Full Sumary: When Irene found out her two friends were leaving her to go to Japan for a scholarship as Foreign Exchange Students, she was devastated. Not long after, however, she found out that she was being given one of the same kind for the most ridiculous of reasons. Unsure as to what the Chairman was thinking when he gave her that, or if he ever thought at all, she found herself being dragged along as the loyal friend she was. However, when she and Skylar get separated from Eliza due to her being a Night Class student, things start to get a bit hectic.
It gets even worse when they actually start interacting with the mysterious students, a simple mishap caused by a gust of wind knocking all the papers out of her hands. Accidents always happen, some good some bad, and as her friend constantly argues with the silver-haired prefect Irene is still trying to figure out if coming to Cross Academy was a mistake or not.
Skylar was a paranoid person. When she leaves for patrol she always checks on Irene, making sure she was sleeping, and would always lock the windows behind her in case someone got a bright idea and decided to try something. In fact, Skylar was pretty darn sure there was nothing safe than locking one's window. So when her senses screamed at her that something was wrong and that her friend was in trouble Skylar took the longer route, dashing into the Day Dorms, up the stairs, and practically kicked the door down.
She was breathing heavily, sure. Skylar was a Hunter, but that didn't mean she chased after her prey a whole lot. She usually stood there and shot until they keeled over and dusted. She panted and looked around, gun held tight in her hand, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary until her gaze rested on the bed.
Not only was Irene gone, but her blanket was kicked halfway off the bed and one of the pillows were missing-thrown, all the way across the room, and lying next to an open window...
Shit! Skylar cursed loudly in her head and quickly maneuvered over, lungs burning as she peered out. She scowled and let out several profanities, the wind blowing the curtain and her hair into her face, but upon feeling no nearby presence of a Vampire Skylar pulled away with a frown. Who the hell...? She could still feel it. The sensation sent goosebumps running along her skin. The Vampire had been here... but where's- "Irene!" Skylar's eyes widened and before she knew it she was kneeling down beside the unconscious brunette, the girl wheezing heavily. No, no, no, no, no!
This wasn't happening. There was no way this happening. Skylar searched for bite marks, pushing the sleeves up and even going so far as to check her legs. Irene's neck was clear for all to see, hair so short and collar a normal u-shape, but the flesh was untouched. She wasn't bleeding anywhere either, so... what happened?
Picking her up with tears stinging her eyes Skylar felt something akin to a bump on the back of her friend's head. She rationalized Irene hit it against the wall in the struggle. Skylar was going to murder whoever did this... She was even more enraged due to the fact that Irene looked as though she had been crying, something which while shouldn't have surprised her as Irene was an emotional smol bean, made Skylar as furious as a dormant volcano threatening to erupt, scalding and bubbling way beyond her boiling point as it was a person that did this.
Eyes red and puffy, face still wet with tears... her entire expression was that of pain. It pissed Skylar off. It pissed her off so. Damn. Much.
She was so angry she was shaking, teeth grinding together as she carefully picked her friend up and stood. Someone's going to die... She thought, violent thoughts that would send any normal person scurrying away rushing through her mind. Skylar started to turn, having the intent of lying Irene back down on her bed, when she heard footsteps and felt Zero's presence as he entered the room. "Hey-" He looked rather irked, opening his mouth to say something, before he stopped and just looked at her. Really looked at her. Skylar herself was crying. Crying and angry and eyes filled with so much hate- Zero closed his eyes, grimacing at the scent of late-Vampire, and looked at Skylar with a softer expression.
He felt a bit bad for all the things he said. For what he accused her of. While their situations may have been different, the look she was wearing now was the same look he had after his family had been attacked. When that woman appeared. While Zero didn't agree with her philosophy that not all Vampires were bad, he could relate to her to a certain extent. He was a terrible person, acting the way he did, but he refused to apologize. Instead, he carefully stepped forward and extended his hands out towards.
She eyed him suspiciously, almost backing away, but upon seeing the gentler look she relented, allowing Zero to take Irene from her. The girl was completely limp, unmoving if not for the shallow breaths she took. He moved and set her down, pulling the blanket up and tossing it over her. "You should get the Chairman," He murmured, knitting his eyebrows together. A confliction of emotions took over him, and he cleared his throat when he felt it get a bit dry. He coughed into his shoulder, grimacing, and tore his gaze away from the unconscious girl's exposed neck. "I don't think that bloodsucker did any physical damage."
The stupid tablets... Zero stalked out of the room, not sparing her a glance as he entered the hallway and pulled out his medicine case, taking out a few pills and putting them in his mouth. He coughed twice as hard, choking on the pills as they refused to dissolve in his mouth. Damn it... He brought a hand up to cover his mouth as he coughed, hacking and wheezing and eventually slamming a hand against his chest.
