Hey! Sorry for the wait!

It took me a while to build this chapter despite having all the events written out... when I was writing it I couldn't help but feel like it wasn't quite right... but I'm satisfied with this version!

Also, so that I don't have as much future questions about this...

YES, this is a GILGAMESH X HAKUNO Fanfic! XD

So all those GilHaku fans out there rejoice! (Yorokobe, shoujo to shounen-tachi!)

I will be answering any guest questions in the Author's Notes at the beginning from now on; however, I rather answer them as a reply to your actual comment than to do it up here. ^^' Though, if you must use a guest account and have an urgent question I will answer it here.

Anyways, do not expect "regular" updates from me cause I'm pretty hectic with school and work, but I'll do my best to finish my chapters in a timely fashion! (As long as I am fed inspiration/motivation or am not deterred I should be writing regularly lol)

Okay!

Now, off to the story! Enjoy~

Falling—going straight through the sea of night that used to be the ground, Kishinami Hakuno sinks into a bottomless darkness.

There was no end to this fall—no sense of direction yet all directions were flowing and merging together. Only the image of herself breaking into pieces kept her company in her descent. Vision is useless. Possessions, memories—they're all slipping away. Eventually, nothing will be left but her bones.

It seems like there is nothing she could do to escape that fate—in other words, this is "Game Over".

—Or so she reproaches herself.

She has been falling for a moment or possibly an eternity—she couldn't tell, not when this space has nothing to compare time to. Falling feels like floating.

She should give up—but she couldn't.

She didn't want to forget—

Forget what?

There was nothing to forget when all that she could remember was herself.

"How amusing." A rich voice of a man enters her mind. "Even as you prepare to lose yourself, you have something you still cannot forget? It is small, but it is indeed the echo of a powerful desire." The voice tugs at her, pulling her towards the speaker. "For you to awaken me from my slumber when I had dozed off from boredom, you must be a woman who desires much, in spite of your own mediocrity."

It is not an ordinary voice—too haughty; too prideful.

Though her consciousness was completely frozen, just hearing that voice is enough to make the concept of her own lowliness return to her. It is the voice of an absolute being.

Warmth spreads out into her hand as if heat was released into it. The owner of the cold but sonorously echoing voice—she didn't know who it was, but as long as she was aware of him, she felt that she could break free of this darkness.

Hakuno musters the last bit of her strength to open her eyes—only to freeze.

"You lack manners." The man reprimands. "A lowly mongrel has no right to look on me without permission. I do not permit you, commoners, to look upon me, nor to make requests of me, nor to speak to me." He declares. "By all rights, I should cut you into eighths just for your actions so far."

Fear runs through Hakuno's spine—she would shiver if she could from the terror which bubbles within her.

"However—in so far as your begging was wretched, it was impressive." The man laughs, "Therefore, I will give you one chance—a chance of recovery."

Hakuno tenses as she listens carefully.

"Are you my Master?" The man questions, "As thanks, offer me your wisdom be quick about it. Or next I blink your body will be torn asunder."

"Next I blink," meaning next time he blinks his eyes?! Panic wells within Hakuno as she processes those words. I don't know how we ended up like this, but this man is saying that if I don't "offer him my wisdom in thanks," I'll be cut into eight pieces…!

What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?! What do I give him? What did he say?

He said he wouldn't allow me to look at him, ask him anything, or speak to him. Then, he asked, "Are you my Master?"

Master—Master—Master. I don't know. I really don't know, but—

"As your Master, I command you—"

Hakuno jolts up, shouting those words will all her might—only for them to die out as soon as they leave her lips.

The brunette girl blinks, groggily as light leaks into her room from behind the scarlet blinds, filling her bedroom with bits of light. Hakuno blinks once again and, with a yawn, she plops back into the comfort of her warm blanket. Snuggling into the warmth, she never wishes to leave the safety of her bed—however, the world is too cruel for the sleepy girl. Beside her, her alarm clock beeps—obnoxiously.

