Ai woke up suddenly to the car driving over a large bump in the road. She would have continued sleeping if it hadn't been for her mother's shrieking.
"I told you to watch where you're going! Honestly, can't anyone do anything right in this family?!"
Ai rubbed her eyes, annoyed that her glasses got in the way. She adjusted her frames to have a better look at where she was now.
They arrived at the Academy, the school that had been receiving so much praise in the media lately. It was interesting that her parents were able to receive an invitation for her to attend here, since the school board had a reputation for being highly selective of its students. In fact, it was rumored that it was so expensive to attend here that only those with top connections could get their children a spot on the roster.
She stared out the window as they went through the massive black iron gates. The landscaping outside was kept in perfect condition; not a single blade of grass was out of place. The building itself had a pristine gothic architecture that was very uncommon for Japan. Even though the school had an old world vibe, Ai assumed they didn't conduct their classes in a normal fashion, and she swallowed, hoping that the ominous feeling building inside her chest didn't reflect the future of what would happen to her.
It was unfortunate for her that her parents stopped the car right at the front entrance. Ai's social anxiety began to flare up instantly, and she gripped the door handle, not wanting to get out. Her mother got out and pulled her door open, demanding that she get out and take her things.
"Stop daydreaming. Hurry and get your things or else you'll make a bad first impression!"
Ms. Kimura straightened her jacket and told her husband to walk in with her so that they could register their daughter for the semester. Ai was only grateful that there were no students walking about so that she wouldn't have to die of embarrassment.
I suppose everyone must be in class by now. She thought.
Ai took out her suitcase and went up the stairs to go through the front door. It was deathly quiet as she walked down the hallway, unsure of where her parents had gone to. She was more afraid of running into another person than her parents, but was thankful for the time she got to be by herself. She continued walking, the rolling wheels of her suitcase the only sound in the empty corridors, when she noticed a door to the far off corner.
Ai could see from where she was standing that the door stood oddly out of place compared to the rest of the building. In fact, it almost looked like it was bolted down, with all the nails and steel surrounding the frame. The sinister vibe that was coming from the other side stirred both fear and excitement inside her chest, which clouded her mind of any rational thoughts. With her curiosity getting the best of her, she walked closer, and absentmindedly reached out to touch the door handle, ignoring any foreboding feelings that were developing.
BOOM!
The loud pounding made Ai shriek as she tried running back. The sound caused her to trip over her suitcase, her contents spilling out all over the floor. She scrambled to her feet and took off, not even concerned about picking up her stuff, and bounded straight for the front entrance. A door opened abruptly in the hallway, catching her off guard as she practically crashed into it. Ai's mother stepped out, looking frantically for her daughter.
"There you are, we were just—why do you look like that? Were you running around?"
Ms. Kimura quickly shut the door behind her, horrified at the state her daughter was in.
"Great. Fantastic. Now we can't allow the Headmaster to see you because of how terrible you look." She dug in her purse to reach for a handkerchief. "Here, wipe your face. You're actually sweating. I'll finish the rest of the paperwork and have him meet with you later. Honestly, I work too hard to give you the best things, and this is how you repay me?"
She slammed the door behind her, leaving her panting daughter alone in the hallway. Ai slid down the hall next to the door, doing her best to catch her breath. Running wasn't her strong suit, so while she tried to recover from that scary situation, she eavesdropped on the conversation her parents were having with the supposed Headmaster.
"I assure you Ms. Kimura, your daughter will receive the best care while at Ryoutei. Our students' needs come first to the staff, and we will stop at nothing to make sure they receive the finest education."
"Yes, thank you for that. However, we're not a religious family. Will that be a problem?"
Ai peeked through the crack in the door, wanting to see who this Headmaster was. Her eyes went straight to a man with glossy dark hair and sharp eyes. He grinned at Ms. Kimura's question, as he adjusted his frames with the tip of his finger.
"The majority of our students do not have religious backgrounds when they are enrolled here. We do provide classes focused on such purposes, but they are considered electives. If that is a problem, we won't have your daughter put into those courses."
"Oh no, that doesn't matter to me. I'm sure she needs all the help she can get, so having her take extra courses won't be a problem."
The Headmaster nodded and checked off a box on the form in front of him.
"If there aren't anymore questions, then we can proceed to the final stages of—"
"Actually, I do have one more question." Interrupted Ms. Kimura.
