tokyo describer

[scene opens inside a hallway in the mansion]

When we informed the staff we’d been invited to the dinner party, we were ushered to a large banquet hall.

Kaito: How does this guy have such a huge mansion right in the middle of the city? Who is he?

Girl in White Clothing: Mr. Long-Legs is a very kind man. He took us in when we had nowhere to go and made us his family.

Lucas: You live here, don’t you? You’re very hardworking for someone so young.

Lucas: Do you go to school?

Girl in White Clothing: …Mr. Long-Legs teaches us everything we need to know. The hall is over there.

The girl pointed to a set of double doors. Laughter and lively chatter floated faintly from within.

Girl in White Clothing: Please enjoy yourselves.

Lucas: Thank you. Here, this is for you.

Luca fished a biscuit from his pocket and held it out to the girl.

Kaito: Dude, hasn’t anyone ever told you not to give candy to other people’s kids? You’re gonna get arrested.

Lucas: Why? These were sent to me by my family. They’re perfectly safe.

Girl in White Clothing: Please excuse me…

The girl hurried away. Luca pushed open the doors.

[scene changes to inside the banquet hall]

Kaito: Whoa… Who needs tables that long?!

The space was mostly filled by long tables spread with beautiful silverware and large plates of colorful food.

The light from the chandelier hanging overhead glittered on the expensive jewellery of the dinner guests.

Waiter: Darkwick Academy?

Kaito: Th-That’s us!

Waiter: Welcome. Allow me to show you to your seats.

When we reached the table, the waiter pulled the chair out for me, so I quickly sat down.

Luca sat across from me. Kaito hesitated for a moment, then sat down beside me.

Kaito: (You’re supposed to start with the cutlery on the outside, right…?)

Lucas: French cuisine. It looks delicious.

Kaito: Asshole… Of course you’re right at home here…

Plates of appetizers were swiftly placed in front of us. They looked so artistic I was tempted to take a photo.

Kaito: …

[Kaito pulls out his phone and takes a photo]

Lucas: Kaito, you should ask for permission from the waiter if you’re going to take photos.

Kaito: I-I was about to!

Kaito: (Is this some kind of ham? Why’s it so thin? How do you even get it on your fork?)

Lucas: Here. If you’re having trouble lifting it, you can use your knife to hold it in place and fold it using your fork.

Kaito: I know! My gram said it’s bad manners to talk when you’re eating! You should worry about yourself!

Lucas: Look out!

When Kaito lifted his arm to point at Luca, his elbow swept his knife off the table, sending it clattering to the floor.

Kaito: Crap… Sorry…

He ducked under the table to look for it, earning confused looks from the people around us.

Waiter: Allow me to replace that for you, sir. May I offer you a drink?

Kaito: Oh, th-thank you…

Kaito took a cocktail glass from the waiter and sat back down at the table.

Kaito: Ack?!

Lucas: Your sleeve caught on the tablecloth. Kaito, why don’t you take a moment and try to relax?

Kaito: Shit, I’m totally soaked… This is my only jacket too…

Kaito: I’m gonna go wash it off in the bathroom…

Kaito peeled off his jacket and hurried from the room.

I opened my mouth to call out to him, but having no idea what to say, my voice died in my throat.

Luna: Do you think he’s okay…? He said he’s not very good with these kinds of events…

Lucas: …I may have asked to* much of him.

[tn: type, should be*too]

[scene changes to out in the hallway]

Kaito: (I made an idiot of myself in front of Luna… Urgh, and now I’m all sticky…)

Kaito: (Man, this place is so stupidly huge… Where’s the bathroom? Is that it?)

Kaito: (They’ve gotta have a few skeletons in the closet in a place this big. Ooh, I wonder if they have hidden rooms…)

[scene changes to inside the kitchen]

Kaito: (Oops, this is the kitchen. I bet they don’t want me in here… Quick, back away before anyone notices…)

Head Waiter: Hey, you over there!

Kaito: Yes?!

Head Waiter: What the hell are those sneakers?!

Kaito: What?! They’re limited edition Nikes…

Head Waiter: I don’t want excuses! You were told there was a dress code for the staff when serving dinner guests!!

Kaito: What? I’m not–

Head Waiter: Just try not to draw attention to yourself. Hurry up and take these out before they get cold!

[scene opens inside the chapel]

Luna: There’s so many people… Do you think they’re all here to have their wishes granted?

Lucas: It appears that way. Many of them are ill or injured. The people on the balcony above us seem to be observing, though.

The front row was filled by children in white clothing. Behind them sat a sea of people of all ages.

I looked up. A row of wealthy-looking people were seated on the balcony, eyes fixed on the lectern at the front.

Kaito: I guess this is the kind of thing new money would be into… Oh, someone’s coming.

A tall man in a suit had appeared at the front of the room. A stir spread through the crowd.

Bandaged Man: Mr. Long-Legs! Please, pick me this time!

Hunchbacked Elderly Woman: Please… Please, grant me salvation…

Luna: (That must be Mr. Long-Legs, then…)

Girl in White Clothing: Please be silent, everyone.

Lucas: …

Mr. Long-Legs twirled his impressive moustache in silence, then pointed to a man in the audience.

Girl in White Clothing: Please come to the front, sir.

[panel sequence begins]

Panel 1: A young one-armed man stands up from the audience with surprise, while people turn around to look at him and murmur.

The One-Armed Man: Me…?!

Panel 2: The man walks past Mr. Long-Legs on the stage, heading for the backstage area, while murmurs continue.

The One-Armed Man: Yes…

Panel 3: The trio sits in the audience.

Kaito: What’s with this weird interval?

Kaito: What’re we supposed to do now…?

Luna: Watch and see what happens, I guess…

Lucas: …

Panel 4: The audience gasps and starts clapping, looking at the stage in amazement.

Panel 5: The trio seen from behind.

Kaito: What?! What’s happening?!

Kaito: This is really creeping me out!

Panel 6: Luna looks shocked.

Luna: His arm…

Panel 7: The young man now has both arms, which he pumps happily in the air, tears streaming down his face. Mr. Long-Legs looks on contentedly from behind, and the audience continues clapping.

Luna: ...it grew back?!

The Previously One-Armed Man: How…

The Previously One-Armed Man: How can I ever thank you?!

The Previously One-Armed Man: I have received Mr. Long-Leg’s salvation!!

Panel 8: Kaito looks skeptical, while Lucas’s expression remains unreadable.

Kaito: What? This has gotta be a con…

Kaito: No way someone’s regrowing arms on a low-ranking mission.

Lucas: …

[panel sequence ends. scene changes to inside the entrance hall, sunset colors bleeding through the windows]

As we made to leave after watching… whatever the “Salvation” was, someone stopped us.

Well-Dressed Woman: Those uniforms… Are you Darkwick students?

Luna: Huh? I mean… Yes?!

The speaker was a woman dressed in expensive clothing. As I flailed awkwardly, Kaito appeared at my side.

Kaito: You were the beautiful lady watching from the balcony. I’m honored to speak with you.

Well-Dressed Woman: Oh, stop. It’s very discerning of you to take an interest in the Salvations. As elite as they say, I see.