The sleepy brunette groans as she reaches for the clock, dragging it into her arms so she can read it. Her large brown eyes squint at the numbers on the digital screen—5:30. Hakuno sighs, placing her clock back onto her nightstand before she slides her legs off her bed, reluctantly. Like muscle memory, Hakuno dresses in her school uniform.

Like every school day since junior high, Hakuno's mornings begin early—sometimes even before the sky brightens.

Hakuno climbs down the stairs and makes a beeline for the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she observes its contents. We're running out of eggs and milk…

Currently, the Kishinami Household holds Hakuno, her older brother—Yashiro—and her parents. However, most of the time, her father is away on business trips—whether it is abroad or somewhere else in Japan besides Fuyuki. On the other hand, her mother, who is a nurse, works late evening to morning shifts at Fuyuki General Hospital. In addition, Yashiro, who had graduated high school 3 years prior, regularly goes to college and works part-time at a café, so he isn't home as often as he used to be. Thus, recently, it has only been Hakuno holding down the fort these days.

Hakuno grabs two eggs from the carton before closing the fridge door. I'll have to make a trip to the supermarket on the way home. She moves to the stove, sets a pan on top of it, and turns the stove on. After pouring oil onto the pan and spreading it throughout the pan, she cracks the eggs onto the pan. As the white and yellow substance sizzles, she throws a pinch of salt and pepper onto the frying eggs before making her way to the cabinets. She grabs the two remaining slices of bread and pops them into the toaster, adding "bread' onto her mental shopping list.

Once the eggs and toast are done, she plates both and places the dishes on the dining table. The brunette slides into her seat, softly clapping her hands together and muttering out, "Itadakimasu" before she begins to eat. On her second bite, she reaches for the remote sitting across from her and points it at the television before pressing the red button. The screen comes to life, featuring an image of a newscaster and another image of a yellow-taped alleyway. "-the victim, a man in his mid-fifties was found in an alleyway this morning dead. Forensics inform that the only sustained injury to the victim was a single impact to the abdomen which had shattered the victim's ribs and heart—"

Hakuno cringes at the report and quickly shuts the television off. Losing her appetite, Hakuno sets down her toast and grimaces at her leftover breakfast. She sighs, "I guess I'll just eat the rest for lunch…"

The morning air is chilly. Hakuno exhales a cloud of warm air: the water vapor in her breath condenses in the cold autumn sky as she strolls down the street. As she continues down the bare path, the houses around her begin to shift from the more modern Japanese-styled homes to large, old foreign mansions. Her legs take her forward, towards a certain mansion surrounded by brick fencing.

As Hakuno nears the manor, a young girl with silky violet hair adorned with a magenta ribbon on the left side pushes open the metal gates as she exits her home. The young girl tugs at her scarf slightly, readjusting it for a moment before she looks up, meeting Hakuno's gaze. Her amethyst eyes light up. "Good morning, Hakuno-senpai!"

"Ah—" Hakuno greets her junior as the younger girl rushes up to her. "Good morning, Sakura-chan." With a knowing smile, she prods. "You're heading over to Emiya's?"

"Y-yeah!" Sakura's cheeks grow aflame as she averts her eyes in shyness. With a sweet giggle, she affirms. "I'm going to help senpai prepare breakfast!"

"I see." Hakuno chuckles at the other girl's reaction. Sakura's crush on her friend was obvious to all but the boy himself and she couldn't help but find it enduring. "Well, you better be off then." Unwilling to keep the girl longer, the brunette gives her a wave. "Have fun, Sakura-chan."

"Thank you, Hakuno-senpai!" Sakura bows slightly before skipping past, not forgetting to turn around to wave. "See you later, senpai! I leave Nii-san in your care!"

"See you at school, Sakura-chan." Hakuno calls back, watching as the cheery girl strolls off with a hum. The brunette huffs before turning back around to head towards the manner. "Now if only her brother could be as easy to please as she is…"

With that thought, Hakuno sighs and shakes her head as she reaches for the metal gate. She pushes it open gently, bypassing the barrier around the western-styled house and striding straight to the front door. Ringing the doorbell, Hakuno stands back, anticipating the pitter patter of footsteps behind the door.

