"The power's out?!" I gasped, immediately wrapping my arms around myself.
Despite the power being out, there was still moonlight seeping in from the windows and door behind me and from the circular stairwell at the opposite side of the building from me. The oddest thing however was that there was a slight greenish hue to everything.
Why is everything green?! What is going on?!
Yukari's eyes nearly popped out, while the red-haired woman raised an eyebrow. Their eyes, however, were less focused on the odd surroundings and more on me.
They're...looking at me?
I began to shiver with fear at the surrounding darkness and the attention being placed on me. My fear of the dark was the only thing distracting me from the awkward, very brief silence between the two dorm residents and I.
Did I intrude on something? I mean, they were welcoming just a second earlier.
"We turn off the power for the lights as well as most electronics at midnight to save on our electrical costs and discourage the students of the dorm from staying up all night. I apologize for not informing you of this...quirk of the dorms," the mature-sounding woman explained dryly.
That sounds really cheap and strict at the same time. At least, there's an explanation...
I relaxed my frail body and scrawny arms. One of my hands returned to the handle of my luggage, gripping on it tightly.
"Yeah. You wouldn't want to spend all night watching TV, right?" Yukari chuckled awkwardly.
I don't even watch TV, though this is going to severely affect my computer usage. This really sucks.
"R-right," I answered.
I'm going to have to save all of my work every night here. And, I won't be able to do anything during the night. I even do my homework on the computer, since my handwriting is utter garbage. Teachers have given me a lot of flak for that...
"You both should get some rest now, actually. It is getting really late," the red-haired woman said before introducing herself, "Oh and I am Mitsuru Kirijo. I sincerely apologize for not introducing myself properly."
My eyes widened in the same way as how Yukari's eyes did at me.
What?! The heir to the Kirijo Group was the one who offered to my dad free housing for me here?! Or, was it someone else in her family? I mean, they wouldn't let the heir take care of random high school students, right? Then again, she did say she negotiated something with my father. And, I doubt she'd live in a dorm. Still, how did my father get connected with her? I mean, didn't he get disgraced from the company? Why are they being so charitable after what they did to him?
Mitsuru sighed as a slight frown formed on her well-maintained face, "Yes, I am of the Kirijo Group, and, yes, they and, by proxy, I own the dormitory. Though, most administrative tasks are given to Shuji Ikutsuki, the Chairman of the dormitory. In all practical terms, I'm just one of the students who live in the dorm."
"T-That explains everything," I said while looking down at the green carpeted floor, which had patches of yellow tiles on it.
It really doesn't. Wouldn't she just live in her own place? She probably can afford it. I'm so confused. I guess this is just some weird exercise in responsibility or something?
"You'll find your room on the third floor. The rest of your things should arrive by tomorrow, the day after tomorrow at the latest, so I suggest you tuck in for the night," Mitsuru noted before adding, "Oh, and you can leave your luggage here. We'll bring it up to your room later tonight."
I can't wait to get my consoles and desktop here. Really, I'm actually glad that they, or she, allowed me to bring my electronics here. Still, she really is emphasizing that I sleep.
"I'll show you the way. Follow me," Yukari said awkwardly before walking past what seemed to be a checking desk.
This place looks and feels more like a hotel than a student dorm honestly.
I began to follow her, leaving my suitcase behind with Mitsuru. I looked at the colossal, white book with yellow details and quill pen just sitting on top of the front desk.
A quill pen? And, I thought normal pens were obsolete. Also, what is with the massive book? I mean, it can't be a registry. There isn't enough students in the school to justify that. Not to mention that the cover is way too ornate.
My eyes shifted to a small bell on the desk.
A hotel bell? Is this place a converted hotel? I wonder if there's a doorman around here. Maybe, that's how my things are going to be taken to my room.
Behind the front desk, there was a black computer, a cabinet full of books, and what I presumed to be our mailboxes. All but three of them were empty.
Strange. Either the dorm doesn't get much mail, the dorm filters spam, or there are way fewer students here than I anticipated.
Yukari and I walked past the lobby's lounge area to our right, which consisted of some chairs and couches surrounding a coffee table, an old-fashioned TV, and a couple cabinets.
Yesh, even the TV is ancient here. Though, it is free housing for me, and I'm not really going to use it anyways.
Also to our right and further down the lobby was a table with a red checkerboard draping. Even further beyond was what seemed to be a bar as well as a door.
A bar? Is this really a converted hotel?
To my left, there were the two doors to the public bathrooms, obviously one for each gender.
Speaking of things I'm not going to use! Definitely not going to use those! I don't even get why they still have public restrooms. I mean, I doubt anyone besides the students, guests the students invite, and the staff come here. Well, I guess if the building had it already, and you might as well use it. Not me though, for obvious reasons.
We approached what seemed to be a spiral staircase, only for me to find out that it merely was round until halfway up the stairs. The rest of the stairs went straight to the second floor. Small statues lined the wall along the stairs, while a brown carpet and railings contrasted with the cream colored steps.
