I was falling.

Or at least, I think I was.

The colorfully bland world turned black in mere seconds, and it stayed that way, for ten seconds more.

At 11 seconds the black was pushed back by an array of violet hues.

15 and the black turned into chains which stayed there.

19 and the dark silhouette of a door zoomed towards me.

And at 21 everything changed, I opened my eyes, body aching and vision blurry, to discover what looked like a classroom that flickered to and fro a circular prison compound.

A man with eyes wide open, balding grey hair, constantly scrunched up eyebrows and a fire hose of a nose looked at me. Eyes filled with panic, hope and uncertainty.

"This is an unfortunate circumstance for us to meet, however, I must ask of you a great favor: to find the wildcard and help his rehabilitation. You will not be alone, another I've created will set out with the same objective, his name is Morgana.

Our time must be cut short, do not worry, for you will find yourself in a comfortable place. More comfortable than your last one perhaps. I bid you good luck and hope you may live to see the end of this journey."

"Q-q-what?"

My mind was a blazing shit show and the situation outside of it wasn't any better.

The room I'd assume would be covered in violet hues and tones, was dark with a blaring alarm and a weak, red emergency light being the only source of light inside, the windows were boarded up or just plain black.

Just then a small girl with a neat dress and a butterfly tiara-thing came beside him and gently laid her hand on his back, a seemingly important book in the other.

"Master we must brace ourselves, he's - !"

Just then, a blinding and seemingly angelical flash of light happened upon the room.

A thud, a girly scream of pain, and the man's shout of protest were the only sounds made.

And then it was quiet.

My vision was gone, all I saw was white, eyes open or closed.
Or maybe I just kept seeing that beautiful angelical light, and was too ignorant in insight and cognition to fully comprehend it's possibly corporeal existence.

"Do not worry, child of man. I will help you with my blessing. Go, achieve your purpose. May your participation in the game be fruitful."

A thumb touched my head lightly, it felt... familiar, warm, caring even.
But... under it all, it felt wrong, controlling and self righteous.

My vision darkened and I was guided into a sleep that felt refreshing, and calming. Like the lullaby of a mother who hides the saddening truth from their innocent child.

________________________________

*Shuffle* *shuffle*

I slowly and groggily opened my eyes, my vision slightly blurred from a great rest.

"Hey you, you're finally awake." Were the words of an asian looking man, he had a pale blue shirt on, with a lightweight dark blue vest on top of it.
His vest had a name tag, written in hiragana, with, y'know, his name written on it.
I couldn't read it, since the Japanese alphabet system is a clusterfuck and I never bothered learning it.

"Sir, could you please show me your ID?"

"I- what?" I looked around, my surroundings were unfamiliar. I was inside a building, it looked clean and organized, white for the floor and ceiling, tan-ish yellow collor for the walls. There was one door in the corner, but it was currently closed. My hands were not cuffed, but I assumed I was not free to walk away either way.
"Sorry, but could you tell me where I am?"

"You are inside of a police station in Tokyo. We have brought you to a separate room for questioning.
My name is Itō Akira."

"Questioning?"

"You were found unconscious in one of Shibuya's alleyways, light wounds and scaring on your arms. Your legs had bruises around the kneecap area, and light cuts in your thighs. We brought you to a hospital and administered the necessary treatment and health checks, nothing came up. You were given some clothes from the hospital as well."

I looked down, I had dark blue jeans and a grey t-shirt with slightly raggedy adidas shoes.

"May I search my pockets?"

I asked, afraid that if I reached for them with no warning I'd get iced quicker than COD A.I soldiers.

"You may."

I searched the front ones. The one in the right had a bulge in it so I searched that first.
Out of it came a wallet, my wallet.

My wallet?

It was a slightly bigger than the average wallet, with the outside being a blue and black checkered pattern.

Opening it I came across a shit ton of money neatly folded on the left of it, and an ID on the right. Not wanting to count the stacked bread I had, of which I had zero clue who I robbed it from, in front of an officer I pull out the ID from my wallet and put it back in my pocket.

Glancing over it, I look at the, scarily enough, familiar yet slightly foreign information.

Y/L L/N

Date of Birth: 04/09/1999

Place of Birth: Brasil

Birth Parents:

Unknown

Unknown

Height: 185 cm

Weight: 80 kg

And some other, not really relevant information.

I handed it over to the officer

"Arigatou."

"What?"

"I said thank you, sir."

"O-oh, no problem."

"Do you have any living relatives or people you trust?"

Did I? I didn't even know how I got here, let alone if my family was here.
Considering all that happened earlier, I shouldn't be alive. Let alone be in Tokyo, Japan of all places.

