Chapter 7

The Funeral Parlor

"Shu."

I wake up immediately upon hearing Inori's voice, afraid of what she'd do if I refused to heed her call. Upon sitting up, I drowsily scratch my head as I yawn, lazily greeting a new day. It took me several hours to fall asleep last night, so I'm still a bit fatigued from the streak of crazy days I've been going through recently.

"Morning, Inori."

Being greeted by Inori first thing in the morning makes for a good start, however, so I don't mind at all having been woken before I rose by myself. In fact, I think it'd be fantastic for my mental health to have her wake me up more often…

"Are you thirsty?"

She leans towards me and offers a glass of iced water. See? I knew she'd come prepared in case I attempted to indulge myself in sweet sleep. Now that she no longer needs to splash the water on my face, she's getting rid of it by making me drink it. How convenient for her… I feel as if I were a dog being fed its master's leftovers.

"I'm starving, actually… but I'll take the glass. Thank you, Inori."

She hands it to me quietly and keeps her eyes fixed on me as I gulp it down. Now that I realize… I was indeed thirsty. It's hardly surprising, though, seeing how I barely had any food at all yesterday. I told Gai I'd meet everyone today at breakfast… but I wonder if everyone eats together or not – I still don't know any of the installations other than my room and the other one where I had the talk with Triton last night.

"Gai said breakfast will be ready soon. We should get going."

This girl has a talent for answering my questions before I even ask them. She did so a couple of times yesterday and once again today… I'm guessing her mindset and mine are fairly compatible. Perhaps it is because we're both socially awkward. I don't know much about her yet, but I get the feeling that she's not very talkative. Maybe she's developed some form of perceptiveness that allows her to read into other people based on their facial expression or body language.

"Yes, let us –"

Oh crap.

"Uh… Inori, would you mind heading out first? I'd like to get changed before going."

I hastily make an excuse, pointing at my casual and wrinkled shirt. She looks at me in question, wondering what my sudden refusal to go with her is about. You see, Inori, I have a very solid reason why I cannot leave the bed just yet. It happens sometimes during the mornings, so please bear with it and leave quietly… I'll catch up soon.

"After all that happened yesterday, I think it is a given I'll be joining the Funeral Parlor. Gai even gave me an uniform, so it would be best if I wore it while introducing myself to everyone… it'd be bad to give off an impression saying I'm a slacker, or worse."

"Do as you wish."

Inori takes the empty glass in my hand and leaves the room, saying nothing else. She seems to be sulky… I guess she wanted me to go with her. But I really couldn't go with her just yet – I have to wait until some stiff business calms down before I follow her.

Still from my bed, I ensure Inori closed the door before I get up and walk over to the desk for my uniform. It is mostly black, but has a few details in red and a couple of metal badges here and there, presumably the Funeral Parlor's signature logo or something of the sort. These look pretty cool, actually…

I strip off all of my clothing. Gai was too considerate – he even included a new pair of socks and underwear. I haven't showered for over a day, but at least I was drenched quite thoroughly by Inori with the cold bucket last night… it should count as something.

As I think of this, the door is slammed open.

"You rookie, how could you make Inori go back alo-"

A girl in a wheelchair enters the room without even knocking.

I'm still fully naked, and the reason I made Inori leave is openly erected in the air.

"GROSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSS!"

The girl screams and throws an empty glass at me with all her might.

I was too stunned to react. The crystal noisily breaks upon impact against my head.

The world around me suddenly goes dark.

DEAD END