Prologue : Another Route
Week ? Days Remaining : 3
Morning
It was a sunny and bright morning. The air is filled with joyful laughter from students. There is more activity than normal in front of the school gate. A crowd is forming as students are being called over.
"I wonder what is going on." The young man murmured to himself.
When he peers into the center of the ruckus. He sees his friend, the school's student council president Issei Ryuudou. Surprised by what is happening, he approaches the man.
"Good morning! Lovely weather we're having, don't you think?" Issei greeted him and quickly noticed the look he was giving to him. "Hmm? Why do you look so surprised?" He asks.
"Is something happening today? It's rare to see the student council president this active first thing in the morning." The young man gives him a sheepish smile.
"We announced at last week's assembly that this month the student council would strictly enforce school rules." He answered before walking closer to him. "I have been tasked with performing inspections to ensure students are in compliance with school rules."
"Now it goes without saying that EVERYONE is subject to these inspections. Even old friends." Seeing the seriousness on Issei's face, he just let out a sigh and allowed him to do his student council duties. "Now then, uniform inspection time. Collar check! Pant hems, check! And your socks...Check!" Taking his bag, Issei looks for its contents.
"Notebooks, textbooks, and pencil cases! Not even a whiff of contraband." He then promptly grabbed his hand. "Your nails are evenly cut, and your hairstyle is sensible." Issei gives him a satisfied smile. "Indeed. You're quite remarkable and a model to Tsukimihara academy students."
Returning the bag to its owner. The young man continued receiving praises from the student council president. "Someone like you ought to consider a future in student government. I believe you will be perfect for it."
He could only smile in embarrassment. Does he really have a chance of becoming one?
"Oh but I'd never try to coerce you into joining the student council. We aren't like that." Issei added with pride in his tone. "Now then off to your classroom! Enjoy your day."
Before he can reply. Mr. Diligent student council president has already moved into the next student for inspection. Hungry for gossip on their way to the classroom, the students jabber about the inspections.
The young man could only smile to himself. Things are always so gently bustling in the morning. Yet another peaceful beginning to another peaceful day. He couldn't ask for more.
As the young man entered his class. He saw Shinji Matou with a bunch of girls. Though he couldn't help but to wonder the answer to this greatest mystery of all. Why is he so popular?
"Hey when did you show up?" Seeing the smirk on his face. He already knows what is coming next. "You're so quiet and dull that I didn't even notice you. Even though, huh?" Shinji then paused for a moment. "We've been friends since our freshman year, right?" He asks.
That question was odd.
But before he could answer. Shinji cut him off. "Whatever. Don't sweat the fact that you're boring as dirt. It's not like you can help it. I mean anyone would be boring and stupid compared to me yeah?" He said without hiding the snicker he made.
Another usual morning abuse from Shinji Matou. Yet for some reason he doesn't mind. Though his arrogance is almost palatable. He doesn't even know what he is saying but those girls around him are squealing with joy. Maybe Shinji's popularity isn't a mystery but unnatural.
"What's up?" He said.
"I was just doing some math tutoring. This stuff is beyond easy...For me anyway." Shinji replied. But one of the girls he tutored seemed very troubled as she was holding her notebook.
"Excuse me Senpai. But isn't the answer to this question wrong...? Like in every way."
The man in question looks at the girl quite offended. "What in the!? I'm the one who solved that! There is no way it could be wrong!" He said making the girl very uncomfortable.
"B-but...Look at this. Since when did two plus two equal five?"
When he said that Shinji is arrogant. He isn't lying. He can see it clearly in his face. "I'd never make such stupid mistake! It's all your fault! You're the idiot here, not me!" As he raised his voice, the girls all began to panic and run back to their desk.
Letting out a sigh. Shinji looked at him. "I hate dealing with the proletariat. Especially when they think they're my equal. It's really pathetic that these worms don't know their place." He then smirks at him. "That is why I like you so much."
"Why is that?" The young man asks. But he quickly felt regret inside. Maybe he shouldn't let Shinji elaborate more.
"Even though you're boring, you know not to steal my thunder. You're the ultimate sidekick." Shinji flashes a smile. It's making him weird that he'd never take any offense at the way the man talks to him. Perhaps he suffered hundreds of insults from him that his mind just became numb about it.
Added to that. By some strange twist of fate. He and Shinji are friends. How they became friends is just beyond his memories. Maybe their first encounter with each other is during spring? As he tries to recollect, the bell of the class rings.
And who should fly through the door but their homeroom teacher, Ms. Taiga Fujimura.
"I made it! Good morning every-!" The sound of thud that came from Ms. Fujimura as she trips and falls painfully onto the floor. As she lands, her head strikes the corner of the platform at the front of the classroom.
There was a long dead silence inside the classroom. Every student's attention is focused on the same thing.
"Again…? How does she manage to trip in the same place every time?" Came from one of the students in the front.
"Listen you! This isn't the time to make stupid jokes!" Said the female student beside him.
"Yeah right...She isn't moving. Did she get knocked out or something?"