"I don't think so."

"Don't think so?" He gave me a questioning gaze, the kind of look that someone uses to make you hopefully open up to them in hopes they'll hear your sorrow and help you.

And he thinks I'll open up with just that?

What a cunt.

"I do not have any living relatives or people of trust currently alive."

"I see, well, you see now L/N-san, you're underage and you posses no legal guardian, therefore we will have to put you in the hands of foster care services until you're of age."

"I an fully aware." But it's not like I wanted it to happen, I clenched and unclenched my hands slightly, panic was setting in now, I had no idea what to do, how I got where I was or how to even make sense of what I saw before this.

In all honesty I really wanted to just curl up and cry for a bit. But I couldn't do that, it wouldn't help my situation at all.

"Hey now, there's no need to be anxious, we'll put you into good hands. I'm sure of it."

While I wanted to believe his reassurance, I still had yet to fully grasp my situation, especially since there was some supernatural shit involved, and I, a dead man walking, was currently in Japan, being talked to like a slightly-out-of-the-usual citizen....

I'd never even traveled to Japan before.

"Now L/N-san, please follow me. I will take you to the child services agency, alright?"

I silently nodded. He got up and I did as well. I followed him, out of the police department and towards some other place, the people in the street gave me a side-eye, silently wondering what'd happened for a 16 year old to get a police escort to somewhere.

______________________________

A few days later, I was taken in (adopted...?) by a man named Sojiro Sakura. He seems a like cool guy, but also looks like a though shell to crack. Guess he'd be somewhat of a hard ass to me unless I managed to get closer to him and break that shell.

Maybe he has a cute daughter I could date out of spite, who knows?

It was also the 25th of May currently, and from what Sojiro had told me, he had already enrolled me to a scholl, named Shujin Academy, along with someone else he was also taking care of.

He told me to be careful around him, he had a criminal record after all and in Japan, that's a big no-no.

Real different from Brasil. Well... Slightly, we just don't really talk about it there.

Anyways, when we arrived where I'd be staying, I noticed it wasn't a house, but instead a café named LeBlanc, it was like a retro gem, hidden in the backstreets of Yongen-Jaya, which where the backstreets of Tokyo (I think).

"You'll stay in the attic, along with the other one I told you about. Come on, I'll introduce you to him."

We went though the café and up the stairs in the back.

Upon reaching the attic, I saw the, supposedly, delinquent boy that'd become my roommate.

I went on ahead, thinking I'd be better if I introduced myself to him outright. We are sharing a room after all.

"Hello, nice to meet you, my name's Y/N L/N."

"Amamiya Ren, nice meeting you as well."

Sojiro stopped us from socializing with each other any further however.

"Come on you two, your school is in the Aoyoama district and getting there through trains or on foot today is a pain. So I'll be driving both of you there today."

________________________________

"*Sigh* The traffic's not moving at all, starting tomorrow you're both taking the train."

"Anyway, what did you two think about the school?"

"I think it seemed fun." Said Ren.
How can he be so calm? Isn't this his one chance to not fuck up and work dead-end job?

"Sheesh, do you even know the situation you're in? Anyway, what did you think L/N?"

"Unusual, that school seems to be very uptight compared to what I'm used to, but I'll adapt to it."

"What do you mean? That's just the standard for schools all across Japan. The principal was even nice to you because of your spotless school record."

"Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you, but I'm Brazilian, I've livered there my whole life. Came to Japan just this year actually."

"Huh? You're from Brazil? Well you do look a lot different than the common guy I guess. You don't even have an accent. What's it like there?"

"Much more spacious and easy-going that's for sure."

"When did you learn to speak Japanese?" Ren asked me.

I had to stop and think for a bit.
All of this is a bit crazy and I've been thinking about it for the last few days as well. How did I end up here? Why did I wake up in a police interrogation room? How do I know Japanese? How am I even alive to begin with!?

Compose yourself Y/N. Can't break down in front of these two like that. You'll have time to cry yourself to sleep later.

" I learned 6 months ago, my mother put me in some classes and I just have an overall ease with learning languages, so I got the hang of it pretty quickly."

Ren didn't look like he had much else to add to the conversation, so I decided to ask him a question instead.

"Where do you come from Amamiya?"

"Well..."

_________________________________

We arrived at Leblanc. I felt very tired from today, although it did keep me busy and stopped me from thinking about my situation. Mostly.

While Sojiro was talking to ren I just went to the bed that was beside the couch and laid down there.

Sleep came pretty quickly.

