Wednesday, 8th of April 2009. 14:38
Today things in class were more as he expected. He'd sat through most of the lectures, taking casual notes and trying not to look too bored out of his skull. That, in some aspects, was the problem with the Dark Hour; since no electronics work during it except the clock he'd been given by the idiot, he had to rely on books to see him through when he couldn't sleep.
And most of the books he had were his textbooks.
Of course he had to study during the day or others would wonder how he was learning this stuff; after all teachers didn't cover everything. So he'd study during the day when the others did and then on the nights that he couldn't sleep. This of course led to him being in ahead of everyone else in all of the subjects. This caused problems to be honest. Mostly from students who proclaimed themselves the smartest in class, only to get beaten in all the tests by the quiet guy in the corner, who spends most of his time in a set of headphones.
Over the years the problem got a bit trickier as eventually he ended up being about half a year in front of the other students. Fortunately this was solved by the fact that Ryoji had come into his life. With that his nights were spent between stopping the idiot from getting himself expelled, raiding the library for any book that interested him, sleeping and reading.
That was the past though; best to pay attention to the present.
"Hakushu Kitahara is great, but I think I prefer Fuyuhiko Yoshimura." Haruto turned his attention back to Toriumi-sensei. "His works aren't as famous, but that's what I like about him. My Personal favourite is 'Mangekyo.' Why isn't it ever in textbooks...? I'll bring it next time so
you can write an essay on it. … Hey, Junpei! Were you listening? Who did I say was my favourite author?"
The look on Junpei's face automatically told him that his friend hadn't been listening. He watched Junpei stammer of a few second before taking pity on him and slipping him a piece of paper with the answer. "Err... Fuyuhiko Yoshimura?"
"That's right! So you were listening to me after all!" The teacher replied in delight.
"Hehehe... Well you know how I like to pay attention." He replied with a stupid grin on his face.
Pillock.
Wednesday, 8th of April 2009. 19:38
Not wanting to head straight back home, he hit the mall, hoping to take Junpei's advice and check out the music store there. After picking up a, probably unadvisable, caffeine-laced energy drink from a vending machine he decided to head back to the dorms and at least try and start the assignment due in for next Tuesday.
Granted once he entered the dorm his plan to slip into his room, away from the two females and the whole S.E.E.S. business, ground to a halt as he noticed Yukari sitting with a middle aged man in a suit.
"Oh, he's back." Yukari stated as she and the man stood up to welcome the blue-haired teen.
"Good evening. My name is Ikutsuki Shuji. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school," the man introduced himself offering the younger man his hand to shake. Haruto kept his hands in his pocket for a few seconds, making sure to suitably unnerve the newcomer before finally shaking the proffered hand. "'Ikutsuki'... Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes... Please, have a seat."
Haruto followed the direction and took a seat on the same couch as Yukari.
"I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations." Right. "However, it may take a while longer before you receive a proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"
"Why are you here?" Haruto asked straight out.
"To welcome you, of course." It seemed for a second he was going to stop there, but the uncomfortable feeling caused by the piercing stare of Haruto's unobstructed eye, caused him to continue. "Well, to be honest, I do have other business here. Speaking of which... where is Mitsuru, Yukari?"
"She's upstairs." Yukari responded.
"As diligent as always." Diligent! That set off multiple alarm bells at once. "Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello... Is there anything else?"
"Who else is living here?"
"There are only four students in this dorm: you, Yukari here, Mitsuru, and a senior named Sanada Akihiko. I hope you all get along. Any other questions?" That added another question. This dorm was a nice place, why the hell was it a co-ed with only 4 people? Granted it could have been explained by the presence of Kirijo Mitsuru, as her father's company owned the school, but that didn't answer all the questions.
"Nothing I can think of," The weary teen responded.
"Then, I hope you have a successful school year. Now, if you'll excuse me..." The chairman stood up from the comfy chair he'd been sitting in. "You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm!'"
A hand slapped into the owner's face as a loud groan emitted.
A quick nervous chuckle filled the silence before the chairman gave an apology. "Please forgive the bad pun." Then the chairman made a quick retreat up the staircase.
"... You'll get used to his lame jokes," Yukari reassured before she too headed for the staircase.
He couldn't explain why, but he had a bad feeling about Ikutsuki Shuji and the questions he had so far just left him tired.
Wednesday, 8th of April 2009. 23:58
The fourth floor of the dorm only consisted of two rooms, the control room and the Chairman's office. Mitsuru and Yukari were sitting in front of the control panel for the dorm's security camera system, monitoring the output from Namikaze Haruto's room. The heiress could tell that the newest member of S.E.E.S. didn't feel comfortable about doing this. To be honest she had her doubts as well, but it was imperative that they discover if the transfer student had the potential.
"Working hard?" She turned to see that the Chairman had left his office. "So, how's he doing?"
Mitsuru got up from her chair as she delivered her report. "He went to bed a little while ago. He's asleep now. Mr. Chairman, do you think he's...?"
The Chairman shushed her question before stating. "Well, let's wait and see for now. ...The Dark Hour is approaching."
A few moments later the clock hit midnight.
Unlike the rest of the dorm's electrical appliances the security camera system and the control panel stayed active. They had been installed by the Kirijo group with technology, developed to protect electrical systems from the effects of the Dark Hour. As such they could see that the white-haired teen still remained unchanged within the confines of his room.
The Chairman watched the image for a few seconds before finally commenting. "Hmm… He's still sleeping." Well that was quite obvious. "The Dark Hour occurs every day at 12 midnight; you could say it's the 'hidden' hour. During this time, an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs."
"Then he must be..." the brunette extrapolated.
"As you can see, he's retained his human form. He's asleep, but he's definitely experiencing the Dark Hour." The Chairman took a quick pause before continuing. "The only question that remains is whether or not he has the potential. Although, he must. ...If he didn't, they would've preyed on him by now."
"... Scary..." Yukari muttered.
"In any case, we should continue to monitor him for a few more days," the Chairman concluded.
"I've already expressed my opinion on this, but it's your call." Mitsuru replied.
"I feel kinda bad, though, spying on him like this..." Yukari admitted as her head turned back towards the sleeping form on the monitor.
He was surrounded by total darkness.
That alone was unusual, but added to the feeling of being pulled forward it was bizarre. Slowly in the distance he could see a spot of velvet, as he was dragged closer he realised that the spot was in fact a door and it seemed to be his destination. As he got closer the door opened allowing him entrance.
When his senses returned he found himself sitting at a table surrounded by the colour velvet.
"Welcome to the Velvet room, my dear young man," an old, slightly creepy voice greeted the crimson-eyed teen, drawing his attention to the old man with a pointy nose who sat opposite him. "My name is Igor. ...I am delighted to make your acquaintance," the man introduced himself before gesturing towards the woman in a velvet uniform who stood next to him. "This is Elizabeth. She's a resident here, like myself."
"Pleased to meet you," the elevator attendant greeted, with a slight nod that the visitor returned.
"Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place..." the old man explained, flicking hand to make the contract appear on the table between them. "Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so. I only ask one thing in return... that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices that you make."
The contract.
I chooseth mine fate of mine own free will.
Well that was one less thing to worry about. "I understand." The visitor answered.
"Good, good. Then you should hold onto this." A velvet coloured key appeared in the old man's hand. He placed it on the table before pushing it towards the visitor who picked the key up without hesitation. "'Til we meet again..."
And with that Namikaze Haruto returned to the land of dreams.
In the morning he'd wake up to find the velvet key resting in the palm of his hand.