P3: Turmoil of the Soul
My MP3 player blasted music in my ears as I walked down the street towards the train station. The lights turned red so I stopped and dug out the pamphlet in my bag for the nth time today and made sure I got everything right, after that I put it back and looked at my surroundings.
A blue butterfly fluttered by me and I rubbed my eyes.
Time never waits.
It delivers all equally to the same end.
You, who wish to safeguard the future,
However limited it may be...
You will be given one year;
Go forth without falter,
With your heart as your guide...
It wasn't there anymore.
I shrugged and walked ahead as the light turned green. It was probably just my imagination running wild again..
~Memento Mori~
I sighed, whipping my PlayStation Portable(I call it Lily) out of my bag. The train ran into an accident earlier, so here I am, my arrival totally delayed. I feel bad for the people waiting for me…
After 10 long years, I was finally moving back to Iwatodai, my hometown. My old place has long been sold though, so I'm going to be staying in a dorm which isn't that big of a deal.
My parents had died in what everyone has pegged as a car crash a decade ago and since then I lived with my grandfather, who died one year later. He had passed everything down to me since he had no other children, his wife was dead, and I'm the only one left.
Ever since then, I lived alone.
I travelled a lot, went to different, promising looking schools, and just stood for myself.
You never really get over the emptiness that resides within you, it just becomes a part of your life and you learn to accept it. That's what I did anyway.
I tried to make as many friends as I could and help them out when needed, but it just didn't feel the same, so I just got used to it and carried on with my life.
A few minutes later, I got sick of Lily and threw it back in my bag. An announcement came on, but I didn't pay attention to it.
I glanced at my watch, 11: 56 PM. Lovely. Maybe I'll have to sleep outside tonight, wouldn't that be fun?
I sighed and sang along as my favourite song came on my player. The train soon ground to a halt and I got off.
And then, the world turned green.
My player shut off, despite the fact that I knew it still had two bars left, and so did everything else electronic around me, blood began seeping out of the walls, and the people turned into coffins.
What.
I looked around, panicked and then decided it would be best to get out of here quickly.
Outside, the moon gave off an eerie yellow glow.
I hurried off to my dorm, stomping on a puddle of blood in the process. Once I was outside, I paused to breath.
I turned around, looking away from the door. For some reason, a certain thrill was going through my body and it sent shivers down my spine. I shook my head, spun around again and grabbed to door's handle.
~Memento Mori~
"Welcome."
I span towards the eerie child like voice and was greeted by a young boy in what seemed to be prison-styled pyjamas.
"You're late." He said, looking slightly sad. "I've been waiting a long time…"
Oh…
"I'm sorry…" I said, however this kid felt like something else… I mean, he's not in one of those coffins for one…
He held out a piece of paper and a pen to me. " If you want to proceed, then please sign here. It's a contract."
Contract? I wasn't informed about this.
I looked the boy over, something about that smile on his face gave me the chills.
"There's no need to be scared…" He started again. "It only binds you to accepting full responsibility for your actions."
Is that it?
Well, if that's all…
I took the paper and read what was written on it.
I, the undersigned, chooseth this fate of mine own free will.
Nothing seemed to be wrong with it, so I signed it and handed it back to the boy.
They disappeared in his hands.
What.
"Very well…" He was smiling at me again. "Time is something no one can escape. It delivers us all to the same end. Wishing won't make it go away…" He began to fade now. "And so it begins…"
~Memento Mori~
"Who's there?!" I span around again. It was a girl's voice this time, she sounded panicked and frightened.
She took one look at me and I could tell she got even more scared. "How can you be…? But it's…" Now she was determined. "Don't tell me…" And she held up a gun.
Wait, WHAT?!
No, no, no, no! I'm not dying here!
I could see her attempting to pull the trigger, but she was shaking and hesitant.
Then I heard a set of hurried footsteps. It was another girl and she quickly pushed the first one's arm down before she could shoot me in the head.
Phew.
~Memento Mori~
And world grew bright again.
Write me an endless so-
I shut my player off and relaxed. Well, that was fun.
"I didn't think you'd arrive so late…" The second girl said, relief in her tone. "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm one of the students who live in this dorm." She was really pretty. Her fiery red her was long and ended in a large curl, she stood tall and gave off the aura of authority as she stood there.
