April 7, 2009Early MorningIwatodai Dorms, Tatsumi Port IslandNext Full Moon: 3

"..koto.."

A gentle shake on his shoulder.

"..Makoto..!"

A more rough shake.

"Come on! We're going to be late for school!"

"..fuck off, Hammy.."

A pouty huff.

"So you ARE awake! Then coooommmee oonnn!"

Makoto felt a pair of hands grab his ankle and attempt to drag him out of bed. He groaned and opened his eyes, popping his head off of his pillow to look at his torturer.

"Hamuko.."

"Come on! If you're quick enough, we can catch the train to school," Hamuko smiled triumphantly as she let go of his ankle. His twin sister left him in his bed to wander his new room, digging through his moving box for his uniform.

She was already dressed, and he had to admit, the Gekkoukan uniform fit her a lot better than the Yasogami one. One thing he was glad about was that the skirt was way longer than the previous one, so hopefully he didn't have to worry about people ogling at her (he didn't feel like getting in trouble for breaking someone's nose again). She had a pair of red headphones draped around her neck, a small melody humming from them. Her auburn hair in a high, messy ponytail along with clips that made 22 in roman numerals.

Despite being twins, they looked absolutely nothing alike. They were like night and day.

Another one of their differences is that one of them is a morning bird, and clearly that isn't him.

But he's not a night owl either.

He just hates waking up in general.

Makoto dragged himself from his sheets and got up, "I can find my own shit, thank you very much."

She rolled her eyes and threw his uniform at him, "Get dressed and head on down, Takeba-san and I will be waiting for you."

With an affectionate smile, she stepped up to him and ruffled up his royal blue hair, "And fix your hair, your scar is showing." "No thanks to you." He ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it so it hid the twisted skin where his right eye used to be.

Hamuko promptly left his room with an excited yet nervous hop in her step.

With a sigh he got dressed into his new school uniform and looked at himself in the mirror. Something's missing..

Makoto looked around his nightstand before finding it on the floor. It must've fell off last night. He slipped the lanyard holding his own pair of headphones and mp3 player around his neck.. With one last look into the mirror and fixing his hair a little more, he left his room.

"Come onn! You're so sloooww!" Hamuko ran up to him the moment his foot touched the bottom of the stairs. She grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the front door, Takeba already standing outside with an amused look on her face.

"Ready?" Takeba asked.

"Yep!" Hamuko chirped.

"Ready as can be.." Makoto grumbled, keeping his distance from his fellow dormmate. Takeba smiled nervously and turned to Hamuko instead, "We already wasted enough time, let's get to the station."

Their walk to the train station was filled with quiet talking between Takeba and Hamuko, the two of them smiling and giggling the whole way.

Makoto smiled to himself as he slipped his earphones on. At least she'll be able to make friends.. Then he inwardly cringed, remembering the events of last night. But why her?

He noted to himself to keep an eye on Takeba for awhile just to make sure that last night really was just a misunderstanding.

It's not everyday you're greeted to your new home with a gun in your face.

It took them awhile to make it to the station, but luckily they made it in time for them to board the train. Hamuko and Takeba took to standing on either side of the train's doors while Makoto sat in the seat beside where his sister was standing. The cart filled quickly with other students but not enough to where it felt suffocating.

Well, to him.

Once the train started moving, Makoto felt a small tap on his shoulder. He looked over to see Hamuko's hand sticking out, her back still turned to him as she talked with Takeba. It was concealed, but enough for him to notice. He reached up and took a hold of her hand, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb in a soothing manner.

Although an extrovert, crowds made her anxious; which made places like Tokyo a living nightmare for her.

Her shoulders visibly relaxed and her talking became more animated, but he still held onto her hand just in case.

It was another thing he worried about with his upcoming plans..

Who was going to take care of his sisters?

Hamuko could be fine on her own, she's strong, but she does have weaknesses. Weaknesses she needs his help with. It could be holding her back from killing a bitch that had riled her up to just holding her hand in crowded places.