_________________________________

On the next morning I woke up earlier than Ren. Shujin Academy's classes started at 8:00, but I was awake by 6:00 out of habit. Since classes in Brasil start at 7:00, I developed the habit of waking up at 6:00 in almost all cases.

I picked my things that Sojiro had bought for me. It included the school uniform, toothbrush and toothpaste, some casual clothes, new off brand black shoes and a pair of flip flops.

I put my toothbrush inside a little travel bag along with the toothpaste and went down the stairs.

I was met with Sojiro walking into the store when I made it down the steps. He looked at me and nodded downwards. A simple, but effective male greeting. I nodded back in the same manner and then nodded to the left, towards the kitchen area.

"I'll make you some breakfast, since you have time to kill, why don't you go study some of the subjects before school?"

"Thank you, and I will."

I sat down a brought out my school book from my bag which I had prepped.

_________________________________

I followed Ren out of the metro and stuck close to him.

In all honesty, I was really out of my element here, back home I'd never actually ridden the metro before in my life, only the state capital really had them, and whenever we went there, my father would just use his car so there was no need for public transport.

I just followed him till we were out of the station, and right into the pitter patter of rain outside.

Ren looked alarmed, looked back at me and nodded to some cover nearby provided by a storefront.

Him and I both stopped for a bit.

"How far are we from Shujin?"

"About...  1 km."

"We should be quick then, don't wanna arrive late on our first day. Especially you Amamiya."

"Right..."

We both stayed silent for a bit, messing with something on our phones in the meantime until we decide we had to go through the rain.

Someone approached us, their footsteps frantic and in a hurry, the top of their hoodie was very wet as well.

She took off the hoodie, it was a woman. She had beautiful blonde hair and azure blue eyes.

Ren was mesmerized by her appearance so much so he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Which would be fine, if not for, y'know, the fact that she is less than a meter away from us. Thankfully I'm to her right and Ren is to mine as well. So I can probably cover his fucking flabbergasted face before he gets labeled a pervert without even setting foot on the school. 

I decided that I'd be nice for me to start some conversation with her instead of just leaving us in awkward silence for a few minutes.

"Hey, you go to Shujin Academy as well?"

"Huh?"

"Your jacket has the same symbol as ours so I assumed that you go there as well. My name is L/N Y/N, and this here's my friend, Amamiya Ren.
We're transfer students so we don't know much about it. What's your name?"

"Oh-- uh... My name's Takamaki, Takamaki Ann. It's nice to meet you as well."

She had a slight smile on her face.

Before we could continue our conversation, a car pulled up and it's windows rolled down.

"Hey, you're gonna be late. You want a ride?"

"Sure." Takamaki said. Her expression changed from a slight smile to pure expressionless, like she'd just died inside.

"Do either of you two want a ride as well?."

"No, thank you"

Was the immediate answer from both me and Ren.
He shortly after rolled up the windows, Ann had a newfound frown on her face. Wonder why?

"No! Damnit!"

A blonde haired, and seemingly incredibly laid back, boy said.

Ren's phone got a weird pop up, but I ignored it.

"Hm? - he turned around and saw us looking at him strangely. - What do you want?"

Neither of us answered, both confused by his behavior.

"You plannin' on rattin' me out to Kamoshida?"

"Kamoshida?" Ren answered, his phone pinged again. I stayed quiet, there was no need to echo his question.

"Huh? In that car just now. It was Kamoshida."

"He does whatever the hell he wants. Who does he think he is-the king of the castle?" Don't you agree?"

"The king of a castle?" Ren answered once again. Genuine confusion on his face. I think he's taking this a bit too literally. His phone pinged, again, after a few seconds.

"No, I mean..."

".... Wait, you don't know Kamoshida? Are you for real?
You're from Shujin, Right?"

"You go to Shujin too?"

Incredulously, the vulgar boy answered:

"What? No other high school's got a uniform like this.

You two are second-years, huh... We're the same grade then.

Never seen you guys before though. Oh, you're transfer students?"

Ren and I nodded.

"Then no wonder y'all don't know him.This rain ain't too bad, we better hurry up, or we'll be late."

Just then I heard a piercing noise, the world went a shade of purple with a slight red hue to it and my head ached.

To my side, both Ren and the boy felt the same way.

"Damnit my head hurts. *Sigh* I wanna go home..." Said the boy as he left. Me and Ren followed him.

As we walked, I heard a clock ticking somewhere. It was faint, very much so, but I swear I still heard it.

The boy turned left, into an alleyway, and skipped over a puddle. Ren just stepped on it. But the water was..... weird.

"WHA-!?"

