?/? - Unknown

I'm standing in a pit of darkness, nothing in sight or anything to hear. Yet, I know there's something here. It doesn't move with the darkness around me, nor did it hide in it, rather, it is the darkness. I can feel it, something is coming. In mere seconds, something came at me at the speed of a car. My sight goes blank, darkness obscures my vision. Static fills my head. Is this the darkness' voice, am I going insane? What is this, why is this, more importantly, why am I here?

"Do…fee…go…?"

Words try to penetrate the static, yet it sounds like gibberish. So I am going insane, or maybe this darkness is consuming me?

"To...kil."

"Please speak louder, I can't hear you…"

"Kil…"

"Come on, you can do it, speak louder."

"Does it feel good to kill?"

4/26 Su - Kei Kazuki room - Morning

I yell myself awake, jumping up from my backside. Sweat rolls down my face. I rub it off as I get out of bed. That marks the third time I saw that dream tonight. Barely got any sleep thanks to it.

"What time is it...?" Flipping open my phone, it's 2:25 P.M. "2:25!? Oh, crap!"

I jump out of bed. I swing open my closet and grab the clothes I planned on wearing. I put on my black jacket. For extra measures, I brush my teeth with absolute speed and precision.

"All right, I'm ready."

I run out of the dorm, upon leaving I saw nobody in the lounge. Maybe they all went somewhere. Whatever, it's none of my business. Hopefully, she's not waiting for me!

Port Island station - Afternoon

I made it to the station on time, despite my terrible sleeping schedule. I look around the area to see if Fuu-chan arrived yet. So far I don't see her anywhere. Maybe I need to look a little lower?

"Kazuki-kun," Fuu-chan calls me from behind.

"There you are. I was starting to think I showed up at the wrong station."

"Sorry, I'm late," she apologetically bows.

"Nah, it's alright, I just got here."

She's wearing a sort of teal-color coat, and under that, she's wearing a turtleneck. It's a cute outfit, to say the least.

"So, Kazuki-kun, where do you want to go?"

"I was thinking we could go to Changall at Paulownia mall. If it's okay with you?"

"Sure thing. Let's go."

Fuu-chan and I board a train to Paulownia Mall. The trip there was uneventful but I noticed that she was smiling the whole way there. I can't help but smile as well.

Paulownia mall - Changall café - Afternoon

We arrived at Changall. It's full of people near our age since it is Sunday. Kazuki-kun and I had gotten seated a few minutes ago. Now we're waiting for our order...

"Kazuki-kun, have you been here before?"

"I have, why?"

"I only ask because you seem familiar with the menu."

"Nah, I'm only familiar with the stuff I bought before."

The waitress approaches our table while holding a tray in her hands. "Sorry to keep both of you waiting."

"No problem."

"Anyway, here's what you two ordered."

She places the tray on our table. Two plates with a slice of cake on them.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

With that, the waitress left.

Kazuki-kun and I talked about a plethora of topics; favorite types of music, movies, and among other things. Still, there's something I wish to ask him.

"Where did you live before coming to Port Island?" I ask him.

"Mikage-cho," he states.

"Mikage-cho... I think I heard about that town on the Internet," I inform him.

"Oh...you did?" he trails off.

"I have. Apparently, there's a rumor about that city...Things like it being haunted by ghosts and demons. It was rumored that demons invaded a part of the city at one point. Is it true?"

"O-of course not, it's just a stupid superstition," he shuts down with a strong, dismissive tone.

"Oh... Of course, it is."

Kazuki-kun takes a bite out of his cake. I think I should try and ask him about something else to break away from the topic.

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Go right ahead."

"What do your parents do," I ask. He freezes in place.

"Well...umm...you see..."

"Was that question too personal?"

"No, not at all."

"You don't need to tell me, I'll understand."

"I don't mind, really… My parents are always working, so they're rarely home at all. Most of the time, they're overseas...away from Japan, far away from me."

"Kazuki-kun..."

There's an obvious sense of misery coming from him. I really messed up now.

"...But it wasn't all that bad..."

"Hm?"

"Because my cousin, Naoya, was always there for me."

He's perked up from the mention of his cousin.

"What is he like?"

At that moment, Kazuki-kun looks up at me with a smile on his face as his eyes glimmer with excitement and happiness.

