Code Geass Colorless Memories Redux
Stage 2: Rai, the New Transfer Student
The next morning I woke up feeling much better than I did the day before. I guess spending last night to rejuvenate my strength did a lot of good for me. Yesterday my body felt weak and tired out but now I feel great. I got off the infirmary bed and started to stretch my body out.
A few seconds later Milly came barging right through the infirmary door carrying a uniform in her arms.
"Ah, good morning Rai. I see you have woken up."
"Oh, good morning Milly."
"So, do you remember anything yet?"
"…No, everything is still not clear to me yet…sorry."
"Ah no, it's okay. It's just going to take a while for you to recover from your amnesia I guess. Anyways, put this school uniform on. I had you measured when you were sleeping."
I was about to put the school uniform on when I suddenly thought of something.
"Wait a minute…How could you measure me while I was sleeping?"
"Well let's just say I have my own special way of figuring things out." Milly said that as she started to laugh out mischievously.
Oh great, I don't even want to know what else she might have done to me while I was sleeping. As I was putting my school uniform on I continued to listen to Milly speak to me.
"Since you are slender like Lelouch, it should fit you perfectly. Once you are ready I will show you where to go to attend your classes."
"Classes…?"
"That's right; the student council members all decided that the best way for you to recover your memories is to attend class. Receiving education might trigger something in your head. But you will just be a temporary student for now."
"I see…"
"Also, it was Lelouch who suggested the idea."
"Lelouch…?" I asked with a puzzled look on my face.
I then thought back to yesterday and remembered how nasty Lelouch acted towards me. Milly then interrupted my thoughts.
"I know Lelouch can act pretty harsh sometimes, but he really is a nice person once you are around the guy for a while. Lelouch is just overprotective of the things he cares about, especially his younger sister Nunnally, that's all. He might be cautious towards you right now, but after a while I bet he will come around and the two of you will be great friends."
I wasn't so sure about that.
"Well come on, we have to get to our classes and once classes are finished for the day I will show you all the different places that are on campus."
Try everything out, huh? I guess I could try to do different things if it will bring about clues that could lead to my memories.
Milly then guided me to the school building and walked with me down the hallway. She then stopped in front of a classroom and turned towards me.
"For now you will attend the same classes as the other student council members so you will at least be with someone you met yesterday. Also, I registered your name as Rai Thurston in the school computer, an alias since we don't know your real last name yet."
"Thurston…"
The name sounded familiar to me somehow but I didn't know why.
"Well, I guess I will be heading to my own classes now. When classes are over I will show you the rest of the school campus. See you later."
"Yeah…Later…"
Milly then went off to attend her classes as I went to mine. As soon as I entered the classroom all the students turned, looked at me, and started whispering to each other. They were most likely talking about me. Once the teacher came in he asked me if I was the new student. I replied to him that I was and then he ordered me to stand up in front of the classroom to properly introduce. I complied with his demands and stood right in front of the blackboard with a straight posture and folded my hands behind my back. I also had to quickly remember to use my fake last name before presenting myself.
"Hello everyone, my name is Rai Thurston. I don't really have much to say at this time since I'm only a transfer student, but I look forward to studying with you all."
After my very short introduction the teacher told me to find a place to sit down at so class could officially begin.
I then scanned around the room looking for an open seat. Most of the seats up front were already taken so I started to look in the back rows until Shirley called out while waving her right arm in the air.
"Rai, there is plenty of open seats back here. You can sit next to me."
"Oh, okay then."
I then walked to the back and sat in the chair to the right of Shirley's seat. Once I sat down Suzaku, who was sitting in the row right in front of us, turned himself around to speak to us.
"Hey Rai…So you are going to be taking the same classes as the rest of us?"
"Yeah, Milly thought it would be best if I took the same classes that all of you guys were in."
"You said your name was Rai Thurston right. So does that mean you got some of your memories back?"
