Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
Part 1
"You don't get a second chance to make a great first impression."
The weather was fine, fitting for the autumn season in Japan. It was a bit chilly even as the sun shines down. Akira noticed that the lift paused, not because of a red stoplight, but because they arrived at the entry point of the campus. She assumed the security here is high, not because she sees too many guards. Actually, there are many around, but that’s not what she noticed. The walls that surrounded the whole campus was very tall and made the campus seem secretive; it could probably rival the Great Wall of China. The guard at the entry point checked the driver's ID, and even checked the inside of the car. He asked for Akira's ID as well, and she complied with the request. Even if the guard is expecting her presence for the new addition in the staff, they're very cautious of who enters the campus. Satisfied, the guard had let them in.
The campus looked like a normal university, actually. And yet, with guards around, it would only mean that it can be deadly here.
Looking out of the window, the first facility is what she assumed as the Main Hall. Six high pillars stood in front, and some statues were set here and there. The driveway was unexpectedly flat and smooth, but everything was neat and fancy. She wondered if the founder of CLC intended to impress the visitors as to not scare them away. She set the thought aside when she saw a girl standing beside one of the pillars, watching her like she was expecting her.
"I was told that someone named Lucy Finn will be expecting me," Akira thought when she heard the driver get out of the car. "What's she doing here?"
Akira went out of the car, glad that the driver has the decency to grab her luggage from the trunks and give it to her. With a “thank you”, the driver drove off to the exit point.
“Miss Mado?”
Akira turned around, putting on a serious expression, but made sure she looked approachable. And there, she was approached by the ash-blonde girl.
The girl was at most 2 feet shorter than Akira. Her ash-blonde hair was pulled into two equal pigtails, each laying long past her shoulders. She wore what Akira would assume as the school’s uniform for the girls: a pitch black blouse that seemed to be puffy at the sleeves, tucked in a long dark-blue skirt that reached below the knees. And matching the outfit were a pair of black knee-high socks and black doll shoes.
This was Maka Albarn.
Soft moss green eyes looked up at the new adviser with a polite smile. “Good morning ma’am."
"I was expecting someone named Lucy to guide me on my first day," Akira said. "What're you doing here, if I may ask?"
Maka blinked. "You didn't know? I was informed that I spend my free time guiding you, Miss Mado." Her lip formed a thin line before proceeding in a sheepish tone. "It was actually supposed to be Nova's task, since he's the class representative. But they assigned me to, and I must do it." Suddenly, she put her hand in front, in between them. "It's nice meeting you, Miss Mado."
Akira, not one to show ill manners since she's going to be the new adviser of this student, shook the shorter girl's hand. "Nice meeting you as well, Maka."
Both pulled away as Maka started. "I’ll be showing you around, and I’ll tell you what you need to know. But first, I suggest we go and sit somewhere. I can show you some images via laptop-” she gestures to the object- objects in her clutch, which Akira finally noticed, "-so I can explain some matters more clearly to you."
"Where are we heading?"
"To the school's one and only cafe," Maka answered with a bright smile. "They serve the best hot chocolate there. But I assure you, I'm not gonna be focusing on food for the matter. I won't disappoint you."
Akira wasn't the type of person who can easily drop their guard around a person who can wield a scythe (said information was found in the files given to her), but Maka seems to be the least dangerous out of all of them...
But then, recalling Maka's background, she was actually admitted by a nun who said that Maka is a threat to them and the other orphans. Just, what did she do to be put in CLC?
“As for your luggage, the guards will certainly bring it to your room, which will be our final destination actually. You’ve got many things to know about the stuff we do here.” As if laughing at an inside joke, Maka releases a breathy chuckle. “CLC classes don’t operate like normal school classes. We have a schedule, which I’ll gladly give you if we arrive at our destination. Now, shall we proceed?"
Obviously not denying, Akira followed the younger girl around; and Maka made sure that she can provide right and important pieces of information to the new adviser. She pointed out who the well-known employees are, or told her where they are now, or what the purpose of a certain building is- and many more. Akira knew that Maka is certainly someone she can count on. If Maka was this informative, she didn't know what to expect from Nova, the class representative.
After a few minutes of walking and looking over at buildings, something slipped from Maka's notebook. Akira gestured to the flying paper, and Maka took notice of it. The girl's eyes widened, and started to catch it.
"Hey Maka!" a voice suddenly shouted near them.
"Come on, Obi! Stop being so immature already."
"I'm the one being immature?"
Peko ignored the other people inside the kitchen and got herself a cup of water. She planned to go to the Dome, thinking of practicing swords with Nova. Before Mahiru left her room, Peko had asked the meek girl if she knew Nova's whereabouts. She reminded her that today was Nova's promotion test, so he was surely at the Dome. And it seems like Kid and Hayami were heading there as well, so she won't be alone.
"Hey Peko," Haruki calls from behind the counter. Just as Peko looks over at the redhead, she saw Obi leave the room quickly with the last apple. Haruki made a a cheeky smile. "If you ever see Misaki on your way out, remind him to fetch me some pocky." Haruki rolls her eyes, but the cheeky smile didn't leave her face while she shook her face out of disapproval. "He stills owes me one, and I think he might forget it."
