Chapter 4: Moving Out, Moving In

"Hey Aigis. Do you think you could help me grab that suitcase?" Yukari asked as she herself lugged a huge backpack over her shoulder. The other girl nodded, walked over to the large green baggage and picked it up in one smooth motion that did no justice to how much it really weighed. "Anything else you require Yukari-chan?" She queried.

"Wow, I forgot how strong you were!" Yukari exclaimed in surprise,"No that's fine, sorry for making you carry my luggage."She addedapologetically.

"It is no problem," Aigis said with a smile, "as I have so few things of my own to carry." She finished as she started out the door of the girl's shared dormitory. The remaining girl watched her with an expression of sadness at her statement as she noticed the tiny bag of belongings Aigis had. Then suddenly, she chased after the blond girl, calling out to her, "Oh…Aigis! We should go shopping one day now that it's spring break! We could get new outfits at Paulownia Mall!! And I'm sure there are lots of other things you might like."

The blond looked back over her shoulder quizzically. "But, Yukari-chan, I already have a functional outfit. And I already possess any essential items I require." She said in a no-nonsense tone, the brunette girl suddenly burst into a fit of giggles.

"What is it that is so funny?" Aigis asked, looking more confused by the second.

"Oh, Aigis, it's just that," Yukari began between small fits of laughter, "shopping isn't bout just getting things we need. It's about buying things we want. And anyway, you can't go wearing that uniform anymore, you've graduated from school now."

Aigis looked down at her own clothing; a white shirt fitted under a dark coat and skirt, with a large red ribbon to finish it off. "But this outfit is very comfortable. It is easy to move in, and I looked like all the other students." She responded logically, making her companion grin once again.

"If you say so, but once we're done with all this, remind me to take you shopping." Yukari replied, "But for now, let's just concentrate on getting to the old dorm. Com'on, I'll race you!"

"Agreed." Aigis replied as her friend bolted off, bag swinging wildly on her back. The blond girl gripped the luggage she carried tightly and quickly gave chase after her.

- - - - -

Fuuka wandered out to the large disposal bin outside her current residence. She looked sadly at the armload of flowers she carried, a feeling of deep regret welling up inside as she noticed the trash unit before her. "Well, I guess this can't be helped. I can always get new flowers when I've moved back into the old dorm."

With a sigh, the green haired teenager dropped the contents of her arms into the bin, then turned and walked back into the dormitory building she had been residing in for the last school year.

Her room was much less colourful without her floral decorations. On her bed lay a few more garments waiting to be packed in the bags that housed nearly all the rest of her belongings. Fuuka walked over to her bed and begun to fold the last pieces of clothing for packing; they were newly wash and dried from the laundry. As she forced her last sweater into the overflowing bag, she noticed the unfolded letter sitting on her desk. She picked it up and read the words once again with a feeling of warmth and happiness,

'Hey Fuuka, how're ya doing? Since I started at my new school, I joined into a lot of different clubs and I really tried hard with all the work, and I'm amazed that I actually made it through. I hope you're doing really well too. Congratulations on graduating, which college are you going to? Maybe we'll end up at the same one (fingers crossed). Anyway, I really wanted to say thanks Fuuka, for believing in me. You really helped me out lots! Hope to see you sometime. Love, Natsuki.'

Fuuka held the letter close to her, with a reminiscent smile. Suddenly somebody rapped on the door, and a man's voice called, "Yamagishi? You're moving out today right? I wanted to let you know that I received your paperwork, so you're free to go anytime! It was nice having you as a resident!" The sound of footsteps became faint as the proprietor walked off. Fuuka looked sadly around at her room, "Guess I better get going." She said to herself. She picked up the bag in one hand, and carried the letter in her other and headed for the door. Giving the room one last look as she passed out the doorway, Fuuka headed off back for her old home.

- - - - -

"Dude, it's all over! Yes!!" Junpei cried happily as he swung back on his chair and threw his arms into the air.

"Are you so happy to be rid of us?" Another teenager asked as he entered the lounge where the young man sat.

"What? Oh no Hideki, I meant, now that's I'm moving outta this dorm, I'm officially no longer a student of Gekkoukan High School! My dream has finally come true!!"

'Hahaha. Man, take it easy. We still have to sort out applications for college now, I heard that applying is harder than the finals we just had."

"No kidding?! Serious?!" Junpei asked shocked, his chair landing back onto four legs as its occupant fell back down to earth.

"That's what I heard." His friend replied, "Hey, you're moving out today right Junpei? Good luck huh. Me and Kaito are staying for a lil while longer till we sort it all out."

"Oh yeah, I am. That reminds me, I should get packing." Junpei mused to himself. His companion looked at him strangely, then asked hesitantly, "You mean…you haven't started…?"

"Nah not yet. But it shouldn't take too long right?"