However, something was off about the sound. It wasn't the same fast-paced, fuming steps of Shinji marching down the stairs and through the hall. No—it was much steadier and subtler, like a tranquil stride.

The door opens.

Hakuno gawks at the very beautiful woman who emerges from the house. She is tall—much taller than Hakuno—with beautiful long, lavender hair. She wears glasses and a black long-sleeved shirt with jeans. However, rather than the mysterious woman's figure, what truly draws Hakuno is the woman's eyes behind her glasses. They are a beautiful shade of light pink and purple—like amethysts.

"H…" Hakuno's breath hitches in her throat as she stares into those mystic pink eyes—it was as if she were turning into stone just by looking at them, yet she couldn't look away. "Hello—"

Abruptly, the brunette is snapped out of her trance by a loud screech coming from inside the house. A boy with curly, dark indigo hair marches down the staircase and strides to the door. "Hakuno! You're late! We were supposed to leave five minutes ago!" The beautiful stranger moves aside for Shinji as he storms over to the entrance and leaves stealthily.

Hakuno is still in a slight daze from the encounter, but she has no time to ponder on the mysterious beauty any longer as Shinji berates her supposed tardiness. But, aren't you the one who needs to be picked up all the time? She would deadpan; however, not wanting to delay their departure any longer she keeps her thoughts to herself. "Yes, yes. Let's go then or else Fujimura-sensei will be scolding us."

Shinji huffs as the two leave behind his family's mansion and begin down the road to Homurahara Academy. Shinji continues to banter on about his success in a video game he has gotten interested in as of late and Hakuno listens silently to the boy's rambles. However, something still continues to plague her mind. "Hey, Shinji?"

"What?" Shinji pouts slightly, irritated that he was interrupted but not opposed enough not to answer back. He raises a furrowed brow in slight annoyance.

"Who was that back at the entryway?" Hakuno inquires curiously as she recalls the image of the beautiful woman who had answered the door for the other boy.

"Huh?" Shinji's first reaction is confusion, though in a matter of seconds the subjects click in his mind. "Oh. Her." His chirpier tone falls into a darker tone. Hakuno's interest is piqued by the sudden change in her best friend. Usually, Shinji is obsessed with showing off anything that is associated with him, yet he didn't want to share details of a beautiful woman living in his home. Shinji averts his gaze for a moment. Something flickers in his indigo eyes—fear…? "She's a distant cousin from abroad who'll be staying with us for a bit." He explains, "Just call her 'Rider'."

"'Rider'…? That's a strange name." Hakuno comments as she places the name to the face.

After that, the two walk a good distance in silence. It's strange to Hakuno for Shinji to be so quiet. It was as if this silence were a warning—a calm before the storm—of something horrid to come.

"Hey Hakuno," Shinji breaks the silence, halting his next step.

Feeling the boy stop over actually seeing him, Hakuno pauses and turns around to give her friend a questioning eyebrow raise. "What is it?"

The dark blue-haired boy is silent for a moment, with his lips parting and no words coming out as if they had been caught in his throat. "For the next month…" Shinji finally manages to croak out after his lapse in speech. He catches himself, straightening his nerves it seems as the next words flow in the usual arrogant, self-centered Shinji-like fashion. "For the next month, there's no need to pick me up or drop me home!"

Hakuno blinks at the statement—shocked.

Hakuno had first met Shinji in second grade. They were seat neighbors when Hakuno transferred into Shinji's class at Homurahara Elementary and became close friends. The two stuck together—well more like Shinji dragged the young brunette around, even pulling her to join the archery club with him in junior high. With the admission into the archery club and club activities beginning very early in the morning, it became Hakuno's job to drag the other boy to morning practice.

