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04/04, 23:56

M.Arisu

hey... anybody who's awake to see this. hope you're not having too much trouble sleeping.
get rest when you can. work together when you can.
all we can do is keep trying, but i'm hopeful for this year.
feels weird to say... but it's all going to be gone soon, so...
anyways.
see you at school tomorrow.

Any replies on the forum go unresponded, and at the stroke of midnight, the past year's worth of messages are completely gone from the PDA forum, including any sent over spring break. Hope you have a good memory if you were in the middle of a conversation! Though you should really be in ...whatever you've managed to make your bed... because tomorrow is a big day.

04/05, 06:00

The silence continues until six in the morning with the toll of the clock tower bells, and anybody near the locker area will hear two women in mid-conversation as they phase through the front doors, heels clicking on the ground: "-—didn't even have the decency to finish the job! And now I have to— oh, stop crying, for goodness' sake! I swear—" It's a one sided conversation, mostly, and one that stops short the moment the women spot the students lingering around. While the younger woman, recognizable as the assistant principal, hurriedly scrubs at her face with her sleeves, the unfamiliar older woman with the oddly dissonant voice scowls intensely. "I don't need this on the first day of school! Students trespassing over break! I can't believe it! I don't have time for this—" she huffs, shaking her head and stomping down the hall towards the faculty office. "Miss Nene, I expected better of you! And you! Miss Ritsuka— the two of you shall report to the faculty office after the entrance ceremony. I expect a full report of everybody involved. Now behave yourselves and go to the auditorium."

Goodbye...

The assistant principal is left behind and looks confused and distraught. She sniffles and ducks her head a little, draws a shaking breath and stands a little taller. "I'm so sorry. I'll hear you all out after- after this is done. Alright?" She too heads towards the faculty office, trying her best to smile at those she passes by. While they may be followed, they seem to phase through the faculty office doors which remain closed and locked, and cannot be interacted with until after the ceremony.

Until then, other students start to filter through the front door, seeking out friends and chatting about their breaks, remembering about homework and asking if anybody actually did it so they can copy off them before classes start, laughing at any mention of being locked inside the school all break because what?? that's silly. A handful of students wear yellow armbands on the left sleeve of their uniform, marking them as members of the student council, and these student council members go around finally removing the gorinto from the window sills, tossing the rocks into a bag without any apparent ill effects, and collecting the snacks in a separate bag— though they'll offer the food to anybody they pass who looks hungry enough. Which is a lot of you. One or two might give a short lecture about the importance of eating breakfast to start the day off right. Other student council members busy themselves in the locker area, posting the new homeroom assignments and updating the school calendar to reflect exam dates and breaks for the coming year, or help setting chairs out in neat rows in the auditorium in preparation for the entrance ceremony.

04/05, 08:00

The opening ceremony starts at 8, with students and staff moving to the auditorium to sit with their homeroom class, calling characters out by name and dragging them over to their seat— physically if need be, and they're much stronger than they look. Unlike the graduation ceremony, characters are not forced to come to the entrance ceremony, but the moment they take a seat, they find that they can neither speak nor get up again until the ceremony is over.

The assistant principal stands behind the podium on stage, looking rather nervous as she glances down at the watch on her wrist for it to be time, and clears her throat before addressing the room. "Yogen High welcomes you, all our new students," she pauses, beaming at the row of first year classes before her gaze sweeps over the rest of the student body, "our transfer students, our returning students, our... repeat students..." Looking at you, Norton, Gawain, Abel... "I, um. You may have noticed that I am standing in for our principal today, who is currently... unavailable... and didn't exactly leave any notes to go off of..." She wilts a little, but trucks on nonetheless and continues the address, promising that the teachers will pass along any important announcements, expressing her belief in the potential of young minds, and wishing everybody a fulfilling school year. The ceremony concludes in a little under an hour, and the spell binding the students to their seats is broken, allowing everybody to rise and leave.

School lets out for the rest of the day with classes starting the next morning, and while many students take the opportunity to leave, some linger around the school. Gossip is flying already with news of the transfer students caught breaking into the school over break and what punishments they might get, rumors of what happened to the principal ranging from a family emergency to hospitalization to death, complaints about the water pipes not getting fixed over break, and general excitement over upcoming events listed on the bulletin board by the lockers, in particular new club advertisements, fortune telling ads, and a Charity Auction to be hosted the Monday after Golden Week next month.