He quietly hopes she'll learn to overcome her fears..

If not, then someone who can take care of her better than he has.

Then there's Naoto, their young yet highly intelligent sister. She is currently being taken care of one of Grandfather's best friends and partner, people he trusted (because he learned after a few times of he and his sister living with other family members that a lot of people can't be trusted, blood or not)

He suppressed unwanted memories that threatened to emerge and focused back on the present.

Naoto is strong, hell, stronger than he is at times. Her biggest issue is overthinking things, but that's not really something he can help with.

Hopefully she'll find someone lean on, someone more reliable than he is.

Makoto smiled wistfully to himself, cherishing the warmth radiating from Hamuko's hand.

I'm sorry.

".. see? I really like this part, it's like we're gliding over the water." He faintly heard Takeba's comment through his headphones. He glanced over his shoulder and out the window, eyes widening at the scenery. It really was like they were gliding over water..

Out of the corner of his eye he spied the Moonlight Bridge.

.. nevermind.

Scenery sucks.

Mood effectively ruined.

And he promptly looked away.

The trio exited the train when it came to a stop and stood at the school gate, Takeba exchanging pleasantries with other students along the way. She turned to address them, "Welcome to your new school, hope you like it!" Who the hell likes school? Hamuko clasped her hands and stared at the school with an awe twinkle in her eyes. Besides Hamuko?

Takeba later completely abandoned the twins in the lobby of their new school, leaving the two lost children to fend for themselves.

Makoto started to walk farther but was grabbed back by his bane.

"What?" He deadpanned.

"Don't 'what' me, mister. The last time I let you take the lead we ended up lost for an entire hour."

"Then go on in front of me."

"I- " She tried grasping for words before settling with a glare, "Smartass."

She walked alongside him as they wandered the school, asking other students for directions to the faculty office. As the two approached the office, Hamuko tugged on his sleeve again.

He hummed and slipped a headphone off, "Yeah?"

She gave him a look that he knew all too well; she's worried.

"Are you ok?" "Yea-" "Please don't lie to me."

Makoto quirked his brow at her, "I'm alright, why do you ask?"

She placed her hands on her hips, "You've been acting strange lately. You have this.. Look on your face.. Is there something you need to talk about?"

He bit his tongue and forced himself to look away from her ruby eyes.

Is it really that noticeable?

He shook his head which caused Hamuko to tighten her grip on his sleeve.

"Mak-"

"It's nothing, just a little stressed is all." He quickly cuts her off, gently prying her fingers from his uniform. "I'll be ok once I adjust." "If you say so.." She sighed and walked into the faculty office with him, holding her head up once she was in the presence of their teacher.

One thing Makoto noted right off the bat was that their teacher looked like Takeba. He held back a groan as the teacher skimmed through their files, her eyes widening a little.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't able to read these earlier.." The teacher placed the files aside and cleared her throat, "Anyways.. I'm your homeroom teacher, Ms. Toriumi. I teach composition in 2-F."

Hamuko gave her brightest smile, "It's nice to meet you!" Makoto merely nodded his head.

Ms. Toriumi blinked, the look of surprise visible on her face, "Wow, what enthusiasm!" She recovered quickly after and looked at the clock, "The welcoming ceremony will begin soon, so go on ahead to the auditorium, if you will."

As the twins left the office they realised they didn't know where the auditorium was either.

"..hey."

"Hey."

"I saw you walking with Yukari this morning.. and that other girl."

Makoto wrinkled his nose,

Takeba is going to plague him, isn't she?

"I was wondering.. does she have a boyfriend?"

He remained quiet but the kid was persistent.

"Huh.. well, what about that other girl?"

Makoto exhaled sharply from his nose, "Fuck. Off." He hissed, making the kid behind him finally shut up.

He rubbed his temple as the students around him chattered quite loudly even though the ceremony was still going on.

A headache, and it's still morning. These next few days are going to be long..