A.N: Sassy Ichigo is having none of your shenanigans, Shirogane. Huzzah for making friends through talking about your fandoms!
Biggest of thanks to the lovely MugetsuPipefox for reviewing not one but all of my chapters so far! And also to kisshuismylife and Mew Emzie :3
I hesistantly took the seat facing Shirogane. His eyes were locked on mine the whole time. I felt unnerved – it was like he was watching my every movement in the same way he'd assess an opponent in a battle.
"Where to start," he sighed thoughtfully, finally looking away.
"Tell me what the MEW Project is," I suggested. I was curious about everything, but that seemed like the most basic thing to ask.
He smiled proudly. "The MEW Project is my own creation. Well, with help from Keiichiro. MEW stands for Medically Engineered Weapon. Basically, together we developed a process which increased a subject's strength, speed, and so on. You know, with a combination of surgery, drugs and the like. But it only works on people with a certain combination of DNA, so we can only use participants whose DNA fits the blueprints.
"That's where you, Mint, and a handful of other people come in, of course. You're the ones who have the DNA for it. There are currently five of you–"
"Only five?" I interrupted.
"It's not just the DNA we test you on," he scoffed. "The DNA is rare enough, but considering we have to find people young enough to keep growing but old enough to be considered adults with a relatively high level of fitness and intelligence… Although it looks like they made a mistake with you."
"You're an asshole," I pointed out. "The only reason I'm not punching you in the face is because you've got the information I want. Also there are security guards."
"Hmph, maybe you're not that dumb then. Tell me, why have you dyed your hair pink if you're not an idiot?"
"That's none of your business, jerk! Why don't you tell me why you need these 'Medically Engineered Weapons' in the first place?"
He nodded approvingly. "Straight to the point, then. Well if you're so smart I'm sure you're aware of all the horrible things going on in the world lately. Mass shootings, tame animals going wild, natural disasters, global warming… None of it's a coincidence.
"Earth has enemies. We don't know where they came from, or frankly, what they want, but the ones responsible for this are the Aliens. They uses beasts called Chimeras to wreak havoc on densely populated areas and it seems all they are aiming for is to kill as many humans as possible."
"Have you called the Doctor in?" I chuckled. This is surely some hilarious prank. Nice one, Shirogane, if that's even your real name!
"If the TARDIS shows up, I'll let you know," he smirked. "Until a Time Lord decides to pop in for a visit, you and the other MEWs are our best hope."
I was too shocked by his serious tone to even appreciate the fact that he understood my Doctor Who reference.
"So – wait – you're not joking? You're going to make me fight Aliens with no training? Well, you know, after you manipulate my genes or whatever and turn me into some sort of freak?" I was freaked out and starting to babble on. "Do you realise I'm an eighteen year old who can barely cross the road without getting run over? Sure I can throw a good punch, but what the hell is that going to do against a monster that could kill me and who knows how many other people?!"
"Freaks? No. Just like humans, only stronger, more powerful. Once the MEW procedure is complete not even an Alien could stand against a MEW, so you have nothing to worry about. And if you do the job well, neither will the people who you're protecting."
"This is so illegal," I muttered. "You've kidnapped me. What the hell's my family going to think?"
Shirogane grinned slyly. I was getting sick of that expression of his – that smile that just radiated smugness and arrogance and a host of other things that only increased my desire to slap him. "Kidnap? I would never! As far as your family knows, you've accepted a scholarship to Tokyo University and have had to move immediately."
"And when does this scholarship end?"
"When the Alien's lives do," he said darkly.
"Great. Fine. Fantastic. Bring one here and I'll push it out the window!"
He could tell I was starting to feel slightly hysterical because his face showed a hint of worry. He acted all cool, but his face was too easy to read. Upturned eyebrows, slightly pursed lips, like an open book of emotion. I guess right now my face would look the same.
"I think that's enough explaining for one day. If you have any other questions later, ask me at any time, but for now I'll introduce you to your teammates."
"Okay," I agreed shakily.
"Oh yes, before that, your codename. Don't tell anyone your real name, not even me. Do you have a preference?"