The Headmaster placed the form down and folded his fingers, waiting patiently for her to ask.
"I was aware of your special requests for families who wish to remain anonymous about their children attending here? Do those rules still apply?"
"They most certainly do. I have personally gone over the details of your request and organized everything before your arrival. Your daughter will report to me for her extracurricular activities according to the arrangement you have provided for her."
The Headmaster's eyes darted quickly to the crack in the door, catching Ai's fearful gaze. She gasped and moved away, her body trembling slightly at getting caught snooping.
"That's a relief. Thank you, Father. We trust that you'll care for our daughter."
The priest stood up and bowed respectfully. "It was a pleasure meeting both of you. I will be sending you frequent updates of your daughter's results."
Ms. Kimura tried to smile. "Yes, that would be good. For now, we'll leave her in your capable hands."
The Headmaster nodded and opened the door to let them out. Ai brought her legs to her chest, frightened of having everyone come out. She felt helpless, and her anxiety wasn't doing much to comfort her in this situation.
Ms. Kimura noticed her daughter trembling on the floor, and pulled her up harshly.
"Don't embarrass me." She threatened. Ai bit her lip and refused to meet her mother's eyes.
"Would you like a tour of our facility? It's only natural for our parents to be anxious about where their children will be staying for such a long period of time."
His voice was as smooth as silk, making her feel slightly dizzy. Ai began to understand now how her mother was convinced to place her daughter here for such a lengthy stay. Ms. Kimura can be quite stubborn when she wanted to be, but wouldn't hand her daughter over to just anyone. It takes a special type of convincing to sway her decision in anyone else's favor; and it was obvious that this Catholic priest knew what words to say at the right time.
Ms. Kimura did her best to recover from the episode of having her daughter shame her in front of him.
"No thank you. I trust that your school functions splendidly. Ai? Will you introduce yourself to your new Headmaster? He's going to be taking care of you from now on."
She shoved her daughter in front of the priest. Ai still couldn't look up to meet his eyes, until a finger slipped softly under her chin. Her head was tilted up until she could make out the full height of the instructor. His garnet eyes bore into her brown ones, filled with a calmness that even she couldn't fathom. Even though she felt somewhat better, she couldn't tear her gaze away from his face, mesmerized by his chiseled features, and marveling at how remarkably perfect he was.
The Headmaster grinned and raised an eyebrow, amused by her lack of words.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Kimura. I am Father Reiji." He held out his hand for hers to take, and she hesitated, suddenly not trusting the man who was supposed to be her new caretaker.
"Don't be rude, Ai. Shake the Headmaster's hand." Her mother whispered sternly, her lips tightening.
Ai was finally able to break away from the cold man's gaze. Her anxiety was already beginning to spin out of control as she clenched her hands into tight fists, finding it unbelievably difficult to say or do anything. She was completely frozen, and there was nothing she could do to stop herself from developing a full on panic attack.
Father Reiji looked at Ai's panic stricken state with interest, his eyes glowing with a deceptive craving. The look only lasted for a moment, until he spoke to the girl's parents, his charming smile enough to make anyone feel at ease.
"It is to be expected. I will be sure to conduct your daughter's lessons in a proper fashion. She will not only take our elective courses, but be personally tutored by me. Rest assured that your daughter will be completely different in both manners and behavior the next time you see her."
Ms. Kimura exhaled slowly, holding in every fiber of her being to compose herself. She nodded and pulled her husband's arm to head for the entrance.
"Yes, that would be perfect. We have to go now. Work, you understand. We'll leave you to it then."
She rushed her husband in front of her, neither one of them offering a farewell to their only child.
Father Reiji placed his gloved hand behind Ai, snaking his slender fingers possessively around her neck.
"Say goodbye to your parents, Miss Kimura." Reiji commanded, his grip tightening.
Ai grimaced and meekly waved her hand after her parents, her mind filled with regret at being left alone here with this man. She faintly remembered the lyrics to her favorite song and knew now that it finally applied to the situation she was currently in. Tears began to cloud her vision, her emotions drowned out by the imminent realization that her parents had just sold her soul; only for it to be possessed by the Devil of Ryoutei Gakuen.
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door.
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before.
"Relax," said the nightman, "We are programmed to receive."
"You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave!"
A/N: Gah, Priest Reiji will be the death of me