Lucas: Oh? You were in the group from earlier. Kaito said you were new–

Kaito: Yes, it was marvelous.

Well-Dressed Woman: Those of us who’ve supported Mr. Long-Leg’s social work have been invited to a party here this evening.

Well-Dressed Woman: I’m sure everyone would be delighted if you’d join us.

Well-Dressed Woman: The students of Darkwick are the future of our nation, after all.

Kaito: Oh… Well um, we actually–

Lucas: We’d be delighted. Thank you for the invitation.

Kaito: What?! Are you serious?!

Well-Dressed Woman: Wonderful! The chef here used to be head chef at the Imperial Hotel.

Well-Dressed Woman: Tonight’s cuisine should be full of gems.

Well-Dressed Woman: What’s your poison? Caviar? Foie gras? Truffles?

Kaito: Oh yes, all of those things.

[scene opens outside a closed door]

When we exited the ticket gates, we found ourselves in a dark, empty space.

A single door loomed in the inky blackness.

Lucas: Once we go through that door, we should be near our destination. Are you both ready?

Kaito and I looked at each other, and nodded in unison. Luca placed his hand on the doorknob.

Luna: Wow, that’s bright…

I squinted against the sunlight and looked around. We seemed to be in the lobby of an upscale apartment building.

Lucas: I’ll check the map… Good, looks like we’re close to the site.

Lucas: Thank you, Kaito. You’re the reason we made it here.

Kaito: It’s nothing! For real, I didn’t do much… But if you need someone to show you around Tokyo, I’m your man.

Lucas: Let’s get going before the concierge notices us. The site is five minutes from here.

I heard the door we’d come through close behind us, and turned around to find an elevator.

The Galaxy Express seemed to connect to more than just Tokyo’s train stations.

[scene changes to in front of a mansion]

Lucas: This is it. It’s quite an impressive estate, even for this neighborhood.

Kaito: We should look over this stuff before we go in, right? “Investigation of Man who Grants Wishes.”

Kaito: “There is a man with a mysterious ability to cure any injury or illness.”

Kaito: “A millionaire, he has been taking in orphans and carrying out other such welfare activities from his estate.”

Kaito: “These acts of benevolence…”

Kaito: “have earned him the nickname ‘Mr. Long-Legs.’”

Lucas: Mr. Long-Legs?

Luna: Isn’t that a character from a novel?

Kaito: This guy’s gotta be a fraud. If there were people like that walking around, we wouldn’t need hospitals.

Kaito: I bet it’s a cult thing. No way that “welfare work” he’s doing comes no strings attached.

Lucas: The ability to cure any injury or illness… Is it possible he has managed to subjugate a demon?

Kaito: Of course not! Seriously, what’s the weather like in your head? No way something this good is true.

Luna: (If he really can cure anything… Maybe that includes…)

Kaito: Oh… I guess if this guy is for real, maybe he could lift your curse…

Luna: Don’t worry, I’m not expecting to find a solution that easily.

Luna: I was just thinking it would be nice if we found some kind of clue, since I’m still in the dark about everything.

Lucas: That’s a valuable attitude. Believe only what you see with your own eyes. Let’s go and see for ourselves.

Kaito: Dunno where that came from…

Kaito: But this is for Luna. Time to man up, Kaito!

[scene changes to inside the mansion’s entrance hall]

The mansion was open to the public and already bustling with people, so we didn’t draw attention strolling in.

Lucas: No one is paying us any heed. So far, the information we received seems correct.

Kaito: How can their security be this lax? Someone could walk right in and rob the place, and they’d never notice!

Lucas: They don’t inspect belongings either. They must have a lot of faith in people. Either that, or–

Girl in White Clothing: Welcome, everyone. The Salvation will begin shortly.

Kaito: Looks like something’s happening.

Girl in White Clothing: Your seating has nothing to do with the selection, so please proceed to the chapel in an orderly fashion.

Lucas: Let’s go.

We siddled* into the flow of people headed for the aforementioned chapel.

[scene opens att the Galaxy Express train station]

Lucas: Luna, right on time. Are you ready?

Luna: I think so… I wasn’t really sure what I needed, so I’m pretty much empty-handed, though.

Lucas: That’s fine. Luggage will only get in your way. Your phone is enough for notes and photos.

Lucas: Do you have a Warding Card? I can lend you mine if not.

Luna: I got one from Hodge and Podge yesterday, so I’m all set! It’s in my jacket pocket.

I’d made my way to the Galaxy Express station after class.

As I struggled to quell the butterflies in my stomach, I noticed Kaito was acting strangely.

Kaito: …

Luna: Are you okay, Kaito? You look a little pale.

Kaito: Fine! Yes, I’m fine! I’m just so pumped, you know, can’t wait to just…get all on up in this mission!

Lucas: That’s good. When I saw you trying to leave earlier, I thought you’d forgotten about it.

Kaito: Me? No way! I was so excited last night I couldn’t even sleep! At all!!

Kaito marched over to the ticket gates, slapped his phone on the touch panel, and walked onto the platform.

Luna: So you use a Catsmo the same way as a regular rail pass? Do I need to charge it?

Lucas: I don’t think so. We used something similar on buses in the UK, and it wasn’t necessary.

Kaito: Hey! The train’s gonna be here soon! Come on, Luna!

I followed Luca through the ticket gate and onto the platform.

We caught up with Kaito just as the Galaxy Express shuddered to a halt.

Luna: (Getting back on the same train I took to get here makes me nervous for some reason…)

[scene changes to a car inside the Galaxy Express]

Kaito: All right, where’s the conducter? Whoa, it really is a cat… These guys oughta unionize.

Lucas: This is my first time riding it without a guide, so I didn’t realize. Japanese cats are very hard working.

Kaito: You’re getting the wrong idea, dude… Darkwick uses them way too much. Where are we headed again?

Luna: Yoyogi!

Kaito: Oh yeah. Let me check the Catsmo map… Looks like this station’s the closest to the neighborhood we want.

Kaito showed us a map in the Catsmo app. It had pins dotted all around it.

Lucas: You’re the most familiar with Tokyo’s geography, aren’t you, Kaito? I trust you to choose the station.

Kaito: Well yeah, I’m Tokyo born and raised! Could you take us here?

Cat: Meow!

The cat disappeared into the driver’s compartment, and the Galaxy Express chugged away from the platform.

It entered the tunnel. Knowing what to expect this time, I hurried over to the window as it emerged on the other side.

Luna: Wow… Is that Tokyo…?

Far below the glittering stars, I could see wavering city lights–Tokyo tower, surronded by a forest of skyscrapers.

Kaito: Hey, Luna? How do you use that enhancing thing you have?

Luna: Um… Well, in the test, they made me hold someone’s hand, and that seemed to work.

Kaito: S-Seriously?! Does that mean I can hold your hand too?!

Kaito: Ah! I’m not trying to be weird! Don’t worry, my stigma’s really crappy!!

Luna: Right… I’ve just never used it on purpose before, so I don’t really understand it very well yet.

Kaito: It’ll be fine, you can figure it out as we go along! Right, Luca?! Just having you with us gives us courage, right?!