For the Shinji, who absolutely hates getting up early—who always complains about how he didn't want to get up and wanted to sleep more—for that childish Shinji to say something like that, Hakuno is flabbergasted.

"Shinji…" After her pause and gaping stare at her best friend, Hakuno finally pulls herself together. "Are you sure you'll be able to wake up on time?"

"Shut up, Hakuno!" Shinji snaps. "Of course, I'll be able to! Who do you think I am?!" The indigo-haired boy fumes, stomping ahead of the brunette. Hakuno watches with a light chuckle as Shinji twirls around and declares, "I'm the great Matou Shinji!"

Caramel eyes focus on the target circle several meters away from where Hakuno stands on the wooden stage of the archery dojo. A wooden bow is in one hand and an arrow in the other as she locks onto the center of the target. She inhales and her heart thumps hastily against her chest, gradually slowing down as she exhales from her mouth.

Hakuno raises the bow and arrow, positioning it so that it points at the target's center as she moves the arrow along with the motions. With grace, she pulls the end of the arrow with the bow's string, bringing both back.

Hakuno closes her eyes and takes in another breath to calm her racing heart.

There is a vision of gold and crimson—bright gold that it is almost blinding and a daring yet enchanting crimson, bold as it declares its presence amongst the world.

Her heart calms: her soul is relieved of tension.

Hakuno exhales. She opens her caramel eyes once again—this time they are filled with a crystal-clear concentration. She releases the arrow.

The released arrow shoots from her bow, rushing straight at the target—to land just barely in the center, but regardless, in the center circle of the target.

Hakuno stands there, coming back from her deep concentration, waiting a few seconds before she lowers the bow properly and follows the procedure in sitting down. To those watching her, Hakuno appears serene—tranquil and elegant like a budding lotus in a calm pond. She follows kyuudou with grace—flowing with the motions like a gentle summer breeze. The underclassmen watch in amazement; both boys and girls alike are entranced by their upperclassman's performance.

"Everyone!" An energetic voice breaks through the peaceful atmosphere as a woman with short orange hair announces. "That's it for today! It's time to start cleaning up!" The archery club's advisor, Fujimura Taiga, claps her hands together, releasing her students from the proper atmosphere of the dojo.

With that cue, Hakuno stands up and moves to set down her bow. "Hakuno-senpai!" A sweet voice calls for her, causing the brunette to turn her attention to the approaching Sakura. The violet-haired underclassman hands a towel to Hakuno with a smile. "Good work today."

"Thank you, Sakura-chan." Hakuno smiles in return as she takes the towel and uses it to wipe her sweat.

"Hmph! Don't get cocky, Hakuno." Shinji huffs as he passes by his best friend and sister. "Though that shot did make it into the center, it only barely stayed in the boundary." He arrogantly declares. "You need to improve even more if you ever want to get at my level!"

Despite Shinji's common tone of snide with his comment, Hakuno could feel the underlying praise within it. If Shinji were truly jeering at her, the boy wouldn't have pointed out that the brunette was even close to being at his level.

Hakuno chuckles under her breath as she returns exasperatedly, "Thanks, Shinji. I'll keep that in mind."

In turn, Shinji huffs at his best friend's tone and continues on his way to the showers. Sakura releases a small giggle and Hakuno turns to her with a smile. "It's about time we go as well. We wouldn't want to be late for class now."

Sakura nods in agreement, "Yes!"

After splitting ways with Shinji, Hakuno opens the door to the classroom labeled, "2-A". Upon entering the partially full class, Hakuno heads straight for her seat in the middle row one seat from the window. Already, her neighbor—a beautiful girl with long, dark locks fashioned in two flanking tails tied by black ribbon—is sitting at her designated desk by the window. Tohsaka Rin, with her hand propping up her pretty face, looks out the window next to her desk. Her figure is majestic under the morning light.

"Good morning, Tohsaka." Hakuno greets the girl as she slides into her seat.

