Mikomi Urawa sat comforted in her easy chair writing in her diary. It seemed that was the only thing that could comfort her these days.
Her life was disheartening. Her father, Ryo, died when Mikomi was only two. Her mother was reported missing, probably taken as a prisoner of war. Mikomi missed her mother. Her mother was so intellectual and so open-minded. But of course, that was a year ago. Mikomi was fourteen now, not that awkward age of thirteen.
Of course, it didn't help that she hated this orphanage. It used to be a boarding school, but it was abandoned in the 1940's, during World War Two. After WNW started, they opened it again because of all the tragic killing and disappearances. She hated it. It was so ancient and gothic, but she got good grades in the tutoring program, which was allowing her to transfer to a county orphanage. The county orphanages were so much better than the city orphanages.
She was going to miss her easy chair but her diary was coming with her. There was no way she was letting that thing go. The diary has started the day her mom was reported missing. Before the kenpei (military police) searched her house, Mikomi grabbed the first thing she found of her mother's. It happened to be a journal her mother never wrote in.
The journal even reminded Mikomi of her mom. There was an angel on the front, accompanied by stars and a moon in the corner. Sometimes Mikomi would just stare at it to try and remember her mother.
There was a knock at her door. "Mikomi," said the man behind the door. "are you done packing yet?". Mikomi jumped out of her easy chair. "Just a minute, Mr. Rose." She quickly put her diary into the suitcase and zippered it up. "Now I'm done", she said as she opened the door, suitcase in hand.
As she and Mr. Rose walked through the lobby, Mikomi quietly said her goodbyes to the orphanage cheerfully. They went into the car parked outside the orphanage. It was about a two hour drive to Beryl Manors, the new orphanage. Right now would be the perfect time to describe Mikomi Urawa. Mikomi was a small teenager for fourteen years old. She had shoulder length blue hair, deep blue eyes, and a very light complexion. She looked much like her mother, Ami Mizuno. She didn't have any friends except for the diary. That's why the old orphanage was so hard to miss. Mikomi had no one to miss there.
***
Meanwhile, Hime Meiou cleaned up her dorm room to get ready for her new roommate. Hime hated getting new roommates. She was just getting used to her old roommate, Mish. Mish had grown of age and was allowed out of Beryl Manors. Soon, that time would come for Hime. In only a couple months, Hime would be seventeen. That wasn't much time to get to know her new roommate.
She cleanly dusted off the things on her dresser. There was one thing she was especially careful with, the one picture of her mother. It was old and definitely weathered. It wasn't exactly the best picture of her mother, but it worked for Hime. She had no idea what happened to her mother. All she knew was that she had been in this orphanage for a very long time. She was always afraid to ask what happened. Whatever it was, Hime knew it was bad, otherwise she wouldn't be in this place.
Like her mother to Hime, Hime was especially mysterious to her classmates. She liked to light candles and incense in her room during the night. It soothed her heart and soul. People could smell it from the room over. They never said anything to her face, but spread rumors about her, claiming she was a witch. She was also very outspoken, even though no one wanted her opinion anyway. Her only real friend was her boyfriend, Paul. Even though her boyfriend didn't understand her completely.
There was one thing Hime never told anyone else: she was afraid of thunderstorms, completely terrified. During thunderstorms, she had to cuddle in the bathroom, along with her incense and candles. She would cry until the thunderstorm ended. She read somewhere that your fears have something to do with your past. That was possible, since Hime remembered so little of her childhood.
Hime didn't like telling people about her feelings. She always found it somewhat selfish, by telling people about yourself so broadly. Just because you tell them doesn't mean they can help you - or listen. Plus, she didn't want someone to truly examine her - for sure, they would find something wrong with her. Maybe that's way she never got far in relationships.
"Hime.." said someone from behind the door.
"Paul," she said as she opened the door.
"Hey. Joan is having another one of her mediation parties on Friday at seven. Want to come?"
"Sure. I'll ask my new roommate when she comes too, okay?"
"Great. See you Friday." Paul gave Hime a kiss on the cheek.
"See you Friday," was Hime's only reply. She shut the door. She loved meditation parties. They mediated, past life regressed, and just hanged out. Joan wasn't a good friend of Hime's but Paul knew her very well, so Hime was invited. Hime's candles and incense proved useful at the parties. Most people just didn't give Hime a chance, and believed the rumors. She wasn't normal, that's for sure, but then again, where was the fun in being normal?
***
Mikomi stared at her new home, Beryl Manors Orphanage. It was certainly big, and it didn't have the antique look like Neflite Hills. She thought if she would make new friends here. Hopefully, she wouldn't be as lonely as she used to be. It could just be butterflies, but Mikomi had a good feeling about this place.
With her luggage in hand, Mikomi walked up to the front desk in the lobby.
"Hi. I'm Mikomi Uwara. I just transferred here. Could you please tell me where room 316 is?" Mikomi said to the receptionist.
"Well, your roommate is right across the room, honey. I'm sure she'll show you your room." The receptionist didn't tell Mikomi why she knew that the person across the room was her roommate. Everybody knew Hime's room number. They called it "the witch's tavern".