We heard someone scream. Me and Ren both proceeded forward. Only to find a gigantic fucking castle, right in front of us. In the middle of Tokyo, complete with a moat. In plain day. What the fuck.

"We didn't go the wrong way tho..."

After seeing that the plaque in front said "Shujin" the boy concluded that this was a prank. Shit dude, this the kinda pranks they pull in Japan? In Brazil we just lit fireworks in your backpack or something.

"Come on, let's go." He called to us.

We followed his run up the steps and through the main door.

"Th-That's weird... Where's the school?"

The place we just entered looked like a picture perfect representation of a fantasy castle. Big columns, checkered floor pattern and a big ass staircase that split off the sides, with the steps having red carpet on them. We stood in a red carpet as well, but this one was circular.

"So our school is a fucking castle now? Really? How much time do you people have on your hands!?"

I finally spoke after a bit. The shout of indignation at the end was meant not only for the students possibly hiding somewhere, but to the boy as well, who could've been in on it too.

This here's some bullshit.

"Well, it shouldn't be, but it said Shujin at the gate."

"What's going on here?"

The boy pulled out his phone.

"Out service? Where'd we end up?
The sign was for the school right?"

"Yeah.."

"Right!? You saw it too!"

Loud clanking noises were made nearby, and when we looked, we saw someone in a Knight's armor, with a green mask for a faceplate.

"Geez, you freaked me out...
Who're you? You a student?"

Silence is the only answer from the armored man. An answer that blondie doesn't seem to mind as he immediately approaches the armored mofo.

"Man, your costume's impressive...
Is that armor real?"

Silence again.

"C'mon, don't just stand there. Say somethin'."

Another one of them sneaked up right beside the first one, exact same look too.

Ren didn't seem to alarmed on the outside, but I could tell his legs were tensed, ready to run. The boy immediately backed away, startled by the second appearance. I stood in place but I crossed my arms, frowned and tensed up. Ready to run, 'cause punching medieval armor's a nice way to break your fingers.

"...H-Hey, what's going on?"

Said the boy. Ren followed up with:

"What is this?"

His composure broke, and he looked nervous. One hand out of his pockets and a leg anxiously tapping the red carpet we stood on.

"Dude I don't know!"

He answered, the first soldier advancing a pace forward.

"....This shit's real"

Answered the boy, bewildered at our situation and immediately getting in a running position.

The second soldier advanced a pace as well. Protecting the flank of the first.

"C-Calm down! Time out, man!"

He looked at me and Ren.

"We gotta run!"

"Got it!" 

We answered immediately.

"Stop standing around and run!"

As soon as we began our adrenaline fueled escapade, we were surrounded on all sides by the more soldiers who seemingly came out of the shadows.

Respect for the immaculate stealth with the armor though.

"Ugh, what's with these guys!?"

One of them immediately shield bashed his back onto the floor, blondie groaning in, understandably, a lot of pain.

"Oww... Y-You're gonna break my bones dammit!"

He screams in indignation, but no one gives a fuck.

"The hell you think you're-Aagh!"

Immediately the guards encroach and encircle us.

"Take them away!"

One them shouts, his voice slightly distorted and unnatural.

_______________________________

........

........

"....Hey."

"Hey! Wake up!"

My eyes open and I see the boy and Ren standing in front of me.

"You all right?"

"Yup, you?"

I respond.
Looking around I notice that we are in a dungeon cell somewhere deep underground. The outside was grassy, with a big enough hole in the middle for a river, which could explain the water noises I'm hearing.

"Yeah, more or less.
Looks like this ain't no dream..."

His frustration is understandably begining to pile up.

"Ugh, what's going on!?"

He runs towards the door. His feet splash on seemingly solid concrete as if it were a puddle with red-ish purple water.

What??

"Hey, let us outta here! I know there's someone out there!"

He's incessantly banging on the door while he does it. No one came.
He turns around and walks back to us.

"Dammit, where are we? Is this some kind of movie set!?"

Before any of us could answer or think any more, we hear a loud, pained yell. Like someone was getting tortured. Shit we gotta get outta here, this shit wiggity-wack man.

"No! Please don't!."

The same man screams once more.
And then suddenly stops. As if he was gurgling on his own blood.

"Whoa... Whoa, whoa, whoa....."

All of us were stunned. Either that's some great acting, or we're actually fucked right now.

"You're shittin' me, right!?"

He says while looking at us. The genuine fear on our faces a good enough response.

"This is real bad...!
C'mon help me look for a way out!"

We all look, but unfortunately, fate is not on our side as we find nothing.

"Huh? You hear that?"