"No, I still don't remember anything. Milly just made up a last name for me."
"You mean like an alias?" Shirley said as she joined in on the conversation.
"Exactly."
"Well, I'm sure you will regain your memories in due time."
"Hey, you three in the back, quiet down, we are just about to start a new lesson!" The teacher yelled to us from across the room.
"Y-Yes sir, we're sorry."All three of us said at the same time.
After listening to most of the lectures today I realized that I understood all the information in each of my subjects, almost as if I had already learned it before. Does that means I used to be someone who took their studying seriously, or was I some type of super genius. For right now I just didn't know.
Once my final class was finished I got up and was ready to go out the door when I saw Milly standing there waiting for me.
"So, are you ready to see everything Ashford Academy has?"
"Sure…"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"H-Hey, what are you…wha!"
Milly then grabbed my hand and took me to all sorts of locations the campus had to offer. We first went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Everything served there was Britannian style food, but I had no problem eating there.
"Hey, is the food here alright for you? Are you having any trouble with it?" Milly asked as we ate together.
"No, not really…Though I do think the food tastes great." I responded to her question.
"Really…? I am really glad to hear that! I believe this is the first I have heard anyone say they actually liked cafeteria food." Milly cheerfully answered back as she wore an acclaimed expression on her face.
After we finished eating Milly took me all over campus and explained the main purpose of each location while pretending to act like a professional tour guide. Ashford Academy had all sorts of places such as a swimming pool…
"This is where our swimming club holds most of daily training sessions. When it is not being used by any clubs or physical education classes any students can have access to it, provided they get permission first of course."
"Hmm…" I mumbled to myself.
And an auditorium…
"This auditorium is used for several purposes. While it is mostly used to hold assemblies and sponsor several school events it is also sometimes used by sports club on rainy days and such."
"I see…" I continued to mutter to myself.
And even a chapel…
"And this here is Ashford Academy's very own chapel. Although, to be perfectly honest we don't really use for anything, not even to hold religious sermons or anything. Oh, but I do know that students sometimes come here when they wish to have a silent and peaceful moment to themselves so I guess there is that to consider."
"Is that right…" I murmured to myself again.
Apparently this agitated Milly.
"Hey Rai, were you even listening to me at all ever since this started?" Milly said as she stared at me with such a demeaning look on her face.
"H-Huh…Yes, of course I was." I retorted back.
"Then could you at least try to show more enthusiasm and excitement? Here I am giving this little tour just for you and yet I barely heard you say a single word. Don't tell me I'm gonna have to try and put you under one of my special 'guts' spells?"
Milly then started to look straight into my eyes with that mischievous smile of hers again.
"Huh...your…uh…what now…?" I answered back with a confused look on my face.
I didn't even understand the concept of what her 'guts spell' meant but something told me I would rather not know. Besides, even though she just got through saying how this was supposed to be a place for peace and relaxation, why do I feel so uncomfortable right now?
"Oh never mind. Jeezs, you seem to be more dense then being an amnesiac. But I suppose that is just something we can improve on later. Come on, let's continue on with the tour then, shall we?
"Ummm…Yeah, sure…"
After what seemed to be a brief awkward scene Milly continued to show me around more areas of the school grounds until eventually we made our last stop which was at the student council clubhouse.
"This is our clubhouse. We have all of our student council meetings here. We also hold several different types of school events here too like at the auditorium. This will also be the place where you will be staying on your time here at Ashford."
"Huh…you mean I will be living here?"
"Yes, since you are a 'special' student here I decided to let you live in here instead of one of the dorms. It will also be easier for me to keep an eye on you. Oh, and just so you know you won't be living here alone. Lelouch and Nunnally reside here as well. They will be like your neighbors.
"Lelouch and Nunnally?"
"You know Nunnally is in a wheelchair, right?"
"Yes, I think I remember that."
