I felt much better the next day having actually got some decent sleep.

Actually, I felt great. It was probably the fact that Coffin Time happens at midnight, giving me an extra hour to sleep, but that didn't change the fact that I got up a half an hour before my alarm.

So, I took my time, and decided to make myself an omelette after my shower.

Humming to myself, I saw the grey haired guy from last night, and he looked knackered. Not tired, like I normally do, but positively drained.

Must have been some fight. Pity I missed it.

As the half-conscious albino staggered into the shower, I looked at the ingredients I had left and, pulling out a second frying pan, decided to do my good deed of the day early.

The older guy came out of the shower after a few minutes, towelling his hair but looking alert. He saw me cooking and sniffed. "Smells good."

I turned around and passed him the first omelette. "You look like hell," I told him, sliding the second omelette onto my plate before he got chance to refuse.

Passing him a fork, he smiled and accepted. "Thanks."

As we ate, we got talking, me doing the listening as usual. His name as Akihiko Sanada, and was in the room opposite mine. He was a boxer, and had lived in the dorm since middle school, around the same time Mitsuru moved there.

From the way he didn't talk about his family, and the fact that he moved to this dorm from another dorm, I deduced that he didn't have one. I turned out to be right, as he told me as he opened up more and more.

He flat out denied that he'd been in a fight the previous night, and I understood why. If the captain of the boxing team in any school got caught street fighting, he'd get kicked out before he could claim self-defence.

Yukari came down the stairs, and I mentally kicked myself for not making another two omelettes. Thankfully, we'd already eaten the evidence so hopefully she wouldn't comment on the smell of eggs in the air.

"Senpai?" she asked Akihiko. "Don't you normally have your morning jog right about now?"

I realised why he woke up so early as he frantically checked his watch. "Huh? Dammit!" He rushed out the door, grabbing his jacket. "Thanksforbreakfast!"

I cleared up the plates and dumped the dishes in the sink for later. "Breakfast?" Yukari asked.

Damn.

Know what? I think I'll wash those dishes now. "I got up early so I decided to make myself an omelette." I explained, turning on the tap and looking for the washing-up-liquid. "Akihiko looked like hell so I made him one too."

"So you two are that close already?" Mitsuru asked, walking down the stairs, looking beautiful as ever.

Initially, I was confused by what she said, and I realised that I forgot the honorific. "Ah, sorry, I keep forgetting that." I laughed, explaining that honorific's were next to obsolete back home so I wasn't used to them yet.

Mitsuru chuckled, saying I'd get used to it.

Which, of course, meant that I'd better start remembering.

Scary lady.

"A-anyway," Yukari started- Yukari San started, "Mitsuru Senpai and I both have practice to go to, so I'll see you at school."

"Okay, sure." Practice?

"I am the captain of the fencing team and student council president." Mitsuru explained. "And Takeba's in the archery club."

I nodded, noting their use of honorifics, confirming my theory on their relationship. "And Akihiko Senpai is captain of the Boxing team."

Yukari nodded. "That's right." She noticed the clock. "Oh, shoot, we're gonna be late!"

Mitsuru nodded, picking up a second bag. "I'll take Akihiko's schoolbag to him." She decided. "I'll see you later Arisoto." The two walked to the door as Mitsuru continued. "Remember to lock the door when you leave."

I nod, placing the dried plates and pans back in the cupboard. I went upstairs to grab my laptop so I could copy my music while I made my lunch.

I'm not exactly confident with my Japanese cooking, since I barely know what Udon is. It's the one like pizza, right? No, no that's okonomiyaki.

...right?

Whatever. I opted for a good old BLT, Like a man would.

Since I was feeling generous again, I made a few extra, just in case. Everyone loves a good BLT. I dare you to disagree.

I checked my Email's as I washed up AGAIN, and I replied to my Aunt and Uncle, telling them that I was settling in fine and making friends. I considered asking them to send my guitar, but I didn't want it damaged.

…

Ah, to hell with it, I loved my axe, but not enough to let it gather dust for a couple of years just to keep it in mint condition. Stressing the need for lots of bubble wrap in my mail, clicked send and closed down my machine. Checking everything was in place, I set off for school, remembering to lock the door behind me.

Wait, isn't meat expensive in Japan? Especially beef and bacon?

... Japan is tricky.

I need a scapegoat.

As I approached the school gates, I heard some girls talking. "Anataha kiki mashitaka the rumour?"

I only heard the last part by chance, recognising it only because we said the word 'Rumour' so much yesterday. I decided to listen, just in case it was about me and Yukari. San, SAN DAMMIT!

"Oh, um… Something about a… Bathroom?"

I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when the first girl spoke again, "No, not that one! I mean the one about the first-year student! Not only did she stop coming to school, she does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day. If her mother tries to talk to her, she only mutters to herself, "It's coming... It's coming...!"

"Huh," the second girl replied. "How about that?"