"Shit, it sounds like marching. Guys, look around again, quick! We gotta get outta here before those soldier people come for us as well!"

"Right!"

Both of them nod, but even after another round of frantic searches we still come up empty handed.

Three soldiers arrive.

"Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon."

He calmly states.

"Your charge is unlawful entry. Thus you will be sentenced to death."

"Say what!?"

Indignation and exasperation filled the blonde boy as he shouted his rebuttal.

"No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle"

Says a familiar voice. The man who comes up next is dressed in a king's red overcoat, with heart patterns all over it.  ....There's seemingly nothing he's wearing underneath.

"Huh? Wait is that you, Kamoshida?"

"Kamoshida?"

"I thought it was some petty thief, but to think it'd be you, Sakamoto...
Are you trying to disobey me again? Looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh?"

A smug grin dawns his face. God I wanna punch him so bad.

He looks at me and Ren.

"And you brought friends this time, because you can't do anything for yourself."

The now named Sakamoto slams the bars again.

"This ain't funny you asshole!"

"Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all.
Not only did you sneak into my castle, you committed the crime of insulting me-the king.
The punishment for that is death. It's time for an execution! Take him out!"

He says as he raises one of his arms.
My god.... He has a man thong on!

The soldiers quickly rush in and push us aside, singling out Sakamoto and encircling him.

"... Goddammit!"

He rushes one them and knocks him down with surprising ease.

" I ain't down for this shit! C'mon, we're outta here!"

But his plan of escape was foiled quickly, when another soldier punched him in the gut.

Me and Ren try to push them away from Sakamoto but it's no use.

"Just go! Get outta here! These guys are serious!"

He yells.

"Oh? Running away, are we? What  heartless friends you are."

"They ain't my friends..."

Sakamoto says. Ouch, but fair.

"C'mon, hurry up and go!"

"What's the matter? Too scared to run away?
Hmph, pathetic scum isn't worth my time... I'll focus on this one's execution."

The shadows hold me and Ren to the wall, while Sakamoto gets beaten up by Kamoshida.

"Take this!"

A punch to the face and another to the chest.

"Lowly scum!"

Two more, right in the face....

"Useless pest!"

He raises his arm and brings it down, full force, upon Sakamoto.

"*Spit* Where'd your energy from earlier go? Hmh, a peasant like you isn't worth beating. I'll have you killed right now."

"Stop it!"

Yelled Ren. Guess he's still got a will to rebel in him, even in this situation.

"Hm? What, don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am. That look in your eyes irritates me!"

He kicks him down.

"And about you? - he looks at me - Do you also not know who I am!?"

"Fuck no! Look at you, you dress like a goddamn rapist, of course I don't know who the fuck you'd be!."

He looks mad. Very mad.
Oh shit I might've fucked up.

He looks to a guard, nods, and then looks back at me.

"How dare you? Lowly scum such as yourself should know where you belong!"

The guard bashed my face with his shield. I get knocked down to the ground on my stomach, my head spinning so much I thought it was a G resistance class.

Kamoshida steps on my back and chuckles lowly.

"You've been a nuisance since you opened your mouth. I'll shut it for you."

A guard walked in front of me, his shield poised to strike my neck and sever it from my body.

Ren screamed in pain and anguish. Shit, they were torturing him too!?
My thoughts were running wild, but a single voice cut through it all and kept my attention, as if I was a broke man staring at a 90% off deal.

"Hmm, you're not ready yet. Does the will to rebel not live in you? Do you not wish to take justice into your own hands and change the status quo!? The very same one that lead to your end!? *Sigh* That is pathetic. It's because of that that you're here now y'know, destined to die in a perverts sex dungeon somewhere. When you understand the importance of rebelling and fighting, them you may call upon me. Good luck."

And just like that, my attention was back to the shield being lifted at a torturously slow pace.

"I will stop you!"

And just as Ren said that, powerful gales of wind knocked down the soldiers holding us, and knocked Kamoshida back out of the cell.

I looked behind me to see Ren staring at a gigantic demon looking thing. His clothes had changed as well. He now had an all black overcoat on with red gloves. Nice contrast.

Arsene was hard to describe, his legs and arms were red, with his torso and head being red. He had a top hat on too. Devilish style from the 1800's I guess.

"Give me your power"

Joker said it in such a confident tone. Honestly,. I gotta give it to him for not even stuttering there, I sure as shit would.

"Who the hell are you!?"

Said Kamoshida, his coat now dirty because of the yeet he just took.

"Guards! - they all immediately got up, as if his voice was a necromancer calling for their spirits to return - Start by killing that one!"