It was burning. A hot, acidic fire in his throat and a gaping empty hole in his stomach. He was thirsty-so so thirsty.
Why!? Remains of the tablets ended up spat back out onto his hand, covered in spit and fluid. Why... don't they work!? It hurts. It hurts so much. He's starving. I'm not... like them. He's not a beast. Zero isn't going to be like that woman.
From inside the room Skylar looked at her unconscious friend, wondering who and why the hell someone decided to do this. Was it because of Ichijou? Because she was getting too close to such an important Aristocrat? Or was it simply because they didn't like Irene? Skylar didn't know. But she certainly was going to get answers.
...
The next morning wasn't as eventful as most with interesting lives would be hoping, but it was certainly more eventful than I've ever had. I woke up with a pounding skull and aching muscles, shifting just causing excruciating pain to shoot all throughout my body. It felt a bit like I had ran another marathon in gym class, despite not having had that since my Freshman year of High School back in America, and my eyes burned so fiercely.
I knew right away I must have cried myself to sleep last night. I couldn't remember the last time I had done something like that-maybe a few months ago? That one was an anxiety attack, the one before that... self-loathing and the feeling of worthlessness. Wincing at the sharp needles attacking me from every nook and cranny of my body I forced myself to roll onto my back, bringing a hand up to my face and rubbing at my eyes.
I've been doing so well recently, too... I'm a little ashamed of myself. Why does loneliness bring out the self-hate one has buried in them? I'd probably be fine if I didn't come to Japan, but because Skylar and Eliza are constantly gone I'm always by myself. I have no one to talk to, to hang out with or trust in. It's horrible to feel lonely, but what's even lonelier is when you're in a room full of strangers. Sure, Skylar and I are in the same classes, but... because she's always out late for her prefect duties she's constantly sleeping in class. While I don't mind comfortable silences, it was really the only time I have to really see her. I have at least ten minutes to speak to her in the morning, both of us rushing to get ready and so not to miss breakfast, and then maybe a decent fifteen during school lunch when we're not busy stuffing our faces.
Closing my eyes, I tried to recall our last conversation. Yesterday morning...?
Wait, hold on. That's right. I'm at the Headmaster's place right now. He's been inviting Skylar over for breakfast and dinner constantly. The two of us ate with him, Yuuki, Zero, and...
And?
I paused, finding the thought strange. There was no one else with us, was there? Oh god, I hope not. If they show up again and I don't remember their name I'll feel horrible! I'm already a bad person, but jeez... I can't even recall a face. So... why do I feel like there was another person there? And...
Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something important? Just what did I cry over last night? I stared up at the ceiling in deep thought, questioning what all happened yesterday. There was... breakfast. Right? I remember... I remember when I woke up...
My mind went blank. It was as if I were staring at an empty white canvas, paintbrush in hand, with nothing to paint. Or, for a more accurate description, it was like I couldn't breathe. As if something were constricting me, caught in my throat and preventing any and all air entry or escape. Grasping, clawing, reaching desperately for something you couldn't have.
Almost as if to mock me I began to have trouble breathing myself. Wh-Why can't-Why can't I remember!? What am I forgetting!? I was speaking to someone-who was I speaking to? I-I-I-
Stuck. My heart felt like it was stuck in my throat and I struggled to get out from underneath the blankets, panicking and wheezing and falling off the bed as I pounded against my chest as hard as I possibly could, gasping loudly.
I can breathe. I can breathe, I can breathe, I can breathe, I can breathe-!
I felt so lightheaded. Pressure built on both sides of my skull, black spots dancing in my vision, and it was only as I was stumbling towards the door did I manage to breathe again, my body hitting the wood at full force as I went limp, failing to twist the doorknob and open it. I curled into a ball, knees to my chest, and pulled at my hair roughly as I tried to calm down. I mumbled to myself my mantra, tears burning like flames in my eyes. "I can breathe, I can breathe, I can breathe-" It was barely more than a choked whisper.
Who was there!?
The door cracked open, hitting my side, and I inhaled sharply with a gasp as I turned to look.
A single, surprised green eye looked down at me. "I-Irene-Chan?" I know that person. Who is that person? Wh-Why-Why-I can't... I can't... I don't understand... Why does this person feel so important? Why does looking at this person hurt so much? Who is this person!? I scrambled clumsily out of the way, allowing the familiar blond to enter the room. "Irene-Chan..." The person spoke softly, stepping into the room and gently closing the door behind him. I was frozen, breathing heavy and the slightest bit scared.