A few brave students get out of their seats and crowd around the still comatose teacher. As they started calling the woman's name. She suddenly jumps to her feet and acts like nothing happened.
"What's wrong everyone? Class is about to start, so get back to your seat pronto!" said as if the memories of her violent trip to the floor were totally erased.
As this happens from time to time. No one seems to notice or care enough to say anything. Not even a single thought on how odd this occurrence kept happening every single day.
Week ? Days Remaining : 3
Midday
The scene playing before him seems to never change from day to day.
The same exact lessons.
The same exact subject
The same exact content.
"Um, today we're going to study the biography of Dr. Pieceman, a talented physician." Tiger- he means Ms. Fujimura is conducting her class today the same way she does everyday.
"You may not know, but when I was young, an unknown pathogen was the cause of a serious epidemic. In fact, outbreaks were common. But now, most illnesses are cured using nano-thing-majigs!"
There was something she said that made some of the students chuckle.
"And for your information. I'm still young! This will be on the test so be sure you don't forget it. I mean it...!" Her ensuing laughter stops short at her eyes, which seem deadly serious. Just as everyone is about to call the teacher. The bell signaling the end of class rings.
"All right that is all for today! Be sure to study hard tonight, and don't forget the important points I told you about."
Week ? Days Remaining : 3
Afternoon
While today's topic wasn't all boring. It's a relief when the bell rings. The sound signals the end of class. Students begin to break off into small groups. He approaches Shinji who lets out a yawn as he stretches.
"Thank god that is over. I was getting sick of all the busywork." Shinji complained to himself. "Being a student sucks. The worse part of the whole deal is having to attend these stupid classes." Only after he said that did the man notice him.
"Huh you're still here...? That is unusual. You don't have any plans like a date or something?" Shinji then let out a laugh. "I'm just messing with you! I know you're too big of a nerd to ever get a date!"
"I mean you're just going to your dork club. The journalism club, right?" The same smirk from this morning appeared on his face once again. "Well seeing as you're boring as stale white bread. Your life is exactly as it should be. You know exactly what your role in life is, and you stay there. Well, I'll catch you later! See you in class tomorrow."
As Shinji leaves the classroom. The young man let out a sigh. Without anything to do, he remembered the activity he needed to attend to. Leaving the room, he quickly searched for their club editor in chief.
The search ended after seeing her near the bulletin board with the other members of the club.
"Look who's here! It's the newspaper club's ace! Gotten any leads?" Seeing the boy's confused look. She reminded him about the important task. "Don't tell me you forgot to write an article about the 'Unsolved Mysteries of Tsukimihara'." She said,
The girl then put her hand to her hips "C'mon, I told you yesterday. There isn't very much time left before the deadline." She then let out a sigh.
"Well, whatever. Your work is always good, so I'll leave this in your capable hands!" Knowing where he should start. His investigation begins. The mystery lingers at the archery club and it's his mission to reveal the truth about that place. Bidding them goodbye, he went to the first floor and was about to head to the courtyard.
But out of the blue, a feeling that was something moving behind the door overcame him. No students are allowed inside the supply room. Yet for some unknown reason, the young man finds his eyes drawn to its door.
The door suddenly and violently threw open.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Without a warning, a man appears from out of the shadows. Dressed in black with dour expression, the person in question is very intimidating. But that sense of intimidation is immediately replaced with extreme discomfort and unease. A sudden, overwhelming sense of danger gives the young man goose bumps all over his body.
His cold, blank, stare sends chills down his spine, as though he's marking the young man for death. And for some reason, it feels as if he is deciding whether to break his neck or skin him alive.
"..." There was a moment of pause on the mysterious man. "Odd. Your name doesn't appear to be on the list. But I had better make sure." He begins to mutter under his breath while at the same time he reaches out with his right hand. The chills running down the young man's spine gain intensity as waves of nausea and vertigo wash over him.
It feels like a rabbit watching a wolf draw near. Perhaps this isn't just raw terror. Maybe he is holding something that makes him feel this way.
"You're not even trying to fight. My instincts aren't as sharp as they should be. I need to rest." The note of disgust in his voice is obvious as he slowly lowers his hand. The paralysis that is holding him suddenly fades away. The man continued looking down at him with those dead eyes.
"Students are forbidden from entering the supply room. You'd do well to remember that. The campus is about to close. If you have nothing else to do, I advise you to go home now." He said before turning around and was about to return to the supply room.
"Is there anything else?" He asks. But the young man was shaken from their encounter. Letting out a sigh he grabbed the handle of the door. "My name is Mr. Kazuki. I will be teaching here starting today." The man introduced himself as Mr. Kazuki entered the supply room.
With that, the final bell begins to chime, signaling the end of the school day.
Everything begins to process as normal, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. But the young man is still sore and slicked with sweat; an all too real reminder of what just occurred.
Wonderful. They now have a teacher with obvious 'murderous intent' teaching in their school.
After collecting himself. The young man returned from his duties and investigated the archery club. Entering the establishment. He saw someone inside and it's none other than Ms. Fujimura.
"Um Tiger- I mean Ms. Fujimura. What are you doing here?" He asks.