April

School is school... The first thing teachers ask at homeroom Tuesday morning is for students to hand in their spring break homework. Didn't do it? You're on their shit list now. Characters are not forced to attend class, but patrolling faculty and student council members will heckle any truant students into going and can be a pain to deal with. Classes aren't taught terribly, though. The second year math teacher has a knack for easily digestible explanations, even if she writes and erases the board a bit too quickly to copy. The third year literature teacher combines weekly analytical essays with film studies, and is showing Child's Play, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Silence of the Lambs, and Where the Red Fern Grows this month. The first year biology teacher brings eyeballs and frogs and rats for dissection during anatomy lessons, and if you have a special request for a specific eye color, give him a day or two and he can deliver. 2-A's homeroom teacher can be seen stealing chalk from each of the second year classroom she rotates through and is offering extra credit to any students who sneak her chalk without asking questions.

New students will quickly learn that merit points are awarded for a full day's attendance, turning in homework, participating in class and clubs, scoring 80% or higher on quizzes and exams, etc. Less predictably, the PDA may sometimes ping for a single merit point when hanging out with a friend or arguing with a classmate, with stronger emotions (positive or negative) when interacting with somebody else more likely to trigger a point, and if students are abusing this system, it's kept out of the faculty's eyes. As the month goes on, sometimes a student comes to class with a cut eyelid, or a busted lip, or bandages wrapped thick around a wrist, but they always deny anything more than clumsiness or an accident or having pets who very aggressively show their love. Sometimes it's harder to hide, when a bloody nose drips onto the ground or bleeding knuckles brush against the wall, and those near enough to see blood touch the building will find that everything sort of... shifts... Just for a second. The feeling of vertigo that stops almost as soon as it begins, the world tilting without slotting back into alignment. You feel a bit nauseous. Just a little.

You go to the bathroom to splash water on your face and the pink looks a little darker, a little more solid. On the fourth floor, the water has stopped running in the bathroom sinks altogether, and students are told to go downstairs to do their business so that they may wash up after. With more students milling around the bathrooms, it's much easier to notice that people's reflections in the mirrors are just a bit off, lagging that split second long enough to be impossible to ignore once aware.

Every day you have homework. A new essay for something or other is assigned each week. Nobody wants to do group projects with a slacker who can't promise to meet up after school to get it done. Like clockwork, the school empties out at 6 PM each school day, leaving those behind to their own devices. There is no school on Sundays. Golden Week marks the end of the month, and guess who's going to be stuck at school for an entire week with only vending machine junk food to live off of if they aren't able to make progress concerning their living situation? Yeah.

Charity Auction

At least students have the charity auction to look forward to and work towards. Information about the auction set on May 10 can be found on the bulletin board, and appears to be put together by the student council as an annual event and an incentive for students to start the year off strong in earning merit points. Both students and staff are encouraged to donate to the auction, with the items collected and put on display in the auditorium behind locked glass cases. On May 10, students will be able to bid on items using their merit points, those who donate will receive 10% of the winning bid towards their item, and the school will match donations 100 to 1 point with proceeds going towards the "Save A Brain Foundation."

Throughout the month, glass cases lining the walls of the auditorium start to fill up with donations. The most popular donations seem to be physical items: possessions such as jewelry or gaming consoles, or artistic creations such as hand sewn clothing or paintings. There are placeholders for things that can't be put on display all month, such as placards with a picture or description of homemade food that won't be prepared until the auction date, or the promise of fishing lessons with the guidance counselor or a dinner date with the school principal (pending availability). At the back of the room stands the largest case, with the skinny black cat often found lying on top of it as if guarding it, although it will run away when approached.

Inside the case is a body.

OOC

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✽ The plot will only move forward as things are discussed and acted upon, and clues distributed during app acceptances are meant to be shared and connected, so don't be afraid to ask questions and dig into things! I am here to enable.

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[This guy's been going around loudly asking questions and occasionally checking the exits, so it's pretty obvious that he's another transfer student. As he's offered the water bottle, his eyes widen in shock, as if he's being freely given a rare amenity. He takes it in his hand and looks it over in wonder.]

