The Counterfeit Dios Saga
Chapter 4 – Us? Friends? Painful Memories
Anthy worked to balance the supplies that crowded her arms. Emerald eyes were widened with distress, feeling clumsy despite the grace that usually came naturally to her. This school…it was so strange. She'd never had to carry these many books around. She shifted her hand and moved aside the lock she carried with her and rebalanced the thick, school rulebook that was almost a textbook in itself. This was ridiculous. What was she expected to do with this many things to remember and memorize.
Her footsteps sounded unnaturally loud in the empty school hallway. Hallway with starch white walls devoid of any color or break other then windows, like a hospital or asylum. Her heart dropped every time she passed a classroom door, scanning the class inside for a glimpse of strawberry tresses. The endless line of numbered rooms gaze way to lockers lining either wall as she turned onto the balconied second floor she seen when she first entered.
"697" she murmured quietly to herself.
"It's on the other side of the school actually." A voice behind her said softly.
Anthy turned her head, expression devoid of any feeling beyond curiosity as her gaze settled on the boy leaned against the black railing behind her. Her flashed her a smile, dark blue eyes instantly lighting with approval.
"You didn't jump." He said in a congratulatory manner straightening and stepping up closer to her. "Locker 697 is on the other side of the school." Lifting his hand and sticking out a thumb to point back down the stretch of white hallway. "Near mine."
"Who…are you?" Anthy said with as little insult as she could.
"Oh. Sorry." He laughed, warmly and Anthy was surprised them, but the sincerity in the sound. "My name's Soga. Soga Amatsuichi."
"Oh." She paused a moment still not use to unprompted introductions before adding. "I'm Anthy Himemiya." Dipping into a small bow. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Amatsuichi."
He laughed again, though this time it took on an embarrassed tone. "Wow. You're real polite. Just call me Soga or Amatsu, okay?" She offered a smile and for some reason he blushed and ran a hand through his pale, hair, locks just long enough to fall across his eyes and a gold so pale it bordered on white. "Are you new here?"
Anthy nodded. "Yes. I only just transferred today."
"I guessed. I saw you walking down the hall." He chuckled. "You looked kind of lost."
"This school is so unfamiliar and strange. I don't know where anything is." She said thoughtfully, gaze moving towards the glass front doors watching the cars that flashed down the street outside. "I suppose I am lost."
"Don't worry." Anthy glanced back over at the strange protective note that struck in his voice. Nostalgia trilled in her at the tone. "I'll help you okay. We can be friends."
Anthy's eyes widened as memory flicked back to her.
'I want us to help each other, Anthy. I want us to be friends'
'Utena.' Helpless tears pricked the back of her eyes but Anthy had learned long ago how to hide her feelings, particularly pain.
So she gave the boy her Rose Bride smile. She knew he didn't deserve that masked smile but it was her only defense against those who caused her pain, even involuntarily. It was her only way of facing it and daring them to do more. He took it for a real smile however and Anthy was grateful for that if nothing else.
"Well then." He went on when she didn't speak. "I'll show you where you locker is. And then…you have your class list?" She handed it over to him. "Great. I'll show you were your classes are?"
"It won't be too much trouble?"
He shook his head. "Naw. I'll drop you off and I'll be waiting outside your class when you get out to help you find your next okay? Look, we even have lunch together."
Unfamiliar affection struck her at his enthusiasm and Anthy nodded not sure if she was agreeing for his sake or hers. Perhaps both.
"I was told that the school got a lot of new students other then me." Anthy said, following behind him slightly as he led her back down the chilling, sallow corridor.
Soga nodded. "We have. I've lived her since I was little and the population was always small. But then, this summer, the school closed down and they did all these renovations on it. After that kids were transferring in like crazy." He laughed. "Sometimes I feel like I'm the one who moved, not everyone else."
"Those frightening towers in the back of the school. Where those part of the renovations too?"
He smiled. "Oh, you mean the Towers of Fang? Yea. Actually the Towers are where the three Head Board members live."
"Board members?"
He nodded. "The school board. The Wolf Tower is Mr. Yamahashi, The Tiger Tower is Mrs. Kurohana, and The Dragon Tower is Mr. Akahoshi. Don't worry. The towers usually intimidate everyone at first. You'll get use to them eventually."
Was Utena perhaps trapped in one of those towers? Anthy tugged at a one of the violet locks that hung down around her shoulders. She'd have to check. Somehow she'd have to get inside those towers and search for Utena.
"Here. This is your Science class." Soga said stopping infront of a classroom door. "I'll meet you right here after the bell rings and we'll walk to lunch together alright?" Anthy nodded and he smiled again. "Great. And don't worry. I bet you'll make friends in no time. Just try to talk a little more, kay?" He moved away from her. "Later."
Anthy lifted a hand in a wave as he escaped down the hall then sighed, readjusting the books in her arms. She didn't want to step into that classroom. Every part of her being wanted to rush down the halls yelling and searching for Utena. But that was impossible and worse irrational. If Utena was a student her, if she was happy she'd never forgive Anthy for embarrassing her in such a way. It was disgraceful.
She brushed fingers over the emblem on the ring seeking strength. So strange that the sign of her captivity was now her courage. But the rose crest was no longer a symbol of the duels. Not anymore. It was her last tie to Utena. It was a reminder of what Utena sacrificed for her. It was the ring she had gotten from her prince. It was her engagement ring.
Anthy settled hands on the doorknob, tugged the door open and stepped inside, slipping into her Rose Bride mask as questioning, demanding, criticizing eyes turned her way.