-Will You do something for me?
-What is it?
-Could You... live my life?
Next Stop: Iwatodai.
Announcer's voice woke me up. As always, I was dreaming the same thing for as long as I remember. A boy who asked me to „live his life". What does it even mean? I never met him. Or did I? I don't remember anything except these four years. I was hospitalized and that's all I remember about me from before these years. I slowly stood up.
-Iwatodai, huh?
I was supposed to go to school in Inaba, but they are now on a trip, so I decided to join them during that time. I remember faces of my classmates from Europe when they heard about me moving away.
-No way!
-You've gotta be kidding!
-Where are You moving?
-Japan. I was born there, and my grandfather wants me to return.
-That's lame.
-Well, that's life.
-Hey, will You send us a letter or something?
-Sure.
I was foolish. I opened the newspaper, I was reading during flight. I couldn't care less about a terrorist attack, but when I read victims names, I just automaticaly bought it. Apparently, terrorists took my old school hostage and detonated bombs they prepared. No one survived.
-And I didn't even send one letter.
A single tear dropped from my cheek onto the newspaper.
Iwatodai.
Announcer's voice brought me back to reality. I stood up, left the newspaper and walked from the train. I was told that a senior student would be waiting for me but no one was at the station. I checked my watch. It was already noon. I decided to head to ropeway station which would take me to Gekkoukan High School. It was part of their trip, so I decided to wait for them there.
-Hey! Wait!-I heard someone screaming. I turned around and faced a boy running towards me.
-*Cough*Wheeze* Sorry *Cough* That Takoyaki lady was taking her time with my order...*Cough*...
-Are You from Yasogami High?
-Yup*Wheeze* Name's Yosuke*Cough* Hanamura.
-Yosuke Cough Hanamura? Weird name.
Yosuke regained his breath.
-It's Yosuke Hanamura.
-I know, I was kidding.- I bowed in apology.-My name is Ankoku Hikari. I'll be in Your care from now on, Senpai.
-Hey, no need to be all formal.-Yosuke blushed.-Okay the introductions are complete. Let's go, everyone wants to meet You. By the way, don't worry about Your luggage. It arrived before You and it's in our room in the dorm we're staying during trip. Oh, and because You're not assigned to any class You'll be staying with us, third-years.
-Where is that dorm?
-It's few steps from the station. C'mon let's go.
Yosuke turned and walked the same way he came. I followed him, and soon we reached an old-looking building. The plate on the door was saying „Iwatodai dorm". Yosuke stopped.
-Well here we are. C'mon don't keep everyone waiting. Get in.
-I opened the door and walked inside. The lounge looked incredibly familiar. It's as if I was there before. Yosuke looked at me.
-Huh? What's wrong? Are You feeling sick? Sit down on the couch, I'll bring you some water from the kitchen.
-Th-thanks.
I was feeling a little dizzy, but it wasn't because I felt sick. It was because when I sat on the couch I heard some voices.
-Honestly, is there anything You are good at, Junpei?
-O-Of course! I can... I can...
-C'mon stop arguing already, we've been through that a lot. Takeba, stop teasing Iori.
They were all familiar. Was I... the resident of that dorm before?
-There You go.-Yosuke returned with a glass of orange juice.-I wanted to get You a water, but all I found was this juice I bought yesterday.
-It's fine.-I took a sip.-I'm feeling better anyway.
-That's a relief. I mean, if I would brought You here sick, Ms. Kashiwagi would turn me into a bookshelf for her romances. I'm getting goosebumps from the thought.
-Is she that scary?
-Well, to be honest it's not the case that she's scary or something...-Yosuke closed his face to me to me.-But she have some kind of age complex, and tries to seduce her students.-He whispered.
-I see.
-So please, when they ask You why you look tired, tell them that it's from the trip, I beg You.
-Don't worry, it's not Your fault to begin with.
-Oh yeah?-Yosuke looked relieved.-Anyway, If You wanna watch TV, feel free to do so. The remote is on the table.
-Thanks.
-Oh I almost forgot! Your room is on the second floor. It's the last one on the right. Your stuff is already there.
-Thanks.
-No problem. See ya. I have some places to go.
Yosuke waved his hand and left the dorm. I tried to watch TV but my eyes felt so heavy, I decided to go to my room. When I reached for the handle, I heard someone's voice in there. I checked the floor again. The plate near stairs was saying „2nd floor".