Noticing the brunette's arrival, Rin turns to her, giving Hakuno a polite smile. "Good morning to you as well, Kishinami-san." As Hakuno gets seated and settled, Rin stares at her brunette neighbor for a moment—as if conflicted about something; hesitant to voice a thought.

"Is something the matter, Tohsaka?" Observant, Hakuno inquires. However, the brunette is only met with Rin's polite smile once again.

"No, nothing of the sort," Rin claims before returning to peering out the window.

Hakuno tilts her head, puzzled, but does not question the other girl as the school bell chimes, marking the beginning of class.

After the bell rings once again, alarming the bustling students of lunchtime, Tohsaka Rin stands up from her seat and makes her way to the classroom exit as several of her classmates around her start gathering together to eat lunch. Just as she reaches for the door, one of her classmates—a plain girl with short golden-brown hair approaches Rin with a smile. "Tohsaka-san…!" Rin waits patiently for the girl with a kind smile as the brunette fumbles with her words. "Um… if you wouldn't mind…"

Meanwhile, from her seat, Hakuno watches the practically everyday scene of Tohsaka Rin rejecting a lunch offer. The twin-tailed girl is polite and kind in words though something within Hakuno told her not to believe that front smile on the other girl's face. However, Hakuno was unable to ponder on the scene any longer as her best friend slides open the door and calls for her. "Hey, Hakuno! Hurry up or I'll leave you behind."

Upon seeing Shinji, Hakuno grabs her leftover breakfast and makes her way to the other exit, opposite of the one Rin is beside, and follows her best friend out of the classroom. The two friends wall through the hall with ease as the students around them make way for Shinji's haughty aura and strut. The indigo-haired boy complains to Hakuno about how idiotic class was so far as the two make their way for the student council room.

Shinji is the one to open the door. He strides in first, allowing Hakuno to enter behind him and close the door as well. "Oh, so you two finally have come." They are both greeted by the rather deep voice of the Student Council President, Ryuudou Issei.

"Come on, now, Issei. There's no need to be so unwelcoming." Across from the dark-haired boy, a boy with auburn hair and hazel eyes chuckles at his best friend's tone. Emiya Shirou, with his bentou in front of him and a cup of tea, sits in front of the glasses-clad Issei with a welcoming smile. "Hey, Kishinami, Shinji."

Shinji huffs a greeting as he takes a seat next to Issei and takes out his own packed lunch as Hakuno takes the seat next to Shirou. "Hello, Shirou, your lunch looks as delicious as ever."

"Haha, thank you." Shirou chuckles in return before holding up his bento towards the brunette girl. "Would you like some?"

"I would love it. Thanks." Hakuno grabs one of Shirou's omelets from his lunch, popping it in her mouth. She hums in joy at the delicious taste. "It's delicious."

"Thanks," Shirou smiles before he returns to eating his lunch. Hakuno follows his example, taking out the leftovers of her breakfast before she begins to eat it.

Lunch in the student council room is always rather lively. With Shinji often droning on about himself, Issei and Shinji arguing, Shirou being caught up in the scuffle and Hakuno having to pacify her best friend along with the group of friends' rather goofy interactions, there is never truly a boring moment.

"Ah, Kishinami," Issei suddenly pipes up as he packs away his lunch.

Hakuno hums in response, turning her attention away from Shinji and Shirou's conversation and to the glasses-clad student council president. "What is it, Ryuudou?"

"I've heard from some faculty that tomorrow there will be a new student transferring into your class," Issei informs.

Hakuno nods at the information, tilting her head in slight confusion. "At this time of year?"

"Yes," The navy-haired boy nods, "I find it quite peculiar as well, but it seems the transferee is from a family of influence."

"I see…" Hakuno nods, trailing off. She then arches an eyebrow at the boy. "Huh? Then was there any need to mention this to me?"

Issei shakes his head, huffing. "No, nothing in particular like that. I just thought I'd inform you is all."

Hakuno blinks, curious but willing to let the suspicious feeling slide. "Oh, I see… a thought, huh." She nods and shrugs before pushing away some sort of tugging anxiety at the back of her mind and returning her focus to Shinji and Shirou.