He knelt down in front of me, his smile light and friendly, but his green eyes sad. It was this man. He was... He was... My fingers were suddenly holding tightly onto the collar of his pale blue button-up, hands trembling as I got onto my knees and stared him dead in the eyes. I was searching-looking for something.
This person... it was him, wasn't it? Th-The one I can't... "I... Ichi..." My fingers twisted into the cloth of the unbuttoned collar, feeling the silk against my skin, and I looked deep into those emerald depths. Startled, sad, afraid... relieved. The name got stuck on my tongue, the word stuck in my throat, and I felt dizzy the more I tried to remember.
Talks... long talks... cooking in the kitchen. Laughter. Light, beautiful laughter...
A soft hand placed itself on my cheek, a thumb gently brushing away the tears. My eyes closed instinctively in a flinch when he leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. He didn't seem to care that I was on the verge of strangling him, instead keeping that solemn smile on his face. He held my face in his hands and I choked again, fighting against the tears.
I know I know this person, s-so why...? Why can't I remember? Who is he to me? "I... Ichij...j.." What's his name? It was such a nice name. Flowed off the tongue so easily...
"Do you remember me, Irene-Chan?" He asked quietly, voice barely above a whisper. I hiccuped, the tears falling even harder now. "I'm so terribly sorry..." I loosened my hold at his words, a numbness forming inside my chest. He pulled away slightly, something soft pressing against the top of my head, and I found myself being pressed against his chest in a strange, yet familiar embrace. Keeping a hand on the back of my head he pressed the side of my face into his shoulder. "This wasn't supposed to happen to you... I promised myself to protect you, from letting you get hurt even more... and yet now you're missing over half of your memories of me. Irene-Chan... tell me... what's making you fight to keep them even now?"
Wh... What? My breathing hitched at his words and I stiffened, awkwardly grabbing onto his shirt and trying to look at him. My actions were thwarted by him forcing me to keep the side of my face pressed against his shoulder.
"Don't." His voice hardened. It was scary. I... I don't think I've heard him speak like this before... No, have I heard him speak like that before? I-I can't... recall... oh god, it hurts! I squeezed my eyes shut, clinging onto him tightly. His voice softened, "Don't look at me right now, Irene-Chan... It will only make you hurt more. I need to finish what Seirin started, otherwise... remembering will only harm you. There's no need to think too hard about this... I'm just a ditzy, incompetent manga-lover after all. No reason to remember someone like me. Although... I am selfish. I... find joy in the fact that you're doing this. That, even though it's hurting you, you're trying to remember... but Kaname's will is clear, isn't it? I'm sorry, Irene-Chan. You'll forget all this, but... I hope you can forgive me."
F-Forget... No! Fearful of what was going to happen next I tried to pull away, not wanting to use violence against this person, but he was strong. "L-Let go-! No!" When it became clear he wasn't going to release me I tried to elbow him, but all that happened was that he let out a grunt and gripped tightly onto my hair, keeping a firm hold of me even as I struggled.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness took over. Not from my migraine, but more like a sleep spell. It was hauntingly familiar and I could feel the images of the blond I was clinging onto fade away.
I-I refuse! I won't... I won't let... "N-No..." I don't want to. I don't want to forget. Don't make me forget... "Ichijou..." I could feel my body go limp, losing all strength it had, and as my eyes slid shut I could just barely keep hold of his one single, sad smile before everything went black.
When I awoke again I was greeted with that same empty feeling. This time, instead of panicking, I just laid there for a good hour before finally opening my eyes and sitting up. I felt lifeless, numb, apathetic even.
"Ah, you're awake?" A voice warmly greeted, a smile able to be heard even if not seen. I turned my head to look, face blank despite my intense confusion. I felt too... lacking at the moment to try and incorporate any emotions onto my face. I didn't have the energy or the will. "I'm so glad! You fainted so suddenly; I didn't know what to do! Haha!" A man, almost like that of a porcelain doll, beamed at me brightly from the chair he was sitting in beside the bed I was on. He laughed, a light grin spreading broadly across his face.
I stared at him, blinking multiple times, and observed him. A part of me actually wondered if I was dreaming. Pale, acacia honey blond hair fell around his delicate face in slight waves, almost completely covering his right eye. That being said, the almond shaped orbs were decorated by dark blond lashes and were a shockingly pleasant shade of green. He was so lovely and bright upon first sight I almost believed I was looking at an angel or, if we're really going to go down that road, a devil. He was so unimaginably beautiful that if it weren't for the clear fact that he was flesh and blood I would have convinced myself he was a painting.