"If I had to describe Naoya, it would be...like a big brother."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he is, he even acts like it without even knowing it at times; it's pretty funny. Though, when I brought it up he wanted me to call him big bro. The look on his face was priceless." He chuckles to himself as he picks at his cake with his fork. "When I graduated from junior high, we went out to Tokyo. It was so cool! I have a picture of us at the Tokyo Dome. But the best part was when we went out to get some Ramen before we went home, it was the best."

Kazuki-kun continues on about Toudou Naoya. I could feel a great sense of love and admiration for him when he speaks about him. I'm so glad he's having fun now.

"Oh, yeah, I remember a time when Naoya used to wear an earring. It was a plain one but made him seem mature. Nowadays, he doesn't wear it."

"Why doesn't he?"

"He told me he didn't need it anymore."

"What was it for originally?"

Kazuki-kun goes silent for a moment before looking up at me.

"Naoya had a brother named, Kazuya. They were twins, so it was hard to tell which one was which. He was tired of being mixed up with his brother. So, one day, he went to the forest in Mikage-cho and pierced his ear with the earring."

"With the earring!?"

"Yeah, I feel you on that. I told him that was a really stupid thing to do. But I guess when you're a kid you don't think about that."

I think even children would know not to do something like that. But wait, why would he not need it anymore? Actually, there was something off with Kazuki-kun's wording.

"...You said he didn't need it anymore, and you also said he HAD a brother. Does that mean...?"

"I didn't mean to lead on like that… One day, Naoya was sick, so his mom - my aunt - and his brother went to the pharmacy to pick up some medicine for him. But on their way home, Kazuya wanted to give Naoya a manga when he got home, so their mom bought a manga. Kazuya was so excited to get back home that he tried to go home by himself, and then... He got into an accident and died."

"What kind of accident?"

"He ran into the road without looking and got hit by a car."

"That's horrible..."

"But the driver was at fault, too. That driver was speeding and he was drunk, but get this, that bastard tried to drive away!" He's growing visibly angry. "...But in the end, that guy didn't get away. He got arrested for a hit and run, and I'm pretty sure you can guess the rest of the story."

"I can't believe something horrible as that happened," is all I'm able to get out. Any reaction I could come up with would be inappropriate.

"Yeah, me too. Naoya told me all about this in my second year of junior high. When he did, I couldn't believe any of it. When he told me how depressed he was, I was so angry... It was beyond ridiculous that bastard of a driver only got jailed."

Kazuki-kun looks as if he's about to break the fork in his hand. He notices that he's about to and loosens his grip on it.

"Wow, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have dragged that on," he apologizes. "...It's a mood killer, isn't it?"

"No, I should be the one apologizing."

"Why?"

"Because I knew where you were heading with this story, and I should have stopped you."

Our table has gone quiet as chatter in the background made up for our lack of words.

"Fuu-chan"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for listening. It wasn't what I wanted to talk about, but thank you."

Kazuki-kun stares at me with a forced smile on his face. I smile right back at him, feeling a bit guilty about doing so.

"Your welcome."

I check the time on my phone, it just turned 4. Only two hours until I need to be back home.

"I think we should get going Kazuki-kun."

"You're right. Although, I think we should at least finish our cakes first."

"You're right, I didn't even touch my cake."

Despite what Kazuki-kun just said, he isn't eating his cake. He's just me eat away at my cake. I don't mind, though, it's a bit embarrassing.

Port Island station - afternoon

It's sundown, we had been spending most of our time at the mall, playing games, and doing karaoke. The orange sun sets as we sit on a bench, watching people pass by us.

"The sun looks beautiful," I say to Kazuki-kun.

"Yeah, too bad looking at it is bad for the eyes," Kazuki-kun points out. "So, Fuu-chan, was this boring for you?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, I never got to hang out with anyone besides Naoya before, so I don't know how things are suppose to go."

"No, it was fine, today was pretty fun!"

I scramble to say my feelings on this day. "To tell you the truth, I was feeling the same; I thought I was boring during this whole thing. I've been told I can be pretty dull."

"That's not true." He grabs my hand, firmly holding it. "I don't think you're boring at all. I had tons of fun talking to you and being able to hang with a friend!" Kazuki-kun is still holding my hand even after he was finished speaking. He finally notices and lets go. He nervously coughs into his hands. "I-I'm sorry," he sheepishly apologizes.

"N-no, it's all right… I didn't mind."