"I uh…" His teacher smiled sheepishly. "You kinda caught me in the middle of cleaning. Those archery club kids don't even unstring their bows!" She said before showing the evidence to him. "And you know what is worse? Is that when they leave, their arrows are stuck in the target mound."
"I usually make the kids do it, but there's no club activities leading up to exams, so I'm doing it."
"I see…" He said while taking notes. "How about the rumors of the entrance to the spirit world. Do you know anything about it?" The young man asked.
"Huh? Entrance to the spirit world?" Ms. Fujimura couldn't help but to beam a smile after hearing that. "It's just a rumor, it's not real." She then tapped his shoulder. "Anyway, Exams are right around the corner. Don't waste your time on stuff like that. Go home, shoo, shoo!"
As he was pushed to the exit. The young man looked at the ember sky above with disappointment on his face. What appears in the Archery Range isn't an entrance to the spirit world.
It's just Tige-! Ms. Fujimura.
Well he can't say he is surprised. She's behind one of Tsukimihara's mysteries. If nothing else, it's just fitting. He'll report this tomorrow to the editor-in-chief and head home now.
Week ? Days Remaining : 2
Morning
Early morning. As he walks into the classroom, the young man notices the girls that normally flock around Shinji Matou aren't there. He seems to be in a bad mood today. His usual posse of girls is keeping their distance. Strengthening himself, the young man asks him if something happened.
"What? Like I'd tell you if anything happened to me! Which it didn't. Nothing happened at all." Shinji answered. The young man let out a sigh. The man can be a Tsundere sometimes.
"Hey, you know about that Ice queen Rin Tohsaka? She thinks she's so much better than everyone here." Hearing the rich irony, the boy kept his laughter inside him. "At first, I thought that she would be the only one who understood how lonely it is at the top."
"I tried talking to her yesterday, but I got nowhere. Maybe I intimidate her or something." Shinji leaned on his chair while crossing his arms. "I might've lost a few points for getting violent, but girls who talked back to me need to get slapped! I'd never hook up with such a violent, stuck up bitch like that, no matter how hot she is!"
Clicking his tongue in annoyance. The sour look on his face still lingers. "What a waste. She'd be perfect if she just kept her mouth shut. You agree with me, right? Right?" He cannot give him an answer other than a sheepish smile.
It seems there is a tension between Shinji and Rin Tohsaka. But knowing Shinji, he mostly hits on her but gets shot down.
"And why'd she take a shot at me? I thought she was going to spinning-star kick me next." Shinji continues to whine under his breath. He can only imagine how sleazy Shinji was with her. Normally, Shinji's super-aggressive approach works, but obviously it didn't with Rin Tohsaka.
'Life's more interesting when it's got little shake-ups like this.' He happily thought. And as if right on cue, Ms. Fujimura barges into the classroom as the bell sounds.
"I made it! Good morning everyone!" As her eyes roamed around the room. Ms. Fujimura beamed a smile. "All right, no one's absent and since there are no announcements, let's just start the homeroom."
The moment she turns to reach for the chalk, she trips and falls as she always does. As she falls, her fingernails drag across the blackboard with horrifying sound. And thus, another typically mundane day begins anew.
Week ? Days Remaining : 2
Midday
"...And though the Great War has finally come to an end, regional conflicts still persist. Despite the suffering of the previous generation, battles are still waged thirty years on."
Standing behind the lectern today is the school's newest teacher. Mr. Kazuki.
Although he's supposed to be teaching math, his lesson seems to have gone off tangent.
"-Now, instead of armies, attacks in ever greater numbers are being carried out by terrorists. And in an attempt to suppress these terrorist groups…"
With that, the bell signaling the end of classes sounds. And with the end of the day here, the tension in the classroom drops immediately.
"All right, let us end here today." Mr. Kazuki announced. "...Oh yes, before I forget. This came from the student counselor. Recently, a rise in the number of slashing incidents has made the surrounding area dangerous. With that in mind, keep any detours to a minimum and head home as quickly as possible."
"Get home quickly?" The young man muttered. Good advice, but he still has to finish a few assignments for the journalism club. "Why am I so gung-ho about investigating the school's seven wonders?" That question is a mystery even to him. Yet it seems important for some reason.
He still has to turn in yesterday's report. He better go and see the editor-in-chief this afternoon.
Week ? Days Remaining : 2
Afternoon
On his search for the chief. He heard gossip from the girls in the hallway.
"Hey, guess what? I just passed this gorgeous girl on the stairs. Could she be a new student?" One of the girls asks.
"What? I'm sure you're talking about Rin Tohsaka from class B."
"Rin Tohsaka? Never heard of her."
Her friend let out a sigh. "You've really never heard of her? Pretty, athletic, smart, classy…" She began listing the girl's qualities. "Or just a stuck-up Ms. Perfect who all the guys adore and all the girls despise."
"It wouldn't be unrealistic to call Rin Tohsaka the most popular girl in the whole school."
"Are you pulling my legs?"
