Hope's Peak External Gate. Bench.

Touko was enjoying her most perfect time in life, excepting, of course, the times when Byakuya was around. When she first came to school, her inspiration had gone dry, and her mood had gone snappy. Now, with that scent of lemon and mint right at her hand reach, yet so far away, her will to write had returned.

Byakuya Togami had been sunshine where only winter seemed to blow, and inspiration where there only was blank paper. And being that he wasn't around at that moment – meaning he was summoned to the principal's office – she decided to make up for lost time.

She slid a new cartridge in her pen, slowly balancing it in her nimble fingers, snickering at herself.

"When the High School Prince turned around, flashing a smile though his perfect pearl-white teeth, she had the school at her feet. No one was more perfect, more worthy, more envied. She was just in her own altar, all princesses shoeless in front of mere pumpkins. The glass slippers were all hers…"

"Fukawa Touko?"

She raised her eyes with a small yelp, looking angrily at the two tall men before her eyes.

"Who… what-why are you a-asking me that? I know I'm Touko Fukawa! Do you have to r-rub that on my sore ugly face?"
"Your presence is required at the Togami Manor" one of the men said, curtly.

At the mention of the Togami mansion, she held her hands to her mouth in horror.
"Wait- w-what… To-Togami Manor?! I-I-I… I think you did-n't come to the r-right person!"
"On the contrary, young lady. The System requires your presence instantly"

The System?

"W-wait! I may seem lowly, but I'm a citizen! I have r-rights too, you know! I can refuse… you're not taking me unless Byakuya-sama says so…"
"Byakuya-sama doesn't need to know."
"He most certainly will... as soon as I find him!" she spat furiously.
She made to pick her notebook and pen to leave, but found her way blocked by the two men.

A curt, calm masculine voice from inside a nearby car spoke in a neutral tone.
"No one will harm or hurt you or master Byakuya. They only want to talk."

One of the men made a reach to get her wrist. She snapped free.
"Let go of me… y-your filthy hand… it's not like you are B-B-Byakuya-sama or something..."
The voice spoke again in the same neutral tone.
" I assure you nothing is going to happen to you. Like I said, they only want to talk…"

She gritted her teeth. If they as much as tried hurting her… she had an ace up her sleeve.
But… wouldn't Togami be furious at her if she messed up his house?
Grrr... pesky beings...

"I will go… but if you try something l-lewd, you will regret it"
"I swear on my honor you'll be respected as the lady you are", the voice replied smoothly.

Biting her finger furiously, Touko allowed herself to be taken to the car.
Her unbalanced nature was hovering between delight and wariness.
She was invited to enter the manor… the place that he grew in… a place that was a part of himself…
Yet they were taking her away from Byakuya… taking her away from her anchor, her safety… her life…

Two cars were parked one behind the other outside Hope's Peak academy. Touko was motioned into the first car, a silver classic Lincoln. The two tall men walked away and entered a second car, an Infinity G37.

She moved towards the back of the car as the chaffeur opened the door for her, grimacing as she saw a man already sitting in the back seat. Dressed in a black suit, a short cape around his shoulders, he looked like a teacher or a rich family preceptor.

"You may sit. I don't bite, Touko-san," the man said with a quiet smile.
"Then q-quit staring at me… Or are you into teen girls… y-you disgusting old man!"
The man merely smiled wider, an eerie smile devoid of all warmness.

"I'm sorry. It's just I admire your work. Your novels are something amazing to read… they are so interesting, very profound…"
"Don't s-sound that interested" she snapped. "You are kidnapping me! What are y-you going to do to me?"
"I'm sorry. I'm a silly servant… my name is Katsu Kobayama. I'm the young master's Planner, and I'm here to ensure you are safe".

Touko's face deforned into a defensive growl.
"P-Planner? What-what the hell are you planning for Byakuya-sama? Are you going to marry him off to some… filthy… little princess that doesn't disgrace his perfection?! Eh?! And you need me out of the picture? Is that so?! STOP THE CAR!"

Kobayama didn't wipe his smile from his face. Her angry face reminded her of another young face he often had to see.
"We have quite the way to the manor, Touko-san. I suggest you calm yourself. Young master Byakuya won't marry anytime soon, and certainly he has his head clear enough to choose who he's… dating. No one has the right to question his choices… but the System needs to know you better."

Again with the System...
"Then why are you… - Katsuyama… Kobakatsu… whatever your name is… - taking me to the manor?!"
"Kobayama, my lady. That's not for me to say, I'm sorry. Believe me if I tell you, you will be better if you just relax and answer what you are asked to the best of your abilities. No one will harm you".
"The l-last time I believed a man… he hurt me. I'm not trusting you one bit."
"This disgraceful servant apologizes deeply for that".

The tone on Kobayama's voice kept steady, no emotions in it, which Touko read as mockery. It did nothing to endear the preceptor-like man to her.

"Don't. I-I don't want apologies, I know well that you wish for me to be trodded upon…"

The man eyed her curiously. Was she the author of all those wonderful novels? She seemed edgy as a hedgehog, lackluster, spineless, boorish…

"We arrived. Welcome to Togami Manor"

A big, white-marbled house opened its gates to allow the cars to enter.

"Just a warning, Touko-san. Please answer all the questions you are asked. There are no correct answers. Just the correct attitude. I'm here only as an observer, so if it was in my hands to let you go, I would do so. As I can't, I asked to bring you myself to avoid you being harmed. People in the Group can be very ruthless and uncaring"
"I k-know I'm only worthy of despise…"
"Don't say that. You are here because..." he smiled. "Shall I tell you the reason?"
"S-stop teasing me!" Touko bit her thumb furiously "Tell me or shut up, I cannot care less!"

Kobayama's smile grew sadder as he formulated his speech.

"You are here at the request of the System, because they have noticed you around young master Togami Byakuya" He paused. "The master never allows anyone around him, so they want to know you better"

Fukawa said nothing. She was now absolutely terrified, her head spinning. She reached for the handle but couldn't bring herself to pull the door open. Kobayama noticed that, and came to a solution.

"Sano, drive the car to the garage. Just this once – he added, as the driver's face paled - I think young lady Fukawa needs to know something about the System, before she steps out of the car. Don't worry, I'll cover up for you"

Turning to Fukawa, he murmured:
"You may not trust me, but being who you are, I'll explain who these people are, why did they send for you and – he paused to word out the phrase – what exactly do they expect from you…"