The aisles in the library seemed to stretch for miles in either direction. Hime's legs ached. Whoever had greenlit this design for the private academy must've had some kind of fetish for long, winding spaces that served no purpose other then to say, "Look how wealthy I am to be able to afford this."

Mikoto crouched, selecting books from the bottommost library shelf, replacing their borrowing card and putting them back.

"You're wearing the girl's uniform," Hime said.

"I am," Mikoto replied.

Book, replace card, shelf.

"What made you change your mind?" Hime asked.

"They're just clothes," Mikoto said.

Book, replace card, shelf.

Hime shifted her Mary Janes on the carpeted floor. She leaned against the shelving, hands behind her back. "It's pretty early to be working, don'tcha think?"

"I've been up since four," Mikoto said. "I had a dream and couldn't go back to sleep."

And there it was.

"If you ever have a nightmare, you can always wake me up. It isn't a bother." Hime had been surprised when she woke and Mikoto wasn't there. The opening and closing of their door in the dormitory usually disturbed her sleep without fail. "We could talk or eat a snack. Whatever makes you feel better."

There were lemon drops in a bag at the bottom of Hime's sock drawer and she would gladly share if Mikoto needed them. She would give her twin anything if needed.

"It wasn't a nightmare." Mikoto stood. "I was walking down the hall just outside the teacher's offices. There was a strange noise behind one of the doors. So I opened the door, and I saw..."

Hime took Mikoto's hand. It was warm and soft and small. Like a little bird.

"I saw him," Mikoto breathed. "On the floor. Cut into little pieces. There was blood everywhere."

The image jumped in Hime's mind and she shoved it away, swallowing weakly. "That sounds like a nightmare."

"It wasn't a nightmare." Mikoto smiled, and Hime found herself wrapped in a tight hug. She hugged back, electric worry humming beneath her skin. She didn't know what else to do.

Let me comfort you.

"I think it was the happiest dream I've had in a while."