The brunette didn't hear the low mutter under Issei's breath. "If it weren't for that woman's words I probably wouldn't have thought to mention anything either…"

"Ahh—Kishinami-san!"

Just as Hakuno is about to leave the classroom after school, amongst the crowd of majority of her classmates, the familiar chirpy tweet of Fujimura-sensei catches the brunette's attention. At the Archery Club's advisor's call, Hakuno makes a U-turn for the energetic teacher. "Yes? Is there something wrong, Fujimura-sensei?"

"Could you do your teacher a favor and go grab the key to the dojo?" Fujimura-sensei claps her hands together, begging the brunette student.

"You forgot your keys again?" Hakuno questions the teacher, exasperatedly as she scratches her cheek.

Fujimura-sensei claps her hands and squeezes her eyes together. "Please, Kishinami-chan!"

Hakuno stares at the pleading woman for a long second. Then, resigning to her fate, the brunette sighs. "Fine… I'll go grab it."

The response is instantaneous. Fujimura Taiga springs up, grabbing Hakuno's hands, waving them up and down thrice before the golden brown-haired woman skips off hastily down the hall. "Thank you, Kishinami-chan!"

Along with the disappearance of Fujimura-sensei, Hakuno hears the crashing and thuds as the tiger woman tears through her path. The brunette's shoulders drop with an exasperated sigh and shrug. "Oh well… I need to get the key to unlock the dojo anyways…" Hakuno strides down the hall, turning away from her original path to head to the staff room. Once she finally stands before the staff room, Hakuno outstretches her hand for the door handle—only to freeze up.

Out of the blue, a chill runs through Hakuno's skin as she feels something moving behind the door. The brunette girl is frozen on instinct as the creepy chill persists to tingle beneath her skin. Her breath hitches, caught in her dry throat as cold sweat builds along the back of her neck. It was as if her body was forewarning her of a danger her brain could not compute. Hakuno couldn't move.

Then, the door is abruptly and violently slid open.

A rather handsome, middle-aged man with long raven hair draping from his face steps out of the faculty room—only to stop before he bumps into the brunette at the door.

"Hm? Do you need something?" With a dour expression, the man dressed in a clean black tux questions Hakuno. He looms over her, with his intimidating demeanor. However, that intimidation is immediately replaced with an extreme sense of discomfort.

All of a sudden, an overwhelming sense of danger gives Hakuno goosebumps all over her body. His cold eyes send shivers through her spine. If Hakuno were to compare this feeling to anything, it was as if the man was marking her for death.

"Do you need something?" The man repeats, snapping the brunette out of her trance.

Hakuno parts her lips, but, as she tries to force out a response, she cannot. Her throat is too dry. Swallowing her spit in an effort to ease her throat, Hakuno licks her lips before attempting to respond once more. "I-I… I came to pick up the keys to the archery dojo—Fujimura-sensei sent me…"

The man is initially silent towards her response before giving her a curt nod and making way for her to enter the staff room. "I see," He comments as she takes the gesture and enters the room.

Upon entering the room, Hakuno first notes on the emptiness of the room. The only occupant prior to her arrival had been the man behind her. He's a teacher then? She ponders on the thought as she makes a beeline for Fujimura-sensei's desk and reaches for the keys sitting on it.

Taking the keys, Hakuno returns to the door where the man is standing by. "Is there anything else you need?" he asks.

Hakuno shakes her head. "No." She replies before she bows to him slightly out of politeness. "Thank you, sensei." She then takes her leave as she had to get to the dojo to unlock it for the other members.

"What is your name?" The deep voice questions, causing Hakuno to pause and turn around to the man by the door.

Hakuno stares at the man for a moment, almost unsure of what he had asked of her. However, realizing the question at hand, she mutters out, awkwardly almost. "Kishinami… Kishinami Hakuno."