"So...How's the trip, Fujisaki-san?" Yukari asked me, while we started walking up the stairs.
"Oh, uhm, the delay kept me waiting for a long time, but I understand why...It is terrible that someone killed himself on the road. I really feel bad for him," I answered, frowning a bit as my head slouched slightly downwards.
I had such feelings before. I...felt completely hopeless back then. That I would be damned to be bullied and hurt for the rest of my life. Or even worse, to end up like my father. To be ostracized for not being manly enough. At least, I escaped that fate. It may not be perfect, but my life did improve in the right direction after I made my decision.
"Oh wow, so that's why you're late," she sighed, "But still, it's sweet that you're thinking about everyone that way." Yukari then smiled, "I wish there were more people in the world like you, Fujisaki-san."
My eyes widened before blinking in bewilderment, "R-Really?"
I'm not someone to be admired. I mean, I might seem nice, but am I really? I try to not bother people as much as I can, but I can't help but end up bothering someone. Whatever I do, it is never good enough to satisfy people...
"Yeah, most people just shrug a suicide they hear on the news off or even dismiss the people doing it as crazy. You actually showed some concern. That's a lot more than what most people do," she elaborated as we arrived on the second floor.
Is really right for me to worry about everyone like that? I mean, people commit suicide everyday. People die everyday. If I let myself get so worried about them, then I'd never be happy. It just doesn't sound rational to me, yet my feelings make me feel worried and upset over the misfortunes of even animals. Does...that make me weak? A pushover?
"This is the boy's floor. It kinda sucks that we have to walk more to get down to the first floor," Yukari said before sighing, "You'd think it'd be the other way around."
My chest felt several pounds heavier as a frown grew on my face, despite all my attempts to hide it. My hands clenched with one gripping against my stomach and the other forming a fist.
Really? Why do people keep rubbing it in?! I get it! Guys are supposed to be strong and get more expectations shoved on them! I get it!
"Huh? Something wrong, Fujisaki-san?" she asked me.
"N-Nothing," I answered as I finally remembered that the lighting was green due to the blackout, "I t-think it's just the green. It's...kind of making me feel bad."
I tried my best to hold my emotions back, especially as the anxiety about the blackout and the green started to return.
Yukari's eyes, for some reason, widened as she gasped, "You're feeling bad?! Like sick?!"
Oh crap! She probably thinks that I'm getting sick or something.
"I d-didn't mean it that way. H-Honestly, I..." I explained, holding my head down in shame, "I kind of was exaggerating it. The green lighting didn't make me feel sick or anything. I just...I just..."
My fellow student relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief, "It's fine. I'm just glad that you're okay."
I mean, it wasn't like I would die if I get a little sick, right? Why is she so concerned suddenly?
"Well, that's good, I guess," I said.
"Yeah, let me lead you to your room. You're probably exhausted from the whole trip to here," Yukari said before leading me up the next flight of stairs to the third floor.
It was a lot like the second floor. A small hallway with around five rooms. Each room had a lamp to its left, except for the closest one on the left side, which had the lamp on its right. We walked up to the farthest room on the third floor to our right before standing in front of it.
"This is it," Yukari said after turning to face me.
Well, that's going to be my room for the rest of the year. I guess this is a year long vacation.
"Pretty easy to remember, huh?" she continued, "Since, it's right at the end of the hall."
That is true. Though, it is also true that I'm going to have to walk the longest distance out of anyone living here to get out of the building. Wow, I really sound lazy when I put it like that.
"Y-Yeah, I guess so," I said.
"So, any questions?" Yukari asked.
What should I ask? I mean, I probably shouldn't poke too hard about the power outage. They're clearly uncomfortable with that. So...
"What am I going to wear to bed?" I asked in return, "Actually, how am I going to brush my teeth as well? I think I kind of need my luggage now."
I hope this isn't going to cause problems.
"I have that problem resolved," a mature, womanly voice said from behind us.
"Oh, Kirijo-senpai!" Yukari said.
I always found the word 'senpai' to be silly. It kind of makes anyone using it sound like a sycophant.
I turned around to see Mitsuru bringing my luggage up-stairs. "O-Oh, thank you," I said.
"It's no problem. After all the inconveniences you experienced, it would only be appropriate to bring in your luggage for you," Mitsuru said, "Perhaps, you should go to sleep now. It's already late enough already."
That's...a bit authoritarian of you. I mean, I kind of want to sleep whenever I want. I never really sleep early. But, she seems to be more asking politely than demanding it out of me, and there's no point to staying up tonight anyways.
I sighed before nodding, "Okay..."
Though, the caffeine from the iced tea is going to screw me over.
Yukari then offered me my room's keycard with a smile on her face, "Oh, here's your room key."
Wow, this is only amplifying the hotel vibes I get from here. I really wonder if they'll actually have a doorman waiting for me the next day.
I reached out to take the room key, returning a smile to her as well, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Yukari returned a smile at me.