The girl then put her hand on her hips. "Girl you're so dense you probably wouldn't feel it if I pulled your leg anyway." She commented.
"What…? I'm not that dense." Her friend replied with a pout. "But...She wasn't wearing our school uniform. She was wearing red. How do you explain that?"
"I dunno...I hadn't noticed."
"Huh? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong." She said before looking at her wristwatch. "Anyway, we should hurry and go to the club."
When the girls leave the second floor. He was left with nothing but curiosity about Rin Tohsaka. "Oh right…" He murmured after remembering his teacher's advice. Quickly setting himself back on track. The young man found her on the same spot yesterday.
"Oh! Our club's ace. Did you find out anything yesterday?" Telling her everything about the report he made. The editor-in-chief nodded in satisfaction. "Interesting. So it was Tiger! Of course there is no entrance to the spirit world!" She then smiled at his work.
"Thanks to you, the article will be great!" She then clapped her hands together. "Anyway, are you ready for the next article assignment?" Before he could reply. She already continued through.
"The next unsolved mystery is...Yesterday, there was a girl dressed in red on the rooftop. Rumors about "Little Red Rooftop" are spreading. Go find out what this is all about."
Letting out a sigh. He wanted to go home as early as possible. But there's a new task that has been handed to him. Keeping his complaints to himself, he decided to suck it up and proceed to the school's rooftop. He turned the doorknob and the metal door opened silently on its hinges.
As a rule, no one is allowed up on the roof. But he can see someone's elongated shadow. The vibrant colors set off by the setting of the sun is enough to take one's breath away. Under the now blood red sky, a single girl looks out onto the town that spreads out below. Like a figure out of a painting, the girl seems to shine with the same red glow of the setting sun.
"What a beautiful sunset…" She murmured under her breath. "I can only imagine how captivating this sight must be for the people who live here. It is indeed a very beautiful scene. A shame that it doesn't really exist."
"On the surface it seems like such a benign, peaceful world. A pity that it'll soon come to an end." The girl quietly nodded to herself. "This place is merely an idealized imitation of the real world. And one done in poor taste. I wonder if there's any value to a memory that can only be observed and then left behind."
The girl in red said with a mix of disgust and disappointment in her voice. As she finishes speaking, a faint smile forms on the girl's lips as she slowly turns to his direction.
Her unwavering gaze makes it seem like she can see things hidden to others. And her eyes seem to shine with an intensity that rivals that of the fiery red of the evening sky.
"What's this, a notice from the system? Thanks for bringing it to me." Hearing her statement made him confused. What notice is she talking about? "Hmm? That's not it? That means you must be one of the generic- N-no I mean students."
"If one of the irrelevant NPCs can get up here, I guess I'll have to find another place to hang out." The girl continued to mumble quietly to herself. "Oh well, at least this is a good opportunity for me to look one of you over. Stand still, you." She then approached the young man. He didn't expect the girl's finger to reach out his cheek.
"Wait, what's this!? Is this a warning from the system?" The girl said in disbelief. "Direct interference does break the rules, after all." Surprised by what happened. She mumbled to herself and soon disappeared without any trace. It's like no one was ever there at all.
"She vanished!?" The young man was shocked. He tried to look around for her but ended up with nothing. Did she really disappear? Shaking his head. Perhaps he's just tired. Even so, there or not, her form has been indelibly burned into his mind.
"Oh, you're still here. It's almost time to leave school, so you should prepare to go home." The sound of the student council president pulls him back to reality. He must be completely dazed and confused.
Letting out a sigh. "Yeah I think I better be." He answered and left the rooftop together with Issei. He's just going to report this incident to the editor-in-chief tomorrow afternoon.
Week ? Days Remaining : 1
Morning
Entering his classroom. Once again, Shinji Matou, in the seat next to him, has a full house.
"I'm telling you, you don't have any talent." He said with a smirk on his face. "Give up before you look like a retard. So you know what he said to that?" Shinji asked the girls around him.
"What? What? What did he say?!"
"We're dying to know! Tell us!"
Shinji's smirk goes into a full blown smile as he continues. "This wuss gets all boo-hoo and says. 'I'll keep practicing until I get better. I can at least get better than you, who skips practice.'." He then laughed and made a noise inside the room. "Sorry, I have to laugh! Anybody knows that you can't practice your way into being a genius! If he wants to practice something, he should practice to not sound like a fool!"
Wiping the tears on his eyes. Shinji continues. "The guy's not a total maggot, but he's still trash that needs to find a garbage can." Shaking his head, he let out a sigh. "That moron. People aren't created equal. Even people who are born average can never reach the same heights as the naturally gifted."
The girls listening to him squeal in joy.
"You're so cool, senpai~ But I feel bad for that kid."
"Trash can't help being trash. It should learn to stop dreaming about being something better." Shinji commented.
The bell rings and in response. The gaggle of girls shuffle off to their own seats. He soon follows afterwards, while they wait for the teacher to arrive, he gets caught up on what Shinji said for some reason.
Whether or not Shinji has innate talent. He thinks it's pretty clear that he's a nobody. A nobody with no goals.
