TOKYO, 12:56
PRE-BORDERLANDS

She was backstage at the theater where she worked when it happened.

"How many times do I have to say I can’t today?"

Marlene huffed, twisting one of the curls that had escaped from her ponytail.

"Come ooooon," she whined, bouncing from one foot to the other. "We’re finally in the same damn city after years, and you seriously want to stay home to— to study?!"

"Yes."

The girl groaned, starting to kick some empty bags scattered on the floor.

"Remind me how you're my brother."

"We’re adopted. Answer that yourself."

She opened her mouth to retort, her cheeks flushed and her hazel eyes wide. "You didn’t have to be so mean— oh my God, what—"

"Mars," one of her classmates, a French girl, called out to her.

"What?!" Marlene snapped, turning toward the entrance, her phone still pressed to her ear. She heard her brother stifle a laugh.

The European girl shrank back, almost hiding behind the metal doors. "Uh, we— well, we’re heading to lunch. Are you . . . coming?"

"Give me a second to tell my brother what kind of stupid, brain-dead nerd he is, and I'll catch up."

"Says the one who got a full scholarship."

"Shut up, Google!"

"You're just jealous that I know seven languages and you don't!"

"Shut up."

"No, you shut up."

"I said it first!"

"But I’m better-looking. Ergo, I win."

"Ha! As good-looking as my econ professor’s dog’s butt!"

"Now, that’s a bit much—"

"Marlene . . ."

"WHAT?!" she snapped again at the poor girl, who flinched. Mars seemed to suddenly remember her question. "Oh, right. Five minutes, and I’ll be there. Wait for me outside."

"I’d say leave her there, lock her in, and throw away the key," muttered Dae.

"I wasn’t talking to you!"

"Mneh mneh mneh."

"ARGHHH!" Marlene yelled, stomping her foot. And then: "Gabrielle!"

The French girl straightened up like a soldier.

"You. Wait for me. Outside. Okay? Okay."

"Yes, Mars. Whatever you say, Mars," the other squeaked before bolting from the room like a whirlwind.

Just as her eyes landed on one of the windows and she noticed fireworks bursting in the sky, bright and colorful, Marlene let out a groan that, for a moment, seemed to shake the building’s foundations. Literally. It felt like an earthquake, with the lights flickering briefly before going out.

"What the hell—" Marlene grimaced, spinning around. "Dae, I’ve gotta go. Some genius thought it’d be funny to turn off the lights while I’m still in here." No response. "Oh, now you're mad? Suit yourself, jerk. Call me back when you think you’ve found your rotten brain." And she hung up.

She rolled her eyes before grabbing her bag and heading toward the exit. Just behind the rehearsal room was an emergency door that she and the other theater students used after practice. It led directly into a small alley behind Shibuya’s crossing. It was a lifesaver, because going through the main entrance and into the rush-hour crowd was a Herculean task.

She pushed open the red metal doors, her eyes fixed on her phone. "So?" she asked. "Where are we eating to—"

She lifted her head, expecting a response from her friends, but, aside from the heavy doors closing behind her, all that greeted her was an empty alley.

jade speaks! —— you have no idea how excited i am for this story. but also, expect that sometimes it might remain unupdated for a long time. that's just how i am. but i couldn't resist.

this prologue is very different from my usual ones, but i think it's because it tries to reflect Mars' character haha.

aaaahh, this is going to be so much fun!! #justiceforarisu."