"I hope you get a good night's rest, Fujisaki-san," Mitsuru said before turning around, "Takeba-san, we should rest for the night as well." She seemed to emphasize the word 'rest' for some reason.
"Oh yeah, we should," Yukari said in agreement. "Good night, Fujisaki-san!" she smiled before both her and Mitsuru walked away together.
Well, time to check out my room.
My room was rather spartan, being the size of a small studio apartment and having very little in terms of decorations. To my left in the front of the room, there was a mini-refrigerator, a sink with a mirror above it, and a towel with a pinkish-reddish checkerboard pattern on it. This highlighted the most glaring element in the room: the fact my bed's blankets had the same pattern and color on them. Colors normally associated with girls' rooms.
I don't really like pink...But, I'm going to have to do this, don't I? If they see me sneaking blue blankets in, then I'll be considered suspect. I have to keep it a secret. I may be protected by a Kirijo for now, but I'll be thrown away as a liability if the world knows that I'm a crossdresser. The whole move here would be pointless.
A frown grew on my tired face, as I took off my loafers. I then walked towards the bed on the other side of the dark, dreary room, feeling tense from both the darkness and the green sickly hue surrounding me. Along the way, I took glances at the rest of the furniture of the room. Immediately to my left, there was what seemed to be a work desk. "At least, I have a place to put my desktop," I said with a small smile, my voice lowering to its natural, boyish register.
Further down the room, there was my girly bed in front of me and a silver-hued box TV. "But, they haven't transitioned to HD TVs yet," I noted before smiling, "Eh, guess it'll be a bit nostalgic. I mean, I still play video games on consoles to this day, but..." I let out a long sigh, "It was a simpler time. Before, my life turned for the worse. Before..." My head lowered as my mood descended more and more downwards, causing me to stand still. "I-I should just sleep it off. This day has been a complete trainwreck," I said to myself.
"Wait," I noted before raising my head back up to see what I presumed to be the door to the bathroom, which lied beyond the TV. Meanwhile, I left my luggage besides the bed. "Why do I have a sink over there when I have a bathroom? Is this a girl thing?" I asked, "Or, is this a relic of the place's hotel past?" "Probably the latter," I answered to myself before yawning and stretching my arms out. "I really should sleep. But first, I should brush my teeth."
I first went down to my knees to open my luggage, revealing my small wardrobe consisting entirely of girl's clothes. There was also my school uniforms mixed among them. In one of the compartments is a plastic containing toothpaste and a toothbrush. "There they are," I said before taking them out, "I should take off- I mean dress up for the night. Damn, I was about to say it like I'm a schoolgirl in some anime fan-service scene. I really am taking in the acting too much."
I proceeded to take off all of my clothes except for my bloomers, before putting on a long-sleeved striped shirt. "Not exactly dedicated sleepwear, but it works. Also, still feels weird that the girl's shirts fit me better than the boy's shirts," I said before rising up to my two feet and opening the door to reveal a rather basic and small bathroom. It also had a sink and vanity as well as a shower and toilet.
"Thank goodness I have my own bathroom. Communal bathrooms would be a disaster. And, that isn't even getting to bathhouses," I said to myself before entering inside, carrying the plastic bag with me. "Hey, it even has a cup for my toothbrushes," I noted as I put my toothbrush in the cup and toothpaste on the sink. "There, I got my bathroom decorations finished. Now, time to brush my teeth."
With that, I got to brushing my teeth, which was rather uneventful. Still, the darkness of the room gave me a constant sense of unease and fear. My brushing grew more and more shaky as I fought against my fear of the dark.
Don't stare at the mirror. I know that such superstitions are dumb, but I just fear horror movie tropes. Like seeing a monster sudden pop in behind me. I probably should never stay up.
Rinsing my mouth and spitting out the toothpaste, I avoided looking at any windows and mirrors.
Why am I so irrational? Why do I fear looking at windows too? If there's a monster, it's going to be there. Yet, I seem to want to be ignorant of it. Like that monsters would leave me alone if I'm ignorant of them. That the mere knowledge of such creatures would damn me to a horrible fate.
I shook my head as I rinsed my mouth for the last time and turned off the sink. "N-No. This is just a power outage. There is no proof of the supernatural. And, they said it. I-I'm just being a coward like usual. I get scared too easily," I sighed with a frown before drying myself off with a towel, colored just like the one in the bedroom.
Still, my fragile form began to shiver, before I immediately dashed and leaped on the bed, covering myself immediately in the protection of the pinkish sheets. "T-There, I'm safe," I said to myself before curling the sheets around me to form a protective cocoon around my tiny, petite body. "I'm...safe here," I muttered, covering even my eyes in the blanket before closing them.
I like this. Being protected. Yet, isn't this wrong? Wrong for a teenage boy like me to want to be protected like this?
I snuggled against the sheets of my new bed. It felt foreign compared to the familiar sheets of my old home's bedroom. Under its protection, I drifted to the world of sleep, away from the green-hued midnight.
