owned!"
Kujo boasted, grinning and laughing all the while.
Genji hummed as he and Kanade made their way back, bowls in hand. Still carrying 8 each, he made sure to keep them secure. Kanade on the other hand seemed tireless, still walking with a brisk pace while he was left to wonder how she hadn't shattered anything yet.
"Come on now. It's just a little ahead."
"Great, cause I'm hitting the Wac and freezing my brain after all of this. You down for the Lounge tonight?"
The masked man shook his head a bit, unable to make his usual hand gestures.
"I'll have to pass. I still need the remaining money, plus I need to get my stuff sorted out in my room. Are you heading there though?"
"Yeah, unless anything important comes up. I need a damn drink after all this shit. Akame's not gonna be there since--"
She cut herself off, shaking her head. Genji glanced over in concern.
"Eh, school reasons. The others can fill you in."
"Oh, looks like we're here."
As they reached the cafe, Genji poked his head in, seeing two more unfamiliar figures. He called out.
"Excuse me? We have the bowls here."
"Hell yeah, let's do it!"
Kujo laughed through bites of his own slice. Nagisa absentmindedly bit at hers, glancing over at the two.
"You'd think they'd know that I have a bad habit of getting brain freeze through convenience store slushies..."
"If there's one thing I'm good at, it's keeping a hot head! Prepare to get owned!"
Kujo boasted, grinning and laughing all the while.
"That's backwards thinking." Asagi replied as he listened to Menou talk about her personal skills which he asked about. "So...you're a singer, writer and gamer huh?" Asagi pondered over those words for a little while, still rooted in his seat.
"Well...I'm not gonna deny it is hard to break into the industry. The risk is quite high." Asagi explained. "Even if you do make it in, you'll also have to sustain yourself and in our times, that means dishing out records. Lots of it. Of course, I'm not saying you can't--quite the opposite in fact. I'm sure you can make it there and I truly believe that. However, I don't think now is the time for it yet. It's--how do I put this? It's like you're already standing in front of that door but your hands do not have the strength to open it. Do you follow?"
Asagi pauses to look at Menou straight in the eye. "You need time and experience. No one becomes a genius overnight. When you reach the age where your parents cut off your funds completely--well...maybe you'll go a little hungry which actually might be a good experience for an artist like yourself. However, you don't want to stay hungry do you?"
Asagi buckles down to get to his point. "I'm thinking...why don't you come work with me a bit? Not for me but with me. I don't like subordinate-superior relationships. My workload may pile up starting next week so we can probably start there. I'm not...going to guarantee that I can pay you much but the job isn't that difficult and you can still practice singing and writing if you have the time. Who knows? Maybe you'll even end up with a little extra on the side? At any rate, it's still much better than just sitting around forever don't you think?"
Asagi presents his offer with a wink.
"Tea is just plain old leaf water that those hard nosed elites branded with the label of "class". Don't mind them." Kazuya proudly "corrects Akeno's perception of tea" with a satisfied nod. Kirika sighs.
"Considering the fact that only the dark mocha passed my standards, you sure are confident about yourself. A little too much so."
"Call it taking pride in one's craft! But umm...you have to admit I'm not rusty at all right?"
"Well...I guess you aren't that rusty..." Kirika sighs again.
"That's good to hear!" For a while, Kazuya pondered over the two girls' assessment of the drinks he made. As he was pondering over it, Kirika's attention turned to the lizard-looking guy she asked to look for bowls earlier. It seems he had done his task quite well. In record time too.
"Thank you. I'll drop by your room later for your compensation. What unit did you say you were staying at again?"
"Oh! Didn't know you got a couple more hands." Kazuya waves to the other guy. "Yo! I'm Kazuya Tamashiro! Looking forward to working with you coworker!"
"He's just a temp though. At least until the shop officially opens. Kirika corrects his assumption.
"In that case, hi! My name is Kazuya Tamashiro. Looking forward to working with your for the duration of the week!" Instead of just leaving it at that, Kazuya actually went the additional length of re-introducing himself. "How's that?!" He asks Kirika. Kirika just grumbled a little.
As Kirika talked to the man, Kazuya sat down beside Akeno, opting to hear her thoughts out on the matter first. "The dark mocha seemed perfect, based from what you and Kirika-san said. The cappuccino may need a bit more practice. As for the latte...well, individual tastes vary so maybe it's better if we serve the milk and coffee separately? That way they can add more or less depending on their taste."
Kazuya looked rather proud of himself for coming up with that suggestion. If his father was around, he was sure he'd find that idea novel too.
"Urghh...did I ever tell you guys I can't handle cold drinks...?" Aziz practically had his head down on the table after trying to gulp down an entire mason jar of chocolate shake in one go. He of course, was unable to hold it still for long and barely even managed to gulp down half.
"Don't really know how you guys do it but...you win...I'm out..."
"Well...I'm not gonna deny it is hard to break into the industry. The risk is quite high." Asagi explained. "Even if you do make it in, you'll also have to sustain yourself and in our times, that means dishing out records. Lots of it. Of course, I'm not saying you can't--quite the opposite in fact. I'm sure you can make it there and I truly believe that. However, I don't think now is the time for it yet. It's--how do I put this? It's like you're already standing in front of that door but your hands do not have the strength to open it. Do you follow?"
Asagi pauses to look at Menou straight in the eye. "You need time and experience. No one becomes a genius overnight. When you reach the age where your parents cut off your funds completely--well...maybe you'll go a little hungry which actually might be a good experience for an artist like yourself. However, you don't want to stay hungry do you?"
Asagi buckles down to get to his point. "I'm thinking...why don't you come work with me a bit? Not for me but with me. I don't like subordinate-superior relationships. My workload may pile up starting next week so we can probably start there. I'm not...going to guarantee that I can pay you much but the job isn't that difficult and you can still practice singing and writing if you have the time. Who knows? Maybe you'll even end up with a little extra on the side? At any rate, it's still much better than just sitting around forever don't you think?"
Asagi presents his offer with a wink.
"Tea is just plain old leaf water that those hard nosed elites branded with the label of "class". Don't mind them." Kazuya proudly "corrects Akeno's perception of tea" with a satisfied nod. Kirika sighs.
"Considering the fact that only the dark mocha passed my standards, you sure are confident about yourself. A little too much so."
"Call it taking pride in one's craft! But umm...you have to admit I'm not rusty at all right?"
"Well...I guess you aren't that rusty..." Kirika sighs again.
"That's good to hear!" For a while, Kazuya pondered over the two girls' assessment of the drinks he made. As he was pondering over it, Kirika's attention turned to the lizard-looking guy she asked to look for bowls earlier. It seems he had done his task quite well. In record time too.
"Thank you. I'll drop by your room later for your compensation. What unit did you say you were staying at again?"
"Oh! Didn't know you got a couple more hands." Kazuya waves to the other guy. "Yo! I'm Kazuya Tamashiro! Looking forward to working with you coworker!"
"He's just a temp though. At least until the shop officially opens. Kirika corrects his assumption.
"In that case, hi! My name is Kazuya Tamashiro. Looking forward to working with your for the duration of the week!" Instead of just leaving it at that, Kazuya actually went the additional length of re-introducing himself. "How's that?!" He asks Kirika. Kirika just grumbled a little.
As Kirika talked to the man, Kazuya sat down beside Akeno, opting to hear her thoughts out on the matter first. "The dark mocha seemed perfect, based from what you and Kirika-san said. The cappuccino may need a bit more practice. As for the latte...well, individual tastes vary so maybe it's better if we serve the milk and coffee separately? That way they can add more or less depending on their taste."
Kazuya looked rather proud of himself for coming up with that suggestion. If his father was around, he was sure he'd find that idea novel too.
"Urghh...did I ever tell you guys I can't handle cold drinks...?" Aziz practically had his head down on the table after trying to gulp down an entire mason jar of chocolate shake in one go. He of course, was unable to hold it still for long and barely even managed to gulp down half.
"Don't really know how you guys do it but...you win...I'm out..."
Menou was silent as she considered her answer. On one hand, Asagi seemed incredibly friendly. She could work alongside him, get to know him a bit, become his friend and perhaps get some cash. On the other hand, it meant she had to step outside her room a lot to get to and from work. But, in a way, he was right. Menou couldn't function as someone who shuts herself in. She closed her eyes a bit in thought.
"If I do this... Perhaps I could absolve myself of some form of sin...?"
Menou opened her eyes and nodded a bit.
"I'll do it. I'll work with you."
Menou smiled as she said that, feeling somewhat proud of that accomplishment.
"Maybe I can get inspired by his work on future costumes... Hehe~"
Akeno felt her cheeks heat up a bit. He was sitting pretty close to Akeno and she wasn't quite sure how to make of the situation. She just prayed that he was the oblivious type and didn't notice her slight embarrassment. Still, she tried to rationalize it in her mind.