Lucas: …

Kaito: Guys? Did I really say something that weird?!

Lucas: Kaito. I’m sorry, but I’d prefer to test out my own strength.

Kaito: Could you just back me up here? I sound like a creep now!!

Announcement: We will soon make a brief stop at the Yoyogi District Five Elelvator.

Yuri: Hmm hmm hmm hmm, pa rum, pa rum…

Jiro: I’ll take some blood next. Left arm?

Luna: Oh, sure.

Yuri: Hmm hmm hmm hmm, pa rum, pa rum…

Jiro: I need to put the electrodes on for the EKG.

Luna: Whoa! O-Okay…

Yuri: Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm! Hmm hmm hmm! Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm! Pa rum!

Jiro: Yuri. You’re distracting me. Could you stop humming?

Yuri: The elegant melody of “The Blue Danube” distracts you? This is the problem with the uncultured.

Jiro: …

Yuri: Listen carefully, Jiro! This is the best part!

Yuri continued to enjoy a spirited one-person orchestra throughout the rest of the health check.

Yuri: That concludes your health check. Do you have any health-related questions?

Luna: I’m not sure if this qualifies, but I do have a question about my…um… curse…

Yuri: Ah yes. I also intend to participate in the research into your curse.

Yuri: You’ll be completely cured in no time. You can relax and wait for my call.

Jiro: She’s only got a year left, right? I wonder if we’ll make it in time.

Yuri: A year?! That’s all?!

Yuri: I mean! That won’t be a problem. Curing the incurable is the greatest honor a doctor can have.

Luna: (I think I feel worse now…)

Jiro: What did the anomaly look like?

[player dialogue choice]

A) It had one eye

Luna: I’m pretty sure it had one big eye…

Jiro: That’s plenty. We don’t know for sure that it’s not contagious.

B) It was covered in flowers

Luna: There were flowers growing all over its body…

Jiro: Interesting. Parasitized maybe, or some kind of chimera… If I ran into it, I would inspect every inch of it.

C) I don’t want to think about it

Luna: I don’t really want to think about it…

Jiro: So you probably don’t really know.

[end of dialogue choice]

Jiro: Well, if you see something similar on a mission, make sure you catch it.

Jiro: We might learn something if we examine it.

Yuri: You, on a high-ranking mission? But you’re not even a ghoul!

Jiro: Yuri, were you so shocked over not getting any new ghouls you weren’t listening?

Jiro: She can enhance stigmas. We’re supposed to take her on missions.

Yuri: Marvelous! I will grant you the privilege of becoming my specimen.

Yuri: You can join us on a mission this evening. Jiro, prepare a set of documents for her.

Luna: Ah, sorry, I’m actually joining a Frostheim mission starting today…

Yuri: …Frostheim?

Yuri: That nest of tasteless, revolting, shameless parasites?!

Yuri glared at me, eyes blazing with fury, then hastily packed the remaining instruments into his bag.

Yuri: Jiro, we’re leaving. We could catch something from her if we stay any longer.

Jiro: I don’t really mind.

Luna: (I guess he’s not a big fan of Frostheim…)

Yuri: At least this has bought us permission to commence with our new research. We’ll start immediately.

Jiro: We’ve got classes first, though. You can keep that patient garment. Take care.

[scene opens on a street on the campus]

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: Who does that indolent layabout think he is?! Walking all over us… He’s not even our advisor!!

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair:Those germs have no idea of the value contained in a single slice of my scalpel!

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: You agree, don’t you, Jiro?!

Jiro: Well, you probably won’t need a scalpel since it’s only a health check.

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: Exactly. A piddling health check! If this specimen has no scientific value, I will dispose of them immediately!!

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: Where are they, then?

Jiro: You got so worked up you weren’t listening?

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: She’s living in the old Clementia dormitory.

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: Hmph. My time is too precious to waste.

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: We need to get this peddling health check over with so I can return to my groundbreaking research.

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: Hurry up, Jiro!!

Jiro: Clementia’s that way, though.

[scene changes to inside Luna’s room]

My third day at Darkwick dawned alarmingly quickly.

After class, I would be going on my first mission with the Frostheim students.

Luna: (Can I really do this…?)

I opened the window to let some fresh air into my attic bedroom.

The weather had been pleasantly mild since I’d arrived, in stark contrast to the storm raging in my chest.

[comic sequence begins]

Panel 1: Jiro appears at the door, and the speech bubble points to him.

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: Good morning.

Panel 2: Jiro stands there with bags in his hands, while Luna is still in her pajamas, startled.

Luna: Whoa!

Luna: What?!

Luna: Wh-Who are you?!

Panel 3: Jiro towers over Luna, the speech bubble still pointing to him.

Stranger With Asymmetrical Hair: You should feel honored.

Yuri: You have the privilege of I, Yuri Isami, captain of Mortkranken house…

Panel 4: Luna peeks behind Jiro.

Yuri: …coming out in full force for you.

Panel 5: Yuri is revealed to be standing behind Jiro, much shorter than him, with a haughty look and a hand on his hip.

Yuri: Don’t tell me…

Yuri: …You’re so ignorant you don’t know who I am?

[end of comic sequence]

Jiro: She just got to Darkwick. And there’s only two of us, so you can’t call that full force.

Yuri: Of course there’s only two of us, Jiro. There’s not a single legitimate doctor in this place.

Yuri: Aside from me, that is.

Jiro: Yep. Could you pass me a set of patient garments?

My surprise house guests put down a large bag, throwing it open.

They began to unload several strange-looking devices resembling medical instruments of some kind.

Jiro: Please change into this.

Luna: Okay…

Yuri: Make it quick. I’m busy, you know.

I was handed a loose-fitting top and pants. I realized I wouldn’t be able to put it on without undressing first.

Jiro: We’re nearly out of EKG paper. We’ll have to restock when we get back.

Luna: Um…

Jiro: Yes?

Luna: I’d like to get changed…

Jiro: Go ahead.

Yuri: What are you doing, Jiro?! Come over here!!

Jiro: What do you need?

Luna: (He finally left…)

[scene opens inside the Mystery Diner]

Lucas: It’s dinner time, but we’re the only customers here. That’s odd, isn’t it?

Kaito: …So this whole diner is actually an anomaly. Darkwick’s letting it operate while they research it.

Lucas: It’s an anomaly…? Is this really the best way for it to * managed.

[tn: typo, be*]

The first-year from earlier seemed to be the only employee, and he was sitting at the counter on his phone.

It certainly didn’t seem like there was all that much management going on.

Kaito: Don’t say ominous crap like that…! I mean, this whole campus is an anomaly, right?

Kaito: One or two inside it can’t make *the much of a difference.

[tn: typo, *that]

Luna: Wait… You mean Darkwick Academy is an anomaly?

Kaito: Yeah, that’s why it’s bigger on the inside. And it’s–

Ren: …Are you gonna order or not?

Kaito: Crap, I got distracted… All right, stomach, what’s the vibe today? I’m gonna say burger.

Kaito ran his finger down the menu, reading out the unusual names beside the pictures.

