April 6, 2009
Monday
Iwatodai Station

Time never waits.

It delivers all equally to the same end.

You, who wish to safeguard the future,however limited it may be...

You will be given one year; go forth without falter,

Use your heart as your guide...

The New City passenger train Anehazuru bound to Iwatodai in Tatsumi Port Island sped under the ethereal glow of the near-full moon. Staring out into the April night was a 17 year old boy with unkempt blue hair and silver eyes. His emotionless face reflecting on the glass pane of the train's door.

"Due to a malfunction in the switching system, today's rail schedule has been greatly altered. We apologize to any customers who were in a hurry."

A 17 year old girl with auburn hair arranged into a ponytail with silver clips forming XXII and red eyes looked up from the pamphlet she is holding, looking out the twinkling lights of the city.

"The next stop is Iwatodai..."

Out of nowhere, a blue butterfly appeared by the glass pane of the door beside the boy. Another appeared by a window just in front of the girl. The two teenagers gazed at the at the butterflies, disappearing as fast as it appeared.

"Iwatodai." The train conductor announced. "This is the final train bound for Tatsumi Port Island. Please take care to board before our departure."

The doors slid opened and people rushed out of the train. The blue-haired boy stopped by the checking counters and looked on his pamphlet. The auburn-haired girl glanced at her watch, concerned about her late arrival, as she went through the checking counters.

As the clock struck midnight, the lights blinked out and the sounds faded into silence. Everything become green with stains of red similar to blood. The moon turned white to yellowish green and bigger than usual. Black coffins were scattered around the stations. The two remaining people, the blue-haired boy and the auburn-haired girl looked at each other. The boy broke his gaze and silently walked into the quiet street. The girl followed the same route. Both unconcerned of their unusual surroundings.

Gekkoukan High School, Iwatodai Dorm

Finally, they arrived to their destination, Gekkoukan High School Iwatodai dorm. The boy entered the dorm and removed his silver headphones, barely glancing at his surroundings. The girl came in after, quietly closing the door behind.

"Welcome." Both teenager turned to the counter where a black-haired boy younger than them with odd blue eyes, wearing a black and white striped pajamas was leaning, smiling at them.

"You're both late. I've been waiting a long time."

The boy held out two papers. "If you want to proceed, then please sign here. It's a contract."

The two teenagers glanced it each other. The boy smiled at them. "There's no need to be scared. It only binds you two to accepting full responsibility for your actions."

Written on both papers were these words:

I chooseth this fate of mine own free will.

Below were blanks for their signatures.

The girl went first to sign. Her name is Minako Arisato. Then, the boy followed. Makoto Yuki.

The boy took the papers. "...Very well." He waved the papers over his face, making them disappear into thin air.

"Time is something no one can escape. It delivers us all to the same end. Wishing won't make it go away."

Slowly, the boy melted into the shadows, reaching his hand out to both of them. "And so it begins..."

A second later, a voice called out. "...Who's there!?"

The two turned. Standing by the end of the staircase was a girl about the same age with short light brown hair and light brown eyes. A bewildered look was etched on her face.

"How can you two be...But it's..." She glared at both of them.

"Don't tell me..." She reached out for a silver gun strapped by her right thigh.

"Wait!" A voice stopped the girl. Another girl, a year older than them, with long curly red hair and red eyes, descended from the stairs.

"...!" The lights blinked back on and the two teenagers' mp3 players played back to life. "The lights..."

"I didn't think you two would arrive so late." The red-haired girl said, ignoring the sudden change in the surroundings. "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm one of the students who live in this dorm."

"...Who's them?" The light brown-haired girl asked.

"They are transfer students. It was a last minute decision to assign them here. They'll be eventually moved to a room for him, in the boys' room and her, in the normal dorm."

"...Is it okay for them to be here?"

"I guess we'll see..." Mitsuru gestured to the girl. "This is Yukari Takeba. She'll be a junior this spring just like the two of you."

"...Hi. I'm Yukari."

"..." Makoto glanced at the gun on Yukari's thigh.

Minako smiled cheerily. "Nice to meet you!"

"Uh, y-yeah...Nice to meet you, too..."

"It's getting late. Makoto Yuki, yes? You'll find your room in the 2nd floor. Minako Arisato, yours at the 3rd floor." Mitsuru said. "Your things should already be there. I suggest you both tuck in for the night."

"Oh...I'll show you the way. Follow me." Yukari volunteered. Minako and Makoto followed Yukari upstairs as Mitsuru watched them.

Yukari led them to a room at the end of the hallway on the second floor. "This is it..." Yukari gestured. "Pretty easy to remember, huh? ...Since it's right at the end of the hall." She turned to Minako. "Yours the same too. Of course, it's on the 3rd floor. So, any questions?"

"We signed a contract..." Minako said.

Yukari looked confused. "Huh? What's this about a contract?"

The two looked at each other. It doesn't seem Yukari knows what they're talking about.

"Um...Can I ask you something? On your way here from the station, was everything okay?"

"Yeah." Makoto answered. Minako subtly glanced at Makoto, unsure what to make of him.

"I see..." Yukari said. "...Nevermind, then. Well, I'd better be going...but before that, I will show you to your room. Follow me." She nodded to Minako.

Minako followed her, taking a little look at Makoto as he went inside his room. Yukari guided her in front of her room.

"Um...I'm sure you still have other questions, but let's save them for later, okay? Good night."

Minako silently watched Yukari went down the stairs before retreating to her room.