"Calm down, Akeno. Sure, a guy's sitting next to you for the first time in... a while, but it's not that serious. Friends sit next to each other all the time and he's just being really friendly. It's not that big of a deal."
She took a deep breath and calmed herself down, blush going away instantly. She looked over at Kazuya and hummed before typing out her response.
"Well, keep in mind that I only tried this coffee recently and don't really have a coffee expert's taste buds. For the dark mocha, I really loved it. It was really tasty and I could taste the chocolate and the coffee to create a really good flavor. The cappuccino is something else I enjoyed. I could taste some cinnamon in there and since cinnamon is my favorite type of flavor, I enjoyed it. Though, it's just my opinion so take it with some salt."
She took a small break to drink some water. Her tongue was still a bit burnt from gulping down the mocha so quickly.
"I think the latte is the one that needs some work. I like your idea on having milk and coffee as separate. Maybe you should add a variety of flavors of milk to try and come up with new combinations? I don't know if it would work, but it's worth a shot to at least try it. Maybe some strawberry milk and coffee together would come up with a good taste?"
She giggled a bit before coughing. She soon saw the familiar blue haired man enter the café along with her other friend, Yoite. Her eyes widened a bit as she saw him.
"K-Katsu..."
She coughed a bit after saying his name but Tadakatsu didn't seem to notice or at the very least, tried to ignore her presence. Yoite smiled and waved.
"Hey, Kirika-chan! I need a bit of help. Tadakatsu-kun here just moved in to the dorm and he needs a little help getting his bearings with the paperwork and what not. Mind giving him a hand when you're done?"
Yoite then noticed the familiar long haired male and smiled widely, hugging him.
"Gecky, welcome back!"
He let go to grin at him.
"So, how were your travels? Meet any new friends? I'll be sure to introduce you to all the newcomers as soon as I get Tadakatsu settled in."
Tadakatsu didn't focus on what Yoite was saying and looked around before finally seeing Akeno for the first time. His eyes widened slightly as he saw her for the first time. Akeno offered him a weak smile before Tadakatsu turned away to look at something else. Akeno felt her heart break all over again.
"Ah... I made him angry... It's been too long and I made my cousin angry... Heh... Why do I always ruin things...?"
Inside the sleepy man's head was an entirely different thought process.
"... I never thought I'd see Akeno again... So, he didn't kill her. That's good to know... Still, I can't just approach her... Ah, this is annoying... I need rest..."
Tadakatsu just yawned as Akeno looked down at the table, upset again.
"If I do this... Perhaps I could absolve myself of some form of sin...?"
Menou opened her eyes and nodded a bit.
"I'll do it. I'll work with you."
Menou smiled as she said that, feeling somewhat proud of that accomplishment.
"Maybe I can get inspired by his work on future costumes... Hehe~"
Akeno felt her cheeks heat up a bit. He was sitting pretty close to Akeno and she wasn't quite sure how to make of the situation. She just prayed that he was the oblivious type and didn't notice her slight embarrassment. Still, she tried to rationalize it in her mind.
"Calm down, Akeno. Sure, a guy's sitting next to you for the first time in... a while, but it's not that serious. Friends sit next to each other all the time and he's just being really friendly. It's not that big of a deal."
She took a deep breath and calmed herself down, blush going away instantly. She looked over at Kazuya and hummed before typing out her response.
"Well, keep in mind that I only tried this coffee recently and don't really have a coffee expert's taste buds. For the dark mocha, I really loved it. It was really tasty and I could taste the chocolate and the coffee to create a really good flavor. The cappuccino is something else I enjoyed. I could taste some cinnamon in there and since cinnamon is my favorite type of flavor, I enjoyed it. Though, it's just my opinion so take it with some salt."
She took a small break to drink some water. Her tongue was still a bit burnt from gulping down the mocha so quickly.
"I think the latte is the one that needs some work. I like your idea on having milk and coffee as separate. Maybe you should add a variety of flavors of milk to try and come up with new combinations? I don't know if it would work, but it's worth a shot to at least try it. Maybe some strawberry milk and coffee together would come up with a good taste?"
She giggled a bit before coughing. She soon saw the familiar blue haired man enter the café along with her other friend, Yoite. Her eyes widened a bit as she saw him.
"K-Katsu..."
She coughed a bit after saying his name but Tadakatsu didn't seem to notice or at the very least, tried to ignore her presence. Yoite smiled and waved.
"Hey, Kirika-chan! I need a bit of help. Tadakatsu-kun here just moved in to the dorm and he needs a little help getting his bearings with the paperwork and what not. Mind giving him a hand when you're done?"
Yoite then noticed the familiar long haired male and smiled widely, hugging him.
"Gecky, welcome back!"
He let go to grin at him.
"So, how were your travels? Meet any new friends? I'll be sure to introduce you to all the newcomers as soon as I get Tadakatsu settled in."
Tadakatsu didn't focus on what Yoite was saying and looked around before finally seeing Akeno for the first time. His eyes widened slightly as he saw her for the first time. Akeno offered him a weak smile before Tadakatsu turned away to look at something else. Akeno felt her heart break all over again.
"Ah... I made him angry... It's been too long and I made my cousin angry... Heh... Why do I always ruin things...?"
Inside the sleepy man's head was an entirely different thought process.
"... I never thought I'd see Akeno again... So, he didn't kill her. That's good to know... Still, I can't just approach her... Ah, this is annoying... I need rest..."
Tadakatsu just yawned as Akeno looked down at the table, upset again.
"Genji Yukitora. Pleased to meet you."
He nodded a bit in the brown-haired male's direction before looking back at Kirika as he put down the bowls, Kanade quickly doing the same before seemingly moving back outside.
"I live in 510. And uh, if you ever need any more help, you can feel free to ask me again."
A little while after their talk, Genji spotted his roommate along with a blue-haired man coming in. It was a newcomer- but he focused his attention on the green-haired man now approaching him. He patted the other man's back a little, chuckling.
"Yeah, it's good to be back. It's been a rather...weird, journey if I should say so myself."
He glanced over at the other man that Yoite came in with.
"On the newcomer...you could also ask Ritsuka-san at the reception desk, right? In any case, Kanade here was gonna help me out on finding out about the newcomers but I could always appreciate a little more help."
"Ehh?! You don't think my help alone's gonna work?!"
"Yeah, I think I'm out for this round too..."
Kujo, who had just been as reckless groaned, rubbing his head. Nagisa managed to down half before she set down the mason jar, wincing briefly.
"It's only slightly more potent than a convenience store slushie..."
"So that's how you got immune?"
He nodded a bit in the brown-haired male's direction before looking back at Kirika as he put down the bowls, Kanade quickly doing the same before seemingly moving back outside.
"I live in 510. And uh, if you ever need any more help, you can feel free to ask me again."
A little while after their talk, Genji spotted his roommate along with a blue-haired man coming in. It was a newcomer- but he focused his attention on the green-haired man now approaching him. He patted the other man's back a little, chuckling.
"Yeah, it's good to be back. It's been a rather...weird, journey if I should say so myself."
He glanced over at the other man that Yoite came in with.
"On the newcomer...you could also ask Ritsuka-san at the reception desk, right? In any case, Kanade here was gonna help me out on finding out about the newcomers but I could always appreciate a little more help."
"Ehh?! You don't think my help alone's gonna work?!"
"Yeah, I think I'm out for this round too..."
Kujo, who had just been as reckless groaned, rubbing his head. Nagisa managed to down half before she set down the mason jar, wincing briefly.
"It's only slightly more potent than a convenience store slushie..."
"So that's how you got immune?"
"R-really? I didn't know that..." Aziz was able to stand up after resting for a bit. "For all we know, you really might be an assassin." Aziz teases her lightly before standing up to pay for the bill. Returing to the table, he urged the others.
"Shall we go? We can just brown bag the rest." Aziz asks. "It is getting dangerous walking around at night..."
Following Genji's wake, Yoite arrived shortly with an unfamiliar looking person, possibly needing help navigating the rooms. Kirika gave him a good look-over. She did hear of a newcomer from her brother but she didn't really expect him to arrive today.
"It's my brother you should be asking about this..." Kirika sighed as she stood up. It was then she noticed Akeno giving the newcomer a look--and even muttered his name. For what she can gather, they seem to know each other...sort of.
"I guess I can sort the paperwork with Ritsuka. Furuya-kun, you two seem acquianted so, can you help him get around?" Kirika asks Akeno before turning to Kazuya. "You. You help carry stuff."
"Eh? Well, I guess it's not that hard..."
"We'll continue this tomorrow. Can you drop by the shop a little earlier than usual, say around 6 or 6:30?" Kirika asks Genji before disappearing downstairs. "I'll be waiting."