Peko nodded, but didn't speak. Haruki remained on her spot, but began to reach a pear in the fruit basket. "Tsk, I wish I got the apple first. Obi's such a pain."
Haruki continued to speak, talking about painting her nails after eating, and even suggested that she'd paint Peko's nails once the day ends. But then, she remembered that the new nail polish she ordered was probably at the equipment room, so she would have to ask Miss Finn to come with her for the signature. Thinking again, Miss Finn's belongings in the house weren't in her room, and Haruki stated loudly that she guessed Miss Finn was either moving to another department, or probably getting kicked out for what happened last week. That would only mean that they'll get a new adviser.
"Nova didn't say anything about a new adviser though," the redhead said. But then, she rolled her eyes. "That boy- always keeping things to himself."
"I could ask him later," Peko offered.
Haruki nodded eagerly. "You probably should."
And there, she continued talking. Peko kept quiet, putting back the pitcher of water into the refrigerator. She doesn’t have anything against the redhead. It’s that, whenever the redhead speaks, Peko keeps quiet, and entertains her by speaking out very short opinions. Haruki encouraged her to talk more when they first met, and Peko was sure she had heard that before.
Once disposing the paper cup, Obi enters the kitchen once again, but this time, with another person- someone Peko certainly didn't want to be involved with. Haruki visibly tensed, an eyebrow twitching once she saw Obi's cat-like eyes glint in mischief while he looked back at her. Even so, she remained calm and casual.
"I swear, we have to file a complaint about returning the knives and forks in here," Obi muttered, his intentions clearly evident, yet seeming to be oblivious for the others except Haruki. "How can we cook food without those? This is all Lune's fault."
"It's for the best," the black-haired girl mumbled suddenly, grabbing the fuji apple in Obi's hand, and also grabbing a clean plastic spoon nearby.
But Haruki didn't expect Peko to follow.
"It is."
And with that, the silver-haired girl left the kitchen, not before shooting a firm, hard glance that seemed to say many things that she intends to keep to herself from the former soldier. Mukuro caught her eyes, pale blue intensifying like a frozen ice cube. At that single moment, it felt like World War 3 was going to start. Haruki's breath was really stuck in her throat, afraid that if she breathed out, she would yell at Obi and beat him up. Obi on the other hand was enjoying the moment; in fact, he could barely hide his smirk.
After a second, Peko was long gone. A few seconds later, Mukuro began to exit the kitchen as well with the fruit and the plastic spoon in her hands; but not before shooting a look at Obi that clearly said "I'll deal with you later".
And once Mukuro was gone, Obi's quick reflexes caught Haruki's approaching slap. Despite failing in an attempt to slap Obi in the face, Haruki scowled at him, amber eyes thundering.
"You idiot!" she hissed before the tall boy broke out in an amused laugh.
"Aren't we going to the shooting grounds?"
Hayami and Death the Kid walked side by side, heading to the fountain at the center of the campus. The squash-haired girl looked over to the boy beside her, seeing gold eyes look back at her emeralds.
"Yes, but before that, I have something to give to Juuzou."
Hayami's curiosity was piqued. "Juuzou?"
"Yes," Kid muttered. "Apparently, he and Mahiru will be spending some time together at the fountain, he said. He was borrowing thread from me."
The two gunners stopped when they saw the empty benches surrounding the fountain. Sure, some guards are present; but there was no sign of a boy who had self-inflicted stitches on his milky skin, and a timid-looking girl with a long scar over her left eye- at least, timid-looking when the night is not present.
Kid puts a hand on his chin. "Maybe they headed to the equipment room." He guessed they went there, knowing that to acquire a sewing needle, they must go to the equipment room and ask permission to the one in charge. Sharp, pointy objects like sewing needles are still considered a weapon. He remembered that one of his classmates- Lune- had an episode, and it didn't go well. Starting from that event, she was required to wear an electrocuting choker, and a few conditions were made.
Suddenly, something caught his view. Slightly turning, he found Maka rushing over to a paper that probably got away from her clutch.
"Hey Maka!" he calls.
Maka finally caught the paper that accidentally slipped away from her, and looked up to the source. Then, appearing just behind her was a blonde woman, looking over at him and Hayami. Kid blinked, then looked over at Hayami.
"Who is that?" Hayami mused.
"Hm, she's either a new employee, or just a visitor." Then, his gold eyes narrowed. "But she's walking with Maka... at least, that's what it seems."
"Mm hmm," Hayami hummed.
"Kid! Hayami! Hi there," Maka greeted, approaching the two well-known gunners. The blonde woman trailed after her.
"Never mind that," the boy muttering, directing it to the girl beside him. Kid smoothed out his top, and even brushed an imaginary speck of dirt off his sleeve. "First impressions should be great. You don't get a second chance to make a great first impression. Come on."
Looking back at the blonde woman who was looking at them, Hayami followed Kid, and faced the new person in front of her, not knowing that this will be their new adviser.
Up next:
CHAPTER 1
Part 2
"It's so strange that autumn is so beautiful; yet everything is dying."