"You don't believe me?" The first girl seemed offended, but I could tell she didn't believe a word of it herself.

Sighing, I made my way inside the school.

Not much happened through the rest of the school day. Junpei-kun forgot his lunch, so I passed him one of my sarnies. He looked at me like I'd just offered him a kidney. Yukari san took one of my spares, saying I owed her for not making breakfast. We had a good laugh with that, especially when we saw Junpei-kun's face.

Throughout the afternoon, the only eventful thing that happened was Ms. Toriumi asked Junpei-kun who her favourite author was. Most likely because she didn't think he was listening, because she told us a few seconds ago. I wrote down the answer on my page, and thankfully Junpei-kun saw it and gave the right answer. Ms. Toriumi was impressed, and carried on thinking Junpei-kun was listening.

"Thanks man, you saved my bacon again." He whispered to me, grinning from his pun.

Somewhere in the world, two drums and a cymbal fell of a cliff.

Ba-dum-ching!

Outside my head, I just shrugged. "Pay attention next time."

I considered hanging out with Junpei after school again, but he'd already left with Kenji-kun. Yukari-san had Archery club again, so here I was alone.

I considered going out and socialising, but I really wasn't in the mood, so I reckoned I'd walk the scenic route back to the dorms, learn the lay of the land.

I had to admit, it was a nice city. No-one tried to mug me or anything.

I almost sighed; these guys didn't know how good they had it, a city that's actually nice.

I walked past some guys harassing some other kid and smiled inside. They didn't even have any knives. Deciding I could use the exercise, I walked down the alley and dropped my bag against the wall.

Later I was coming out of the bathroom in some fast-food place called Wild-Duck-Burger, having just washed the blood from my knuckles.

Oh, don't worry, I didn't go overboard. Hell, I didn't even mean to break the poor blighter's nose.

Actually, I smashed my knee into that one guy in the face, so that was expected, but the other three went down after only a couple of punches.

Okay, so one of them got elbowed. Twice. Once in the neck. But only as punishment for being stupid enough to pause in the fight to gawk at his mate with the broken nose.

Fine then, I went overboard, but come on, how can you expect to extort money from someone if you can't actually brawl? These kids must spend all their time stealing candy from babies or something, that's the only possible explanation.

I took my seat with the guys I saved. They were buying me a meal as thanks, which was pretty damn nice, until I noticed that they'd ordered Fat American size. The fries were served in a small bucket, and the milkshake was a couple of litres at least. As for the burger, well, let's just say that it'd be a challenge, even for me. In another lifetime it could have served as inspiration for a certain dome in S.t Peter's Basilica. Probably did.

Once again, I didn't talk much for the conversation (the meal was freakin' massive! I took a picture, even!). I eventually made my way through the burger, and noticed that I still had my bucket of fries and drink. Then one of my new mates (I hadn't bothered to learn their names) asked me the important question.

"So, um… Where did you learn martial arts?"

The other two were silent and turned to face me. Obviously they wanted to kick the crap out of people, and I knew enough that they were the last kind of people you want to teach martial arts to, at least not until after you teach them self discipline, so I told the truth.

"Didn't."

The guys were shocked, as if I'd announced I was a wizard. "But, you fought those guys-"

I put down my drink and looked him in the eye. "Fighting is not Martial arts. Martial arts are about form, discipline, theory and art. When I fight, it's not because I trained to become the strongest, or because I know techniques. I learnt to fight like that because people are less likely to kick your head in if they think you're a bloody ninja." I actually used the literal translation of bloody by accident there, but it seemed to make my point more effective. "I'm not strong, so I'm fast, brutal and devastating. That impresses people, makes them leave me alone." I decided that I'd talked enough for now, and went back to my fries. They'd be great if they weren't so greasy.

"But- But you came to help us…"

I shrugged. "Hardly, those guys were posers." The three of them just stared at me, so I elaborated. "If you grew up where I did, you'd recognise them a mile off, slam their heads against the wall and take their wallets. They've never been in a real fight. They've never threatened someone at knifepoint and meant it, or thrown a half brick at a copper. Never been gouged by a broken bottle, broke a chair on someone's back, thrown a petrol bomb at someone's car, or got drunk and started a riot." I realise I was talking far more that I normally did, but I really wanted to get this point across, and they were getting it despite my accent.

"That's what the bad kids are like where I'm from." I explained. "Most schoolyard punch ups end with a knife wound, guys get shot for being the wrong colour, Hell, I've seen a ten year old kid threaten a policeman with a meat cleaver once." I looked up, and took satisfaction from their scared faces.

Now, to be fair, I was talking about the chav's down in London, while I was from Yorkshire. While Leeds and Manchester was no Utah, it made the capital city look like hell in comparison.

Actually, it's a pretty accurate description. The rougher parts of London are pretty scary places.