When I didn't speak up the blond's laughter died off. His smile was unfaltering as he looked at me. "Is there something wrong, "Fainting-San"?" His eyes were kind, almost overly so, and he carefully closed the book he was reading. My eyes flickered over to the article of literature, catching his action, and it was then I realized it wasn't actually a book. It was a manga.
Hellsing... I could feel the tiniest bit of emotion flood back into me when I saw the title. I never really had the chance to get into it, but I know it was about an ancient Vampire named Alucard. I remember something about how only virgins could be turned into Vampires, and he actually shot a chick to turn her into a vampire in order to save her. I think he worked for some kind of Hunter Association? I'm not entirely sure, but I do remember that Alucard was some kind of psychopath. "N-No, not... particularly," I settled on, knitting my eyebrows together as I shifted my gaze from the Manga to the male.
The blond tilted his head at me, still smiling. I wondered if he ever stopped and if he had a smile of steel. "Are you certain? You look rather ill..." Worry taking over his expression he set the book down on his lap and reached forward, leaning towards me and reaching a hand out towards my face.
Startled at the sudden action I flinched and recoiled before his hand could come into contact with my forehead. He looked surprised, green eyes widening, before the briefest flash of sadness entered his face. It was only for a second, maybe even barely that, for he was soon smiling again.
"I'm not going to hurt you," He promised, "I'm just checking for a fever." Biting my bottom lip nervously I resisted the urge to move away, reluctantly allowing the stranger to place a hand against my forehead. He appeared relieved. "You're normal... that's good." He then blinked, confusion flickering across his face. "Eh? Why is your face red?"
H-Huh? Oh, is it? Weird... "A-A bit... dizzy." I knit my eyebrows together in confusion, not understanding why my heart was pounding so frantically at the moment. What the heck is even going on? Where am I? Who is this person? "Um, I-I just... A-Are you okay?"
"Pardon?" Crap! I was stammering over my words, trying to clear up my mistake, when he chuckled and cut me off. "I think you should be worrying about yourself in this situation, miss. But to answer your question, I'm quite alright. Is there something bothering you?" His eyes were hard to read, his smile unidentifiable. It was as if he put up a barrier, refusing to be read. Regardless, he sat there patiently waiting for my response. He appeared very interested in what it was I had to say.
To say there was something bothering me would be an understatement. He said I fainted, right? And his smile... he looked so happy, so why did it feel like his smile was so forced? I searched his eyes for a reason, the male's smile twitching only a little as I did so, but in the dark depths of green I could only find the slightest semblance of pain. Maybe I was just imagining it...
There'd be no point in bringing it up either, right? We didn't know each other. I doubt he'd appreciate someone getting all up into his business. But... why was he here? Who the heck is he?
"Um, to better phrase that question," He started again, clearing his throat, "What made you think there was something wrong with me? You and I have never met before, yet the first time you see me you think something is off. Is there any specific reasoning as to why?"
And here's the situation I very much didn't wish to be in. "I-I just-I... I dunno, you just..." My voice went up an octave and I flinched, twisting and pulling onto the blankets that were resting on my legs. A nervous tick I failed to be rid of, it seems. One of the many, at least. "You looked... sad?"
The look he gave me said it all. Some of the force left him, making it obvious to all that his smile was strained. "You could tell? Just like that?" I-I don't know... lucky guess, maybe?
I gave a small shrug, uncomfortable with the situation at hand. "Am... Am I wrong?" I don't know what I'm hoping for anymore; I just want this conversation to be done and over with. Wrong or right, this is too tense for me to handle. I'm going to suffocate in this atmosphere.
"No, no. You're correct. I'm just surprised you'd noticed, that's all. You're very observant."
Ha. Tell that to my dad. Clearly you don't see how often I walk into walls or trip over my own feet. Wait, should I apologize? What does one do in this kind of scenario!? No, I shouldn't apologize. There isn't anything to apologize for. I should... um. I don't know. I didn't think I'd get this far.
The blond gave a small smile, this one more genuine than the last and filled with melancholy. There was the slightest bit of joy in that lamenting smile, however, and when he spoke next he kept his eyes on me, never breaking his gaze. "You see, someone I considered a dear friend had to leave and, with the way things are, I doubt I'll ever see her again. We're from two very different places, and so I had to do an awful thing in order to help her." His expression darkened, his hair falling into his face as he lowered his head. "Even now if I were to tell her about what I did, I doubt she'd forgive me. It was such an awful, horrible thing... it makes me wonder if I really do deserve the title of a "monster"." He laced his fingers together as he spoke, clutching his hands so tightly his knuckles were a blinding white.
