Introduction

Cobalt blue eyes opened in the dark of night; a pallid hand with an array of cuts, nicks, and scars seemingly glowed in the moonlight that peeked through the window. A small, beat up twin-sized bed creaked as a thin body lifted itself off the bed. Bunny slippers shuffled through the rotting wood floors into the living room, while a light bulb on its last leg flickered on. The dim beam of light shined against the crumbs and smeared white and pink frosting from the cake that the Mankanshoku's bought to celebrate the beginning of Mako and Ryuko's final year of high school. It was also to celebrate how even though this was their senior year, they had graduated from the events of Honnouji Academy, and was ready to start a new chapter at their new school: Otonokizaka high school. A soft smile passed through thin pink lips as nimble fingers picked moved aside torn strawberry-printed wrapping paper and picked up a wooden picture frame. Soft eyes fixated onto the photograph through the shiny glass; memories flooding into the crevices of the life fiber infused girls' mind.

"Okay everyone, I'm setting the timer so get in your positions!" The stern disciplinary committee leader shouted, preparing to press the timer on the small grey camera. Scrambling into position, Mako and her brother squeezed themselves in between Nonon and Satsuki; much to the former three star's dismay. Sisters Ryuko and Satsuki stood side-by-side, gradually beginning to squish together due to the adding of Gamagoori in the crowd. Both siblings blushed, still new to the feeling of being related by the same blood they made each other shed.

"A-ah... Nee-san…" Ryuko managed to get out, feeling her insides being crushed by all the people crowding around.

"Y-yes, Matoi?" Satsuki answered, feeling the same amount of pressure.

"You d-don't have…ugh… to call me Matoi... yknow… we are sisters... aren't we?" The red streaked girl questioned quietly, feeling awkwardness pool in the inside of her chest.

"We...we are, y-yes… but it still is new to me, I'm sorry, onee-san." The Kiryuin sheepishly responded, feeling slightly embarrassed by the slip of the tongue. Satsuki cared for Ryuko a lot, but didn't exactly know how to show it since her sister was presumed dead at such a young age. She always wanted to have her sister, but now that she had one, she wasn't sure what to do; graduating and going off to university wasn't helping her either.

"We—…"

"C'MON IT'S TIME FOR THE PICTURE!" Mako exclaimed, doing her usual peace signs next to her eyes. Everyone shuffled into a pose; Ryuko and Satsuki held each other's sides, soft yet genuine smiles on their faces. The shutter in the camera clicked while a bright flash went off. Within minutes the picture was print out; showing all the Honnouji Academy Graduates, Nudist Beach soldiers, elites, heroes, and new found siblings in all their glory.

"Ah... I miss ya, sis. I miss all ya crazy kids." Ryuko spoke dryly, setting down and propping up the picture frame in the center of the dining room table. What the Mankanshoku's had wasn't much, but it was much better than their old house at Honnouji; but that would always be home. Moving her choppy bangs out of the way, Ryuko looked out the window; hoping to see Honnouji academy beckoning in the distance, yet nothing was there.

"Huh…" She mumbled to herself, glancing over at the clock. Gear shaped irises widened at the clock, seeing the time- 30 minutes until their first day at their new school!

"Ah! Mako! Get up!" Ryuko dashed into their room, shaking her coconut headed friend awake.

"Mng… wh...wha…WHAAAAT?! AAHHH RYUKO-CHAAANNN! WE'RE GONNA BE LATEEEEEE!" Mako shrieked, rummaging through her closet for her new school uniform. It was much different from her Honnouji Academy seifuku, it was a more modern uniform with a plaid blue and red pleated skirt, a white long sleeved shirt tucked in, a blue blazer with pockets, and a green striped bow tie to mark how she was a third-year. Ryuko quickly changed into the same uniform, slightly saddened by the fact that she wasn't in her beloved Senketsu.

A small hand placed on the girls shoulder, causing her to turn around.

"It is okay, Ryuko-chan, he'll always be with you." Mako spoke warmly, handing Ryuko her lunch that their mother prepared the night before; along with a piece of toast with strawberry jam for breakfast.

"Thanks, Mako." Ryuko smiled warmly, taking the food and sprinting off along with Mako to their new school.