Chapter 4: Explanation
The three boys soon made it out of the strange world and arrived back into the real world. "Did we make it?" Sakamoto asked. "I think so, Ren check your phone," Jake replied. Ren checked his phone as the AI on the phone responded by saying that they had arrived back to the real world. The three sighed in relief before returning on to important matters. "What was all that anyways? That castle and Kamoshida along with that weird cat! What the hell is going on?!" Sakamoto asked. "I'm not so sure, but whatever that was, let's hope this isn't an ongoing event," Ren stated. But soon two police officers arrived, noticing the three boys. "What's with the yelling? Are you three students of Shujin?" the first cop asked. "Cutting classes are we?" the other cop asked.
Before Sakamoto could say anything, Jake stepped in quickly. "Apologies officer, we were just a little lost as today was our first day and I so happen to be asking directions for the school location," Jake explained. "I see, well then you three best get to school," the cop stated, as both Ren and Jake nodded and dragged Sakamoto quickly before he could even make more of a commotion.
"Guys what the hell was that about?! We should've told them what we saw," Sakamoto pointed out. "Yeah and also deal with more issues? If we told them about what we saw, we're going to be looked at as a bunch of crazy people and I really do not have time for this," Jake retorted. "Jake's right, they won't believe what we saw and also we really have to get to class," Ren added. Sakamoto groaned but nevertheless the three walked to the school location. As they arrived, the three were surprised by how the school now looked normal. "Is this for real…? I'm sure we came the same way…What's going on here…?" Sakamoto asked. Just then, the school counselor arrived outside looking rather stern at the three boys.
"We received a call from the police, something about three boys from our school being out of class," the counselor stated. "Damn it! The cop totally snitched on us!" Sakamoto groaned. "It's rare not to see you alone, where were you roaming around until this time?" the counselor interrogated. Sakamoto explained where they were, to which the counselor raised an eyebrow, finding the response ridiculous. "What's this about a castle?" a familiar voice asked, as the three boys were shocked by who it was. It was Kamoshida, who was wondering what all the commotion was. "Kamoshida?!" Sakamoto exclaimed, pointing a finger at the teacher. "You seem so carefree, Sakamoto. Quite a difference from when you did morning practice for the track team," Kamoshida chastised. This pissed off Sakamoto to the point where he got into an argument with the school counselor. While that was happening, both Jake and Ren studied the look on both Sakamoto and Kamoshida as there seems to be more to this story.
Kamoshida soon stepped in, ending this argument between the two. Now the blond was pissed, but soon begrudgingly agreed. "By the way-you two are the new transfer students, correct? Ren Amamiya and Jake Creed?" Kamoshida asked. The two nodded until Kamoshida remembered something. "Have we met somewhere?" he asked, to which they responded by saying that they met at the station. "Well I'll overlook this today, I'm sure you've heard from the principal, but cause any trouble and you'll be expelled. Understand and the same goes for you too," he said to the two boys, to which they nodded. "At any rate, hurry up and go to the faculty office, I'm sure Ms. Kawakami's tired of waiting," Kamoshida stated, before heading back.
The two boys entered the school and as they were searching for the faculty office, they heard some people whisper stuff about them. While it seemed nobody was saying anything bad about Jake aside from a few snide comments, everybody else was whispering stuff about Ren almost as if he was the plague. "You alright Ren?" Jake asked, noticing his friend was rather quiet. "Oh, uh no I'm fine. Nothing to worry about," Ren stated, eye-smiling. Jake raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment any further as they entered the faculty office. The teacher shot them an exasperated look, as she demanded an explanation as to why they were late. "Apologies Ms. Kawakami, my train was late and I'm still getting used to this place given that I only arrived two days ago," Jake explained. "Fair enough, and I'm assuming the same for you as well, right Ren?" Kawakami asked, as Ren nodded. "Anyways, I heard that you two were caught along with that Sakamoto-kun?" Kawakami asked.
"Am I missing something here or what?" Jake asked with a raised eyebrow. Kawakami sighed and decided to explain everything as to why they shouldn't get involved with the blond. "Anyways, the break is almost over. Classes will end after fifth period today because of the subway accident. I'll have you two introduce yourselves when class resumes," Kawakami said as she told them to follow her to class. While following the teacher, Jake notices that Kawakami was talking to Ren about something regarding introductions. Soon the two boys entered the class, as everybody whispered to each other about the two transfer students. "Settle down, I'd like to introduce two new transfer students: Ren Amamiya and Jake Creed. Today, we…had them attend the afternoon classes due to circumstances earlier today. Why don't you introduce yourselves," Ms. Kawakami stated. "I'm Ren Amamiya, nice to meet you," Ren introduces himself. Everybody whispered to each other about Ren as it seems that he is quite infamous despite being the new transfer student.