I remained silent, listening carefully to what he said and replaying it over and over again in my mind. I didn't speak, waiting in case he decided to continue talking.
He chuckled, lifting his head up and giving an apologetic closed-eye grin. "Ah, my apologies. I got carried away, didn't I? Please, forget all that. It's nothing."
I stared at him intently, so intently that he actually sat up straight and looked at me with big, confused eyes. After a long, awkward moment I raised a hand up and pointed a finger at him sternly, movements a bit stiff. "No self-deprecation. A-Anyone who feels bad about hurting someone is not a monster." His eyebrows rose, the green orbs so wide they were threatening to take up over half his face. "A-And... And if you two really are that good of friends, if-if you explained that you were trying to help I'm sure she'd forgive you. No lying. O-Or beating around the bush. I-I mean, I-I don't know how she'd react, but if-if I were her and you explained and apologized I'd forgive you, so... so unless she's this really angry person who likes holding grudges then she should, too."
I kept pointing at him for a moment until I realized who I was talking to and where. I was pointing. Horror dawned on me and I yanked my hand back, mouth opening and closing as I realized what I had done. I was being rude. I was being extremely rude. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god!
"I-I-I-" I was so panicked I couldn't even think of how to say "pointing" in Japanese, only able to stammer out a repetitive apology. "I didn't mean to-to-" Oh god! Wait, should I bow? Should I get on the ground and kneel!? WHAT DO I DO TO APOLOGIZE!? I decided face-planting into the blankets and hitting my nose off my legs would be enough, crying out a very loud, "I'm so sorry! I-I forgot!"
"I-It's quite alright," He told me, fighting a laugh. "I don't really mind. It must be difficult getting used to new customs; there's no reason to panic so bad. You're allowed to raise your head." I started to do as told, slowly sitting up, only to freeze and look at him in alarm when I saw he had extended a hand out as if he were going to comfort me. He paused, realizing his action, and his smile became forced once more as he pulled away. "I... suppose I should be taking my leave now. You're probably uncomfortable with my being here."
I watched as he stood, the blond tucking his book against his side. I was confused, even more so by his actions. Was he trying to hug me a second ago?
The stranger turned and bowed, a hand over his chest in an overly polite and formal fashion. "I'm sorry if I startled you in any way; it was not my intention. I was simply waiting here for you to wake up... " He stood, giving a strained, closed-eye smile. "I'll go fetch the Chairman and he can explain everything to you properly, alright? It wouldn't be good if I were to remain here and stress you any further. You're probably filled with questions."
"N... Not really...?" Only a few. I just want to know where I am, why I fainted, and who the heck you are. His smiled softened at my words and he shook his head, hair falling messily into his face.
"You're too modest. You need to believe in yourself more." My eyes widened at his words, startled by the sudden change of tone in his voice. "You're such a kind person, but you always deny it, and even when you don't know a person you go out of your way to help them." Is he talking about our conversation? But why is he talking like he actually knows me? I'm so confused. "Honestly, sometimes it's a bit infuriating." A light puff of air escaped him, his smile darkening. "There are people who would like to take advantage of that kindness. You leave yourself too open for attack, Irene-Chan. That's why you ended up like this now... You were too nice to a horrible person like me."
That... doesn't make any sense. "I... I don't know you." He turned his head, tilting it with a bitter smile as he looked at me.
"No... I suppose not." He then brightened, grabbing his book and lightly tapping it against his head. "But that doesn't matter! Forget all that! What I'm trying to say is that I'm really grateful for your words earlier. But you shouldn't worry about me; in fact, forget I even exist! I'm nobody important after all, and someone like you should find a friend who suits them! It was nice meeting you, Irene-Chan." He chuckled, expression lighthearted, but I was frozen still. As he left the room and made to close the door he cast one last look in, and in my shock I just barely caught the sorrowful smile he cast me. "Maybe one day... the two of us can speak again. Please, get well soon."
I watched as he closed the door, sitting there in silence and horror. How did he know my name? I never told him my name; I don't even know his. Better yet, what was with the "-Chan" honorific? We don't know each other-why on earth is he calling me that? We're not friends. And-who the heck is he calling cute and small? I take offense to being called small! I'm not that short! Okay, that's a lie, I'm very short. But still! Calling someone you aren't close to "-Chan" is rude, at least from my general understanding of it. You don't see me going around calling guys I don't have an emotional attachment to "-Kun" do you? I'm not even that cute either...