'I mean, when I try to even think about the future. I get overwhelmed. As long as I keep plodding along, maybe someday I'll reach my totally average future. Cheers to me, Yay.'
'That's what happens to everyone right? Are there actually people who break that pattern? How?' He thought before letting a sigh escape his lips. He has no idea, for him, today is just another ordinary day.
"Good morning, everyone!"
When the teacher came in. His heart accelerates, each beat is painfully strong. It's as if his body's on high alert. Don't get him wrong, he knows that it is not a reaction to Ms. Fujimura.
"Well, kids. This is a little out of the blue, but today I want to introduce you to a new friend." Standing beside Ms. Fujimura is a boy wearing an orange uniform. He has blond hair that is carefully taken care of. The moment that both of their eyes met. It made his body's fight or flight instinct to prickle.
"Go on, Leo. Introduce yourself."
"For what purpose?" The boy named Leo asked.
"Huh? Well Leo… You'll be attending school with these people, so I'm sure they'd like to know who you are." The teacher answered.
Nodding to himself. Leo steps forward. "Ah, I see. These good people do not know my name yet." And with a louder voice he says. "Everyone, my name is Leonardo Bistario Harway. In time, it will be a name known to all the world, but for now it is the name of your classmate. I'm pleased to meet you all. I hope we enjoy our time together."
The classroom became quiet. There aren't even any jabs at his eccentric manner of speaking, or any coos over how pretty he is. Instead, the entire classroom is enthralled by his regal bearing. Entranced even.
Shinji's words came to mind. This is what it means to be on a different level. None of them, plebes, could ever hope to reach the level this new kid lives on. And it's not overextending to call his very existence transfixing.
Like a deer in headlights. They are immobilized by a presence far greater to their own. His natural place is above them, looking down as their king.
Just how did someone like him end up here…? There must be a mistake.
"Well…um…" Ms. Fujimura stattered for a moment. "Anyway, everyone please make Leo feel welcome." She said to the class and called the new kid's name. "Then Leo if you would please take a seat…" Her eyes roamed around the room, looking for an open spot. "It looks like the third seat in the second row from the right is open. Will that be okay?"
Hearing his name. Leo turns to face Ms. Fujimura. "Leo? Ah, you're addressing me. I see no reason to not allow you to call me Leo, as it didn't feel awkward to hear it from you." His lips then curled into a smile. "If you have the chance, I'd very much like for a delightful woman like you to visit my country."
Ms. Fujimura blushed madly after hearing Leo compliments.
"What!? J-J-Jezz, don't joke with your teacher! To your seat, Leo! I won't smack you since, well, it was kind of flattering of you to say that."
"Of course. I appreciate your diplomacy, Ms. Fujimura." Then the boy gave the kind of easy smile that only kids can. That simple smile washed away the tension in the room, and people even began to smile at themselves.
Perhaps he's not so much a king as a prince. He may be above them, but he also has natural charisma that draws them up to his level. However, there seems to be one person in the class whose mileage varies.
"I don't like him. Flirting with a teacher already? That arrogant little twerp." Shinji started on his side and was clearly not happy about the new kid.
"If you have any questions, ask anyone in the class or myself. Er, I mean, come to me first." Ms. Fujimura said with a bashful smile on her face.
"Yes, I understand. I'm pleased that I will be attending such a good school." Leo turned around and walked toward his assigned seat.
'Am I imagining things? Just for a second, I thought he shifted his attention toward Me. Not toward anyone else, not even Shinji, who's still bad-mouthing Leo, but to me alone.'
Shaking his head. That is impossible. There's no way a practically otherworldly person like him would notice a bland person like him.
Week ? Days Remaining : 1
Afternoon
The school day ended with nothing else of interest occurring. But that new student, Leo. He cannot shake the uneasiness that awoke in his heart. It feels like cogs somewhere have become misaligned. Or perhaps he is just excited, because for once, something happened. Although, there was that event from yesterday.
Speaking of events, he should report his findings to the editor-in-chief.
Exiting the room, the young man found the girl in the same spot where he always finds her. After a quick greeting from her, he told her everything that transpired in that moment.
"What?! "Little Red Rooftop" vanished before your eyes?" She cried out in shock. Despite how crazy and ridiculous that was. He saw what he saw. The young man nodded firmly, sticking with his story no matter what.
"If she disappeared, there isn't anything we can do about that."
There was something off about the chief's reaction. She usually does not give up, especially to these kinds of stories. In fact, he is expecting her to say something like 'Hey, don't scare me like that!'. But then again, what he finds very disturbing is how nonchalant she is that a person disappears.
"Your next story will be... The Mystery of the courtyard chapel!" The girl keeps talking like nothing happened. She's already on to the next thing. Perhaps he should say something?
"Hey, did you know there's a chapel on campus, even though this isn't a mission school?" His chief continued on. "It seems the chapel has been here longer than the school. This is just a rumor, but they say that it's haunted and magic rites are performed there."