The man nods in response, never averting his cold dark eyes from her as he introduces himself. "My name is Julius Harwey, I will be teaching here starting tomorrow." Hakuno stands there, a bit dumbfounded, and blinks at the new teacher. Julius turns back to the staff room and leaves her be. "I wish you luck with club activities, Kishinami."

With that, Julius returns to the staff room and Hakuno is left to her own devices. Slightly in a daze, Hakuno turns back and start striding towards the archery dojo as her mind puzzles over the teacher named "Julius" and the rather eerie feelings she had gotten from him. She shakes her head, pushing it to the back of her mind. It's just a feeling… I was probably just feeling cold.

It is Winter after all…

When the archery club's activities are over, the sun is already setting. Dusk is overtaking the sky as it gradually darkens from the top to the bottom. The sun hugs the horizon; tangy orange clings to the darkening indigo which fades into black navy, and the white light of the moon begins to illuminate the darkness of the night sky.

Hakuno walks out of the local supermarket in the Miyama district, exhaling a small huff. I wonder if Shinji got home okay… She ponders as she slowly walks down the street.

At this time, the streets of Miyama's shopping district aren't particularly full; just enough shoppers around as students are heading home and housewives are grabbing last minute ingredients for dinner. So, Hakuno is able to stroll through the streets with moderate ease, having enough room as to not bump into anyone or disturb any groups chatting. With two shopping bags in hand along with her school bag, the brunette greets the familiar shop owners politely and kindly as she passes by, stopping to chat with them if they start up a conversation.

It is when she is just parting from one of these conversations, that she spots it.

Bright golden hair, that brightens the evening, is what draws Hakuno in first. She begins walking towards the golden figure—the one of the blonde foreigner who roams the street.

Striking, daring crimson rubies are the next thing that draws her closer—as the man turns she catches a small glimpse of his scarlet eyes. A shudder runs down her spine. Those eyes shine with a certain aura of supremacy, daunting and absolute.

Hakuno continues to prowl nearer to the mysterious blonde. She couldn't take her eyes off of him as if she were entranced, hypnotized like the children of Hamelin. There was just something about the man that strikes a chord within Hakuno. She couldn't put her finger on it.

He was familiar to her—but, Hakuno had no clue how or why.

Just looking at the man sent waves of nostalgia through Hakuno. Her nerves settle with a sense of calm and her heart beats steadily yet loudly against her chest as she approaches the man.

She is in a trance—drawn to the golden man.

Her legs move forward without her mind telling them to. Her heart steadily pounds against her ribcage. Her head is filled with thoughts of the man—until, a certain tune snaps her from the daze.

Stopping in the middle of the road, Hakuno blinks and shakes away the fog in her mind as she puts down her bags and digs out her ringing cell phone. She flips it open, quickly answering the call before it ends. "Hello? Hakuno speaking—"

"Haku? Where are you?" The familiar worried voice of Yashiro echoes from the receiver.

"I'm on my way home now," Hakuno answers, "I had to pick up some groceries after practice since we've run out. I'll be home soon."

"Next time, ask me to get them." Yashiro huffs, "It's been dangerous lately with the serial alleyway murders all around Fuyuki and the sudden coma incidents. So, it's not safe to be out so late."

"Yeah… I know." Hakuno replies, apologetically.

"I'm just worried for you, Haku." Yashiro releases a small sigh, "See you at home. Be safe."

"See you." Hakuno ends the call, putting her phone back into her school bag before grabbing the rest of the bags. Taking one last glance in the direction of the mysterious blonde, Hakuno twirls back around and begins walking back home.

Meanwhile, as Hakuno begins to return home, a certain blonde turns in her direction. Spotting a short figure with long, chocolate brown flowing hair just as the girl begins to round a corner, his breath hitches. Scarlet eyes widen as his perfect lips part and a whisper escapes his throat.

"Hakuno…?"

And there you have it, folks! The first real chapter!

I don't want to make the exact date clear, but you'll figure it out once you see some canon events XD

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this!

Please leave a review~ I love to hear your predictions and your reactions!