"I'm Jake Creed, pleasure to make your acquaintances," Jake introduces himself next. Everybody whispered to each other about Jake, but unlike Ren, they seemed to hold no ill will against him as some of the girls whispered that Jake looked kind of cute, but then again some people were also comparing him to another person who was a foreigner. After being given their seats, class resumed though both Jake and Ren felt as though everybody was staring at them. 'I swear to god this is getting really annoying,' Jake thought to himself, as he notices that some of the girls were talking shit about the blond girl he saw in the morning known as Takamaki-san, while also comparing him to that girl given that she made eye contact with him for only a brief second or so. When class ended, the two left the room and as they left, they got a massive headache, almost as if they felt the castle's presence. "Yo, did you feel that?" Jake asked. "I was going to ask you the same thing," Ren stated.
Before Jake could say anything, he noticed that everyone around them was whispering stuff about them. "Look, I'll talk to you later, I'm just going to head home and clear my mind," Jake stated. "Alright, oh and before I forget, here's my contact and chat ID in case you want to talk," Ren mentioned and the two exchanged numbers before heading their separate ways. As Jake was heading out, he saw the blond girl named Ann, who seemed to be talking to a black haired girl with a ponytail. He was considering formally introducing himself, but decided to hold it off for another day. The train back home was kind of packed given how there were so many people along with the fact that the trains were pretty busy due to the incident, but soon Jake makes it back home.
As he entered the house, he saw his dad looking rather stern. "Hey son, I've just gotten a call from the school. Something regarding you skipping half a day of class especially on your first day, care to explain to me what that's about?" Mr. Creed asked. Thinking of something quick, Jake decided to make a white lie. "Well you see, the trains were pretty busy along with the fact that I'm still trying to get used to this place," Jake lied. Mr. Creed looked at his son with a raised eyebrow, which made the boy nervous, until Mr. Creed sighed and dropped it. "Alright, I'll let you off this time, but next time it better not happen again," Mr. Creed stated, as Jake sighed in relief. The two had dinner before heading off to bed and as Jake slept he was pulled into a strange dream.
The Velvet Room
Jake awakens to see himself in a blue prison cell, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit. "Where the hell am I?" he asked himself, as he looked down to see cuffs on his hand and a metal ball chained to his leg. He turns around to see two twin girls on the other side of the cell, dressed as if they were prison wardens. The one on the left had bangs covering her left eye while her right eye was golden along with her hair being styled in a ponytail. Now the one on the right looked the same yet was opposite in details regarding appearance. But the biggest shocker was the fact that in the middle of it all was a short bald yet gray haired man, dressed in a formal suit and gloves, sitting behind the desk. The creepiest thing aside from his very long and pointy nose was the man's smile, which really creeped Jake out. " Greetings Trickster, welcome to my velvet room," the man greeted Jake.
"Trickster? Velvet room? What the hell is going on?! Let me out of here!" Jake exclaimed, as he shook the cell door. "Inmate, please calm down," the girl on the left told him in a rather emotionless manner. "If you want to get out of this alive, you'll need a resolve of steel. Get a grip!" the girl on the right ordered, as if she were a drill sergeant. "Welcome, my name is Igor and I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I have summoned you here to discuss important matters," Igor introduces himself. "Important matters? This has to be a joke, there's no way you brought me out here in wherever this place is just for a chat," Jake stated, before yelping in fright as the girl on the right slammed her baton on the cell door. "Know your place inmate, that is our master you are speaking to!" the warden on the right yelled.
Soon Igor begins to explain the whole idea of the Velvet Room as it represents the state of mind or heart the boy is in. "So you're saying that those who are given a contract are allowed to be in this place? Does that mean Ren is also here as well, in this very room?" Jake asked. "Yes and no. While he may be in this same exact room, he isn't truly here with you as this very place represents one's own heart and mind," Igor explained. "To your right is Caroline, to your left is Justine. They serve as wardens here," Igor introduced, before going to explain the purpose as to why Jake was here. "So the purpose of me being here and given that power is to fulfill a contract. Something about preventing ruin while aiding my friend in this journey, right?" Jake asked. "Indeed, for it is part of the contract. Failure to abide by it will result in ruin and a fate worse than death," Igor stated. "Not like I have any choice, I'm already a slave without even realizing it. Alright then, I'll play your game, but I want my freedom after this," Jake stated, looking Igor dead in the eye. "Excellent. Now then, it seems the night is waning…It is almost time. Take your time to slowly come to understand this place. We will surely meet again, eventually…" Igor stated. The alarm bell rang, signaling that a new dawn is approaching. "Time is up! Go back to sleep!" Caroline yelled, as Jake didn't have to be told twice. Laying on the bed, he soon drifts off to sleep, waking up in the real world.