"I'm sending you to investigate. You can find the courtyard on the end of the right side of the first floor hallway." He was then dismissed by the chief. Letting out a sigh, the young man decided to focus on the task at hand. Following the instruction told to him, he reached the end hallway and before him was the door leading to the garden.
Opening the door. He saw the chapel and something else. The man stands like a black stain, tainting the joyfully multicolored flower beds around him. It's the new teacher, Mr. Kazuki.
However, the man standing in front of him isn't acting like a teacher by any stretch of the imagination. The sick malignancy of overbearing aggression fills the air. And then scattered around him are…
Dead bodies of students.
Noticing his presence. Mr. Kazuki turned around and faced him. "Why did you come here? I'm certain I locked that door." Shaking his head, his ice piercing gaze was terrifying. "Perhaps I should test you out-." His thin lips hardly moved. But in the next instant.
The young man bowled over, as if struck by an invincible force. Chaotic thoughts bury his brain like an endless grain of sand. What just happened? He cannot move his limbs? Seriously, what was that?
Mr. Kazuki didn't move. And no one else is nearby.
'Who? Why? How-?'
His thoughts whirl.
His heart races.
"I see what you are now. It isn't you, I suppose." Mr. Kazuki's voice was a quiet hiss, but he could hear everything he said. This man with cold, inscrutable eyes raises his palm toward him.
And then-
Week ? Days Remaining : 1
Evening
"..."
Opening his eyes. The sky is now dark. Blanket of stars can be seen above him. Getting his bearings with him, it seems he collapsed in the garden. The young man was on high alert after remembering what happened. Looking around the surroundings.
The garden is silent. There's not even a trace of Mr. Kazuki or of the corpses that had been there.
He has no injuries, but his body aches from laying on the hard ground. The cold sweat that had covered him is gone too. Only the piercing pain in his head remains. "Maybe it's just a bad dream." The young man told himself. He gulped air and attempted to stand.
The ground seems to move under his feet. Is he getting delusional? Of course that ground isn't moving. Letting out a sigh. He should go home and rest. Then tomorrow afternoon, he will find the editor-in-chief to give his report.
Week ? Days Remaining : 0
Where is the belfry? In that moment, gentle days end
Morning
When he entered the classroom in time. Things are a bit different.
"Wow! Okay, then how do you solve this problem, Leo?"
"In this case, you substitute this for this, and divide everything by x." Leo Harwey answered with a soft smile and calm posture. "It's the same simple equation that you used earlier."
"Whoa, you're right! Thank you, Leo!"
Seeing this similar atmosphere. It reminded him of the other day. Unlike someone he knows, Leo helps out his classmate without displaying an ounce of condescension. And that someone is directing a nasty scowl toward the new kid.
"That bunch of brown-nosing idiots will suck up to anyone who's got bigger pea-brains than theirs." Shinji smirks to himself. "Hmph. Whatever. It's no skin off my back. People who are ugly inside are ugly outside too." The irony, regardless, it seems Shinji's gaggle of female admirers has migrated to Leo's desk.
For once, Shinji's irritation is kind of understandable.
"I'll give him this-the brat is a real charity worker, laying on charms for those sows. He is desperate to appear smarter than me, but I'm the real smart one here. I see what he's doing. That dumb little kid doesn't know that I'm onto him-"
"..." Reacting to Shinji's voice. Leo glanced their way. His expression is inscrutable but not hostile.
"Ar...er...What do you want? You wanna go?" After a few false starts, Shinji finally managed to squeeze that out in a low voice. Though it's hard to tell if Leo heard him, nevertheless, he gets out of his seat.
The recoil turns into a noticeable flinch, which Leo smiles kindly at in response. Unlike Shinji, Leo's gestures are filled with dignity. "If I have unknowingly given you cause to be malicious, I would like to deeply apologize. Shinji Matou, was it? I'll be more careful not to upset you in the future."
Leo returned to his seat. His message was firmly delivered. His soft voice bore no note of hostility or resentment. It may be hard to believe, but maybe the new kid wasn't upset.
"H-hmph. He knows when to bow down to true authority, it seems. I'm such a nice guy, I'll just accept his apology. Y-yeah, it's not like he ever pissed me off." After visually confirming that Leo is otherwise occupied, Shinji feigns calmness and leans back.
The bell soon rang, and then their homeroom teacher, Ms. Fujimura entered the room. "Good morning, everyone!" She said and then the sound of her falling came after.
Everyone is desensitized to it for the most part. Even knowing that she'll jump to her feet in a few seconds. They should probably worry more.
Week ? Days Remaining : 0
Where is the belfry? In that moment, gentle days end
Midday
Shinji is still in a bad mood. It's obvious that he doesn't like Leo all that much. But with him it's impossible to tell if he's really mad or just being cynical. Either way, it's more the same. Just like their homeroom teacher's daily dramatic entrance. And once again, the day begins.
"All righty, then. Let's pick up where we left off. According to Dr. Pieceman's biography." Ms. Fujimura starts the topic for today's class. Although the young man was a bit distracted. He thought he saw Leo smirk a little, but other than that nothing exciting occurred.
Today is just a boring day along with the long strings of boring days.