"Well it would be difficult for her to live in the dorms in her condition so my grandfather gave special permission for those two to reside in the clubhouse."
"I see…"
"Well, I'm sure the three of you will get along fine living in the clubhouse together. Oh my, look at the time; it's starting to get dark out here. I will take you to your room and then be on my way."
"Oh yes, please do."
She then guided me to the room that I will be staying in. Once we got there she handed me the key for the room.
"This will be your room for the time being. I hope you enjoyed your tour of Ashford Academy. I know I enjoyed it, even if you were acting shy through most of it."
"Oh yes, I'm thankful for you spending time to show me around." Even though I was thinking in mind…'Me, being shy?".
"Tomorrow we might try some other things out to help you regain your memories. Well, I guess I will finally leave you alone for the rest of today then. Good night Rai and I will see you in the morning!"
"…Yeah, good night."
Milly then left so I went on ahead to my new room. I closed the door and took a good look at the room. It was an average sized room, which was alright for me. I walked over to my bed to lie down. As soon as I did though there was a knock on my door. Man, what does Milly want from me now? I went to go open it, but when I did I found that Lelouch was standing there.
"Oh, you are Lelouch, right?"
"I see you remembered my name. Do you have a moment Rai?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"I heard from the President that you were allowed to live here. While you may think of this place as your home and are free to do as you wish…"
"Ah yes…I'm much obliged to you both for that."
"But I'm here to talk for my younger sister. Please try not to, how should I put this, surprise her too much. She has an eyesight disability you see…so she is very sensitive to sound."
"I understand…I will try not to cause any trouble for the two of you then."
"Good, I will trust your words. Well then, I will see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah, see you later."
Lelouch then headed off to his own room so I closed the door and locked it this time. I then took a quick shower and then proceeded to head for bed.
(Third Person View)
Meanwhile over in Lelouch's perspective, he was just entering his room where he was greeted by a girl with green hair. She was simply known as C.C.
"So, how is our new neighbor? Did you get any new information out of him?" C.C. said as she was lying down on Lelouch's bed. Lelouch responded to her by saying…
"No, I didn't. I just had a little chat with him to ensure Nunnally's safety while in his presence."
"Hmph…A man without memories wouldn't know who he is loyal to or where he belongs. Besides, aren't you getting ahead of yourself about someone you have just met? I think you are being a little bit too paranoid about all this."
"Hmph…I'm being a little too paranoid huh? And you think someone as mysterious as him suddenly appearing to me after everything that has happened that last few weeks isn't a coincidence at all? Hah, I believe I have every right to be suspicious of him. For all I know, he could be a spy or agent sent from the Britannian Military or even possibly the Imperial Family...maybe even possibly from one of the other two superpower countries."
"Sigh…There you go again, delving into that big head of yours and thinking too hard about all this. So then, what do you plan on doing now regarding him?"
"For now I will let Rai live here and do whatever he wants. It will give me the chance to study him and figure out his true identity, and once I know who he really is, I will know how to deal with him."
"When that time comes we will all be amazed by who the real Rai is."
"Heh, perhaps we will be amazed." Lelouch said as he chuckled to himself.
C.C. simply sat back on the bed and smiled to herself.
The next day…
(First Person View)
It's another day, and also another day without my memories. I got up, put my school uniform on, and took a look at the clock. Hmm, it looks like I got up pretty early today. There is plenty of time before classes start. Maybe I will go take a walk around campus or something. I opened the door to leave my room but when I unlocked the door there was a red headed girl standing in front of my door. She looked like she was about to knock on the door but put her arm down when I opened it. This girl…I think her name was Kallen. She seemed a little surprised when the door opened.
"Oh, good morning…I see you are already awake."
"Oh…uh…Good morning..." I said nervously.
"I can see you are looking better than you did a couple of days ago. Milly told me to wake you up and take you to her."
"O-Okay...I guess I should head over to the school building to find her then."