Kaito: “Poppy Seed Pasta”... “Monkey Ice Cream”... What’s with these names?

Kaito: Ah, here we go! Verme Burger! Verme? What’s that?

Ren: No idea. It’s my first day.

Luna: The picture looks kind of like a cheeseburger, doesn’t it?

Kaito: Um… Ren? Would you mind asking your supervisor what the Verme Burger is…?

Ren: Can’t. The owner’s an anomaly. The no talking kind.

Kaito: Oh, I see! No problem at all, we understand!

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out just as Luca did the same with his.

Lucas: Our investigation permit has been granted. We can finally start the mission.

Kaito: Hurray…

Ren: Could you decide already…?

Kaito: S-Sorry! I’ll have the Verme Burger! How about you guys?

Lucas: I’ll have what Kaito is having.

Luna: Okay, then so will I.

Having finished ordering, our conversation naturally shifted to the topic of our first mission.

Lucas: This may be a low-ranking mission, but the subject of the investigation is shrouded in mystery.

Lucas: It’s already late, so let’s go tomorrow after classes. We should start with careful reconnaissance of the site.

Kaito: Do I really have to be there for that…?

Lucas: You want Luna and I to go without you? If you really don’t want to come, I won’t force you, but…

Kaito: (Right… If I don’t go… that means Luca will be alone with Luna…)

Kaito: I’ll go! I was just asking!

Kaito looked down at his phone, and I followed suit.

Luna: This place is near Yoyogi Station, right?

Kaito: Seriously? That’s right near Harajuku! I haven’t been there in ages. We should go on the way back!

Lucas: I’m quite sure private errands are not permitted on missions at Darkwick, Kaito.

Kaito: Come on, they probably wouldn’t even notice…

Lucas: Let’s get ready after classes and meet at the Galaxy Express Station.

Kaito: You really need to lighten up, dude. No one wants to date the fun police.

Luna: The Galaxy Express Station is the one where I couldn’t get through the ticket gates, isn’t it?

Lucas: Yes. We’ll depart campus at 3 PM. I would appreciate it if you could both be there on time.

[comic sequence begins]

Panel 1: A close-up of Ren’s face, looking extremely uncomfortable, the top of the tray with the three burgers is visible.

Ren: Here you go…

Ren: Three… Whatever Burgers…

Panel 2: Ren sets the food down on the table, and Kaito is looking cheerful.

Kaito: Thanks, man!

Kaito: Whoa, looks–

Panel 3: The middle part of the burgers is blurred and wriggling.

Kaito: Why is it moving?!?!

Panel 4: Luna holds her phone in her hand. The screen reads: 

Italian-English dictionary

verme

n. earthworm.

[scene opens inside Jin’s room]

Tohma: You have my sincere gratitude for allowing me the privilege of entering your chambers.

Jin: You can take your “check” and shove it up your ass.

Tohma: You heard my voice, then?

Jin: Shameless, aren’t you? How did you bypass the soundproofing?

Tohma: Interesting. It seems best to assume what she’d doing really is as simple as bolstering our stigmas.

Jin: …You used that girl.

Tohma: Yes. I was checking the legitimacy of the chancellor’s story.

Tohma: It would appear she does have some sort of enhancing ability.

Tohma: The fact my voice bypassed your soundproofing anomaly to reach you is proof of that.

Tohma: Perhaps she can help you to–

Jin: I don’t give a shit.

Jin: Put on a record for me. Johann Strauss.

Tohma: Johann who? Which one is that?

Jin: And you call yourself vice-captain? Christ.

Tohma: At least I perform my duties. More than can be said of you, Captain.

Jin: We’re done here. Leave.

Tohma: I’m not finished. There are new developments in the case.

Tohma: This is additional evidence. I sent the video in question to you earlier.

Jin: …

Tohma: Allow me to explain it verbally to you.

Tohma: The child in this security footage was dead when it was taken. That is undeniable.

Tohma: However, they’ve yet to discern his identity–

Jin: He’s an orphan.

Tohma: So you did read what I sent you.

Jin: There’s an orphanage in Yoyogi.

Tohma: There really are monsters out there, aren’t there? I’ll take your word for it and canvas the site.

Tohma: Seeing as you’ve deduced so much already, you could join me.

Jin: …

Jin: No. You handle it.

Tohma: Honestly…

Jin: Don’t give me that contrived bullshit. I told you to stop sighing around me. 

Tohma: I was merely overcome by my gratitude to you.

Tohma: I can rest easy knowing you’ll be safely tucked up in your room behaving yourself.

Jin: When did you become important enough to get snarky with me, shithead?

Tohma: …

Jin: …

Tohma: You won’t be able to hide this indefinitely.

Jin: What, are you gonna be the one to sell me out this time?

Tohma: …

Jin: Leave. Don’t make me repeat myself.

Tohma: You still can’t use it, can you? Understood. Please get some rest.

Tohma: But all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable.

Jin: Obviously. This place is a pit of snakes, and I’m a tasty-looking mouse.

Tohma: …

Jin: Fuck off.

Tohma: As you wish.

Jin: …

[scene changes to inside the Mystery Diner]

At Kaito’s suggestion, we headed to a new diner on the west side of campus for dinner.

Kaito: It’s called The Mystery Diner. I’ve been super curious about this place since it opened!

Kaito: The cafeteria food is good and all, but it’s kind of too perfect, you get me? It’s got no spice– Nice, they’re not full.

Ren: Welcome to the Mystery Diner… How many?

Kaito: Three! Hey, you’re Ren Shiranami, aren’t you? First year?

Ren: Huh? Sure… Who are you?

Lucas: I’m Lucas Errant, a transfer student from the UK campus. This is Kaito Fuji. And this is Luna.

Lucas: You’re the one who was wearing the jumpsuit that Kaito siad he wouldn’t wear if they paid–

Kaito: DUDE!!!

Kaito: Th-The Jabberwock jumpsuits are fire, right? They look really… comfortable!

Ren: Are you trying to mess with me? Those stupid jumpsuits are mortifying.

Ren: If you’re just here to be dicks, could you leave?

Kaito: Eeek! W-We’re not! We’re customers! Sorry man… Luca!! Say sorry!!

Lucas: I’m sorry that Kaito has offended you.

Kaito: Don’t pin this on me, asshole!!

Lucas: Kaito, I’m confused. Are you apologizing or defending your actions?

Kaito: I’m not the one who did something that needs defending!!

Lucas: Ren, you’re very big. Which martial art do you practice?

Ren: None? If you’re customers, could you sit down? You’re in the way.

Kaito: Oh, truth. Come on guys, we’re blocking the door. Let’s sit over there. 

Ren: I was so close to getting through this shift with no customers… This is the worst…

We sat down in one of the booths. I looked around the diner.

[scene opens outside Frostheim’s vault]

Kaito: What’s taking so long… What’s taking so long… What’s taking so long… What’s taking so long?!

Kaito: We’ll be done in no time, my ass!!

Kaito: There’s no way that guy’s not planning something sinister! What if Luna is in trouble?!

Lucas: Don’t say that. What cause has he given you to think so?