I mean, I'm not unattractive but I wasn't the prettiest girl on the block either. I've been hit on once or twice, though according to my dad when we're at the store getting food or running an errand the guy he's talking would always be looking at me even though I'm typing away on his phone messaging my step-mom. That's to say I haven't noticed some things on my own, but I usually just ignore them. I wasn't Eliza, who was confident, nor was I Skylar, who was comfortable talking to people. I doubt I even looked that attractive right now, what with being in my pajamas and my hair a total mess. I haven't even washed my face...
I tugged at my fringe, knowing full well that the shorter, thicker strands of my hair was probably curled up and pointing in every possible direction, defying gravity with all its might. Nothing is more fun than a mop of hair you can't control, am I right?
I ran my fingers through the thick mess quickly before kicking the sheets off and heading towards the giant curtain-covered window, not really thinking but my feet guiding me there by their own will. As if guided by something I gripped the edges and pulled the heavy curtain open, gazing outside with a small squint. It wasn't too terribly bright out, but if I had fainted it would make sense I would react like that. My senses needed time to readjust...
He said something about the Headmaster... This doesn't look anything like an infirmary either. Hey! How'd he get out there so fast? I blinked, seeing the blond I was speaking to walking outside. Suddenly, he paused. I watched as he turned his head, looking up. It was only a few seconds after we locked gazes that I realized he was looking at me and I panicked, quickly letting go of the curtain and ducking. He saw! He saw me looking at him, oh god! He probably thinks I'm creepy now, doesn't he!? Wait. Why do I care?
I shook my head, not understanding why I was getting so flustered. This was starting to get ridiculous. What even happened? How did I faint? I tried to think on it, but all that happened was that I got a decent sized headache and no memories of any kind of event that could have possible lead to me passing out. Maybe I hit my head when I fell? The guy never said anything about a concussion or how long I had been sleeping.
As if to answer my prayers for an answer as to what was going on there was a light knock and the door opened, a familiar adult poking his head into the room curiously. His eyes lit up when he saw me curled into a ball by the window and he wasted no time in running over, clapping his hands ecstatically as he cried out, "You've finally woken up!"
A pair of arms pulled me into a spine-crushing hair, depleting me of any oxygen I had, and I gave a painful wheeze as he picked me up off the ground before quickly setting me down onto my feet. He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me a little, and exclaimed,
"Do you have any idea how worried we were!? You were completely unresponsive!"
Why are you touching me, please stop touching me. I've spoken to this man probably once and that was only when we were first brought to the Academy. I don't remember any other conversations with him, so why is he acting so overly friendly? Was I actually right about him being a creep!?
The man had actual tears in his eyes. "Yuuki, Rosemary-San, and I were so scared something awful had happened! Do you remember anything!? Anything at all?"
Do I remember anything? That's an interesting question, especially since I wasn't aware I had been forgetting something at all. Actually, how far back can I remember? It was an interesting thought, and one that scared me, but I found myself going through my stay here in Japan. It didn't take long to recount all the events, but it was rather boring as nothing interesting had ever happened. There were classes, Skylar became a prefect, and since she started that she's been sleeping twenty-four seven in all our classes so I never really have time to speak to her in the morning. And, on top of all that, because Eliza was in the Night Class I never get to see or speak to her. I just went to class, balanced drawing and taking notes for Skylar, and collapsed in bed once I got back to the dorm...
Wait. Hold on. Something's not right.
What happened on my way to the dorms? I... I feel like I did something after class the first few days before I started heading straight to the dorm, but I-I can't... think of what it was. What was I doing? A-And... there was a girl. A girl with pink ribbons. She was... mad at me, right? Yeah!
I pulled my left hand up and ran my fingers gently over the scar, the Headmaster's eyes flickering over to the limb when I moved.
Was... she the reason I fainted? I... remember her stepping on my hand...
"Ah, that's right. You hit your head when you fell down, Taylor-San." Huh? I looked up at him, eyes wide. He was frowning, an oddly serious look on his normally carefree face. He pulled away and pushed his glasses up, crossing his arms. "A colleague of mine told me that a girl had been bullying you. You probably don't remember, due to the way things played out, but you ended up blacking out. The doctor assumed you would have amnesia, but we were hoping that wasn't the case..."
Am... Amnesia? He was joking... right? I-I don't actually have amnesia, right? I-I remember my name and my family, not to mention my friends and all their names, s-so... so I can't have amnesia. Wait, that's not true. There are different forms of amnesia; you have generic, retrograde, and the kind that makes it unable to form new memories... There were probably other types of amnesia as well, but I never went too deep into research of those. Chances were, since I can remember all this without any recall towards what happened before the incident, I have retrograde.