They suddenly turned into two jack-o'-lanterns with coats and witch's hats one singular white gloved hand reached out from their coat, and it held a lantern. They floated too.

"You'll learn the true strength of my men!"

"Persona!"

The demon showed up again, seemingly beckoned forward by Ren's call.

In a swift blow from the demon, the witch thing died. The second lunged forward for an attack, but he dodged it like it was nothing
"Useless!" He said, rushing it with a knife he'd produced from somewhere and slashing sideways twice, finishing with an upwards slash.

"Wha-What was that just now?"

"You little-!"

Sakamoto rushed him immediately and bodied him.

"Hah! You like that,
you son of a bitch!?"

"The key!" Yelled Ren.

I immediately got up and grabbed it as I was running out of the cell.

"C'mon!"

They both rushed out and I locked it.

"Alright, he's stuck there now."

"Damn you!"

Sakamoto turned towards Ren, as did I, since Kamoshida was no longer a threat.

"Hey, what was that just now?"

He asked. I had a question of my own.

"And... your clothes...."

But it went unasked, as his clothing reverted back to the academy uniform.

Kamoshida slammed the cell door again "You bastards!" He screamed.
We didn't care though.

"This is fucked up on so many levels. Ren, let's get out of here, since you got your voodoo magic thing-a-majig you lead."

He nodded and as we ran off, I threw the keys in the river.
Kamoshida was once again outraged.

We ran and jumped from one side of the river to the other, going through a drawbridge and hiding behind some crates as to not be caught by the guards. Continuing forward, we went up a spiral staircase and found four people, hanged in two separate cages, over the river.

"Shit, guess we were not the only ones captured. I don't think we can help them though. We should keep moving"

We went forward once more, only to be met with a dead end.

"Hey you there! Blonde, frizzy, black hair!"

We looked towards the cell, only to find a very small cat-looking thing.

"What is this thing!?"

Yelled out Sakamoto. Guess he got fed up with the bullshit.

"You're not soldiers of this castle, right!? Get me outta here!
Look! The key's right there!"

"We're trying to get the hell out of here! I mean, you obviously look like an enemy too."

While Sakamoto had a good point, I couldn't help but find myself compelled to help the eerily familiar cat. Immediately I pulled down the lever and release it.

"Thank you so much!Ahh, freedom tastes so great!"

"Dude! What the hell you are thinking!?"

He just sighed, knowing there was no reason to argue, and pulled out his phone, dismayed at the lack of service.

"How the hell do we get out?"

"Follow me, I know the way!"

"You better not be messing with us you cat-monster thing." Yelled Sakamoto.

"I am not a cat! I am Morgana!"

"Stop arguing and let's go you two!"
I had to but in at this point, the soldiers where too close to reaching us.

"Follow me, and stay quiet!"

___________________________________

"It's fourth period already. Sakura-san said they left the house this  morning. Should I contact the police?*sigh* No that'll be just more of a hassle...."

___________________________________

"Hmph, I knew you were an amateur. Witness my regal!"

Morgana hit the shadow with a violent gust of wind, and it promptly fell down, dazed.

"Strike at an enemy's weakness to destroy them! That's the basic of basics, never forget it."

They easily destroyed their enemies.

"So you have a persona too?"

"You mean that thing that comes out of you guys all dramatic like?"

"Yes, it's like his true version of himself. We all wear a mask deep within our hearts, by removing that..."

Ren's outfit turned back to normal.

"Looks like you don't have full control over your power yet."

"Hrgh! This crap makes no sense!"

"Can you sit still and listen for once, blondie?"

"Don't call me blondie! My name's Ryuji..."

"Actually there's no time to lecture you, let's just go!"

We had to fight a guard by another drawbridge. Ryuji wanted to save the people in the cells and cages, but Morgana kept insisting we save ourselves first. That was something I could wholeheartedly agree with.
Morgana hurried forward and we followed him, through the main hall and into a small sideway with two doors.

After Ryuji tried to open the door to the right and failed, promptly accusing the cat, it opened the door the left and lead us to a room with a ventilation shafts on the back.
While they argued I went forward and climbed a bookshelf towards it, and them pulled it out, setting it beside me.

"Nice going black hair! You're a natural at this, just like I thought."

"Call me Y/N. C'mon let's go."

"I'm not going - Morgana said - I have something else to do."

"Don't get caught again."

Ren answered.

"Heh, don't worry about me, now go!"

They climbed up and we were off.

We ran out and back through the alleyway, ending up where we began.

"Did we make it?"

Asked Ryuji.

"Seems like it"

The navigation-app-voice suddenly announced from Ren's phone that we had "Returned to the real world".

