1: Bittersweet

On that first day, I was so expectant, so innocent, so naive… Little did I know how much I would change. How much I had to change. I was just another student… until I wasn't. Until I had to rise up, to protect everything I held dear- my friends, my school, my life.

I ran faster, heart racing with excitement. I saw the old, vine-covered dormitory before me, gates wide open. They're expecting me, I thought.

I tugged on my twintails, making sure I tied them correctly, and pulled my purple suitcase along. I had packed it so messily… I'm so excited! I still can't come to terms with the fact I was accepted into Totsuki Academy. Are they becoming less strict? I heard that I was accepted along with 50 other transfer students this year….

I walked up to the old wooden door and knocked.

"H-hello? Um, it's me, Furihata Nanase, the new transfer student?"

The door creaked open, revealing an old lady with spiky hair.

"Ah, nice to meet you!" I bowed. "I'm Furihata Nanase, second year. I just transferred from a high school in Tohoku... Um- I look forward to being in your care!" I stuttered nervously. The lady gave me a grim smile, turning away.

"Come on in… I'm Fumio, the dorm mother. I don't know what's going on with this school this year... I can't even give you an entrance test! Ugh… Oi! Soma-kun! Show this student around, okay? !" She shouted. "I'm going to bed!" Fumio disappeared into the kitchen.

I stepped in, taking off my shoes and closing the door behind me. It was a nice, cosy dorm, with wooden stairs leading up to the rooms. Besides the half-hearted welcome, I was elated. I've always wanted to live on campus! Oh, the drama, the friends, eating in the dorm at midnight…

"Hello! Call me Soma. Nice to meet you!" A spiky-haired boy appeared, bowing to me.

"Ah, I'm Furihata Nanase! Pleased to meet you!" I bowed in return.

"Sorry about Fumio… She isn't always like that. She's just… angry about our new school policies…." Soma scratched the back of his neck, grinning awkwardly.

"New policies? You mean how they accepted so many new students so easily?" I asked, worried.

"Y-yeah. But don't worry, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It's just… there are rumors going around that something's going on around the headmaster and the Elite Ten… and people are saying that opening our school to so many students will be… dangerous… you know, our school is selective for a reason," Soma explained. "Normally, Fumio would give you a cooking test to gain admission. The school said that this year, she couldn't do so… that's why she's mad. I don't know, maybe we'll be receiving more roommates soon. That being said, I should show you to your room!" Soma motioned for me to follow him. We went upstairs, and down a hallway. He pointed to a room. "That's yours! Hold on, I'll introduce the girl next door. Megumi! Come meet Furihata-san!"

A door opened, and out came a girl in her pjs. She had two dark braids and a nervous expression on her face.

"Hi! I-I'm Megumi. Tadokoro Megumi. N-nice to meet you!" She smiled, hands clasped in front of her.

"Furihata Nanase! Just call me Nanase. I'll be living next door!" I said cheerfully. She seemed like a nice person!

"Oh, would you like some mochi?" Megumi questioned, handing me a green mochi.

"Ah, thank you!" I said, taking the little green blob and putting it in my mouth. "It's delicious!" I felt the soft mochi tear under my teeth, releasing a bittersweet, jelly-like substance. I've never tasted any mochi this good… "It's really, really great…" I whispered, touching my cheeks, which were burning up. "Wait- is there sake in this?!" I yelped.

"Heheh, yeah!" Megumi giggled. "I made it myself! I mixed matcha syrup with sake, soaking it in the sticky rice!" I love sake, but I can't take much…

"Well, you should get to bed! I'll introduce you to the rest of the members tomorrow morning! It's the first day of school, too! See you girls!" Soma said, leaving.

"Good night, Furihata-san!" Megumi said. "I'll make sure to wake you tomorrow!" With that, she went back into her room. I opened the door to mine, walking in and setting my suitcase down. It was pretty small, with a freshly made bed, a desk, lamp, and chair. I unbuttoned my shirt and unzipped my skirt, hopping into bed. Ah… I'm really tired… I got back up and took out my uniform. I hung it up in the closet, admiring the blue and orange cloth. I wonder what this year will bring… What people I'll meet, what food I'll eat… I climbed back into bed, snuggling beneath the sheets. Something wrong with the school, huh? Admitting many students is dangerous? I wonder why… I looked out the window, the moonlight shining down on my face. whatever. I'll just enjoy my time here!

Slowly, I faded into sleep, the bittersweet taste of sake and tea on my tongue.

Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy this story! Please follow and leave reviews! Also, check out "Uchiura no Kiseki", my Love Live fanfic!