"Who here knows what amnesia is?" The teacher asks before continuing. "It's a terrifying condition where an individual loses all of their memories. It's caused by brain damage, severe trauma, or even infections of one's mucus membranes. The section of the doctor's biography we just covered touches on these conditions."
"The cure for such a scary condition was discovered by Dr. Pieceman. With that said, using amnesia as an excuse for forgetting your homework isn't going to fly! When I was young, a fair number of my classmates were unscrupulous enough to try this- And before you get any ideas, I'm still young! In fact, I'm putting that fact on the test!"
And as per the norm, the tiger's lecture starts to peter out. Just as a collective "This again?" starts to rise from the students.
"Ms. Fujimura." Without being acknowledged by the teacher. Leo suddenly rises to his feet. The tension in the classroom ratchets up immediately as all eyes focus on him. The young boy surveys the room with a mysterious smile, taking everyone's startled glances. "Oh and of course, my fellow classmates. It is time for me to leave. We will probably never meet again, so I wish you all well."
'What the? Why is my head in pain…?'
"And before I forget. Ms. Fujimura, I think you are still young, even now. Just your presence is enough to remind me of the beauty of youth. You're a remarkable person." After what seemed to be a very slight bow, Leo immediately disappeared from the room.
"Uh...Alright then! Let's continue, please turn your book to page 86." The teacher stated. The room was then accompanied by the sounds of flipping pages, the lesson goes on as if nothing happened.
The young man then heard Shinji let out a sigh. "Showing off like that in the middle of class...what a jackass. If you have to use the john, be a little more discreet. And that "I have to leave" crap-! Seriously, isn't he supposed to be some kind of aristocrat or princeling or something?" He commetend.
Of course, what just happened is impossible. A highly suspicious disappearance in the middle of class and the teacher doesn't seem to care. No one in class says anything and the session continues as if nothing strange happened. It was the same dull, dearly, scene that happened to him yesterday, and the day before.
All of that. It can't be natural.
Week ? Days Remaining : 0
Where is the belfry? In that moment, gentle days end
Afternoon
After Leo's exit from class, the lesson continues unabated, as if following a set of script. It was strange, very strange. It's as if the world tilted slightly and everything within it is losing its sense of presence. His head feels like it's going to explode. The pain makes it hard to remember who he is.
But come to think of it.
Just who he is?
What is his name? How old is he? Where does he live? How many people are in his family? What was his life before he started attending this school? Many questions yet he cannot remember anything. His memory has been completely erased somehow.
How and why did this happen-?
"That's right…" He realized something. The editor-in-chief of the Journalism club. As the president of the club, she should at least know his name. The young man had to know if he filled out something when he first joined the club.
He will ask her. Quickly exiting the room, he finds her standing in the same spot. "Oh our club's ace! Did you find out anything yesterday?" Was the first thing the chief asked after he approached her. The girl was in her usual cheery self.
All he could think about was the pile of bodies he witnessed. Even so, that may wait later on, first he needs to get the information that he's looking for. "Chief, what is my name?" He asks.
"Your name? Just look it up in the registry in the library." The girl answered.
That makes sense. The school registry. It has everyone's name. Maybe if he looks at the registry, it might jog his memories. Continuing his quest, the young man heads to the library. Upon entering the room, he searches for the registry found in one of the book shelves.
Tsukimihara Academy Student Registry.
Once he reads through this, he should be able to remember everything about himself. Opening the book and begin turning its pages. He immediately notices something's terribly wrong.
The pages are blank.
Blank. Blank. Blank. Every single page was blank.
He reached for last year's school registry, and when he started flipping through the pages.
Blank. Blank. Blank.
"What is happening here? Who am I? And...Just what is this place?" He said to himself while trying to keep himself together. Leaving the library, he was in a bit of panic, he didn't notice that he was in the first floor hallway.
There is something wrong with this place. But more worrying is the fact that he cannot remember who he is. The young man then saw Leo walking in the hallway. As a transfer student, he cannot see why Leo would want to visit any of the freshmen.
Also, there is nothing but a dead-end up ahead. He couldn't help but to wonder what Leo was up to. As he started following the new kid, he suddenly had this weird feeling that someone or something is up ahead in the alleyway.
"..." Who, for some reason, is examining the wall at the end of the hallway with almost excessive interest. "The attention to detail is quite impressive. Even the surrounding air is surprisingly substantial. If that was the case, this world is in some ways more real than the world it represents."
"But that's just my opinion. How about you guys? What are your thoughts on this?"
In that moment his heart skips a beat. Almost immediately his blood pressure skyrocketed along with his body temperature. His pulse is like an explosion in the ears as his blood races through the veins. And that reason is clear.
Leo turned around to face the young man. He knows for sure that Leo is talking to him as there is nobody else present besides the two of them. "Greetings. I believe this is our first time we've had an actual conversation." He does not feel any sense of hostility from Leo. In fact, his smile seems genuinely friendly. His smile has the same effect on him like the rising of the morning sun, warm and comforting.