"Who's she?" The first one asked. She was actually pretty cute. Short brunette hair, round eyes, and short skirt. Typical teenage girl.
"She's a transfer student." Mitsuru told her. "It was a last minute decision to assign her here. She'll eventually be moved to a room in the normal dorm."
Right, this one's co-ed.
"Is it okay for her to be here?"
Why? Is there some sort of cult going on here? Though, I'm pretty sure I just joined said cult…
Mitsuru smiled, I don't know what kind of smile it was but it was a smile. "I guess we'll see." She turned to me again. "This is Yukari Takeba." She gestured at the brunette. "She'll be a junior this spring, just like you." So she's older than us.
Yukari bowed. "… Hi, I'm Yukari."
"Why do you carry a gun?" I blurted out before I could let myself think.
"Huh?" She looked flustered. "Um, well… it's sorta like a hobby…" What kind of a hobby is that? "Well, not a hobby but…"
Okay, it is official. This girl sucks at lying.
"You know how it is these days…" Mitsuru spoke. "It's for self-defence. It's not a real gun, of course." She sounded dismissive.
I yawned.
"It's getting late." She stated. "You'll find your room on the third floor. Your things should already be there." I stifled another yawn. Yay, unpacking. "I suggest you tuck in for the night."
I nodded.
"Oh, I'll show you the way. Follow me." Yukari volunteered.
So here I am, letting my would-be murderer lead me to my room. Why is this a good idea?
We arrived at the third floor and then walked to the end of the wall. A name plate with my name on it was on the door.
"This is it…" Yukari started awkwardly. "Pretty easy to remember, huh? Since it's right at the end of the hall." She gave a little laugh. "So, any questions?"
"What's that contract for?" I asked.
Yukari looked genuinely confused. "What's this about a contract?"
Okay… now that's awkward…
"Um…" Yukari tried again. "Can I ask you something?"
Please don't question my mentality…
I nodded.
"On your way here from the station, was everything all right?"
Define, 'all right'.
"Yup."
Yukari looked me over. "I see… Never mind, then."
…
"Well, I'd better get going…" Yukari began walking away before turning to me again. She handed me the key to my room. "Um… I'm sure you still have other questions, but let's save them for later, okay?
I shrugged.
"Goodnight." She said.
"Goodnight." With that, I walked into my new room.
Boxes were piled everywhere, there was a TV in the corner, a desk near by the window, a closet, and a bed with pink sheets. Right, I'm gonna have to switch those out later.
I dropped my bag and sighed before proceeding to change into my PJs.
I glanced at the window for a second. I could've sworn there was a blue butterfly there earlier.
Deciding that I was hallucinating, I crashed onto the bed.
~ Memento Mori ~
I was about to leave when someone began knocking on my door. "It's Yukari." Yukari said and I went for the door. "Are you awake."
"Gee… I don't know." I replied as I opened the door.
Yukari gave a practiced smile. "Good morning. Did you sleep okay?"
I nodded.
"Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school. Are you ready to go?"
"Yup!" I took my bag and locked the door.
"Then let's go."
Yukari and I got talking. We mostly talked about the school and its facilities. She mentioned she was in the archery team while Mitsuru was in the fencing team and some other guy who stayed in our dorm was in the boxing club. There were also other clubs, of course, namely the tennis and volleyball clubs for the girl and swim track and kendo for the guys. There were also several cultural clubs available as well as the Student Council and some committees.
We got on the monorail then. "We have to take the monorail to get there." She said as the doors closed. "Bet your last school wasn't like that, huh?"
I shook my head. It wasn't.
I watched out the window as the scenery flew by.
"This is my favourite part…" Yukari stated, eyes closed. "When it feels like you're gliding over the sea…" She opened them again. "Our stop is Port Island Station at the end of the line. From there, we walk. Have you ever heard of Tatsumi Port Island?" She asked.
I nodded. "It's man-made, right?"
Yukari nodded. "They built our school right in the middle." Something caught her eye from the outside. "Look, you can see it now."
I did. It's a really pretty-looking school.
"Morning!" Some girl greeted Yukari as we walked past.