My face is warming up while he is facing away from me.

"Hey, you wanna do this again?" Kazuki-kun suddenly asks. "Would you like to hang out on another Sunday?"

He scratches his cheek as proposed the idea. I can't help but feel happy about the proposal.

"I would love to," I reply. I take out my phone to check the time. It's time for me to go home, or else mother will be angry if I don't return on time.

"Kazuki-kun, I have to go."

"Already?"

"Yes, my parents don't want me staying out late... But I..." But I don't want to go back, not yet… Maybe it would be okay to stay like this, just for a bit longer. "Kazuki-kun, I know I said I needed to go back now, but can I stay here with you for a bit longer."

I just didn't want to go back there yet, not while I feel this happy.

"Sure, I can spend another couple of minutes here."

I sit back down and relax on the bench. The sun is setting and people are still out here, trying to go home. I feel a bit tired, maybe it'll be alright if I sleep for a little while. With Kazuki-kun here, I know it's safe to...

5/9 Sa - Kei Kazuki's room - Dark hour - Full moon

A loud alarm sounds off in my room, as well as the rest of the dorm. It must be the alarm system Mitsu-chan told us about. It's for shadows that are roaming the city in the Dark Hour. This wouldn't be a big deal if shadows rarely left Tartarus.

I put on my uniform, then grabbing my sword. I set out to the command room.

Mako-kun, Jun, Yuka-chan, and I enter the room prepared for whatever is happening.

"We're here," Yuka-chan announces.

"Where is it, me and Hermes will rip it a new one," Junpei expresses his readiness.

"I don't think shadows have one in the first place," I tell him.

"It's just a sayin', dude!"

"Kirijo-san, what's going on," Mako-kun asks.

"I location of a shadow; It seems to be at the Port Island station. Normally, I would be more specific about where the shadow is, but unfortunately, I'm unable to pinpoint its exact position until I'm close enough."

"Then you'll just have to come with us," Mako-kun says.

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

Junpei pumps his fist. "Alright, Kirijo-senpai, what you're basically saying is: we have to go in and kick some serious ass!"

Yuka-chan sighs from his simplistic summary. "Junpei."

"Akihiko, you'll stay here and wait for the chairman," Mitsu-chan orders him.

He's shocked and angered by the command."Wha- Are you kidding me!? I'm going!"

"Akihiko, you're still recovering. If you go you'll only be a hindrance."

He clicks his teeth, admitting to what she said is true. "Fine." Aki looks at Mako-kun. "Well, it can't be helped... Yuki, you're in charge."

"Him again," Jun voices a sharp disdain for the decision.

"All right, we wasted enough time, let's move out everyone."

As instructed by Mitsu-chan, we leave for the station. With all the fighting in Tartarus I've been doing, this should be nothing. Time to show everyone what I'm made of!

"Kill!"

What the hell was that? For some reason, even though it's the first time I heard this voice, it sounds familiar… Ah, it's probably nothing.

Bonus: Last-minute prep time.

4/23 Thu - Iwatodai dormitory - Evening

Kazuki: Yuka-chan, thank god you're here.

Yukari: You sound desperate, Kei-kun, what happened?

Kazuki: I need to ask you something.

Yukari: On what?

Kazuki: Okay this is a hypothetical question.

Yukari: Hypothetical, got it.

Kazuki: Alright, so hypothetically speaking, I'm going to hang out with a girl on Sunday and-

Yukari: No way, you already have a girlfriend!

Kazuki: WHAT, no!

Yukari: Why do you sound offended?

Kazuki: I'm not offended!

Yukari: Sure you aren't.

Kazuki: Okay back to the matter at hand.

Yukari: Okay continue.

Kazuki: I'm gonna hang out with a girl on Sunday and I was wondering if you knew any good places?

Yukari: hmmm, maybe "Chagall café."

Kazuki: And where is that?

Yukari: ...At Paulownia mall.

Kazuki: Alright thanks.

Yukari: Why are you thanking me, I thought this was hypothetical?

Kazuki: It is.

Yukari: Sure it is.

Kazuki: It is!

Yukari: Whatever floats your boat.

Kazuki: It does float my boat because it is hypothetical...are you even listening to me!

Yukari: Don't worry, I'll keep this "Hypothetical" date of yours a secret, especially from Stupei.

Kazuki: I...umm...*sigh* thank you.

Yukari: You're welcome.