"Guess that means we're out of the shit show, but what does it mean by returned to the real world?"

"What was all that anyways? That castle, and Kamoshida, and that weird cat! The hell's going on!?"

"Pipe down Sakamoto, you're screaming like a fucking lunatic in the middle of the street. Shut up before-..."

"What's with the yelling? Are you students of Shujin?"

Two officers approached us. Me and Ren looked at each other, I nodded at him and lifted up my palm slightly in a stop motion. I elbowed Sakamoto beside me, since he'd probably not listen to me otherwise with his current mood.

"Cutting classes, are we?"

"Good day officer, - I began speaking calmly not only to try to calm him down, but also to have more time to make up an excuse. - we're not cutting classes, we're just late for school, since the accident blocked our train line, my parents offered to drive us to work, because of the traffic jams, we decided to continue on foot towards the school."

"Why was your friend yelling then?"

"He's a loudmouth who got a little bit too upset when he lost the match of a game on his phone. I'm really sorry about the yelling, by the way."

"Alright look, get going to school now, and we'll forget about this."

"Thank you officer. C'mon guys let's go, don't wanna be anymore late to school."

Arriving at the school again, we saw a completely normal school building.

"Is this for real?"

"Sure hope so. Don't wanna end up in that castle again today. Let's go in, we're really fucking late. Also, Sakamoto, don't mention anything about what we saw to anyone, okay? You'll just sound like a druggie, and no one will believe you. Basically, be subtle."

"Okay, got it."

"Where were you three? It's past fourth period already, were have you been roaming around until this time?"

"Uh... A c-castle?"

Goddammit.

"So, you have no intention of giving an honest answer?"

"What's this about a castle?"

Suddenly Mr. Big Dick walks on out, this time, wearing proper social attire.

Ryuji, of course, got into an argument pretty fast with Kamoshida, apparently he was in the track team.

"There's not much leeway left for you Sakamoto, do you really want to be expelled!?"

"W-w-well...-"

"In any case, you'll have to explain yourself! Follow me!"

"Come now, I should have been more considerate too. Let's just say we're both to blame."

"Well, if you say so..."

"Still, you're coming with me, you're extremely late."

Kamoshida looked at us and spoke:

"By the way you two are transfer students, correct? Ren Amamiya and Y/N L/N?"

Ryuji follows the counselor up the stairs, stopping to glare at Kamoshida.

"Have we met somwhere?"

He says to us.

"We where there when you picked up that girl."

"That's right... I remember now.
Well I'll overlook this just for today."

"Go to the faculty office, I'm sure Kawakami is waiting. Good luck trying to enjoy your school life."

Sleazy bastard that guy.....

Huh? There it is again. That clock noise...

Going upstairs and accompanying Ren to the faculty office, I heard a lot of gossip on the way. Most of it was exaggerated stuff about Ren and how much of a "delinquent" he was. I don't believe that stuff in all honesty he's a chill dude, barely talks, kinda like me.

Getting into the faculty office, we switched from baseless rumours to Ms. Kawakami's scolding. She then turned to me after berating Ren, and... Well... Safe to say her tune really changed

"You must be L/N-kun?"

"Correct."

"L/N-kun, you cannot be so late on your first day, or any other day, for that matter. I must ask that you get to school on time in the future, alright?."

"Understood, mam."

"Good, now, I'll have you both introduce yourselves whenever class resumes. Follow me."

When we arrived, class was all about the rumors surrounding ren. Seriously, some of this shit was insane. But the worst part was when people started looking at me standing next to him. And then they started making up rumours on the fly. Shit does a perfect record help me here??

"Settle down."

"Well, I'd like to introduce two transfer students: Ren Amamiya and Y/N L/N. L/N-kun is from Brasil, so please help him get used to our way of living and do not hesitate to explain him some our habits. Today both of them are attending from the afternoon on, since they weren't feeling well."

"Well, your seats will be the two that are open in the back. Sorry, bit could the people nearby share your textbooks with them today?"

Among the many hushed whispers in class, I was clearly able to hear a few, the loudest one was:

"I hope I can share my textbooks with L/N-san, he looks so strong..." 

Didn't think the stereotype of Japanese women liking foreigners more was true. But then again, it  might be because I had a spotless record, because I was never caught, or because I'm overall a head or two taller than everyone else and look more athletic. And- HOLY SHIT THAT KID GOT BEAT TO HELL GODDAMN.

Anyway, walking to my seat I passed the student we saw earlier in the morning.

"Lies"

She whispered, looking right at me.
Well, I mean, she ain't wrong but the truth sounds like an LSD trip, so let's say I just felt sick.