"Um, but don't worry though! Fujita Sakura-San has been temporarily suspended as punishment for wrongly attacking you, and her parents are actually discussing about sending her to a boarding school. She won't be harming you again." He said, smiling. I just nodded, unable to find the words to say in response to this new revelation. I just couldn't get over it.
To think I seriously have amnesia... It's just... I can't even describe what I'm feeling. It's so disturbing. I'm not sure why I was so bothered by this; I actually wondered what it would be like to have amnesia before. If anything, I would have expected myself to have just found this as an interesting scenario of which I could use as writing material. What did I even do to cause the girl to attack me?
I think that's what perturbed me most. I was used to dealing with bullies; people found me annoying more often than not back in America because I never stopped talking, if only for the fact that I talked loudly, but never had I been attacked. I've never even been in a fistfight before! I would at least like to know what I had done to make someone so mad as to completely snap... but I guess that the Headmaster either doesn't know or is refusing to tell me.
"But seeing as you're awake, I'll help you back to the Dorms. You're probably uncomfortable being in an unfamiliar place, right?"
Right... "Where am I, anyway?"
"You're in my guest room," He answered. I blinked dumbly at him, not entirely sure if I heard him correctly or not. "When you fainted and Takuma-Kun brought you to the infirmary, we relocated you here." Takuma... who's Takuma? I feel like I should know that name. Oh, could that be the blond guy I was talking to earlier!? "He was so brave! Like a knight in shining armor he picked you up and carried you all the way to the infirmary~!" The Headmaster squealed and pressed his hands against his face, doing a small twirl. I stepped back in alarm, feeling a mixture of embarrassed and amused. "It almost makes me wish it me in his arms! Oh, actually, I almost forgot!" He straightened, clearing his throat. "He left something for you."
He did?
With a grin, he pointed towards the bed. I turned to look, and saw that he wasn't actually pointing at the bed-no. He was pointing at the nightstand next to it. Residing on said nightstand was a bouquet of flowers, filled with colorful daisies and purple hyacinths. How long has that been there? I walked over and tentatively picked it up, fearful of harming the flowers or causing any of the petals to fall off. Why... did he get me flowers? I don't recall ever receiving any kinds of flowers when I stayed in the hospital as a kid, so why would a stranger go out of his way to get me a whole bouquet of them?
I lifted the flowers up to my face, taking a small whiff of them. My eyebrows raised in surprise and I had to pull away. The daisies had a mild smell, but the hyacinths had an extremely pungent sweet smell. While it was nice, it was also a bit overwhelming. The flowers themselves were exceedingly gorgeous though, and I had to give the guy credit for having good taste. It was also really nice of him...
I bit my bottom lip, a small surge of joy flooding my heart as I looked down at the flowers. A part of me wanted to rock back and forth on my heels and grin like an idiot, but I knew I couldn't and really it would have been stupid of me to. I was just a bit excited over the fact that someone gave me flowers. I wish I could thank him... wait, what was his name? Takuma? If he's in the Day Class I might be able to find him... but then again... he didn't seem like he wanted to talk to me any longer than he had to.
Some of the joy depleted, instead replaced with sadness, and I slumped my shoulders. I looked at the Headmaster in confusion, not understanding what could have possessed the blond man to do this. Why was he even waiting for me to wake up? I don't get it...
I opened my mouth to ask all the questions piling up, but I decided against it. I turned away, looking at the flowers again, before glancing at the curtain-covered window. I tried to think of what could have been going on inside that guy's head, but no matter what angle I looked at him from I just couldn't figure it out. Was he just doing it to be nice?
"You know, Taylor-San," The Headmaster began, calling my attention back to him. A small smile was spread across his face, "Here in Japan we often give flowers to people with a specific message in mind... Perhaps you should take some thought into what he was trying to get across?"
...What is he trying to say? I know what they mean; I love symbolism, so I always drew flowers with certain meanings in mind. Hyacinths are sorrow and an apology, whereas daisies are a get-well-soon flower. I don't even know the guy, so I doubted he was trying to get any kind of "message" across; I'm pretty sure he just chose them because they were pretty. The Headmaster is probably just overthinking it, but... "O-Okay..."
I mean, the flowers are really nice and all, and I appreciated the fact that the guy went out of his way to get them for me, but... if he was apologizing for something I had no idea what for. I went through our conversation, awkward and short as it may have been, but I seriously couldn't piece together what the "message" was. I think the Headmaster is crazy.
I let out a sigh, questioning the universe itself, and asked, "I-Is it alright if I head back to my dorm now? I... I feel fine, so..." Amnesia or no amnesia, all I had was a small headache. I'd be fine after taking some tylenol. Who knows; I might even remember something! Not. How does amnesia actually work?