With Kirika gone, Kazuya gathers up all the glasses and dumps them in the sink. "Well, I guess that's the end of my shift for now!" Kazuya then turns to Akeno and the newcomer. "Let's do it Akeno-chan! Let's show the newcomer the whole floor--! Except I don't really know the whole floor so you'll have to help me navigate again. Outsourcing, I think it's called. Yep. Outsourcing."
Kazuya crosses his arms and nods in satisfaction. Though his father may feel bad about him being bad with directions, he was sure he'll be impressed with how he managed to remember the "outsourcing" word.
Asagi smiled when he heard Menou accept the offer. "Good to hear. Don't fret too much about it--we'll get along fine, I promise." Seeing the clouds turning dim, he decides it was time to head back.
"We should probably head back before traffic sets in. We start next week so you can take it easy for now. If possible though, I would like you to practice a bit of sewing from time to time. Only if you feel like it though. No need to force yourself. Well, looking forward to working with you, Koizumi-san~"
"Impossible...That's just too impossible..." With the meeting concluded, everyone was dismissed for the day. Makoto spent some time pondering over what was just discussed in the room while washing his face in the boy's restroom. No matter how you look at it, what President Kazenari suggested seemed highly implausible.
"May I have a word?" Kazenari asked while she waited outside. Their school is structured so that the boy's and girl's restrooms are on the same hallway.
"It's impossible..." Makoto repeated again. Kazenari stood up straight and stared at him straight in the eye.
"I understand you had your own misgivings towards the plan but, this is the only solution I can think of. Please try to understand." Kazenari explains. "I may require your help in the coming days. Can you keep your calendar open for me, Itsuna-kun?"
"Probably. I should be free for a couple more days."
"That's good enough." Though his answer was vague and a bit undecided, Kazenari seemed to have found it satisfactory. "See you tomorrow then, Itsuna-kun."
Outside, the sky has turned a lot darker. Still, Makoto felt some urge to waste some time in Emerald Gardens for a bit. Counter-productive to what was talked about earlier, he wasn't going to let some serial killer affect the pace of his life. Still, it'd mean heading home a lot later than normal and with the new rules on curfew, talking things over with Nagao or Cel may get a bit more complicated. As an insurance, he took out his phone and dialed a number he rarely called.
"Yes? I've got my hands full right now just so you know." Sora Kyosuke answers from the other end.
"Right, I'll get straight to the point. Can I head home with you later? Need some help with staying past curfew."
"Listen...I already got into trouble last time I went with Akeno--"
"I've got an alibi though. Don't worry, it'll work out fine. Besides, it's only in the event we both aren't able to head back before curfew." Fortunately, Makoto seemed to have this all planned out. From the other end, he heard a soft sigh.
"If you're sure...Anyway I got to go. Just drop by Lou's later." Without even saying goodbye, Sora puts down the phone.
"Now then--" Makoto puts away his phone and heads to the bus taking him to Emerald Gardens. "This shouldn't take long."
"Shall we go? We can just brown bag the rest." Aziz asks. "It is getting dangerous walking around at night..."
Following Genji's wake, Yoite arrived shortly with an unfamiliar looking person, possibly needing help navigating the rooms. Kirika gave him a good look-over. She did hear of a newcomer from her brother but she didn't really expect him to arrive today.
"It's my brother you should be asking about this..." Kirika sighed as she stood up. It was then she noticed Akeno giving the newcomer a look--and even muttered his name. For what she can gather, they seem to know each other...sort of.
"I guess I can sort the paperwork with Ritsuka. Furuya-kun, you two seem acquianted so, can you help him get around?" Kirika asks Akeno before turning to Kazuya. "You. You help carry stuff."
"Eh? Well, I guess it's not that hard..."
"We'll continue this tomorrow. Can you drop by the shop a little earlier than usual, say around 6 or 6:30?" Kirika asks Genji before disappearing downstairs. "I'll be waiting."
With Kirika gone, Kazuya gathers up all the glasses and dumps them in the sink. "Well, I guess that's the end of my shift for now!" Kazuya then turns to Akeno and the newcomer. "Let's do it Akeno-chan! Let's show the newcomer the whole floor--! Except I don't really know the whole floor so you'll have to help me navigate again. Outsourcing, I think it's called. Yep. Outsourcing."
Kazuya crosses his arms and nods in satisfaction. Though his father may feel bad about him being bad with directions, he was sure he'll be impressed with how he managed to remember the "outsourcing" word.
Asagi smiled when he heard Menou accept the offer. "Good to hear. Don't fret too much about it--we'll get along fine, I promise." Seeing the clouds turning dim, he decides it was time to head back.
"We should probably head back before traffic sets in. We start next week so you can take it easy for now. If possible though, I would like you to practice a bit of sewing from time to time. Only if you feel like it though. No need to force yourself. Well, looking forward to working with you, Koizumi-san~"
"Impossible...That's just too impossible..." With the meeting concluded, everyone was dismissed for the day. Makoto spent some time pondering over what was just discussed in the room while washing his face in the boy's restroom. No matter how you look at it, what President Kazenari suggested seemed highly implausible.
"May I have a word?" Kazenari asked while she waited outside. Their school is structured so that the boy's and girl's restrooms are on the same hallway.
"It's impossible..." Makoto repeated again. Kazenari stood up straight and stared at him straight in the eye.
"I understand you had your own misgivings towards the plan but, this is the only solution I can think of. Please try to understand." Kazenari explains. "I may require your help in the coming days. Can you keep your calendar open for me, Itsuna-kun?"
"Probably. I should be free for a couple more days."
"That's good enough." Though his answer was vague and a bit undecided, Kazenari seemed to have found it satisfactory. "See you tomorrow then, Itsuna-kun."
Outside, the sky has turned a lot darker. Still, Makoto felt some urge to waste some time in Emerald Gardens for a bit. Counter-productive to what was talked about earlier, he wasn't going to let some serial killer affect the pace of his life. Still, it'd mean heading home a lot later than normal and with the new rules on curfew, talking things over with Nagao or Cel may get a bit more complicated. As an insurance, he took out his phone and dialed a number he rarely called.
"Yes? I've got my hands full right now just so you know." Sora Kyosuke answers from the other end.
"Right, I'll get straight to the point. Can I head home with you later? Need some help with staying past curfew."
"Listen...I already got into trouble last time I went with Akeno--"
"I've got an alibi though. Don't worry, it'll work out fine. Besides, it's only in the event we both aren't able to head back before curfew." Fortunately, Makoto seemed to have this all planned out. From the other end, he heard a soft sigh.
"If you're sure...Anyway I got to go. Just drop by Lou's later." Without even saying goodbye, Sora puts down the phone.
"Now then--" Makoto puts away his phone and heads to the bus taking him to Emerald Gardens. "This shouldn't take long."
Yoite just grinned as he led Genji back to their old room.
"Gonna be honest, Gecky, it was a bit lonely here without you. Managed to get some paintings done but it's not the same without you here to interpret the meaning behind them and what not."
He hummed a bit as he sat down on his bed.
"Come on, man, you have to tell me everything. What was like during your travels?"
Part of him wished he could have accompanied Genji on his travels but at the very least, he was back here now. The painter would rather hear about his travels first before introducing him to all the new dorm members.
Akeno felt a bit awkward about leading both Tadakatsu and Kazuya around but at the very least, it gave her a chance to be around Tadakatsu again. If need be, she could ask Kazuya to step in if the situation got way too awkward. Still, Tadakatsu knew her from childhood onwards, hell, he was her cousin in a sense. She could definitely be real around him and Kazuya.
"Guess I'll be your tour guide then... Just follow me."
She took them to the first floor.
"Here's where most of the staff are located. Administration office is on the left, the receptionist is Cel for future reference and most people hang out here before going out for school and what not in the lobby."
Tadakatsu surveyed the area.
"Ah, this seems like a good enough place to sleep if I need to crash."
Akeno quirked an eyebrow.
"Since when did you sleep all the time?"
Tadakatsu focused his attention on Akeno. He was unsure if the guy beside her knew the whole story so he decided to keep it simple.
"Since you were forced to use that thing to talk."
Akeno winced a bit as she typed out her response.
"At least you're still as sharp tongued as ever."
He shrugged a bit before heading up to the second floor. Akeno noticed and quickly ran up, holding Kazuya's wrist so he would follow her up the stairs. She quickly let go after.
"This is the second floor. You'll find a cafeteria here along with the indoor pool and bathrooms. Don't get the girl's bathroom and boy's bathroom confused."
Tadakatsu raised an eyebrow with a small smirk.
"Don't think I will. Why?"
Akeno sighed a bit.
"A guy got caught trying to peep on girls in the bathroom."
Tadakatsu shrugged.
"Must not have want to seen them that bad if he got caught."
Akeno huffed at Tadakatsu's reply.
"Katsu, don't be a pervert."