I stood up, folding my fries into a smaller box. "Look, you want to be able to win in fights?" They nodded. "Push-ups, Sit ups, Study the Jason Bourne trilogy during your breaks and learn to take a freaking beating. You're not made of glass, pain is just your body telling you that your body is working. Lose your fear, both of getting hurt and hurting the other guy. Don't hold back, and fight with each other. Do it right and you'll learn to read people and their movements. Punch through your target, practice using your elbows and knees, and most of all, don't think about getting out of there alive." I could see their eyes sparkling already. I threw my satchel over my shoulder. "Bare yourself to your enemy, let him graze your skin so you can pound his flesh. Let him pound your flesh while you break his bones. Let him break your bones while you kick his ass." Oh yeah, Bruce Lee was badass. "There are no rules to a fight; just because you surrender doesn't mean he'll stop. Likewise, anything goes, but avoid the eyes and balls. You don't want someone's blindness on your conscience, and just because it hurts doesn't mean it does damage." I picked up my drink and began walking for the door. "Oh, and thanks for the meal."

The fries and drink lasted me all the way to the dorm, even though it was evening by the time I got back. When I got in, Yukari-san was sitting on the couch, talking to some older chap in a mullet. "Oh," she said, noticing me as I came through the door, "He's back."

"So, this is our new guest…" Mullet smiled as I slipped my shoes off.

As they both stood up, he automatically struck me as creepy, but I had learnt to ignore first impressions. As Yukari had proved, they were usually wrong. "Good evening." Mullet introduced. "My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school. 'Ikutsuki'... Hard to say, isn't it?" he asked. Ikutsuki, nope, I can say it fine. "That's why I don't like introducing myself." Ikutsuki chuckled. "Even I get tongue-tied sometimes... Please, have a seat."

There you go, he's merely friendly boss creepy, not sexual deviant creepy.

Similar enough at first glance, but it is vital not to confuse them, or else we'd be out of school guidance councillors.

I kid. But seriously, for a second there I thought I might have to change the locks on my room, and that would have been a bit too awkward to explain on my first week here.

As we all sat down, bossman brushed himself down and started talking again. "I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations." He told me. "However, it may take a while longer before you receive a proper room assignment."

"I'm not complaining about staying here actually." I told him. I wasn't trying to gain some perverse pleasure from staying in a girls dorm, I just can't be arsed moving again.

"Well, this is a Co-Ed dormitory." Ikutsuki confessed. "Sanada-kun does live opposite the hall from you, so you may be able to stay here permanently if it comes to it." he pushed his glasses up his face with a smile. "Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

Plenty, but I doubt I can ask the right questions in Japanese. I was actually suspicious of his presence here, so I took a stab in the dark.

"The other night, I saw…"

The two of them jumped and I knew I hit the mark. You've probably guessed by know, but I've spent a lot of time dealing with stabs in the dark. Yukari clearly looked uncomfortable, but I had no intention of finishing my sentence. I just wanted to see how this guy would react.

"You saw something strange?" Ikutsuki asked, tilting his head back as the light reflected off his glasses. "…Like... what?"

The tilt of his head was giving me the impression that he was looking down on me, and though his voice wasn't threatening, his shoulders had tensed a bit, a sign of wariness.

Something really was off with this dorm.

Also, wow, this guy can't keep a secret.

"Nothing…" I yawned, feigning ignorance. "I was probably just tired…" It was best to play it cool until I had all the cards, after all. Like I said, I was a good liar as well as an observant and manipulative blighter.

There was no way in hell that he would believe that I saw nothing. But any idiot can tell that I saw something, but don't want to talk about it. Whatever's going on, he knows I know about it, but this delays the confrontation until I can get some cards to my chest. I once won a poker game with a six of spades, three of hearts, two of clubs and a jack of diamonds, but it's hard to play poker with a 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card and something from a pack of Uno.

Besides, I always looked convincingly tired. I was just playing on my strengths.

Ikutsuki laughed. "Well, you should probably get to bed then, you're still adjusting to the time difference you know. I hope you have a successful school year." He announced, standing up. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"

Ikutsuki began to walk towards the stairs. Stopping just behind me, he added, almost as an afterthought; "You know what they say! The early bird gets the bookworm!" Ikutsuki chuckled, and I re-scored him from 'Suspicious', to 'Spawn of Satan'. "…Please forgive the bad pun." He said, as he continued towards the stairs.

Never. Anything with a bad sense of humour that bad couldn't possibly possess their own soul.

Yukari san turned to me, a mix of a sigh, embarrassment, and contempt on her face. "Ugh… You get used to his lame jokes."

I hope not. I mean, I know I'm a nutjob, but I still have standards.

I checked my Email again as I walked up the stairs to bed. Uncle agreed to send me my guitar as well as some other stuff, which was handy. I closed it down and got changed. I felt like I was being watched somehow, but I knew I was just being paranoid. Once again, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I dreamed of a softly flashing light, of lavender, both the colour and the soothing smell, and single voice speaking through the serenity.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear young man…"