"O-Oh, yes, of course! I wouldn't want to keep you here against your will." I nodded at his words, before pausing when I realized I was still in my pajamas. I fainted in my uniform... right? I'm pretty sure I was in my uniform when the girl stepped on my hand... who changed my clothes? The nurse? Yuuki's the Headmaster's daughter, so... did she? Or maybe it was Skylar? Ah, whatever. It doesn't matter. People are in class right now, so it shouldn't matter if I break it to the dorms in my pajamas. Or... Or maybe it does? Would it be offensive to do that? "Rosemary-San brought your clothes over while you were sleeping, so feel free to change."
She did that? Aw, Skylar... "O-Okay."
He chuckled at my repetitive response. Seeing how I wasn't going to make any action to move, he told me where the clothes were (or at least where the bag they were in was at) and that I could go ahead back to the Dorm after I changed. After he left I did so, throwing on another turtleneck and a pair of jeans, and stuffed everything back into the plastic bag.
I grabbed it with my left, carrying the bouquet of flowers with my right and pressing it against my chest so not to hit it against anything, and left the room. I was then left frozen, not knowing which way to go. I was greeted with hallway, unfamiliar doors going along the wall and at each end, and I hadn't the slightest idea which way lead out.
God dang it... I should have asked for directions, shouldn't have I? I groaned and hung my head, berating myself for my idiocy, and fought long and hard with myself until my eyes started to sting. O-Okay... it has to be either that door and that door, s-so... Okay. Okay! We got this. W-We... totally got this. It's so going to be the wrong room, isn't it? Skylar~! Eliza~! No. No. You know what? Screw it. I'm going to do it.
I had to force my feet to the end of the hallway, and had just placed my hand on the door when a deep voice demanded, "Where do you think you're going?" out from behind me.
There was no hiding or recovering from the ungodly shriek that escaped my mouth from my terror, and before I knew it was crouched in a kneeling position with the objects I was holding pressed close to my chest.
"The hell...?"
Hearing the confused voice I opened my eyes and blinked, hesitantly turning my head and craning my neck to look up at the stranger. Silver hair and lilac eyes... contacts? Or are they just that kind of gray? His hair has to be died though; there's no way that's natural. Um... wait, have I seen him before? He looks a bit like... oh! He's that man Yuuki hung out with once... right? I remember... I remember waiting or looking for Eliza at the gates. I think a girl hit him and he scared her off? "H-Hi." I awkwardly greeted, still kneeling on the floor. From the angle I was at I could see something poking out of his hand-it was a small black case. Reminded me a bit of a medicine holder, actually. "Wh-What's up? A-Aside from you, that is. Seeing as you're standing. Wh-What's the air like up there? Lovely? It's kind of chilly down here, honestly." I spouted out gibberish, flustered and humiliated. I wanted to crawl into a dark corner and bury myself next to a trashcan. "I-I'm Taylor Irene."
"I know who you are," He said, narrowing his eyes. He looked bothered by something. I decided now would be a good time to stand, hovering near the wall as I did so, and kept a firm hold of the flowers. "How's your head?"
"...Fine?" He didn't respond for a long moment, irritable expression never leaving his face, before his eyes trailed down to the flowers. "Where did you get those? Did Rosemary leave them for you?" Rosemary-oh! Skylar.
"N-No," I stammered, shifting uncomfortably as I debated ending the conversation there and running out through the door. Sadly, because a part of me felt it was the wrong door, I refused to budge. "Th-There was..." What should I tell him? I don't know if I'm allowed to bring it up or not... "Um, s-someone gave them to me. H-He was waiting for me to wake up and-and apparently he bought me flowers?" I was still at a loss about that. Seriously, why go out of his way? "He... he was nice." I really wanted to thank him, but I didn't know where to go looking for him nor what to say once I actually found him. Wait! I looked up at the stranger hopefully, leaning forward a bit. He looked surprised. "Do-Do you know anyone with the name "Takuma"!? Th-The Headmaster said the guy's name was "Takuma". H-He's really tall and pale with blond hair, and-"
"...No. I don't." He closed his eyes and walked past, pushing me aside with ease and opening the door. "I'll guide you back to the Day Dorms. Classes are in session, so once you put everything back go to the main office and request a pass from the Headmaster. It should be around fourth period right now."
O-Okay... I didn't really want to, but... he did seem to know where he was going. Hold on-is he the Headmaster's adoptive son? I can't remember his name, but it would make sense if he was! It would also explain why Yuuki was around him. I stumbled after, struggling to catch up, and after making sure the flowers were safe and that I didn't drop anything I began to walk at my own pace.