"I'm not. I'm just saying if he was that desperate to see girls bathing, he'd try as hard as he could to not be seen."
Akeno softly hummed.
"To be honest, I don't know the whole details myself. I was lucky enough to not be there when the girls got peeped on and everyone's kept the whole story a secret from me so I only know that. Anyway, just don't go into the girls bathroom on accident."
She then led both boys up to the third floor.
"Speaking of, this is the girls floor. I'm going to take a small break here so you guys can process the tour so far."
She also wanted to check on her roommate so she opened the door to her room.
"301 is my room number for reference. If either of you need something, come over and say hi. I'm not the one that'll bite."
Noa let out a sleepy groan as she woke up to see two unfamiliar males. She quirked an eyebrow.
"Furuya, I didn't expect you to bring males in the our room. Why are they here?"
Akeno looked over at Noa.
"I wanted them to be here. That's why."
Noa shook her head.
"In any case, have them not disturb me too much."
Akeno frowned a bit.
"At least say who you are."
Noa faced the others with a small frown.
"Noa Arai. I'm a student at Kurogane Technical and Akeno Furuya's roommate."
She then faced the wall causing Akeno to deeply sigh.
"She seems friendly."
Akeno heard Tadakatsu tell that to her in a mildly sarcastic tone. She shook her head.
"She's like that with everyone. Don't take offense, Kazu."
Menou saw how dark it was getting and nodded.
"That's probably a good idea. Especially with the news about the murderer going around..."
She quickly paid for her ice cream before getting up.
"I'll see if Hotaru can lend me some of her sewing materials."
"Gonna be honest, Gecky, it was a bit lonely here without you. Managed to get some paintings done but it's not the same without you here to interpret the meaning behind them and what not."
He hummed a bit as he sat down on his bed.
"Come on, man, you have to tell me everything. What was like during your travels?"
Part of him wished he could have accompanied Genji on his travels but at the very least, he was back here now. The painter would rather hear about his travels first before introducing him to all the new dorm members.
Akeno felt a bit awkward about leading both Tadakatsu and Kazuya around but at the very least, it gave her a chance to be around Tadakatsu again. If need be, she could ask Kazuya to step in if the situation got way too awkward. Still, Tadakatsu knew her from childhood onwards, hell, he was her cousin in a sense. She could definitely be real around him and Kazuya.
"Guess I'll be your tour guide then... Just follow me."
She took them to the first floor.
"Here's where most of the staff are located. Administration office is on the left, the receptionist is Cel for future reference and most people hang out here before going out for school and what not in the lobby."
Tadakatsu surveyed the area.
"Ah, this seems like a good enough place to sleep if I need to crash."
Akeno quirked an eyebrow.
"Since when did you sleep all the time?"
Tadakatsu focused his attention on Akeno. He was unsure if the guy beside her knew the whole story so he decided to keep it simple.
"Since you were forced to use that thing to talk."
Akeno winced a bit as she typed out her response.
"At least you're still as sharp tongued as ever."
He shrugged a bit before heading up to the second floor. Akeno noticed and quickly ran up, holding Kazuya's wrist so he would follow her up the stairs. She quickly let go after.
"This is the second floor. You'll find a cafeteria here along with the indoor pool and bathrooms. Don't get the girl's bathroom and boy's bathroom confused."
Tadakatsu raised an eyebrow with a small smirk.
"Don't think I will. Why?"
Akeno sighed a bit.
"A guy got caught trying to peep on girls in the bathroom."
Tadakatsu shrugged.
"Must not have want to seen them that bad if he got caught."
Akeno huffed at Tadakatsu's reply.
"Katsu, don't be a pervert."
"I'm not. I'm just saying if he was that desperate to see girls bathing, he'd try as hard as he could to not be seen."
Akeno softly hummed.
"To be honest, I don't know the whole details myself. I was lucky enough to not be there when the girls got peeped on and everyone's kept the whole story a secret from me so I only know that. Anyway, just don't go into the girls bathroom on accident."
She then led both boys up to the third floor.
"Speaking of, this is the girls floor. I'm going to take a small break here so you guys can process the tour so far."
She also wanted to check on her roommate so she opened the door to her room.
"301 is my room number for reference. If either of you need something, come over and say hi. I'm not the one that'll bite."
Noa let out a sleepy groan as she woke up to see two unfamiliar males. She quirked an eyebrow.
"Furuya, I didn't expect you to bring males in the our room. Why are they here?"
Akeno looked over at Noa.
"I wanted them to be here. That's why."
Noa shook her head.
"In any case, have them not disturb me too much."
Akeno frowned a bit.
"At least say who you are."
Noa faced the others with a small frown.
"Noa Arai. I'm a student at Kurogane Technical and Akeno Furuya's roommate."
She then faced the wall causing Akeno to deeply sigh.
"She seems friendly."
Akeno heard Tadakatsu tell that to her in a mildly sarcastic tone. She shook her head.
"She's like that with everyone. Don't take offense, Kazu."
Menou saw how dark it was getting and nodded.
"That's probably a good idea. Especially with the news about the murderer going around..."
She quickly paid for her ice cream before getting up.
"I'll see if Hotaru can lend me some of her sewing materials."
"I'll catch up later, Kanade!"
"Fuckin' hell...yeah, right, see ya."
While putting away some of his items in their room, Genji stole a look around. He hummed a bit under his mask and chuckled.
"I could tell. The room's more of an art studio than I last saw."
He joked as he set some of his items back on his desk.
"I have to say, it was a wild ride. I initially went there to learn about the culture and what not, but it turns out they have a lot of abandoned places. I, of course, couldn't help checking out a few."
Nagisa nodded as she started to get up as well. Kujo stretched a bit, grinning.
"Yep! Let's head back, I wanna go play a few rounds at CS! Doesn't matter if it's all bots!"
"Whatever you say, Nobuyuki..."
The trip back was mostly uneventful, though Kujo was cracking jokes all the while to lighten the mood. Nagisa appreciated his efforts- she really couldn't blame him for wanting to at this point in time.
When they arrived back at the dorm, Nagisa spotted Kanade with a figure in her hands, absentmindedly swiveling its arm.
"Hey."
"So you guys are back huh? What's up?"
Nagisa walked over, lay a hand on her friend's shoulder and leaned in to whisper.
"The victim turned out to be Aziz's best friend."
This made Kanade stop, and glanced over in concern though she spoke in a quiet whisper.
"Shit, really?"
"Yeah. He seems to have calmed down for now but-- well; we'll see tomorrow. For now, let's try to let him be."
"Hey, Takamine! Is that blind newcomer around?"
"Fuckin' hell...yeah, right, see ya."
While putting away some of his items in their room, Genji stole a look around. He hummed a bit under his mask and chuckled.
"I could tell. The room's more of an art studio than I last saw."
He joked as he set some of his items back on his desk.
"I have to say, it was a wild ride. I initially went there to learn about the culture and what not, but it turns out they have a lot of abandoned places. I, of course, couldn't help checking out a few."
Nagisa nodded as she started to get up as well. Kujo stretched a bit, grinning.
"Yep! Let's head back, I wanna go play a few rounds at CS! Doesn't matter if it's all bots!"
"Whatever you say, Nobuyuki..."
The trip back was mostly uneventful, though Kujo was cracking jokes all the while to lighten the mood. Nagisa appreciated his efforts- she really couldn't blame him for wanting to at this point in time.
When they arrived back at the dorm, Nagisa spotted Kanade with a figure in her hands, absentmindedly swiveling its arm.
"Hey."
"So you guys are back huh? What's up?"
Nagisa walked over, lay a hand on her friend's shoulder and leaned in to whisper.
"The victim turned out to be Aziz's best friend."
This made Kanade stop, and glanced over in concern though she spoke in a quiet whisper.
"Shit, really?"
"Yeah. He seems to have calmed down for now but-- well; we'll see tomorrow. For now, let's try to let him be."
"Hey, Takamine! Is that blind newcomer around?"
"Not at all, my friendly tour guide!" Kazuya assures Akeno while she showed them around her room. "Hello! I'm Kazuya Tamashiro from Partisan Rose. Nice to meet you Akeno's roommate! I won't be around too often so don't worry about it!" Kazuya declares proudly.
The girl introduces herself as Noa and she was from Kurogane Technical. Kazuya never would've guessed though. He thought most Kurogane Technical students tend to stay out late engrossed in studying. Guess there's different varieties for each school.
"Noa? Like the guy in the Bible? And you're from Kurogane? It's nice to meet you then! I'll be around often by next week since I'll be working close by so it's also nice to meet you, friend of Akeno-chan!"
"But still...it's quite dark so we should settle in Tadakatsu-san. I need to be back before 10 or else my father will kill me..." A chill ran down Kazuya's spine when he thought about the earful he'll get from his father when he's late. "So Akeno-chan! Where should I put his bags?"