Kaito: Are you being serious? He’s shady as fuck!! I mean who wears a monocle in this day and age, huh?!

Kaito: (Hold on. Chill out, Kaito. Gram always said when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.)

Kaito: (These are the times that test a man’s mettle. This is my chance to impress Luna…)

Kaito: (It said in Q&G women can’t resist a knight in shining armor!!)

[scene changes to inside Frostheim’s vault]

Kaito: Knock kn– AHHHHH!!?!?

Luna: Kaito?!

Kaito: Hands! Hands!! Why’re you holding hands?! What’s going on?!

Lucas: Holding hands? Oh, you’re right. You have very good eyesight, don’t you, Kaito?

The vice-captain let go of my hand, slipping his glove back on. I realized I’d never noticed him take it off.

He let out an exaggerated sigh.

Tohma: It appears you even need to be taught the proper etiquette for entering a room.

Tohma: Oh?

The chess pieces had leaped from the board and formed a line in front of Kaito, reverting to their giant forms.

Kaito: Gyah?! Y-You wanna go? I don’t!!

Tohma: Interesting…

Kaito: I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!! We’ll leave!!

Tohma: No need–we’re done here. Be sure to take your role as inspector seriously on this case, Luna.

Luna: O-Okay…

He began tidying up the tea set as though nothing had happened. I was left with more questions than answers.

Tohma: One last thing. There’s no need for you to address me as Vice-Captain. Tohma is quite sufficient.

Tohma: I am not the only vice-captain in Darkwick, so let’s avoid the confusion. The same goes for you, Errant.

Lucas: All right.

Tohma: Please return to your activities. I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave.

Tohma turned and walked away. As soon as he did, the chess pieces retreated.

[scene opens inside Frostheim’s vault]

Tohma: Please, take a seat.

Tohma: It may look like ice, but it’s actually quite comfortable.

The vice-captain pulled out a chair, gesturing to me to sit down. 

Somewhat nervously, I did as asked.

As he’d said, the seat was warmer and softer than I’d anticipated.

In the center of the table in front of me was a beautiful chessboard with squares of clear and frosted glass.

Tohma: Please wait here.

He moved off to the side, and, with deft movements and soft clinks, prepared a tray of tea.

Tohma: This blend is the highest quality Darjeeling, produced in India. I hope it will be to your taste.

Luna: Thank you… Wow, it smells amazing.

Tohma: That’s good to hear. It’s our captain’s favorite blend.

Tohma: But seeing as I won’t be able to serve it to him for some time, I was debating whether to dispose of it. 

I winced a little at the word “captain.”

I glanced over at the vice-captain sitting across from me, and our eyes met.

Tohma: The captain is quite furious over your little peeping incident.

Tohma: He has forbade even me from entering his room.

Tohma: Most troubling…

[Dialogue choice]

1. Luna: I’m sorry…

Tohma: If you’ll be coming in and out of Frostheim, you’ll need to learn some manners.

2. I was there for a reason…

Luna: Um.. I was there for a reason…

Tohma: You think this is the appropriate moment for excuses? It seems you need an education in etiquette.

3. It’s not just my fault…

Luna: It’s not just my fault, is it…?

Tohma: I see. So you were peeping.

[End of dialogue choice]

Luna: Urk…

Tohma: I’ll let it slide for now. Do you play?

He gestured to the chess board. With heavy clinks, the giant chess pieces gathered around us.

Luna: (There was only one kind of piece before, but there’s more now…)

Tohma: These chess pieces are anomalies. We keep and utilize them here in Frostheim.

Tohma: Most unusually, they grow in size and attack when they sense malicious intent from an intruder.

Tohma: No need to be so nervous. They won’t attack you. Provided you don’t have malicious intentions, that is.

Luna: I don’t think I do…

While I was trying hard not to have malicious intentions, the vice-captain suddenly snapped his fingers.

The chess pieces glowed with bright light, then shrank, leaping one by one on top of the chess board.

Tohma: Go ahead. The player who makes the first move has an advantage.

Luna: Um… What exactly are we talking about here?

Tohma: You cant tell? Then allow me to show you how to win.

Tohma: First, move this pawn two squares forward.

Luna: Like this…?

Tohma: Very good. Now it’s my turn.

Every time I moved one of my chess pieces, the vice-captain mirrored me with his.

His eyes, devoid of warmth, seemed to see directly into my thoughts, and he never once took them off me.

[Panel sequence]

Panel 1: The chess board, with panels of Tohma and Luna over it.

Tohma: Is something the matter?

Luna: N-no…

Panel 2: A wide shot of Luna and Tohma sitting at a table, playing chess.

Tohma: You’re doing very well.

Tohma: Next, move your queen.

Panel 3: Luna’s right hand with the ring on it holds the queen piece.

Luna: Okay…

Panel 4: Tohma grabs Luna’s hand.

Panel 5: A close up of Tohma’s mouth, the chess board underneath him.

Tohma: Argeas.

Panel 6: Tohma still holding Luna’s hand.

Luna: Huh…?

Panel 7: Tohma points down with his other hand to his part of the chess board.

Panel 8: Luna drops her queen piece.

Panel 9:

Tohma: Check.

Panel 10: An intense atmosphere looms over Luna, she looks uncomfortable.

Luna: ?!

[End of panel sequence]

It was as though his voice was inside my head, reverberating down my back, my legs, and right down to my toes.

Luna: (What’s happening…?!)

[scene opens inside Frostheim’s vault]

Luna: (Luca’s twin brother is missing…?)

Kaito and I stared at Luca, wondering if we’d misheard.

Kaito: Twin… You have a twin? And he’s missing?!

Lucas: We’re twins, but I was born first. The demon I made a pact with took him in exchange for granting my wish.

Lucas: I have to find a demon, and force it to tell me where he is.

Lucas: I’ll find him, even if that means forcing a demon to its knees.

Kaito: …

[scene changes to a flashback]

[Panel sequence]

Panel 1: Inside the chancellor’s office Luna sits on the couch while Professor Hyde and the chancellor stand in front of her.

Chancellor Cornelius: Anyway, our special admissions students, several of whom you’ve met already…

Chancellor Cornelius: ... have each devoured a demon.

Chancellor Cornelius: We call such humans “ghouls.”

Panel 2: A human hand reaching from above to a demon hand.

Chancellor Cornelius: Since time immemorial, humans have sold their souls to demons in exchange for the granting of a wish.

Chancellor Cornelius: We call this a demon pact.

Panel 3: A person reaching out with their arms, with shackles and chains wrapped all around their body. Underneath them is a red-tinted graveyard, and on the bottom of the page is a person cowering on the ground.

Chancellor Cornelius: But the realization of a wish…

Chancellor Cornelius: ...comes at a price.

Panel 4: The chancellor has his pointer finger in the air. Behind him Professor Hyde has his hands on his cheeks in mock surprise.

Chancellor Cornelius: However!

Chancellor Cornelius: Although they are extremely rare, there are some individuals…

Chancellor Cornelius: ...who survive their pact completely unharmed.

Panel 5: The background is a starry sky, with panels of Taiga, Haku, Kaito, Lucas, and Romeo appearing.