"Ah, she is not at the school building. Milly is waiting for you in the clubhouse's student council room."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
"Come on, I will take you there."
We then began walking down the hallway together.
"So, how is it? Did you remember anything?" Kallen said trying to strike up a conversation.
"No, nothing yet."
"I see, I guess amnesia isn't so simple to cure."
Giving up on her question, she didn't seem very interested in getting an answer. I felt something awkward, like an invisible wall forming between us.
"Ah, you have woken up." Shirley said as she walked up to us.
"Good morning."
"Good morning Rai. Have you remembered anything?"
"N-No...nothing yet."
"I see, I guess that is to be expected though. 'Everything will be solved if you sleep well for one night!' I suppose that kind of reasoning doesn't really work."
The girl who had come just now had an overly friendly attitude which, compared to the heavy atmosphere surrounding Kallen gave me quite a relief. As Shirley joined us all three of us walked together until we heard a noisy voice from the other side of the door we were walking towards. It was a bright, familiar, cheerful voice.
"Come on, let's go in." Kallen said as she opened the door.
The three of us then proceeded to enter the student council room. Milly and Nina were in there waiting for us.
"Milly, I brought him here just like you told me to."
"Oh, you have successfully brought him here. Thank you very much for your efforts!"
Milly then turned towards me.
"Good morning Rai!"
"Good morning..." Nina silently said.
"Good morning." I said to them both.
I just then realized that I was completely surrounded by girls. Normally, any healthy young man would be delighted with something like this. But I only had a strange feeling of unease. Was I originally poor at these kinds of situations? Since I had no memories I lacked the self-confidence to understand the reason behind this feeling. Yes, it was like the feeling of being out of place. The feeling was not only directed towards my surroundings, but also towards me.
"So where is everyone else?" I said wondering where Lelouch, Rivalz and Suzaku were.
"I got them doing something else for me right now. So, have you managed to remember anything yet?"
I just quietly stood there.
"What is it? Are you actually a wandering prince?! An agent from the Chinese Federation?! Or, maybe even a time traveler from the future?!"
I think her imagination was getting too wild.
"I still haven't remembered anything yet."
"...I suppose that is to be expected."
"Sorry…"
"Ah, there is nothing for you to apologize for. I'm the one who is sorry, for being so overeager just now."
"Everyone was called here for the same reason right?" Kallen began to speak.
"Kallen too…? I was asked to come here not that long ago as well." Shirley quickly shouted out.
"Truly, I'm sincerely sorry for that." Milly said to the girls and then continued on.
"I called you all here to help come up with ideas of how we can help poor Rai here recover his memories. So, any ideas here?"
"Why don't we try a change of pace? We could try looking around several places in the Settlement."
This was suggested by Kallen.
That may certainly be true. Instead of simply staying on school campus I should seize the chance to find something outside that can trigger my memories to return.
"That's right, you will probably remember if something out there triggers it. It is better than just sitting around and worrying, right?" Shirley said agreeing with Kallen.
"Then in that case, I will leave guiding him to you, Kallen." Milly said with her hand held forward.
"Eh…Why me?" Kallen said confused.
"It's the 'person who brings up the subject who must be the first to act upon it rule. It is a law common around the world." Milly said to Kallen.
"Isn't it fine? It's a law that nothing can be done about." Shirley then proceeded to say.
"Hey, that is just for your own convenience! Ah...I mean, that sort of thing is just too much for me...And I don't really know the area that well..." Kallen snapped at them at first but then continued speaking in a quieter manner as if to hide her real emotions.
"Really…It is just that, Kallen has been showing her face at school more recently so I thought you had a good recovery." Shirley then said.
"Exactly…Then, as the student council president, I hereby nominate Kallen as Rai's official helper." Milly said as she was doing what appeared to be twirling an invisible wand in her hand.
"Huh!?" Kallen then spoke out.
"All those in favor, say I. I!" Milly shouted out enthusiastically.