Likewise, Asagi managed to hail a cab to that took them directly back to Blue Lotus. Having paid for the fare, he and Menou finally made it back to the dorm.
"I guess you'll be going back to your room then? Good night! We start next week so I'll drop by your room around that time, 'kay?" Asagi bids his newfound friend goodbye as he also strolls up to the room after logging in with Ritsuka.
"I'll probably pass a bit on the game guys. Maybe tomorrow." Aziz informs his two companions when he heard them talking about the game. "I kind of want to rest up a bit. You can go ahead without me." He tells the others before heading back up to his room. He passed by a pink-haired girl on the way there but was rather out of it in order to think about it properly.
"Must be one of them newcomers...Oh well..." Aziz sighed as he went back to their room, hitting the covers immediately upon arrival.
Tuesday - 8:30 PM Blue Lotus
"You're rather late today." Kirika greeted Cel just as she entered the door, her backpack slung over her shoulder. "Ritsuka's been wondering what's taking you so long."
"Sorry, I got a medical exam which took AGES. I sent Ritsuka a text, didn't she receive it?" Cel explains to their landlord as she got ready to take over what remains of Ritsuka's shift.
"Idiot probably left it somewhere again. For all I know, she probably left it in the laundry."
"I actually wouldn't be too surprised if that actually happened." Cel laughed as she sat down, organizing the log books and papers on the desk. Unlike her, Ritsuka tends to be a bit messy and unorganized with the stuff. "Umm...is Mitsuru-san around? I need to talk to him."
"Aniki? What do you need from him?"
"Well...it's kind of a long story."
The girl introduces herself as Noa and she was from Kurogane Technical. Kazuya never would've guessed though. He thought most Kurogane Technical students tend to stay out late engrossed in studying. Guess there's different varieties for each school.
"Noa? Like the guy in the Bible? And you're from Kurogane? It's nice to meet you then! I'll be around often by next week since I'll be working close by so it's also nice to meet you, friend of Akeno-chan!"
"But still...it's quite dark so we should settle in Tadakatsu-san. I need to be back before 10 or else my father will kill me..." A chill ran down Kazuya's spine when he thought about the earful he'll get from his father when he's late. "So Akeno-chan! Where should I put his bags?"
Likewise, Asagi managed to hail a cab to that took them directly back to Blue Lotus. Having paid for the fare, he and Menou finally made it back to the dorm.
"I guess you'll be going back to your room then? Good night! We start next week so I'll drop by your room around that time, 'kay?" Asagi bids his newfound friend goodbye as he also strolls up to the room after logging in with Ritsuka.
"I'll probably pass a bit on the game guys. Maybe tomorrow." Aziz informs his two companions when he heard them talking about the game. "I kind of want to rest up a bit. You can go ahead without me." He tells the others before heading back up to his room. He passed by a pink-haired girl on the way there but was rather out of it in order to think about it properly.
"Must be one of them newcomers...Oh well..." Aziz sighed as he went back to their room, hitting the covers immediately upon arrival.
Tuesday - 8:30 PM Blue Lotus
"You're rather late today." Kirika greeted Cel just as she entered the door, her backpack slung over her shoulder. "Ritsuka's been wondering what's taking you so long."
"Sorry, I got a medical exam which took AGES. I sent Ritsuka a text, didn't she receive it?" Cel explains to their landlord as she got ready to take over what remains of Ritsuka's shift.
"Idiot probably left it somewhere again. For all I know, she probably left it in the laundry."
"I actually wouldn't be too surprised if that actually happened." Cel laughed as she sat down, organizing the log books and papers on the desk. Unlike her, Ritsuka tends to be a bit messy and unorganized with the stuff. "Umm...is Mitsuru-san around? I need to talk to him."
"Aniki? What do you need from him?"
"Well...it's kind of a long story."
When Kazuya commented on Noa's name sounding like a guy's name, Akeno could practically feel the murderous intent coming off of the normally reserved and quiet girl. Akeno was unfazed as she knew Noa well enough to expect that kind of thing and was honestly surprised Noa showed a tiny bit of patience at first.
"Noa's a bit sick so I don't advise going near her at the moment."
Noa grit her teeth as she forced the words out.
"Yes, I'm pleased to meet you as well, Tamashiro."
Akeno just shook her head and sighed. Noa was free to exert frustration on whoever she wished while Akeno had no such freedom. Still, around Kazuya and Noa, she could be at least a bit honest. Same went with Tadakatsu... who was close to passing out on a nearby chair put in front of the computer. Akeno just shook Tadakatsu.
"Katsu, you need to sleep in a bed."
Tadakatsu just grunted and got up.
"Where are the beds then?"
She guided both Tadakatsu and Kazuya to the fifth floor.
"Here's where the boys sleep and it's where you'll be sleeping, Katsu. You said your room was 502? You'll be with Madoka Ikeda."
Tadakatsu just shrugged as he opened the door to go inside. Akeno watched and sighed. It had been a long and emotional day and she needed rest. Still, she glanced over at Kazuya.
"Kazu? Before you go, I want to give you my number. Feel free to call me if you want to hang out or walk to school together. We should probably go to school together tomorrow so I can try to help you explore the campus a bit. Hopefully you have some of the same classes that I do."
Menou waved goodbye to Asagi as he left while walking up to her own room. She was a bit surprised to see that Hotaru was not in her room yet. Did she get hurt? As soon as she thought that, Hotaru came in with a happy smile.
"Ah, Menou-chan! How was your day?"
Menou blinked a bit before focusing on Hotaru.
"I think I got a job... I'm working alongside Asagi a bit."
Hotaru gasped a bit and hugged Menou tightly.
"That's great, Menou-chan! You have to let me know what it's like to work with a fashion designer!"
Menou just weakly giggled as she yawned. Hotaru blinked and let go.
"Go ahead and get some sleep, Menou-chan. I gotta catch up on some homework."
Menou just nodded before turning off the lights to pass out.
Yoite grinned.
"Abandoned areas are just too much fun to explore. So, which one did you check out first? Was there anything you got for a souvenir?"
The last part was more of a tease but he was curious about his adventures.
Fuyumi was exploring the campus as much as she could when she heard Kujo call for the blind newcomer. She then walked over to the source of his voice before stopping beside him.
"My apologies for not coming over here sooner. In any case, how may I assist?"
"Noa's a bit sick so I don't advise going near her at the moment."
Noa grit her teeth as she forced the words out.
"Yes, I'm pleased to meet you as well, Tamashiro."
Akeno just shook her head and sighed. Noa was free to exert frustration on whoever she wished while Akeno had no such freedom. Still, around Kazuya and Noa, she could be at least a bit honest. Same went with Tadakatsu... who was close to passing out on a nearby chair put in front of the computer. Akeno just shook Tadakatsu.
"Katsu, you need to sleep in a bed."
Tadakatsu just grunted and got up.
"Where are the beds then?"
She guided both Tadakatsu and Kazuya to the fifth floor.
"Here's where the boys sleep and it's where you'll be sleeping, Katsu. You said your room was 502? You'll be with Madoka Ikeda."
Tadakatsu just shrugged as he opened the door to go inside. Akeno watched and sighed. It had been a long and emotional day and she needed rest. Still, she glanced over at Kazuya.
"Kazu? Before you go, I want to give you my number. Feel free to call me if you want to hang out or walk to school together. We should probably go to school together tomorrow so I can try to help you explore the campus a bit. Hopefully you have some of the same classes that I do."
Menou waved goodbye to Asagi as he left while walking up to her own room. She was a bit surprised to see that Hotaru was not in her room yet. Did she get hurt? As soon as she thought that, Hotaru came in with a happy smile.
"Ah, Menou-chan! How was your day?"
Menou blinked a bit before focusing on Hotaru.
"I think I got a job... I'm working alongside Asagi a bit."
Hotaru gasped a bit and hugged Menou tightly.
"That's great, Menou-chan! You have to let me know what it's like to work with a fashion designer!"
Menou just weakly giggled as she yawned. Hotaru blinked and let go.
"Go ahead and get some sleep, Menou-chan. I gotta catch up on some homework."
Menou just nodded before turning off the lights to pass out.
Yoite grinned.
"Abandoned areas are just too much fun to explore. So, which one did you check out first? Was there anything you got for a souvenir?"
The last part was more of a tease but he was curious about his adventures.
Fuyumi was exploring the campus as much as she could when she heard Kujo call for the blind newcomer. She then walked over to the source of his voice before stopping beside him.
"My apologies for not coming over here sooner. In any case, how may I assist?"
"Kukuku...actually--"
As much as he wanted to slam it on the desk, Genji produced the covered souvenir in his hand slowly from his bag and set it down on his desk, slowly unwrapping it.
"Just another of my newest antique, non-functional weapons."
He raised the battered and old pistol in his hand, chuckling lowly.
