Sorry for the wait. It`s just im having a bit of trouble accessing a computer for long enough to actually write. Here you go, hope you enjoy.
And I promise it picks up in the next chapter.
"Alright, here are your papers and your schedule," The woman behind the desk says, handing Kiku a few papers. "Your dorm room is number 178."
"Thank you." Kiku says, and leaves the office.
He's at Roundview College, just finishing enrolling as a student. He filled out the application form last night, and got himself in with a bit of hacking. He packed all his belongings in two large cardboard boxes, which he's carrying now.
The college is made up of five big buildings, connected by a field. It has recently rained, and the smell hangs in the air, thick and heavy. While everything else is grey and dismal, the lawn looks green as acid. Kiku tramples it as he walks to the dorms.
The dorms are a long, four-story red brick building on the east side of campus. He enters through a side door and walks down a hallway, counting the numbers on the doors. They're arranged weirdly, in almost a spiral, so it takes him a little while to find the room.
When he does find it, he hesitates before knocking. In truth, he's rather nervous.
He lifts up his hand, about to knock, then the door flies open. It hits him square in the face, sending him, his papers, and his boxes tumbling to the floor.
"WELCOME DUDE! Oh shit, are you okay?"
Kiku's vision is obscured by a paper that has landed on his face. Right in front of his eyes are the words, Roommate: Alfred F. Jones.
He swipes the paper off his face and the man himself is standing in the doorway.
It's like the picture Kiku has secreted away in his files has come to life. The dirty blond hair, cerulean eyes dancing with excitement. He's wearing jeans and a white sweater. He's taller than Kiku, but his boyish face makes him look young.
"Er, yes. Thank you." He takes the hand Alfred has extended to him and gets up off the ground. "Well, come on in!" He scoops up one of Kiku's boxes and walks in, Kiku following.
The room is decorated garishly, Superman and Green Day posters adorning the walls. The two beds are cheap Ikea furniture, as is the desk in the corner. Alfred's macbook sits on top, sleek and shiny in comparison to Kiku's Windows that's been used a thousand times. Alfred drops Kiku's box on one bed and sits on the other.
"I'm Alfred." He introduces himself.
Kiku needs to resist the urge to say, 'I know'. He'd hacked the college's computer system so he could get a dorm with him.
"Kiku Honda." He replies.
"Great to meet you, bro! I'm so glad I have a roommate. It's an integral part of the college experience, am I right?"
Kiku manages a hum and a nod.
"What major are you?"
"Business." Kiku answers. He knows he has the same as Alfred, having picked it for that very reason.
"Same!" He responds predictably. "Oh, tomorrow I should introduce you to my brother and my friends!"
Alfred's enthusiasm and 100-watt smile are infectious, and Kiku finds himself smirking. "Okay."
Kiku spends the rest of the evening setting up his dorm and making small talk with Alfred. He seems like a pretty nice guy, but he's also loud and a bit obnoxious. Later, when Alfred's gone out, he pulls out his laptop and opens up the word document that holds the plans for his mission.
Everything is written and recorded, planned to the last detail. He scans the document and sighs. He likes to be organized.
Next, he opens his email and taps out a message to Gilbert.
Hey Gil. Just got to earth for my latest assignment. Mr. Edelstein says I'm not allowed to tell anyone about this mission, but I will say one thing: It might be harder than I expected. How are things? Is Elizabeta still mad at you? She seems stressed lately. Don't trash my cubicle while I'm gone. Kiku.
With a small smile, Kiku logs off his email and shuts his laptop. By now it's late, and he decides to go to sleep. He'll need his energy tomorrow, that's for sure.
That was short. Sorry about that.