Chancellor Cornelius: Those once-in-a-million exceptions…

Chancellor Cornelius: ...are the ghouls whom you met today.

[end of panel sequence]

[scene changes to inside the chancellor’s office]

Chancellor Cornelius: The leading theory is that they acquired inhuman power by devouring demons.

Chancellor Cornelius: That is the true nature of their exceptional combat abilities.

[End of flashback]

Luna: (The ghouls had their wishes granted, and on top of that acquired special powers…)

Luna: (I thought they were lucky people.)

Luna: (I didn’t realize some of them lost things in exchange for that wish…)

Lucas: Let’s begin the investigation tonight.

Tohma: You’ve decided?

Lucas: We’ll take this one. “Investigation of Man who Grants Wishes.”

Tohma: All right. All missions require an investigation permit.

Tohma: Please sign here.

Tohma handed us a document titled “Application for Investigation Permit,” which Luca immediately signed.

Tohma: I’ll need your signature too, Luna.

Luna: Huh? Me?!

Lucas: WIth all due respect, Vice-Captain, Luna is–

Tohma: I have heard from our advisor that you’re to join one of Frostheim’s missions.

Tohma: Though low-ranking, this more than qualifies.

Tohma: As stipulated, I’m ordering you to join this mission.

Luna: Okay…

I accepted the heavy pen from the vice-captain, signing my name in heistant letters beneath Luca’s confident ones.

Kaito: …

Lucas: …

Luna: …

Kaito: All right! Fine!! I have to sign it too, right?!

Tohma: Everything seems in order. You’ll receive a notice on your phone when your permits are granted.

Kaito: RIP my peace and safety…

Lucas: I will prove to you that I am capable.

Luna: Thank you for your time. We should get going…

Tohma: A moment if you will, Luna. I need to speak to you about something, in my capacity as vice-captain.

Kaito: Huh? You want Luna to stay back alone?

Tohma: We’ll be done in no time. No need for you to stay.

Lucas: All right. We’ll take our leave, then.

Kaito: Luca, wait! Argh… I’ll wait for you outside, okay?!

[scene opens inside Frostheim’s vault]

Lucas: …

Kaito: NO! NOPE! NO THANK YOU!! [Plain text: No! Nope! No thank you!!]

Tohma: That’s enough.

Lucas: ?!

A commanding voice rang out through the vault, and the glass chess pieces froze in their tracks.

Kaito: It’s the vice-captain!!

Tohma: If it isn’t our second-year duo. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Luna: Um… This person was calling for help…

Tohma: What person?

Kaito: Huh?! Where’d that girl go?!

I glanced around the room, but the girl who had been behind us had vanished.

Tohma: Playing hide and see, were you?

Luna: N-No… Professor Dante asked us to bring this to you…

I hurriedly pulled out the documents. The vice-captain took them and flipped through the pages, looking suspicious.

Tohma: … Thank you.

Tohma: Indeed, these are the documents I requested. Will that be all?

Kaito: Yep! That’s all! Sorry to bother you!!

Lucas: Wait.

Tohma: …

Lucas: I’m Lucas Errant. I was recently assigned to Frostheim.

Lucas: If that mission has some relation to demons, we would like to participate.

Kaito: Seriously?! Again??

Tohma: Even if this were a low-ranking mission, novices will only get in my way.

Tohma: As for a mission involving demons, that is completely out of the question.

Lucas: I completed numerous missions alone before coming to Darkwick.

Lucas: If you’re concerned about Kaito, I will protect him. Therefore, there should be no issue.

Kaito: Why are you including me in this?!

Tohma: I’m not asking for your opinion. To put it candidly, you haven’t earned my approval.

Tohma: That’s all. Anything else?

Lucas: If you think I am too weak, would you care to test that theory?

Luca removed one of his gloves and threw it to the ground.

Kaito: What are you throwing your glove around for?! Are you from a period drama?!

Tohma: …

Lucas: …

Tohma: You’ve more than proven yourself painfully stubborn.

The vice-captain placed his hand on a row of files lined up on a shelf by the wall, setting loose a cloud of frost.

Tohma: Here.

Lucas: What’s this?

Tohma: A list of low-ranking missions.

Lucas: !

Tohma: These are cases deemed safe enough even general students can handle them.

Tohma: Choose one from here, and complete it without incident.

Tohma: I’ll consider allowing you on future missions based on your performance.

Lucas: …Understood.

The vice-captain allowed us to borrow a desk, and the three of us pored over the list of low-ranking missions.

Kaito: “Periodic Ecological Survey.” Huh, more mundane that* I was expecting.

[this is a typo in the game. *than]

Kaito: “Location: Yakushima”... That’s way too far! Pass!

Lucas: …

Kaito: “Inspection and Removal of Videos Relating to Anomalies”... How about this one?! It sounds fun!

Lucas: No. I’d like to choose this one. “Investigation of Man who Grants Wishes.”

Kaito: What? Why do you want to do one that sounds so fake?

Lucas: Kaito. When you became a ghoul, a demon granted you a wish, correct?

Kaito: Urgh…! C-Come on…

Kaito: You seriously think demons have something to do with this? It’s on the low-rank list!

Lucas: I can’t say for sure. But I’ll take any information I can get, no matter how trivial.

Lucas: As long as I can find a way to subjugate a demon.

Kaito: What do you want to do that for, huh? That sounds totally unhinged…

[scene opens inside Frostheim’s entrance hall]

Kaito: Tell me again why I have to be here?!

Lucas: I don’t understand your question. The two of us are new here.

Lucas: The Frostheim dormitory is large, and we have no way of knowing where to find the vice-captain.

Kaito: Well… Sure, but…

Kaito: I got a bad feeling about this the moment you decided to stick your nose into it.

Despite Kaito’s futile protests, at Luca’s request, the two of them accompanied me to see the vice-captain.

Luna: Sorry to drag you into this…

Kaito: Ah! Don’t be sorry, it’s totally fine!

Kaito: It’s my job to show you around, so I’m happy to help!

According to Kaito, the vice-captain could usually be found doing paperwork in a vault in the Frostheim dormitory.

[scene changes to inside Frostheim’s vault]

Luna: I can see my breath in here…

We arrived at the vault. Apparently it was managed by the Frostheim students.

Upon closer inspection, the piles of valuable objects within were frozen in ice, staunchly protected against theft.

Lucas: Just breathing causes your body temperature to drop rapidly.

Lucas: I don’t think we are welcome in here.

Kaito: We might as well be in a freezer…

Kaito: It said on Wickhive that he’s in here a lot, but no way that’s true!!

Luna: WickHive…?

Kaito: Oh, I haven’t told you about it yet! It’s a website. Let me show you…

Kaito: I sent you the link, can you open it?

I tapped on the link Kaito sent me. It opened a website with the title “WickHive.”

Kaito: It’s basically a collection of all the gossip making the rounds here.

Kaito: Since you can post anonymously, it’s pretty popular. No one knows who’s running it.

Kaito: It got caught by Darkwick’s censor and taken down once, but–

Yumiko Sumitomo: Help!

Lucas: ?!