"Ah, don't worry. This isn't functional in the least. If it even tries firing a bullet, it'll probably blow up."
He shrugged, staring at it for a bit before putting it down.
"I'm sending it to Aika, though. She's probably lost several years thanks to all this stuff I have her take home...You'd be surprised what things you can find in abandoned places! I found old naginata blades in old shrines, and on that one airplane I found I even saw an entire art set. This pistol was actually found on the same abandoned airplane! The wonders of taking shortcuts..."
"She is now."
"Good timing Hirabayashi!"
Kujo led her away, speaking in a low whisper.
"You're into the culinary arts right? Could you do me a lil favor?"
While the two were away, Kanade stretched and groaned.
"Considering all my plans are fucked...fuck it, I'm going to the Lounge."
"Hey, Kanade?"
"What?"
"Can I tag?"
"Only if you promise not to bite me if you get drunk. Which I sincerely hope you don't."
"Sheesh, you have no faith in me?"
"Don't say that! You know I love you, cuz!"
"Heh! I don't have the money, Kanade."
Laughing, the two proceeded. Nagisa waved a bit at Cel before they were out the door and down the streets.
As much as he wanted to slam it on the desk, Genji produced the covered souvenir in his hand slowly from his bag and set it down on his desk, slowly unwrapping it.
"Just another of my newest antique, non-functional weapons."
He raised the battered and old pistol in his hand, chuckling lowly.
"Ah, don't worry. This isn't functional in the least. If it even tries firing a bullet, it'll probably blow up."
He shrugged, staring at it for a bit before putting it down.
"I'm sending it to Aika, though. She's probably lost several years thanks to all this stuff I have her take home...You'd be surprised what things you can find in abandoned places! I found old naginata blades in old shrines, and on that one airplane I found I even saw an entire art set. This pistol was actually found on the same abandoned airplane! The wonders of taking shortcuts..."
"She is now."
"Good timing Hirabayashi!"
Kujo led her away, speaking in a low whisper.
"You're into the culinary arts right? Could you do me a lil favor?"
While the two were away, Kanade stretched and groaned.
"Considering all my plans are fucked...fuck it, I'm going to the Lounge."
"Hey, Kanade?"
"What?"
"Can I tag?"
"Only if you promise not to bite me if you get drunk. Which I sincerely hope you don't."
"Sheesh, you have no faith in me?"
"Don't say that! You know I love you, cuz!"
"Heh! I don't have the money, Kanade."
Laughing, the two proceeded. Nagisa waved a bit at Cel before they were out the door and down the streets.
"Huh? Hmm...my classes start around 9 or 12 which is later than normal so..." Kazuya thought for a moment, thinking of a way to easily coordinate their schedules. "Ah! You know that old tree near the guardhouse? The one with the bamboo bench? Why don't we meet up there after class? Whoever finishes first goes ahead and waits for the other unless said otherwise. Then we make our way here, how's that? It's a pretty genius idea, if I may say so myself. Yup!"
With that said, Kazuya noted down Akeno's number and saves it on his phone. "I'm sending a message so you can get mine right away. Wait a moment...there!"
The message was sent to Akeno's phone. It read: "Alright! I got Akeno-chan's phone number now! I'll message you immediately if I finish up first! Looking forward to walking with you, tour guide Akeno-chan~ ;)" --complete with emoticon. Seemingly satisfied, Kazuya started down the stairs to leave, waving his friend a good night before his father kills him.
"Well Akeno-chan, see you tomorrow! Let's look for other detours tomorrow too!" And with that, Kazuya heads on home, departing just before the last visiting hours ended.
Tuesday - 10:00 PM
Kanade and Nagisa passed by Cel in the lobby, seemingly headed somewhere so Cel thought it best to remind them about curfew. "Have a good time. But be back before curfew okay?" She reminded them as she saw them off with a smile. A couple of minutes after the two left, another pair just arrived--albeit, a little more unusual than the earlier two.
"Well, well! This is an unusual phenomenon~ Makoto arriving late and Sora arriving early." Cel teased as Makoto and Sora approached the desk.
"Well...considering we were told to "fuck off" after a rather stressful dinner service, I didn't really have much choice--I'm just an apprentice after all. Makoto coincidentally called to ask if we can come home together and I obliged." Sora explains.
"I was just worried about the curfew rule since I had to stay later in school so I needed a form of backup plan. I actually did have something to pick up in Emerald Gardens though." Makoto further clarifies things.
"Heh!" Sora manages a chuckle before turning around to leave now that she's finished clocking in.
"Oh Sora! I heard from Ritsuka. Mitsuru wanted to see you in his office. Says he has something he wants to give you." Cel recalls that note.
"Really? I'll stop by his office first then." With that said, Sora vanishes to the office, leaving Makoto and Cel alone in the lobby. With the night deep, barely anyone was coming in and out of the dorm so Cel and Makoto decided to chill out in the lobby for the moment, having some light conversations over two cans of iced tea.
"Come next Monday, I'll be leaving for a trip to Osaka." Cel suddenly brought up the matter she talked about with Mitsuru earlier in the day. "I'll probably stay there for a week."
"A week?" Makoto asked, a little surprised at the news.
"Yeah but, I'll be leaving around Thursday. I want to stop and visit my Mom and Dad in Shikoku first. I haven't seen them in ages!" Cel excitedly talks about her little trip. "I wonder how they're doing?"
"Heh. But why a week though? What are you going to do there?" Makoto asked.
"Field study. Something about land surveying and real estate. We'll probably just spend more time in leisure though." Cel explained. "Aww~ You gonna miss me?"
Makoto felt a small surge of emotion rise in his chest. "Maybe. But I'm not that worried about it if it's you." Part of him felt a little sense of longing upon hearing her going away but as to why, he couldn't exactly put a finger on it. "Besides, it's not as if I won't be busy myself. With the upcoming Kurogane ball and this recent incident, us in the Student Council's got more on our plate than usual."
This time, it was Cel's turn to be surprised. "Excuse me? You're in Student Council?!"
"Yeah...wait, didn't I tell you this before?" Makoto asked. Cel only shook her head. "Well..oh, I guess it's nothing. Must be remembering wrong. Anyway, this recent murder definitely put a lot on our plate. Do you know who the victim was?"
"No. The news didn't say."
"Wakaba Mutsu, Aziz's friend. You must've seen her around before? Curly brown hair with glasses?"
"Ouch! Is that why he was feeling down earlier?" Cel asked, sounding very concerned. Makoto nodded. "Oh my god..." Her eyes turned to the young man in front of her, suddenly feeling concerned for him.
"Well, in any case, my role is just a historian. No matter what happens, I can only record it. Not that I can do anything to act upon it." Makoto explained as he gulped down the last of the beverage while his eyes trailed off to the door.
"Still...promise me you'll be careful okay? Don't dig holes too deep that you can't crawl out from." Cel gently places her hand on his, making him look back at her.
"Don't worry." Makoto assures her though there seemed to be a hint of regret in his eyes. "No matter how much I see, I'll make sure not to end up like that guy."
With that said, Kazuya noted down Akeno's number and saves it on his phone. "I'm sending a message so you can get mine right away. Wait a moment...there!"
The message was sent to Akeno's phone. It read: "Alright! I got Akeno-chan's phone number now! I'll message you immediately if I finish up first! Looking forward to walking with you, tour guide Akeno-chan~ ;)" --complete with emoticon. Seemingly satisfied, Kazuya started down the stairs to leave, waving his friend a good night before his father kills him.
"Well Akeno-chan, see you tomorrow! Let's look for other detours tomorrow too!" And with that, Kazuya heads on home, departing just before the last visiting hours ended.
Tuesday - 10:00 PM
Kanade and Nagisa passed by Cel in the lobby, seemingly headed somewhere so Cel thought it best to remind them about curfew. "Have a good time. But be back before curfew okay?" She reminded them as she saw them off with a smile. A couple of minutes after the two left, another pair just arrived--albeit, a little more unusual than the earlier two.
"Well, well! This is an unusual phenomenon~ Makoto arriving late and Sora arriving early." Cel teased as Makoto and Sora approached the desk.
"Well...considering we were told to "fuck off" after a rather stressful dinner service, I didn't really have much choice--I'm just an apprentice after all. Makoto coincidentally called to ask if we can come home together and I obliged." Sora explains.
"I was just worried about the curfew rule since I had to stay later in school so I needed a form of backup plan. I actually did have something to pick up in Emerald Gardens though." Makoto further clarifies things.
"Heh!" Sora manages a chuckle before turning around to leave now that she's finished clocking in.
"Oh Sora! I heard from Ritsuka. Mitsuru wanted to see you in his office. Says he has something he wants to give you." Cel recalls that note.
