Chapter 4
"I see you, and everything around you fades..."
In This Moment The Promise
I eventually entered the school and began navigating through the halls of the academy. I checked my phone to see what time it was. When I saw I was running 10 minutes later than anticipated, I sighed and muttered a string of curse words as I quickened my pace through the halls towards the Death Room. While absentmindedly bolting, and making left and right turns, I heard over the P.A. System: "Tsubaki please come to the school grounds entrance. Tsubaki Nakatsukasa, again, to the courtyard." I disregarded the announcement and rounded a corner continuing towards my destination. As I walked next to the doors of the library, they suddenly flew open and one of the doors bashed me in the nose. After landing on my ass I felt a sensation of dizziness, and a faint stream of blood oozing out of my left nostril as I muttered, "ow". Suddenly I heard a timid voice exclaim, "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I honestly didn't see you. Here, let me help you up." A pair of hands grabbed my left hand and jerked me up to my feet. I continued to caress my nose to see if it was broken, which thankfully it wasn't. I then wiped the blood off my face when I looked at who it was I inadvertently ran into.
It was a young woman with long, black hair braided into an intricate ponytail. She wore a pale yellow outfit that had a star stitched onto it, and which complimented her curvaceous figure. Her eyes were a serene shade of violet, and her skin was pale as snow and looked to be smooth as silk. The stinging pain in my nose abruptly vanished for I was mesmerized by this mystery girl's beauty. I must have been gawking like an absolute idiot and not paying attention because she began to wave a hand in my face and asked; "I said, are you ok?" My focus quickly shifted from her appearance and I replied somewhat sheepishly, "Y-yes, I'm fine. It's just a little blood is all, no big deal." My words must not have been sincere because she continued to apologize. "I really am sorry. I should have been more careful. Is there anything I-", Rather than allow her to feel any further guilt over a mere accident, I spoke in a gentler voice to ease her nerves. "I promise that it isn't a big deal really. We both were in a hurry and ended up running into each other. But if I might ask, why were you in such a rush to leave the library?" She spoke once more, and thankfully her anxiety somewhat vanished. "I heard my name being called over the PA system. So I hurried out of the library to see what the matter was."
In that moment, her identity became clear. "I'm guessing you're Tsubaki then, right?" She nodded while briefly smiling and in response asked, "And if I might ask, who are you? I don't think I've ever seen you before." I smiled genuinely and said to her, "My name is Vladimir Blutmesser, and despite the crazy circumstances, it's a pleasure to meet you." I made eye contact with her while reaching my hand out to shake hers. She did the same and we shook hands. The whole time we did so, I couldn't help but think: Man, she's pretty cute, and her hands ARE like silk. Her smile broadened and she replied: "Yes, it is a pleasure, Vladimir."
After an interval of awkward silence that followed, I dug my hands into my pockets, cleared my throat and spoke, "As much as I'd like to keep talking to you, I must be going. I hope you have a great rest of the day, and I anticipate that we meet again. It was a delight meeting you, Tsubaki. Farewell." I once more resumed to navigate towards the Death Room, but stole a glance over my shoulder to see her wave at me while smiling. The entrance was near, yet as I entered, that brief encounter was all I could think about which plagued my concentration. Damn it, I thought; How the Hell am I going to focus during this meeting with Lord Death?!