[Panel sequence]

Panel 1: Yumiko is running toward the camera with tears in her eyes and looking scared.

Yumiko Sumitomo: Please!!

Yumiko Sumitomo: Somebody, please help me!!

Panel 2: Yumiko stops in front of the trio.

Kaito: Of course!! Your wish is my command!!

SFX: Clink clink

Lucas: What’s that sound?

Panel 3: Shows the vault in front of them, the sound continues.

Panel 4: Lucas is looking surprised, while Kaito and Luna look scared.

Luna: (It’s coming closer…)

Panel 5: The bottom of large objects is seen on the floor.

Luna: (What is that…?)

Panel 6: The sound crescendos. A dozen of giant moving chess pieces approach.

Kaito: Aaaaaahhhhh!!!

Panel 7: Kaito points at the chess pieces.

Kaito: Those are the guards!!!

Kaito: They attack!!!

Panel 8: The chess pieces circle the group. Lucas stands at the front, one arm stretched to the side to protect those behind him – Kaito and Luna, while Yumiko is at the rear.

Lucas: …

Lucas: Eight of them.

Lucas: Everyone, stay behind me.

Kaito: Wait, you’re gonna fight those things?!

Panel 9: Kaito looks completely shocked.

Kaito: Are you crazy?!

Kaito: You really think you can take all of them alone?!

Panel 10: Lucas looks back with a calm expression.

Lucas: Of course.

Lucas: They’re anomalies.

Panel 11: Lucas’s gloved hand throws his keychain into the air, and it makes a clink.

Panel 12: Lucas unsheaths his twin swords and hold them in front of him, ready to fight. The rest draw back, looking scared.

[scene opens inside the cafeteria]

The cafeteria was a wide open space with a skylight that bathed the seats in gleaming sun.

Luna: (It’s so fancy. There’s even a fountain… But it’s really crowded!)

Kaito: Luna! Over here, come line up with me!

I was struggling through the throngs of people when Kaito spotted me.

Kaito: There’s a lot of options, so you should try to decide while we’re still in line.

Kaito: There’s a menu with photos up there.

Lucas: I’ll have the grilled salmon.

Kaito: Sounds about right for you, rich boy.

Kaito: Wait, hey! These lunch plans are for two! What are you doing here?!

I could see the students at the front of the line swiping and tapping on a large touch screen.

Luna: Do we order using that screen?

Kaito: Yep! You can pay on it too.

Kaito: After 30 seconds. give or take depending on what you ordered, your food comes out the bottom.

Luna: 30 seconds? Is that thing an anomaly too?

Kaito: Sure is! Hard to tell if it’s an anomaly or just some fancy tech gadget when it looks like that, right?

Lucas: Will 50 pounds be enough?

Kaito: You can’t use pounds here!

Lucas: I’m not carrying much else, so I’ll need to withdraw money from somewhere.

Kaito: Yeah, all right. There’s an ATM in the campus store. I’ll show you later.

After we all bought our lunches, Kaito showed us to the table he’d had the foresight to save.

Lucas: I see, this is the soup, rice, and three-dish meal I’ve heard about. Where is the fish knife?

Kaito: The cutlery’s over there, but I’m pretty sure they don’t have whatever a fish knife is.

Kaito: Oh… Do you not know how to use chopsticks?

Luna: …

I wondered what Professor Dante would think of this exchange, having called the ghouls immature and selfish.

Lucas: I appreciate your concern, but I can manage.

Lucas: I have studied a little Japanese culture. Flower arrangement, tea ceremony, kabuki, martial arts…

Kaito: Okay okay, I get it. Shouldn’t have got my hopes up, that’s on me.

Kaito: How are you holding them so neat?! Would it kill you to show a little weakness in front of me some time?!

I couldn’t deny they could be a little immature. But that’s not something unique to ghouls.

Luna: (I have plenty of flaws…)

Kaito: Luna? You’re not eating. Is something wrong?

Lucas: What’s the matter? Is there something you don’t like in it?

Luna: Oh, no, I’m fine! Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a second.

Luna: (I can’t really imagine the captain and vice-captain are close with Kaito…)

Luna: (But I should tell him about what happened earlier and see if he has any advice.)

I told Luca and Kaito about my mission assignment, the incident, and the documents I had to deliver.

Kaito: (There’s a Frostheim mission? They’re not expecting me to go, right…?)

Lucas: To be honest, I don’t think you should be going on missions when you haven’t received any training.

Lucas: There is no guarantee of safety with anomalies. Such work should be left to those with the means to handle it.

Kaito: E-Exactly! So you can say the right thing sometimes!

Luna: (It’s true, I don’t know anything about anomalies or missions.)

Luna: (Luca’s completely right…)

Kaito: Luna…? Hey asshole, did you really have to say that?!

Kaito: Luna can enhance ghouls’ stigmas, remember?!

Lucas: But she was just turned away by the captain and vice-captain, wasn’t she?

Lucas: That power is of no use without ghouls to apply it to. She would just be placed needlessly in danger.

Kaito: I should probably give you some background. Our captain pretty much never comes out in public any more.

Kaito: You’re not the only one he’s turned away, Luna.

Lucas: Come to think of it, he wasn’t at the entrance ceremony, was he?

Lucas: I don’t know the circumstances, but failing to fulfill your duties as captain is quite disgraceful.

Kaito: I picked this pretty much the moment we met, but you’re the “hard on yourself, hard on others” type, aren’t you?

Kaito: Anyway. The rumor is it has something to do with the Clash, this big skirmish that happened at Darkwick last year.

Kaito: I managed to stay out of it, but it was total chaos.

Kaito: I think everyone ended up with some trauma after that.

Lucas: Whatever happened last year, all that matters is who he is now.

Lucas: I would like to ascertain that with my own eyes.

Kaito: Do you even know what you’re saying? Until last year, that guy was the definition of a charismatic leader.

Kaito: Untouchable. People called him a tyrant behind his back though.

Kaito: A filthy commoner like me couldn’t even dream of having anything to do with him. He’s on another level.

Luna: I guess it’s not so easy to talk to him, then…

Kaito: Right. The vice-captain’s been pretty much running the show lately.

Luna: Maybe it’s best if I give the documents to him then.

[scene opens inside the staffroom]

After being kicked out of the captain’s room, I made a beeline for the staffroom, heart still pounding.

I sought out Professor Dante, the Frostheim advisor.

Luna: Basically, it didn’t go very well…

Professor Dante: Dealing with them is no walk in the park.

Professor Dante: You’ll have plenty more opportunities to learn just how immature, rough, and selfish they can be.

After spending a fun, peaceful morning with Kaito and Luca, I’d completely let my guard down.

Luna: (If he shut me down that hard after just one meeting, there’s no way he’ll agree to me joining them on a mission…)

Professor Dante: …

Luna: …

Professor Dante: Our goal is to resolve anomalous incidents that put human lives at risk. Your goal is to break your curse.

Professor Dante: We need them. If you want to survive, then figure out how to handle them.

Professor Dante: Learn what makes them happy, and what pushes their buttons, and use it to your advantage.

Luna: Use it…?