"Really? I'll stop by his office first then." With that said, Sora vanishes to the office, leaving Makoto and Cel alone in the lobby. With the night deep, barely anyone was coming in and out of the dorm so Cel and Makoto decided to chill out in the lobby for the moment, having some light conversations over two cans of iced tea.
"Come next Monday, I'll be leaving for a trip to Osaka." Cel suddenly brought up the matter she talked about with Mitsuru earlier in the day. "I'll probably stay there for a week."
"A week?" Makoto asked, a little surprised at the news.
"Yeah but, I'll be leaving around Thursday. I want to stop and visit my Mom and Dad in Shikoku first. I haven't seen them in ages!" Cel excitedly talks about her little trip. "I wonder how they're doing?"
"Heh. But why a week though? What are you going to do there?" Makoto asked.
"Field study. Something about land surveying and real estate. We'll probably just spend more time in leisure though." Cel explained. "Aww~ You gonna miss me?"
Makoto felt a small surge of emotion rise in his chest. "Maybe. But I'm not that worried about it if it's you." Part of him felt a little sense of longing upon hearing her going away but as to why, he couldn't exactly put a finger on it. "Besides, it's not as if I won't be busy myself. With the upcoming Kurogane ball and this recent incident, us in the Student Council's got more on our plate than usual."
This time, it was Cel's turn to be surprised. "Excuse me? You're in Student Council?!"
"Yeah...wait, didn't I tell you this before?" Makoto asked. Cel only shook her head. "Well..oh, I guess it's nothing. Must be remembering wrong. Anyway, this recent murder definitely put a lot on our plate. Do you know who the victim was?"
"No. The news didn't say."
"Wakaba Mutsu, Aziz's friend. You must've seen her around before? Curly brown hair with glasses?"
"Ouch! Is that why he was feeling down earlier?" Cel asked, sounding very concerned. Makoto nodded. "Oh my god..." Her eyes turned to the young man in front of her, suddenly feeling concerned for him.
"Well, in any case, my role is just a historian. No matter what happens, I can only record it. Not that I can do anything to act upon it." Makoto explained as he gulped down the last of the beverage while his eyes trailed off to the door.
"Still...promise me you'll be careful okay? Don't dig holes too deep that you can't crawl out from." Cel gently places her hand on his, making him look back at her.
"Don't worry." Makoto assures her though there seemed to be a hint of regret in his eyes. "No matter how much I see, I'll make sure not to end up like that guy."
Akeno just stared at Kazuya, blushing a bit at the message.
"S-Sheesh, he certainly doesn't waste any time..."
Tadakatsu looked over at Akeno and smirked a bit.
"Good to see you're still impulsive."
Akeno turned to Tadakatsu, frowning a bit.
"Oh, shut up..."
"Remember the time you had a crush on me too?"
Akeno blushed harder.
"I was younger and didn't know any better, get off my back!"
Tadakatsu laughed a bit.
"Sure you were. Still, glad we got that mess past us."
"I'll say. It was so awkward the month after I confessed. Ugh, good thing we never dated."
Tadakatsu looked over at Akeno.
"Still, I'm sorry with what happened."
Akeno looked down, cheerful smile long faded.
"If I had the choice, I'd have gone to the hospital to visit but... your mother long since decided to keep us apart."
Akeno shook a bit and smiled weakly.
"It's fine... I know my role now. That's not exactly going to change any time soon, even if I got Kazu, Yoite and you as friends..."
Tadakatsu frowned a bit.
"Only guys? Man, Nakaoka was right, you are a slut."
Akeno puffed her cheeks to playfully smack Tadakatsu's back, causing him to laugh.
"Alright, alright, I'll shut up. Still, get some rest, alright? Maybe we can walk together in the morning."
Akeno nodded.
"That'd be great... welcome back, Katsu."
"Good to be back, cousin."
With that, Akeno went to her room to pass out.
Fuyumi focused her attention on Kujo with a small smile.
"I take it this is about your friend, Aziz?"
She hummed.
"I'm quite perceptive when it comes to this stuff. In any case, I was already planning on something. Would a lunch be sufficient? I'm planning on making some for the others too but should I include a note for Aziz to help him feel better?"
Fuyumi was already making mental notes.
Yoite laughed.
"I'm sure Aika-chan will love it."
He looked at the time and sighed.
"Time really does seem to pass. In any case, I'll tell you more about the dorm and the people in it tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired from the long day."
"S-Sheesh, he certainly doesn't waste any time..."
Tadakatsu looked over at Akeno and smirked a bit.
"Good to see you're still impulsive."
Akeno turned to Tadakatsu, frowning a bit.
"Oh, shut up..."
"Remember the time you had a crush on me too?"
Akeno blushed harder.
"I was younger and didn't know any better, get off my back!"
Tadakatsu laughed a bit.
"Sure you were. Still, glad we got that mess past us."
"I'll say. It was so awkward the month after I confessed. Ugh, good thing we never dated."
Tadakatsu looked over at Akeno.
"Still, I'm sorry with what happened."
Akeno looked down, cheerful smile long faded.
"If I had the choice, I'd have gone to the hospital to visit but... your mother long since decided to keep us apart."
Akeno shook a bit and smiled weakly.
"It's fine... I know my role now. That's not exactly going to change any time soon, even if I got Kazu, Yoite and you as friends..."
Tadakatsu frowned a bit.
"Only guys? Man, Nakaoka was right, you are a slut."
Akeno puffed her cheeks to playfully smack Tadakatsu's back, causing him to laugh.
"Alright, alright, I'll shut up. Still, get some rest, alright? Maybe we can walk together in the morning."
Akeno nodded.
"That'd be great... welcome back, Katsu."
"Good to be back, cousin."
With that, Akeno went to her room to pass out.
Fuyumi focused her attention on Kujo with a small smile.
"I take it this is about your friend, Aziz?"
She hummed.
"I'm quite perceptive when it comes to this stuff. In any case, I was already planning on something. Would a lunch be sufficient? I'm planning on making some for the others too but should I include a note for Aziz to help him feel better?"
Fuyumi was already making mental notes.
Yoite laughed.
"I'm sure Aika-chan will love it."
He looked at the time and sighed.
"Time really does seem to pass. In any case, I'll tell you more about the dorm and the people in it tomorrow. I'm sure you're tired from the long day."
"Yeah. And I really got to get this to her early."
Genji laughed as he tucked it away again. Removing his hat and mask, he moved to climb in into his own bed.
"Yeah, I suppose I am tired. And I have to head to Black Rose early tomorrow...I'll be turning in now. Good night."
"Yeah. Yeah, that works!"
Kujo paused for a moment as he realized how loud he had spoken. He rubbed his neck sheepishly and chuckled.
"Thanks, Hirabayashi. I'm sure he'll appreciate it. I'll leave it to ya then! I'll drop by and pick it up before we head to Kurogane tomorrow. Well, good night. I'm headin' back to crack a few heads at CS!"
He waved as he left for his room.
"Good lord, this is why I can't trust either you or Akame to go alone..."
"H-Hey! You're the one who wanted to tag along, you mythic...flat chest..."
Nagisa shook her head. It just so happened it had to be one of those nights. It was drink after drink after drink and now she had to deal with the buzzed blonde currently leaning heavily on her shoulder, knuckles almost white from gripping Nagisa's now wrinkled sleeve.
"Your fault you drank way too much..."
"That's not, way too much. This isn't blackout drunk!"
Kanade stumbled on her feet again, and Nagisa steeled her grip to steady her friend.
"This is the kind of shit that gets put in manga."
"Fuckin' hell...still, I can trust you and the others to help me out without doing anything bad."
"See? You trust me enough. You get drunker faster."
"No I don't! You get drunk faster!"
Kanade's words slurred slightly as she whipped her head up to look at Nagisa. She paused, grimacing, and leaned a bit more on her friend. They started getting closer to the Blue Lotus and Nagisa managed to hear Cel's voice mentioning something about going home for a week.
This, of course, did not escape the inebriated girl's ears.
"Ceeeel! If you're gone, where are we gonna crash if the ghosts come?!"
"Oh for fuck's sake-- Kanade! Jesus!"
She dragged her friend closer again, shooting an apologetic look at both Makoto and Cel.
"Sorry. She had a little too much to drink."
"Nagiiiii! I'm okay!"
"Desist!"
A little while after almost dragging Kanade up the stairs, she moved into their room and found Misaka, the new resident, playing something on her computer. The red-head looked up, startled.
Nagisa cracked her second apologetic smile that night.
"Yeah. You uh, gotta get used to this. Don't worry though, she's usually already passed out."
Sure enough, it seemed that Kanade had almost gone slack, head down and breathing steady.
"So...uh, can I get a hand here?"
Nagisa found herself walking into her room quietly after leaving Kanade passed out on her own bed with a very flustered Misaka, noticing that Sora was already back. Probably asleep, she reckoned.
