Chapter Text
Time never waits.
It delivers all equally to the same end.
You, who wish to safeguard the future,
however limited it may be…
You will be given one year;
go forth without falter,
with your heart as your guide…
A tap on the sleeping girl’s shoulder brought her to consciousness. She blinked twice as her vision adjusted to the fluorescent lights of the train before stretching and letting out a loud yawn.
“Mina, it’s time to get going. We’re already late from the schedule alteration. It’s midnight.”
She looked up into the face of her ever-tranquil twin Makoto, who was inching around her to get to the doors before they closed. Her eyes blearily trailed over to his glowing cell phone screen that displayed the current time. Sighing as she slowly stood to follow him, she responded, “Yeah, yeah, I know. Bad first impressions and all that.” She slung a bag over her shoulder, slouching after the boy.
Makoto was already hurrying out and up the stairs. “We’ll also be tired at school.”
“Oh nooo, first day of school and the new kids seem tired and dazed,” she groaned sarcastically, “Oh nooo, what a tragedy. Maybe we should’ve arrived a few days early like I suggested so we could, you know, prepare. Man, if we’d arrived even Sunday morning, we could’ve had a tour of the city, and…” Minako rambled on, filling the empty space between them.
He came to an abrupt halt, causing her to bump her shoulder into his back. Around the area, lining the streets and buildings, were numerous coffin-like silhouettes that appeared to emit a soft though ominous red glow. And if that alone wasn’t creepy enough, the moon appeared much larger, as if it was ready to engulf the empty city.
“Hey! What’s -... oh. What are those?” She crept toward the objects curiously, but Makoto pulled her back by the arm.
“We should… head straight to the dorms. It’s possible something strange may have happened here, and we’d be safer inside.”
“Right.”
The building was enormous on the outside, much larger than either of the twins had expected. It was true that they’d known that there would be four floors, but the width and length far exceeded what imagination would provide. And on the inside, it was just the same - spacious with several fancy decorations, yet somehow cozy-looking. Unfortunately, it, too, was unlit.
“Hello?” called out Minako, setting one of her bags on the floor. The sound seemed to be lost to a vacant building until a young boy in a striped shirt emerged from the darkness.
“Welcome,” he said, his voice thin and reedy. As he was illuminated in the faint moonlight, it became clear that he was definitely much younger than either of them. Perhaps this dorm allowed middle and elementary school students to be residents as well?
“You’re late. I’ve been waiting a long time.” The boy stepped closer as he held out a piece of paper. “If you want to proceed, then please sign here. It’s a contract.” He stared into the Arisato twins’ faces, and a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “There’s no need to be scared. It only binds you to accepting full responsibility for your actions. The usual things.”
Makoto took the paper from the boy and scrutinized it. All that was on the sheet were the words I chooseth this fate of mine own free will and two lines below, probably for his and Minako’s signatures. Was this a prank?
“Hey, could I have a pen?” asked Minako.
The boy nodded, holding a pen out to her. She accepted it and scribbled her name on the first line before passing the writing utensil to her blue-haired twin. After a moment of hesitation, he, too, signed the document and returned both of the boy’s paraphernalia.
His plastered simper widened, perhaps turning into something genuine. “You know, time is something no one can escape. It delivers us all to the same end. Wishing won’t make it go away.” He moved backward, almost as if he was melting into the shadows, and left them with four ominous words. “And so it begins…”
“Well, that was really weird,” Mina announced, mouth twisting into a slight grimace. “Dunno why he had to be so edgy, but alright.”
Suddenly, an unfamiliar girl’s voice infiltrated the silence enveloping the building. “Who’s there?!”
“Oh! It’s us. Minako and Makoto Arisato. The newcomers.”
A girl with chin-length brown hair approached them. “H-how… How can it… but… but it’s…!”
“Really late, I know.” Mina bowed in apology. “Sorry.”
“N-no, that’s not the problem. I-it’s… is it really… No, it can’t be…”
A silver object flashed as it was raised, drawing the twins’ attention. Upon recognizing that it was a pistol, the brunette immediately stepped in front of her twin. “Whoa there, what’s-”
“Wait!” Another girl, this time with flowing red hair, suddenly rushed into the room. It was then that the lights flickered on. No, rather, instead of flickering, they simply turned on, as if they’d never been off at all. With better vision, the twins could now see they were in a lounge.
“My apologies; I didn’t think you’d arrive so late. My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I’m one of the students who lives in this dorm.” The redhead nodded at them. Something about her seemed particularly classy and elegant. Maybe it was the majestic mane of fire.
“Umm… So wait, who are they?” piped up the girl with short hair.
“Minako Arisato and Makoto Arisato. They’re both transfer students and were assigned here last-minute, but they will eventually be moved to a room in one of the regular dorms.”
She stared at Mitsuru, glanced at the twins, and asked quietly, “Is it alright for them to be here? I mean, there’s…”
Mitsuru smiled, though it seemed more furtive than friendly. “I guess we’ll see.” Turning to the incredibly confused twins, she continued, “This is Yukari Takeba. She’ll be a junior this spring, just like you.”
She gave a small wave. “Hey.”
Makoto stared pointedly at the object still in Yukari’s hand, and Minako asked, “Why do you have a gun?”
“Huh?” She glanced down in surprise. “Um, well, it’s sorta like a hobby. Well, not a hobby, but…”
Mitsuru covered for her. “Self-defense. You know how it is these days. It’s not a real gun, though, as those would not be allowed on campus.
“Anyway, it’s getting late. I’ll be up and about for a bit longer, but I suggest you two tuck in for the night. Takeba can show you the way to your respective rooms.”
After bringing Makoto to his room, the two girls ascended the third-floor stairs together. Far too immersed in her thoughts about how nice and thick the carpet on the stairs (and throughout the dormitory) was, it took Minako a solid four seconds to realize Yukari had spoken.
“Uhh… Sorry, I kinda spaced out. What’s up?”
“So you and Makoto are twins, right?”
Ah, yes. The age-old questions of but are you really related, are you sure, are you sure you’re sure . “Yep! I know we don’t look or act much alike, which throws people off a lot.”
“I was actually about to ask what that’s like. I mean, I’d imagine twins who are both girls or boys would share basically everything. What about you for you two?”
“Well…” she paused. “I mean, it’s… we’re allowed to share stuff, I guess. Mako’s always been a nice kid, though, while I used to be pretty mean. Still kinda am. When we were little, I’d get mad at him for always letting me have stuff, and then he’d give me something else to make me stop crying.”
Yukari chuckled. “That sounds nice. I’m a bit jealous; I don’t have any siblings.” She slowed down and tilted her head toward the door beside her. “Here we are! End of the hallway, just like Makoto’s. Any questions?”
“Hmm. Is there a little boy who lives here? Looks like he’s in elementary school or so?”
She blinked at her blankly. “What? I don’t… What are you talking about?”
“N-never mind.” She smiled awkwardly and reached for the cold brass of the doorknob, but was stopped by a pale hand.
“Um, can I ask you something? Was everything okay on your way to the station? See anything… weird?”
There were the weird coffin-things, but she decided against bringing that up. “Nope. Everything was fine and dandy.”
Yukari nodded, looking relieved. “Never mind, then. I’m glad you got here safely. My room is the first one on the right, when you’re coming down the hall.” She paused. “I know you probably have a lot of other questions, but let’s save them for later, alright?”
“Gotcha. ‘Night, Yukari.”
“Good night.”