Professor Hyde: If you don’t, you might die before you figure out how to break that curse, no?

Professor Hyde appeared beside Professor Dante.

Professor Hyde: You managed to actually talk to that hermit? I’m impressed.

Professor Hyde: I haven’t seen his face in like, half a year maybe?

Professor Dante: As his advisor, I can’t let that slide. What on earth was the last idiot doing?

Professor Dante sighed, then reached into his desk drawer. He took out some documents and handed them to me.

Professor Dante: These are the materials Ishibashi asked for. Give them to Ishibashi or Kamurai.

Luna: Ishibashi…? Kamurai…?

Professor Hyde: Jin Kamurai is the captain of Frostheim.

Professor Hyde: Tohma Ishibashi is his vice-captain. He’s a third-year too. There wasn’t a guy with a monocle there?

Luna: Oh! Yes, he was there. They were arguing about something…

Professor Dante: Something inane, I’m sure.

Professor Dante: It doesn’t matter which one. Just make sure you hand it over today.

Luna: Today…?

My chest tightened at the thought of going back to Frostheim.

Luna: …

Professor Dante: … Don’t give up.

Luna: Okay…

I thanked the professors, and left the staff room.

Professor Dante: …

Professor Hyde: There’s a bleeding heart under all that ice, isn’t there?

Professor Dante: Shut up.

[scene changes to a hallway in Darkwick]

I wandered absently down the corridor until my phone vibrating in my pocket brought me back to the present.

[Text messages]

Kaito: *Hi sticker*

Kaito: Hey! Third period just ended! Where are you?👀

[dialogue options]

1. The staffroom

Luna: I’m walking back from the staffroom

Kaito: For real? Great timing!😊

2. Luna: It’s a secret

Kaito: Oh okay, didn’t mean to pry…

[End of dialogue choice]

Kaito: *Hey sticker*

Kaito: Do you want to go get lunch? I’ll save you a seat in the cafeteria!👍

Luna: Okay

[End of text messages]

Luna: (It’s only noon. There’s still time. I don’t have to go back right away.)

Luna: (It might go better if I get Kaito to tell me a little bit about them first.)

Luna: (I don’t actually know where the cafeteria is, though… Maybe there’s a sign in the entrance hall?)

Professor Hyde: Luna! Wait up!

I turned to see Professor Hyde waving as he jogged down the corridor toward me.

Professor Hyde: Sorry, I forgot to tell you something. You haven’t had a health check yet, right?

Professor Hyde: The Mortkranken kids are going to come to your room first thing tomorrow for a house call.

Professor Hyde: Probably not exactly how you want to start your day, but be ready for them, okay?

Luna: Okay. I’ll make sure I don’t sleep in…

Luna: (So Mortkranken don’t just treat the students, they monitor their health too…)

Luna: (They’re almost like a hospital…)

[scene opens inside Frostheim’s entrance hall]

Luna: (So this is Frostheim House… It’s beautiful…)

The azure entrance hall was lit by an aurora floating high above it.

Chill air floated about the cavernous space as though polishing the lavish interior.

Luna: (He said the captain’s room was at the back of the building, didn’t he? Over that way, maybe?)

I wandered for a while through the icy, castle-like dormitory.

Eventually I managed to find the captain’s room, isolated behind a large, impressive door.

Luna: Excuse me.

Luna: (No answer… Is he out?)

Luna: (Since the captain is a third-year, most of his schedule is independent study.)

Luna: (But the chancellor said he spends almost all of his time in his room…)

[dialogue options are as follows]

1. Knock again

Luna: Hello…?

2. Open the door

[End of action choice]

Luna: (Huh? The door is open…)

[start of comic sequence]

Panel 1: Tohma is standing over Jin, who is languidly laying on the couch in his room.

Tohma: I texted you earlier.

Tohma: Did you watch the security footage?

Tohma: It’s him in the video. There is no room for doubt. In other words…

Panel 2: A close-up of Tohma’s face.

Tohma: Captain.

Tohma: Are you listening?

Panel 3: A close-up of Jin, laying down and smoking a cigarette with an uninterested look.

Panel 4: Zoom out to Tohma and Jin again.

Tohma: In other words, we have a corpse walking around.

Jin: …

Tohma: It is very likely that a high-ranking anomaly is involved.

Tohma: Those are the findings from today’s investigation.

Panel 5: Jin keeps flicking his lighter open and closed.

Tohma: Still feeling unwell?

Panel 6: A close-up of Tohma.

Tohma: Shall I…

Tohma: call someone over from Mortkranken?

Panel 7: Jin looks over coldly.

Jin: You got a death wish?

Panel 8: Jin reaches for a glass ash tray.

Panel 9:

Tohma: I could consult your father instead.

Tohma: I’m sure he’d put his best researchers on–

The ash tray smashes on the ground near Tohma’s feet.

Tohma: !

Panel 10: Luna looking into the room through the crack in the doors, looking uncomfortable and alarmed.

Luna: (Maybe now’s not the best time…)

Luna: (I’ll come back later…)

Panel 11: Jin looks over with a cold expression.

Jin: Hey…

Jin: ...Who the fuck are you?

Panel 12: Jin and Tohma both turn to look at Luna, who has her arms in front of herself in a placating gesture.

Luna: S-Sorry…

Luna: I came to introduce myself…

Tohma: Did you now?

Tohma: You’re quite brazen for a Peeping Tom.

Panel 13: Jin sits up on the couch, still smoking. Tohma has his back to him, looking at Luna.

Luna: T-That’s not what I…!

Jin: Tohma.

Jin: Use a Match on her.

Panel 14: Tohma is approaching Luna with a glass container full of Mesmer Matches. Luna looks surprised.

Tohma: As you wish.

Panel 15: Tohma standing in front of Luna.

Tohma: Oh?

Tohma: You’re the new honor student, aren’t you?

Panel 16: Zoom out to Jin still on the couch.

Jin: Just do it.

Jin: Quit wasting air.

Tohma: Captain…

Jin: ...The Matches won’t work on her, I’m afraid.

Jin: …Why?

Panel 17: Tohma turns his head to look back at Jin, amused.

Tohma: Who knows?

Tohma: It’s a side effect of her curse, apparently.

Tohma: The chancellor explained it in person at the entrance ceremony yesterday.

Panel 19: A close up of Jin, smoking. His eyes are obscured. He wears rings on the middle and ring finger of his right hand.

Jin: That so?

Panel 20: Jin picks up his jacket.

Jin: A curse, huh?

Panel 20: Jin walks over to Luna.

Panel 21: Jin slams one leg next to Luna against the door. Luna looks terrified.

Luna: (Oh my god…)

Panel 22: The same scene from a different angle.

Jin: My room…

Jin: ...has anomalous soundproofing.

Panel 23: A close-up of Jin’s face, his eyes a striking blue.

Jin: You can scream and cry all you like.

Jin: No one’s gonna hear you.

Panel 24: Tohma is standing near Luna, both are looking at Jin.

Luna: I-I’m sorry…

Panel 25: A shot of Jin’s back as he walks away from them both.

Jin: I don’t want to see your face in here again.