"Morning!" She replied before turning to me. "Well, here we are… Welcome to Gekkoukan High! You're gonna love it here!"
I certainly hope so.
We walked inside and I was left looking for my shoe locker. "You're okay from here, right?" I nodded. "You should go see your homeroom teacher first." Aha, found ya! "The Faculty office is right there to the left… and that concludes the tour!" Is she serious? That's some tour. "Do you have any questions before I go?"
I shook my head.
"Hey… about last night… don't tell anyone what you saw, okay?" About you almost shooting me in the head? No problem. "See ya later…" With that, she left.
I walked past some students and into the Faculty Office.
"Oh, are you the new student?" A female teacher came up to me." Minako Arisato, 11th grade, correct?"
I nodded. She started flipping through what I presumed to be my file.
"Wow, you've lived in a lot of different places…" Her eyes scanned the page and then stopped, apparently spotting something interesting. "Let's see… In 1999… That was what, ten years ago?" Ah… "Your parents—" She gasped. "I'm sorry… I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this before hand."
I waved it aside and flashed a smile.
She smiled back. "I'm Ms. Toriumi, I teach Composition. Welcome to our school."
I bowed. "It's nice to meet you, Miss!"
"Such enthusiasm! We could use more go-getters like you." I grinned. "Have you seen the classroom assignments?" I shook my head. "You're in 2-F; that's my class. But first, we need to go to the auditorium. The Welcoming Ceremony will be starting soon. Follow me."
So here I am, sitting in the auditorium, tuning out the Principal and listening to a bunch of people talking about me. Yay.
I turned my player on and tuned the whole world out as the songs came on one by one.
~ Memento Mori ~
Homeroom has ended and now I'm packing up my things. I stood up to leave, but then I got stopped by someone greeting me.
"'Sup, dude?" A guy in a cap said. "Haha, you look like a deer in headlights."
Excuse me? "Who're you?"
"Me?"
No, the ghost behind you that's—Holy-! Is that a knife?!
"I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya." Then why ask? "I transferred here when I was in the eighth grade." And? "I know how tough it is being a new kid... So, I thought I'd check up on you, make sure you weren't freaking out on your first day."
I shrugged. "You get used to it after a while. But, thanks." I flashed a smile.
"At it again, huh?" Someone sighed fro, behind us. It was Yukari. "Honestly, is there any girl you wouldn't hit on?" I raised an eyebrow and looked at Junpei. He seemed nice. "Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?"
"What? But I was just being friendly!"
I nodded.
Yukari looked at me. "If you say so. Anyway, some coincidence that we'd be in the same homeroom, huh?"
Yeah. Last thing I want is for my head to be blasted off. "I know, right?"
She smiled a little. "Funny, huh?"
Because having my head blasted off is all you've ever wanted to do.
"Um, hello?" Junpei interjected. "Are we forgetting that I'm in this class too? C'mon lemme in on the fun!"
I sweatdropped.
"By the way, do you two know each other? I heard you came to school together this morning." He grinned. "A couple of cuties like you walking side by side... The whole class was buzzing about you."
So that's what she was talking about.
He's an idiot.
"Ugh... Could you just cut it out?" Sheesh, woman. What's your problem? "I hate dealing with rumors like that. I mean. I'm used to it, but she just got here ya know?" Meh. "Don't you feel bad spreading rumors like that?"
I looked at Junpei. He shrugged.
"Anyway, I've got some Archery team stuff to take care off." She glared at Junpei. "Don't try anything funny, you got that Junpei?" And with that, she's once again gone.
What is she? My nanny?
"What is she, your nanny?"
I laughed. "I was just thinking that."
He laughed as well. "Well, just to clear something up, I seriously didn't come over here to hit on you or anything. If you ever have a problem, you can tell you ol' pal Junpei about it!"
I smiled. "Thanks."
~ Memento Mori ~
On my way back, Junpei had caught up with me so he decided to walk me home. I let him. Who am I to tell him what to do?
The dorm was practically empty when I got back, save for Mitsuru who was sitting at the couches. I nodded at her before turning to sign in at the counter then went straight for my room.
Right. Time to unpack!
Fist chapter of the Spin-Off done! Now for the rest!