The thumping of feet was the first sound her mind deciphered. It resonated though the floorboards, up the bed frame, through her pillow, and into her ears. The more she buried her head, the more robust the sound grew.
"Goddamnit, just shut up!"
Irritation built, as her other senses reluctantly followed suit: switching on, one by one. She did not want to get up. She never wanted to get up. When sleep was a warm silky bath, waking up was agitating. The thumps were now coupled with murmurs and stifled giggles. By now, Nao had had enough of her annoying dormmates. Although she had been promoted to the status of 'Fourth Column', this apparently had gone unnoticed by the administration (her lodgings had not changed) as well as her now-subordinates. Her muscles prickled as they resisted movement. With a loud groan, she kicked the wall beside where she lay.
"Quiet down, stupid punks!" she shouted, as audible as her drowsy state would let her. She fell back into her sheets, the warm pillow yielded reassuringly against her weight. "Yes, keep sleeping," it seemed to say, "Blissful, comfortable, sleep…"
"Oh! You're up already, Nao!?" The door swung open. Hopes of further slumber scattered under the crisp voice.
"…No." With the option of feigning unconsciousness gone, Nao decided instead to be as uncomplying as possible.
Arika grinned. She was used to her senior's snarky attitude. To the casual observer, Nao was rather intimidating, but Arika knew of her softer side. Undeterred, the young Coral marched towards the bed, "Come on, everyone's already up. The welcoming ceremony is only an hour away, and there's still preparations to be done!" She tugged at the blanket, which Nao had securely wrapped around her body, like a cocoon.
"Mmph," Nao tightened her cotton barrier.
"Please, Nao-sempai!" Arika pleaded, pulling in vain.
"Oh, Nao-chan is up?" the two's grunts and groans had attracted attention. Chie was leaning against the door frame, wearing a look of amusement.
"Chie-sempai!" Arika stopped and smiled at the Pearl Otome, "Yes, she's up, but she won't get up!"
"Ah, I see," the Pearl strode into the room, pulling up her sleeves. She knelt beside Arika and winked, "Let me show you how it's done."
Hidden in her sheets, Nao did not anticipate the attack until it struck her. Cold, slim fingers had somehow penetrated into her warm wrappings, and were marauding along her bare stomach. She let out a scream, kicking the covers and fingers away, and jumped from the bed.
"Gah, you creeps!" clenching her fists, she squinted angrily at her assailants, her eyes not yet adjusted to the light. Arika burst out in laughter, as did Chie, and anyone else who could have seen the sight: the normally cool and poised woman stood uneasily on her bed, her hair disheveled, and her clothes twisted awkwardly around her body. Her abrupt rise made her head spin, and she lurched about, trying to keep her balance. This shortly failed, and Nao soon found herself, once again, face down on the mattress, only this time, noxious and dizzy.
"Come on, Nao, I think it's safe to say we win this round. Get up before I go in there again," Chie grinned, waggling her fingers at the unhappy Column.
Nao pushed herself off the bed, shooting the two a deathly stare, but the girls were still howling with laughter to be perturbed. Nao let out a deep sign. "Best to keep whatever dignity I have left," she thought, and trudged solemnly to the washroom to get ready for another day.