"I!" Shirley shouted out in a similar manner to Milly.
"I..." Nina quietly said.
"The decision has been approved by majority vote! This emergency resolution by the student council shall be implemented. This is the order of the student council president!"
"That is just..."
"This is okay with you too, right?" Milly said looking at me.
"Uh…Well…I guess I don't mind."
"It is settled then, as soon as school is finished today you will both meet and carry out the plan at the settlement's public park. And now, since classes are about to begin you are all dismissed!"
Kallen looked down in disappointment. After various things happened it seems like Kallen will be guiding me around for a while. Although she didn't say it I could tell Kallen was not at all happy about being forced into helping me and it made feel bad. But at least it's better than me just hanging around here in the clubhouse like an ornament. I have to find the mysteries to my past as soon as possible, for everyone's sake. For the time being, I will try not to forget to go to the park after school. I just hope we will be able to find something there. Something connected to my memories.
I left the room by myself and headed to my next class. The classes today pretty much operated like they did yesterday.
Once all my classes were finished for the day I decided to go find the park. I definitely did not want to be late. I headed out and while crossing the courtyard I heard a voice call out to me. It was Suzaku.
"Hey, Rai."
"Ah…Suzaku."
"How are you doing? Is there anything inconvenient in your life right now?"
"Oh no, I am all right."
"I see. If there is something that is bothering you please feel free to tell me."
"In that case could you tell me how to get to the park? I'm not exactly sure where everything is outside of school campus."
"Sure thing…The park actually is not that far from the school and I was about to head out myself anyways."
Suzaku then guided me off school grounds and towards the park. We started to have a discussion on our way there.
"Thanks again for spending your time to help me."
"Anytime, because everyone else is also trying to help you…Just like they did for me as well."
"For me as well…? Did you lose your memory too?"
"Ahaha, no, no, it is not like that. I came to this school as a new student recently as well. However, in the respect that neither of us knew right from left when we first came here we are somewhat similar don't you think?"
"I guess so."
"When I first came here the other students keep their distance from me. But in time some of them started to show kindness to me, in particular, the people from the student council. So therefore, if there is anything you need you can rely on me. For me, that is how I want to repay the favor they did for me."
"I see. I understand what you mean."
But really though…everyone is making such a fuss in wanting to help me to this extent, even though I haven't even been here long. However, it is thanks to their kindness that I'm here now. I'm grateful for that. Maybe I should rely on everyone a little more and open up to them.
Soon enough the two of us arrived at the park.
"Well, this is where you wanted to go right?"
"Yes."
"In that case I will split with you here. I have some work to go do. Later."
"Yeah, see you."
I parted ways with Suzaku here. The location of my appointment with Kallen was here in the Settlement Park. I had intended to arrive here a little earlier than the agreed upon time but I found Kallen already there waiting for me. She was talking on her cell phone to someone and I could hardly hear what they were talking about.
"Yes, that is right. I will not be able to head out with you guys on tonight's mission. I'm stuck doing work for student council. You can go ahead and tell Z-..."
Kallen then turned and saw me approaching so she quickly twirled back around and said…
"I'm sorry, but I have to go now."
She then turned off her phone and put it away.
"Ah, you came." She said as if she was trying to act natural.
I decided to play along with her and pretended that her phone call didn't happen.
"That was the promise after all."
"...You didn't hear anything about what I was talking about on the phone, did you?" Kallen said as she put her hand into her pouch.
"Not really…although I did hear something about a mission happening tonight though."
"Ah yes that…you see…I was talking to my friend on the phone about this online game I play with them at night."
"Oh, I see."
"…Um, please don't say anything to the people at school about that okay?"
"Don't worry. I won't say anything."
"Good…"
Kallen then started to look around our surroundings.
"You know, this is a convenient place for people to meet, isn't it? Although it does get crowded during the holidays."
Kallen was trying to change the subject now.
