I'm an invader. [Do-Over]

On the other side of the gate was my new college and it’s communal living area. Although, considering the reason I’ve been sent here, it may be more accurate to call it my new prison, just with a nicer coat of paint.

At the top of the hill, I’m presented with two options. A large building to my left, and an even larger one to my right. Choosing the right side, I get to the entrance and realise my guess was correct. A dim sign atop the door reads “student accommodation,” meaning the other building must be the college itself.

I pull the keycard I was sent from my hoodie pocket and buzz myself through the front door. I expect the place to be devoid of life, but to my surprise…

“You must be the new student. My name is Yuuko, I’m the building receptionist. I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”

I’m met with by a short bespectacled woman, her freckled face showing a warm smile. Of course, she likely already knows what I am, so it’s likely a smile filled with lies. No one wants to get on the wrong side of the lunatic.

“Sora Metarou.”

“Nice to meet you, mister Sora.”
Yeah, she’s definitely scared of me. As if any member of staff would refer to a student as 'mister.' Especially one like myself. Then again, I can’t blame her for being wary.

“Just call me Taro. Everyone else does.”

“In that case, Taro, you can call me Yuuko.” She replies with a smile even wider than before, although I can see the nervousness she’s trying to hide.

“...thanks.” She didn’t give me a family name, what else would I have called her anyway?

She shuffles around with some paperwork behind her reception desk, before stepping out and walking up next to me.

“Well, Taro, your room will be on the second floor. Room 2-49. Let’s get you to bed, you must be exhausted from the journey here.”

“My medication is keeping me wired for now, but I’ll likely crash soon.”

“We don’t want you crashing before you even get to your room, now, do we? I’ll guide you there, your belongings have already been delivered.”

She beckons me to follow her as she walks along the ground floor corridor. On the right is a lift, which she stops for. To be perfectly honest, I’d have preferred to take the stairs. Sitting in a small metal box with a stranger is far from a comfortable experience for me. But it’s late and I haven’t the motivation to argue, so I silently wait next to her.

DOORS CLOSING. LIFT GOING UP

As the doors to the lift close, Yuuko tries to break the silence.

“Your neighbour at 2-48 is a fun one, but it’s probably best you sleep as much as you can today. You might not get much sleep next door to her.” She chuckles to herself as she speaks, most likely to try to ease the awkward tension in the small lift.”

“That’s okay. The less time I spend dreaming, the better.” I, of course, immediately reinstate that awkwardness by speaking candidly. Yuuko tries to reply, but there’s little one can say in response to that.

Normally I try harder to not ruin the social atmosphere, but I’m not exactly in the best mind today. Although I appreciate Yuuko’s somewhat forced attempts at conversation, I don’t have the slightest amount of patience for social interaction at the moment.

As the lift pings and the doors open, Yuuko once again leads the way down the hallway. As we turn a corner, something at the end of the hallway surprises me. Despite it being the dead of night, someone’s stood at their door, as if waiting for something.

“Hanji, I didn’t expect to see you up so late. Couldn’t sleep?”

“How could I? I got a transfer student to meet, ain’t I?”

Yuuko spoke to the girl named Hanji as we approached. Immediately, the girl struck me as odd. Despite it being so late, she’s wearing a sports bra and kickboxing trousers, as if she only just finished sparring. Her long black hair is tied back in a ponytail, and she’s leaning against her door as if she’s been standing around bored for a long time. Most jarring, however, is the toothy grin on her face. Something about it is uncanny. As if she’s not actually smiling, but imitating a smile instead. Her presence throws me through a loop.

“You the new dude?”

“Ah- yes. Sora Metarou. But everyone just calls me Taro.”

“Nice t’meecha, Taro. Name’s Hanji Koinyuu. Given name first, mum’s Italian and dad’s a pushover.”

She throws out a hand in front of me, so quickly that for a second I think she’s threatening me instead of expecting me to shake it. When I grasp her hand, I realise it’s quite sweaty, so she probably really did just get back from exercise.

She holds my hand much tighter than most people as she shakes it, to the point that it aches a little when she lets go.

It’s a show of force

It’s to keep you in line

It’s to establish who’s boss

It’s to let you know you’re not welcome here.

They’re probably right. This girl probably knows what I am and wants to keep me in line, so she’s establishing her dominance early on. I should have guessed that this would be that sort of place.

“We’re neighbours from now on, so let’s try to be friend, kay?” Confirming her words, I look at the number on her door. 2-48. Guess this is the “fun neighbour” Yuuko mentioned.

“Sure thing.” That was probably not a convincing response, but Hanji doesn’t really seem to care.

“Well, since we’re here and you already have your keycard I think you’ll be fine on your own from here. You already have your timetable, I presume?” The previously silent Yuuko speaks up, that same kind-looking smile on her face as before. Although I’m still not convinced by it.

“Yeah, first period is 9am tomorrow, right?”

“That’s right. Good luck on your first day!”

She turns to leave, still smiling as she waves her goodbyes. I suppose I should have thanked her for her help, but by the time I even think about it she’s already rounded the corner.

“I gotta jet too. If I don’t shower soon my whole room is gonna stink of sweat.” Hanji laughs at her own joke, although I’m a little confused as to why it was supposed to be funny. “See ya t’murrah, Taro. Your first day’s gonna be fun.”

“Ah- yeah, see you tomorrow.”

Hanji buzzes into her own room, leaving me the only one in the long hallway. I suppose I should turn in too, the meds are already starting to wear off.

As I buzz into my room and flop down on my new bed, I find myself wondering, what exactly is gonna be ‘fun’ about college tomorrow? Long lectures and stuffy classrooms aren’t exactly my idea of leisure.

The crash hits me sooner than I expect, and I find myself drifting off to sleep as I think about it, not even bothering to change my clothes

***

Scum

Evil

Putrid

Broken

Vile

Subhuman

Dangerous

Violent

Deranged

Crazy

Unhinged

Murderer

I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.