I decided to enter this room. It was greatest mistake in my life.
-Huh?-A girl who was in the room was in a middle of changing her clothes.-GYAAAA!-She began throwing things at me. The last thing I rememeber was TV flying at me.
I don't know for how long I was knocked out, but it was already evening when I came to. I was lying on a couch in the lounge. I couldn't see clearly but I heard Yosuke arguing with someone.
-You killed him!
-Why was he entering MY room?
-It wasn't Your room, idiot! GIRL'S rooms are on the third floor. Memorize it already dammit!
-Whoops.
-Don't „whoops" me! You really killed him!
-But I don't see any blood.
-Chie, did You check his heart rate?-Another person with calm voice entered the discussion.-There's none. You really killed him.
-Wha...
-Dammit, Chie! Why did You even throw this TV at him!? Couldn't You behave more girly and shut the door? What Ms. Kashiwagi'll do to us? We killed transfer student before he was officially enrolled!
-I really didn't...
-You didn't what? What shall we do?
-How about, You stop arguing?-I asked
Yosuke and two girls jumped, scared.
-Wha...?-The girl with a blue cap was shocked.-But there was no heart beat when i checked...
-Oh this? I forgot to mention, but four years ago, I was hospitalized due to a serious illnes. Because of that, my heart rate is extremely low. You're unable to check it even with special equipment.
-I see...
-HAH! You see Yosuke? He's alive!
-But this doesn't change the fact that You attacked him when he was trying to enter his room! Naoto, tell her!
-I'm with Yosuke this time, Chie. Tresspasing and assault are serious crimes. In fact it's a miracle that the TV screen didn't break from impact with his face, or it would be a homicide instead of assault.
-Hey, let's ask the victim then! Hey, transfer student. On whose side are You?
-H-Huh? Whose side?
-Yeah, I mean I know I did wrong for throwing this TV at You, but You're fine so I can be declared innocent, right?
-I...I guess...
-You see? Even victim agrees with me! It's settled, I'm innocent.
-*sigh*I give up.-Yosuke looked tired.-But seriously, don't mistake rooms again, Ya hear?
-Yeah, yeah.-She walked to me.-By the way, I'm Chie Satonaka, and she's Naoto Shirogane.
-Nice to meet You.-The girl with a blue cap bowed.
-I'm Ankoku Hikari.-I stood up and returned the bow.-I'll be in Your care, from now on, Senpai.
-Oh, no, You misunderstand, Naoto is Your age, Only me, and Yosuke are Your Senpais.
-Oh I see. Sorry for that Shirogane-kun.
-No problem. I guess that You can feel tired from this kind of greeting. Why don't You rest here a moment?
-Thank You, but I guess I just go to my room.
-Well, then Good night.
-Night.-Said Yosuke.
-Sweet dreams! And sorry!-Chie shouted.
When I finally lied on bed I immediately fell asleep. I woke up in a room full of clocks. They were purple, as well as walls and ceiling. Before me was a table and a couch. On the couch was sitting an old man with a very long nose. Near the couch was standing a man, wearing blue flight attendant's uniform. The man looked at me.
-Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor, and this is my assistant, Theodore.
-My name is Theodore, but feel free to call me Theo. Pleased to make Your acquaintance.-The man in blue uniform bowed.
-What's this place?-I asked.
-This? This is a realm that exist between dream and reality, consciousness and unconsciousness. Ony those who have signed a contract have permission to enter here.
-But, I never signed a contract.
-Oh? But we have Your signature here. Please take a look.
Igor gave me a piece of paper.
„I chooseth this fate of my own, free will.
Ankoku Hikari"
-Wha...?-There was no mistake. I really DID sign a contract. But why I don't remember it?
-I see that you are shocked. Nevertheless, I am bound by contract to provide You any help in awakening Your power.
-My power?
-Hold on to this.
Igor gave me a key. It was really soft in touch.
-This is Velvet Key. Use it when You want to enter Velvet Room whenever You like. I'll be waiting. Now then, Farewell.
-Wait! What do You mean my power?
I tried to stand but I already was losing consciousness. I woke up in my room in the dorm.
-Was that... a dream?
Something was in my hand. I looked at it and it was Velvet Key.
-No, it wasn't dream. But what does he mean by saying That he's here to provide any help in awakening to my power?
I really didn't know it but my life was about to change. And in more meaning than transfering schools.