"Um, if you let me choose, I'd take about a week."
"Ichigo it is. You're pink like a strawberry." I nodded in agreement. A new name, new country and a whole new life… It was too much to handle. I felt my heart begin to race and hear it pounding in my ears.
I inhaled deeply. I could feel the panic rising in my chest. Think about it later, I told myself sternly as I pushed all the new information to the back of my mind. There are more immediate worries, like social interaction, now. Shirogane waited a moment for me to calm down, then stood up and strode confidently to the door. I followed him and we headed back through the room with the guards and to the elevator.
We travelled to level 4 in awkward silence. I didn't know what to say to him – this man had just told me I'm going to become a biological weapon to fight extra-terrestrial beings who are already responsible for murdering humans. And called me stupid multiple times.
Then again, even if he hadn't, I still wouldn't know what to say to him.
We arrived at the 4th floor and stepped out. "This is the recreational floor," he explained, "and it has a gym and a pool, a library, an art studio and a movie viewing room. They call it a cinema, but it's way too small."
"Swanky," I whistled. It reminded me of a posh hotel more than anything. Nonetheless, I couldn't wait to investigate and make full use of all the facilities. The prospect of going swimming or reading a good book made the near future seem so much less unpleasant. "Who gets to use this floor?"
"MEW-exclusive. Oh, and me of course, since it's my building. Lettuce will be in the library, I'll introduce you to her first, since you've already met Mint."
His building? I thought in surprise. He must be loaded if he owns a ten-storey building in Tokyo. Maybe that explains why he's such an asshole.
The library was behind a set of heavy wooden doors which looked out of place in the modern building. However, once we entered the library, they fit perfectly. The room looked like something out of a storybook, with dark mahogany furnishings and large windows which stretched from floor to ceiling. And best of all, the walls were lined with books!
Sitting at one of the tables in the centre of the library was a girl with a mess of long wavy blonde hair and wide blue eyes staring out from behind huge round-rimmed glasses. Her eyes focused intensely on the book which she clutched with delicate hands.
Shirogane cleared his throat conspicuously. The girl – Lettuce, I realised – glanced up in surprise. Although her curvy figure suggested she was at least my age, her face with big eyes and a small nose gave her the look of an innocent young maiden. I nearly groaned with despair. First the stunning Mint, and now even a girl with a name like Lettuce was gorgeous too? This is so unfair.
"Hello, Lettuce," Shirogane nodded politely. Oh, playing favourites, are you? I thought somewhat bitterly. "This is Ichigo, she's the new recruit. I'm sorry, I'm going to have to dump her on you and run, I'm incredibly late for a meeting."
He turned and left without even saying goodbye to me. How rude. Then again, I suppose he did make himself late to explain everything to me… I looked back to Lettuce and smiled awkwardly.
"Hi, I'm Ichigo… Apparently… Did he pick your name as well?"
"Yes," she nodded. She had a soft voice with an English accent which matched her girlish appearance. "I think that, perhaps, I should have chosen my own name…"
"Yeah, maybe," I chuckled. "He acts like he's so smart but clearly he has an unhealthy obsession with food." Lettuce laughed. She laughed at my lame joke, I liked her already. I decided to be bold and make a new friend.
I sat down beside her and twiddled my thumbs for a moment. I hate small talk, but that's how you make friends, apparently.
"Uh, what are you reading?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
She blushed slightly. "Um, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," she admitted, as if she were embarrassed.
"Really?" I grinned. "Do you like Harry Potter? It's one of my favourite series ever! Hey, have you read The Hunger Games?"
Lettuce nodded and smiled. She seemed more relaxed already. "Who's your favourite character?" she asked.
"Finnick, dang! Ugh, the end of Mockingjay damaged my emotions permanently," I sighed. Lettuce chuckled, and with that, I knew we were going to become friends.
Lettuce and I sat together in the library discussing all of our favourite books, TV shows, movies and anime, discovering that we had a lot of interests in common. It was the most relaxed I'd felt since I'd woken up here and while talking about normal, everyday things, I almost managed to forget the situation that I was in.