In addition to his smile, his presence is inviting and inclusive. He finds himself getting drawn to him. Oddly, all of his worries have vanished, all he could think of is doing what he says, as that's the only way to…
His mind feels like it's in a haze. It's like Leo is controlling his thoughts in some ways.
"Attending school wasn't half-bad. I've never had that opportunity to go to one before now. In that respect, this has been quite an interesting experience. However, the time for fun has come to an end. I did not come here to play as a student." Leo's lips frowned a little.
"No matter how enjoyable the detour, eventually one must return to their appointed path. And for me, the time to do so has arrived." With those final words. Leo turns his back on him. "Farewell...No that's not right. I don't think farewell would be accurate in this situation. For reasons I cannot explain, I have a distinct feeling that we will see each other again."
"So I guess I should use the more congenial. "See you later." Well, it's time for me to move on. I wish you best of luck." Leo then disappears. It's like he ceases to exist. One moment, his hand is on the wall, the next he is gone. The transfer student in front of him disappears before his very eyes.
He wants to say that reality rejected his existence in it, but it feels like it was the opposite, that he refused to be constrained by it. It wasn't any special ability that allowed him to do so; just his strength of will.
With Leo's departure. The young man feels as if a great weight is lifted from his very being. And rather than to be a cause of concern, it brings a fundamental question to mind: Who is he?
As the question pops into his head, it begins to take on a life of its own, searing his brain.
Investigating the wall that Leo disappeared through. It's just a concrete wall at the end of the hallway. About the only thing on the floor is dust. But he is positive that there was something here. Because Leo walked through the wall.
It would be easy to turn around, go back down the hallway, and pretend nothing happened. But there are still things he needed to know.
He has no memories.
That means he's never had anywhere else to go but here. No place to return to. What was it that Leo said?
"No matter how enjoyable the detour, eventually one must return to their appointed path."
Then beyond this wall lies the "appointed path" and the truth. If he follows him, he will learn the answer to his questions, even those answers may become painful. But ignorance is bliss, does he have the fortitude to face the truth and accept it?
"I want to know." He speaks with resolve in his voice. Touching the wall. Something was different. Down the floors and the walls, the school has changed the very substance of its being. For some reason, reality cracking this way is intensely disturbing.
This world around him is more real than a painting, but not even as real as a sand castle.
He felt like it's so brittle that he could tap it and the echo would shake this whole world. Where the boring concrete wall once stood, now there's a doorway that he can freely walk through.
It's an entrance. No, an emergency exit, like stairs to the outside. It's not something in this world. He has no doubt that the world the door leads to is utterly alien.
Yet whatever awaits inside, whatever shapes it takes, there's a certain sort of finality to seeing it. Ultimately, the young man has already committed to this path. He bid farewell to the false world and took his first step along the appointed path.
Week ? Days Remaining : 0
Where is the belfry? In that moment, gentle days end
Number of Combatants : 999
Beyond the door seems to be a dismal looking scrap yard. Out in front of him is the smooth skinned effigy. While trying to figure out exactly what to do with it a voice came out of nowhere and talked to him. "Welcome, potential Master."
"That effigy with you is your sword and shield for what lies ahead. It will move in response to your commands. Now then, please proceed. The truth you seek lies ahead."
The motivation of the owner of that voice worries him, but it's obvious he won't learn anything by standing here. Also, there is no longer a path by which he can return. He has no choice but to head into the darkness with only his strange doll as protection.
Week ? Days Remaining : 0
Where is the belfry? In that moment, gentle days end
Within the deepest depths of the world beyond the door. He finally made it. This place must be the goal he is supposed to reach.
At least, that's what he thought.
It's stifling, the aura of purity that seems to act as a ward against corrupted souls who'd try to enter. The feeling was familiar. It's similar to the chapel where the spirits of the deceased still linger.
He didn't notice at first. Being overwhelmed by the grandeur of the room. But to one side is a young man in a familiar uniform, lying still on the ground. He called him out, but there was no response. He shake him in an attempt to wake him up when he notice-
He is stone cold.
The young man goes as pale as the corpse before him. He can no longer think coherently. All he can do is stare in bewilderment. It's at that moment-
The fallen effigy lying next to the male student comes to its feet with a clatter. Before he can make sense of what's going on, it suddenly twists around and comes right at him.
His own effigy stood before him. Acting as his shield and sword against the enemy. It tried to fight back, but the young man was panicking that he wasn't able to properly command the doll.
Then when the enemy effigy landed a critical blow. It was too late for him. Nothing stands between effigy and him. The effigy raises its arm and then ravages him. The young man falls to the hard ground in disbelief and agony.
"Hmph...You seem lacking as well." The voice from before speaks to him once again.
He didn't stand a chance against that thing. It seems he wasn't qualified to be here. Him? Qualifications? That's right, he should know everything by now. The truth has to be there.
But...now…
The young man let out a sigh. Everything's going dark. He's not even really scared. The only feeling that remains in him is regret. Even at the very end, he was unable to remember anything about himself.
"...Someone...Anyone...if you make it beyond here, please don't forget...my name…"