Hideki decided not to answer, instead he replied, "Well, I better get going. I'm meeting some others at the arcade."

"Right, see ya man!" Junpei called as he watched his former dorm mate leave. "Well, time for some serious packing!" He added to himself as he clambered off his seat and into his room.

- - - - -

The door to the dormitory opened as a silver haired student walked in, carrying a full duffel bag. He looked around the room to find the place empty, then dropped the bag against the wall and took a break, "I'm glad I decided to travel light. I might not have made it if I brought everything with me. That was one hell of a walk." He gasped gently as he leaned against the desk. A loud bark suddenly made him jump. He turned in the direction of the sofa to find a ball of white fur, "Oh hey Koro, didn't see ya there. Anybody else here yet?" He asked. Koromaru barked again, tongue hanging out.

"You're back." A woman's voice spoke. Akihiko jumped again to find his old classmate watching him, her arms crossed over her chest. Her expression was serious and Akihiko couldn't help but feel a little miffed that she didn't even seem welcoming in the slightest to see him there.

"It looks like you've already moved in." He replied, "Seems you had a lot of things sorted early, if you know what I mean." He added, somewhat annoyed.

Mitsuru frowned slightly, "And what do you mean by that?" She questioned. Akihiko straightened up, then looked defiantly into her eyes, "You know exactly what I mean. So, why have the Kirijo Group still been looking into all this, after an entire year since it ended? And it seems obvious you intended for us to join you on this little escapade before we even had a chance to give you an answer; why now? And why this?"

Her frown deepened, but she replied in a strong vein, "I vowed to take over my father's business. One of the larger aspects of such were the shadows, while they remain existent, I cannot abandon my duty."

"Still, with the Seal and all, humanity isn't in danger anymore. Shouldn't the Kirijo Group be moving on to better things?"

The redhead shot him an angry glare at his statement. "I am the heiress to my father's work and lineage. I will not abandon his life's work on a mere whim!" She growled back, losing her formal composure.

"So instead, you drag us all back into it?!" The silver haired man retaliated back, "You know, everybody else might believe you had this noble quest in mind to save Arisato. But I've known you for longer, and I know you have other reasons."

"Maybe this is the exact reason as to why I do not share my personal business, when others around me have such little trust!" She snared, shooting him daggers with her eyes before whirling around and striding off to her own room. Koromaru whimpered sadly as he watched her leave, unsure of what was going on.

"Can't believe her…" Akihiko muttered to the dog "after all we've been through and she won't even share her own feelings." He looked down the empty hall that the redhead had vacated, checking for any sign of sound or motion, then with a shrug to himself, picked up the bag that lay forgotten against the wall and headed off to the second floor. Koromaru let out a low whine and sat with his tail between his legs and ears dropping as he watched his other friend walk off.

- - - - -

"Whoa, whoa! Fuuka!! Hey!!"

The teenaged girl looked around in confusion for the voice calling her name, she suddenly located it behind a mass of moving luggage, much of which was oddly shaped and looked very untidy. The voice called out to her again, "Fuuka! Wait…up!!"

Curiously, Fuuka walked over to see who was within the baggage. "Junpei-kun!" She exclaimed in surprise, then, "…what are you doing?"

"What does…it look like…?" Junpei panted, "We're moving back…to the dorm today…right?"

"But…Why are all your bags half packed...? And…is that…a plate in there?!" She exclaimed as she examined the bags he carried.

"What?!" Junpei replied in shock, dropping the many bags he carried and taking a look. "Wow, whaddya know, it is a plate!" He said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, "Must've packed it by accident…"

"Junpei…just when did you start packing?" Fuuka asked.

"Huh? Well, bout an hour ago actually." Junpei replied, not understanding the look of surprise that crossed the girl's face.

"Hey Fuuka, is that you?" A girl's voice called from behind them. They both turned to see a pair of girls, both sporting large cases of luggage in their arms.

"Yukari-chan! Aigis-chan!" Fuuka said with a smile. The two girls approached them, Yukari then noticed the other person heaving over his luggage. "Stupei! You're a mess!!" She exclaimed. Junpei made an odd noise as he attempted to pick up all the bags again, the others watched him with interest.

"Do you require assistance Junpei-kun?" Aigis asked as she watched his fruitless attempts.

"No…I can do it myself…" Junpei replied, still struggling.

Yukari sighed, then went and grabbed the bag that the teenaged boy was about to pick up. "If we let you carry these yourself, we'll never make it there today!" She scolded, handing the bag to the other girls then picking up another. Junpei gave her a funny look, a mix between gratitude and shock, then spoke, "Thanks Yuka-tan! I owe ya one!"

"Yeah, yeah, but don't go expecting anymore favours." She replied with a hint of a true smile, then motioned to the rest of the group, "Let's get going!"