"Yes it was. Nice to see you again, by the way."

She just huffed and turned forward.

"Did you hear that? Do those two know each other?"

And wow. People thought I hit on her already? Damn. Oh and apparently she's fucking Kamoshida.
Japanese schools are on another level entirely.

"For real, that side of the room is totally awful."

Wha? Bitch you're two seats away from me. You're on my side of the room.

Classes were quick. But as soon as we left the room, my vision shifted into what seemed like that castle again. Oh, Ren asked a stupid question and now Kawakami's bitching about her life or something.

"Hey, let's go. Ryuji wants to meet on the rooftop."

"Got it, I'll follow."

Before we could do that however, Kamoshida and the egghead principal stopped right in front of the stairs.

"Why did you allow a student like that to transfer here? The Brasilian one I can understand, but both of them are already associating with Sakamoto. One them has a criminal record and the other's a culprit of an assault case. At this rate, it'd be pointless how much I contribute to the school."

The principal and his seven chins seemed annoyed.

"Now, don't be like that..."
"This school counts on you, Kamoshida-kun. You're our star."

"All right, I understand, I'll continue to do my best to answer your expectations of me."

That's the end of their conversation.
Wow, Kamoshida really is a prick.
We went to the rooftop afterwards.

"There you two are. I bet Kawakami's already told you stuff like: don't get involved with him and all that, huh?"

"How'd you know?"

I asked him.

"Figured as much. Then again, we're in the same boat. I heard he has a criminal record, everyone's talking about it. The rumours are spreading your way too, since you've been seen talking with the two of us. - he turned to ren- No wonder you were so gutsy. What was all that anyway? Almost getting killed at a castle? You two remember it as well yeah?"

"Yeah"

Said Ren, I simply nodded.

"Well, it doesn't mean much if we all remember it tho. I mean, even if it was a dream, you saved me from Kamoshida. So yeah... Thanks, Ren."

"It was nothing."

"I don't think it was dream guys, it's nigh-impossible that three people have the exact same dream, at the same time, on the same day. It was probably real. But there's no logic behind that stuff."

"The Kamoshida we saw there does look like a manifestation of what the rumours say he's like."

"Really? A sick, perverted son of a bitch with an ego?"

"Yeah, some say he actually abuses the volleyball team, others, that he is sexually harassing students."

"That's disgusting."

"Worst part is, no one says anything. All because he's a medalist who took the volleyball team to nationals. Kamoshida felling like king of castle felt really real because of that. I wonder if we can go back to that castle again. Ugh, forget it, must've been a dream, it has to be. Sorry for dragging you two out like this, that's all I had to say. Y'know, we might be pretty similar. I fell like we'll all get along just fine as troublemakers. I'm Ryuji Sakamoto, don't ignore me all right?"

"Y/N L/N."

"Ren Amamiya."

"See y'all."

"See ya"

"Bye."

_________________________________

We got back late, and Sojiro was mad.

"Hey, I got a call from the school. I hear you two ditched half a day on your first day of school."

"I'm sorry."

Was all Ren could say. I just stayed quiet.

"Just when I was thinking you two had it together this morning.
Look, just behave yourselves."

He looked at Ren

"One wrong step and your life is over, you do know what probation means, right?"

"I do."

"Good."

He then looked at me.

"And you, don't go troublemaking, you have a perfect record keep it that way. It's the only thing you'll be able to rely on in the future."

"You're right, I apologize."

Sojiro sighed. He probably thinks he was being too harsh on an orphan.

"Look, I didn't mean to be too harsh, but this is serious, y'know? Japan's social norms are very strict."

"It's okay, I get it. Imma go up now, later."

Sojiro's phone buzzed, he nodded at me and Ren and picked it up. Guess the old man's got a hoe. Respecable.

Ren went to sleep on his bed in the corner, I moved mine to the opposite side of the room as him, since we'd cleaned out the trash in here yesterday.

A fine, but weird day.

*Bzzt* *bzzt*....

Huh?

There's a new app on my phone now. An eye symbol. I look over to Joker, and the dream I know he's having.

.....

Yeah, I'll leave it here for now. Sweet dreams Ren.

____________________________________

I originally planned on doing 5 chapters instead of just one, and then publish the story, but I thought that a 7k words chapter was good enough for the time being.

If you have any suggestions, criticisms or just want me to put up pictures of the characters, feel free to ask. There'll be no "harem" chapter. No lemons either.

Have a good day, night or evening.

Be wary of brasilians, we're everywhere. 

And a Midwestern goodbye to you: tell your folks I says Hi.