"Uh…yeah, I guess."
"Well then, we should get going now."
Kallen then started to show me around while giving a tour of the settlement. She took me to the marketplace first and then showed me other parts of the settlement and as she did I began to discover the true nature of the place I was at.
Tokyo Settlement…The Britannia within Japan…Area 11…The former Japan is now Area 11. This city of Japan now the city of Britannia. In the end, where was this place? This out of place feeling...Yes, it was the same as me. I had no memories yet I still had the knowledge needed to live. And yet I didn't know who I was. Who was I? A hollow city…A hollow me…I wonder who would understand the true form of this city?
"What is it? What are you thinking about?" Kallen said looking at me.
"Huh...Nothing in particular."
"Is my guiding boring to you?"
Kallen's words were slightly harsh towards me. But then again she had been coerced into being my guide so I suppose it was not unreasonable of her to feel that way.
"I'm…I'm sorry." I said as I bowed my head.
"Eh?"
"You have been keeping somebody like me company, someone who doesn't even know anything. I know that Milly and the others pretty much forced this task to help me onto to you. And while I understood that you gave the impression that you did not want to help directly I did not do anything to prevent that. I'm truly sorry for that."
Kallen just stood there as I said that.
"I really am..."
"It is fine...Don't worry about it." Kallen said that as she gave a weak smile.
It was dark by the time we reached the middle of the settlement. Kallen seemed ready to call it quits for today.
"Well this is today's spot. Were you able to divert yourself a little?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Well I hope that you will remember something. So will it be fine if we meet each other at the park for our next meeting as well?"
"Sure..."
Kallen and I then started to part ways. While she held back in keeping it simple and showing only the main points I could now safely guide myself around the settlement to the places I needed to go for my everyday life. I was ready to head on back to Ashford when I bumped into someone wearing a brown uniform and hat.
"Huh? What are you doing in a place like this Rai?"
"You…You are..."
"It's Suzaku. Kururugi Suzaku."
That's right, Suzaku. However, that wasn't a school's uniform he was wearing. It looked more like an army uniform.
"I'm sorry Suzaku. I couldn't recognize you wearing that uniform. It's not a school uniform is it?"
"Ah, these clothes? That's right...I haven't told you yet but I'm doing some work for the army."
"You work for the army?"
"Well, it is more like I'm helping them a little I guess...Leaving that aside what are you doing out here by yourself?"
"Well I was with Kallen just a little while ago. She was giving an assignment by Milly to give me a tour of the Settlement to help trigger something for my memories. I don't remember anything about my past yet but I do have a clearer picture of the Settlement now. I was about to head on back when I ran into you."
"I see…In that case you wouldn't mind if I guided you back to Ashford just to make you return safely."
I know that earlier today Suzaku said that if I ever needed help I could rely on him. However, I was wary of Suzaku after hearing he was working for the army. I didn't understand the reason for it myself. For some reason though I just didn't trust the Britannian military. But for now I will accept his offer.
"If it is not a problem I would appreciate it."
"I was heading back towards my workplace which is near the school anyway. So it is really not a problem."
"Thank you."
"Remember what I said earlier today, if you're ever troubled about something feel free to talk to me about it."
"Yeah, sure..."
Suzaku seemed to be truly worried about me. For some reason the wariness that had welled up inside me towards the army didn't vanished. However, it didn't seem like I had to point that wariness at this person. Suzaku and I then headed on back to Ashford Academy. We soon made it back there in no time.
"Well, here we are. I guess I will see you tomorrow in class."
"Yeah…See you."
Night had come. Under the moonlight the world danced. As did both the Britannians and the Elevens. As I looked up at the moon of the beautiful night sky I thought about the circumstances surrounding the night sky that I would see in the future. What did the moon in my memories look like, I wonder? As the moon rises I will remember someday. But was I allowed to believe in that...?
Moving on to the next Stage…