With that thought in mind, she quietly climbed into her own bed and fell asleep when her head hit the pillow.
Genji laughed as he tucked it away again. Removing his hat and mask, he moved to climb in into his own bed.
"Yeah, I suppose I am tired. And I have to head to Black Rose early tomorrow...I'll be turning in now. Good night."
"Yeah. Yeah, that works!"
Kujo paused for a moment as he realized how loud he had spoken. He rubbed his neck sheepishly and chuckled.
"Thanks, Hirabayashi. I'm sure he'll appreciate it. I'll leave it to ya then! I'll drop by and pick it up before we head to Kurogane tomorrow. Well, good night. I'm headin' back to crack a few heads at CS!"
He waved as he left for his room.
"Good lord, this is why I can't trust either you or Akame to go alone..."
"H-Hey! You're the one who wanted to tag along, you mythic...flat chest..."
Nagisa shook her head. It just so happened it had to be one of those nights. It was drink after drink after drink and now she had to deal with the buzzed blonde currently leaning heavily on her shoulder, knuckles almost white from gripping Nagisa's now wrinkled sleeve.
"Your fault you drank way too much..."
"That's not, way too much. This isn't blackout drunk!"
Kanade stumbled on her feet again, and Nagisa steeled her grip to steady her friend.
"This is the kind of shit that gets put in manga."
"Fuckin' hell...still, I can trust you and the others to help me out without doing anything bad."
"See? You trust me enough. You get drunker faster."
"No I don't! You get drunk faster!"
Kanade's words slurred slightly as she whipped her head up to look at Nagisa. She paused, grimacing, and leaned a bit more on her friend. They started getting closer to the Blue Lotus and Nagisa managed to hear Cel's voice mentioning something about going home for a week.
This, of course, did not escape the inebriated girl's ears.
"Ceeeel! If you're gone, where are we gonna crash if the ghosts come?!"
"Oh for fuck's sake-- Kanade! Jesus!"
She dragged her friend closer again, shooting an apologetic look at both Makoto and Cel.
"Sorry. She had a little too much to drink."
"Nagiiiii! I'm okay!"
"Desist!"
A little while after almost dragging Kanade up the stairs, she moved into their room and found Misaka, the new resident, playing something on her computer. The red-head looked up, startled.
Nagisa cracked her second apologetic smile that night.
"Yeah. You uh, gotta get used to this. Don't worry though, she's usually already passed out."
Sure enough, it seemed that Kanade had almost gone slack, head down and breathing steady.
"So...uh, can I get a hand here?"
Nagisa found herself walking into her room quietly after leaving Kanade passed out on her own bed with a very flustered Misaka, noticing that Sora was already back. Probably asleep, she reckoned.
With that thought in mind, she quietly climbed into her own bed and fell asleep when her head hit the pillow.
View All »Arcs
Arcs are bundles of posts that you can organize on your own. They're useful for telling a story that might span long periods of time or space.
There are no arcs in this roleplay.
View All » Create New » Quests
There are no quests in this roleplay.
Add Group » View All » 0 Factions to align with
Here's the current leaderboard.
There are no groups in this roleplay!
Game Master Controls
Welcome home, Promethean. Here, you can manage your universe.
Arcs
Arcs are bundles of posts from any location, allowing you to easily capture sub-plots which might be spread out across multiple locations.
Add Quest » Quests
You can create Quests with various rewards, encouraging your players to engage with specific plot lines.
Add Setting » 1 Settings for your players to play in
Settings are the backdrop for the characters in your universe, giving meaning and context to their existence. By creating a number of well-written locations, you can organize your universe into areas and regions.
Navigation
While not required, locations can be organized onto a map. More information soon!
Add Group » 0 Factions to align with
There are no groups in this roleplay!
Collectibles
By creating Collectibles, you can reward your players with unique items that accentuate their character sheets.
Once an Item has been created, it can be spawned in the IC using /spawn Item Name (case-sensitive, as usual) — this can be followed with /take Item Name to retrieve the item into the current character's inventory.
Mobs
Give your Universe life by adding a Mob, which are auto-replenishing NPCs your players can interact with. Useful for some quick hack-and-slash fun!
Mobs can be automated spawns, like rats and bats, or full-on NPCs complete with conversation menus. Use them to enhance your player experience!
Current Mobs
No mobs have been created yet.
Spawns
Locations where Mobs and Items might appear.
Events
You can schedule events for your players to create notifications and schedule times for everyone to plan around.
The Forge
Use your INK to craft new artifacts in Arc 4. Once created, Items cannot be changed, but they can be bought and sold in the marketplace.
Notable Items
No items have been created yet!
The Market
Buy, sell, and even craft your own items in this universe.
Market DataMarket conditions are Quick Buy (Items Most Recently Listed for Sale) |
Open Stores
View All » Add Character » 25 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Chiyoko Hirai
"Nothing changes unless you make the changes yourself. If you want success and love and all that, you need to earn it first."
Hayato Morikawa
"I can't guarantee your safety, especially when you start messing with us."
Kazenari Tohsaka
"Let's be rational here, okay?"
Kazuya Tamashiro
"Seriously, can we stop with the doll jokes?"
Tadakatsu Fukui
"... Eh."
Genji Yukitora
"These bandages tell many stories."
Kirika Katsuragi
"..."
Fuyumi Hirabayashi
"What kinds of food are your favorite? Honestly, I like all of them but I have a small preference towards French."
Misaka Amamiya
"If you think I'm loud, my new roommate screams louder." --Kanade Takamine
Asagi Arakawa
"Hehehe~"
Trending
Asagi Arakawa
"Hehehe~"
Tadakatsu Fukui
"... Eh."
Menou Koizumi
"Ah... Please, don't come near a godless sinner like me..."
Kirika Katsuragi
"..."
Makoto Itsuna
"Good evening to you too."
Yoite Arakaki
"I consider everyone in the world to be beautiful. Please, allow me to articulate your beauty in my art."
Noa Arai
"There's nothing in this world that can't be explained logically. If you want me to believe ghosts exist, they'll have to do something unexplainable."
Akeno Furuya
"... :)"
Kanade Takamine
"I found all of my old inventions and sheet music but I can't find where I asked for your opinion!"
Chiyoko Hirai
"Nothing changes unless you make the changes yourself. If you want success and love and all that, you need to earn it first."
Most Followed
Hotaru Emirsdottir
"It's nice to meet everyone! Hopefully we can all get along~"
Fuyumi Hirabayashi
"What kinds of food are your favorite? Honestly, I like all of them but I have a small preference towards French."
Kanade Takamine
"I found all of my old inventions and sheet music but I can't find where I asked for your opinion!"
Chiyoko Hirai
"Nothing changes unless you make the changes yourself. If you want success and love and all that, you need to earn it first."
Makoto Itsuna
"Good evening to you too."
Akeno Furuya
"... :)"
Kirika Katsuragi
"..."
Noa Arai
"There's nothing in this world that can't be explained logically. If you want me to believe ghosts exist, they'll have to do something unexplainable."
Kujo Nobuyuki
"Drive it like you stole it!"
Nagisa Makinami
"If you would kindly turn down your music, I'll take off one of the reasons to kill you off my list."
Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » Arc 4: Out of Character
Discussions
-
- Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
NPC Listing
by SkyCladSaya06 on Sun Apr 02, 2017 7:01 am
- 9 Replies
- 1411 Views
- Last post by DeathScythe386
on Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:27 am
-
NPC Listing
-
-
Writing Lounge
by SkyCladSaya06 on Sat Apr 15, 2017 10:51 am
- 13 Replies
- 1545 Views
- Last post by Guardian Aelita
on Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:50 pm
-
Writing Lounge
-
-
Arc 4
1 ... 11, 12, 13by SkyCladSaya06 on Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:12 pm
- 248 Replies
- 13743 Views
- Last post by Guardian Aelita
on Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:00 pm
-
Arc 4
-
-
Library Files
by SkyCladSaya06 on Sun Jan 29, 2017 10:16 pm
- 8 Replies
- 1004 Views
- Last post by SkyCladSaya06
on Fri May 26, 2017 3:28 am
-
Library Files
-
-
Character Impressions
by SkyCladSaya06 on Sat Feb 04, 2017 6:02 am
- 17 Replies
- 1173 Views
- Last post by DeathScythe386
on Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:00 am
-
Character Impressions
-
-
Academic Calendars
by Guardian Aelita on Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:22 pm
- 3 Replies
- 478 Views
- Last post by Guardian Aelita
on Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:45 pm
-
Academic Calendars
-
-
Character Schedule
by SkyCladSaya06 on Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:31 am
- 7 Replies
- 681 Views
- Last post by SkyCladSaya06
on Thu Feb 02, 2017 11:06 am
-
Character Schedule
Most recent OOC posts in Arc 4
There have been no posts in the OOC topic for this roleplay!