Cl-clear water... [He the looks sharply at her.] For me? Is- is that really alright?! [Ishimaru feels indebted!]

Of course. Please take it.

[ Iria isn't doing it to get people indebted to her, even if it feels like she's giving away something precious for her health (she is). People deserve clean water, even if it's just a bottle's worth and people should definitely not be drinking blood water all the time. ]

Though I can only give a single bottle to everyone. There isn't enough for more.

[He tightens his grip on the bottle, while he shoots a glance a ther.]

Thank you so much...! This is so very kind of you! It- it is quite understandable to only receive one, that alone is an incredible boon! In fact, please take this back if you find someone who needs this more than I do!

[ Oh.

Even after being told that, she... doesn't want to take it back. She has a small smile on her face with an insistent tone as she speaks: ]

Clean water is important for many things, even apart from drinking. I'm sure you'll find a reason to use it.

[ Though, from Ishimaru's earlier behavior, Iria can't help but wonder-- ]

Did you find anything peculiar?

Of course! I will absolutely put this clean water to good use! I just cannot help but feel a little guilty accepting such a valuable gift! [He insists with gusto! Although he'll probably spend forever wondering the best use of the water. Should he drink it, or save it for cleaning? Try to split it between both uses?! Why must decisions be so hard!]

Also, I have not really noticed much that is peculiar. I have been trying to find out more about this situation, but it seems as if classes are going to proceed as normal, and there is still no way to leave this school's premises.

People's health is just as valuable, if not, moreso. It would ease my mind if more people had taken it off my hands when I offer.

[ That's that. She says it with finality as she considers what Ishimaru says after. ]

It may be best to go along with what the school gives us. The reason being the merit points seem crucial to our stay here.

You're right. I do not intend to refuse you! I accept your generous gift and will ensure that it is put to use!

[He's gripping the bottle so tightly that it's a wonder that it doesn't pop! His other hand snaps into a salute!]

I agree completely! I, for one, am thrilled to have the opportunity to attend actual class in this school! I intend to really put my nose to the grindstone and work hard to excel at every class!

[ What Ishimaru says sounds peculiar and curiosity gets the best of her. ]

Were you not allowed to attend classes in your previous school...?

[ She looks confused. What's the point of a school then. ]

Well...

[He frowns, the wind taken slightly out of his sails as he thinks back.]

It is a bit of a sore subject, but I was not able to properly attend the previous school that I was in. Instead, I was trapped within the school with my classmates by some sadistic unknown figure, and not a single class was actually held.

[ Wow.

Hm.

Iria feels bad, seeing Ishimaru deflate like that when he seemed so full of energy just before. At this point, it's no longer about regularly attending classes, but sounding much more like a hostage situation. The current situation doesn't sound as bad as what Ishimaru seems to be saying, but she feels that she'll have to prepare herself for the worst in case if it does. ]

I see... I'm sorry for bringing it up.

[ Iria does look sincerely apologetic, since she'd hate to be reminded of something horrible like that. ]

I hope you can fulfill your dreams of attending classes here, at the very least. They seem to at least encourage it with the use of merit points.

That's quite alright. You were unaware of the situation. But let's not worry about that! This is a completely different situation, after all!

[He seems intent on that being the case, even though they've essentially been trapped here against their wills. But a smile returns to his face as he thinks of classes.]

Indeed! I am very excited to have these classes to dig into. Ahahaha! I intend to rack up a surplus of merit points! It seems like an ideal system of currency for me!

[ A system for following the rules and generally being good. It's to encourage them pretending things are okay for the sake of survival, from what she can gather. She hasn't seen any points being penalized so far, so if they can only gain points, that's a big advantage on its own.

Though what Ishimaru says catches her interest. ]

It must be nice to be rewarded for something you enjoy doing already. Have the classes been particularly difficult?

[He's all for a system based aroubd order and hard work! His ideal view of society is a meritocracy, after all. It's enough to make him think less of the fact that they're trapped here against his will!]

No, they have not! Of course, I have only had a handful of classes so far. I have yet to sample every flavor of this educational buffet! I am sure that there will be a fair share of challenges, especially as the semester progresses. And I intend to meet them head-on!

You must feel excited as well to hit the books!

[ Honestly, same. Iria would welcome distractions, but from other things. Either way, seeing Ishimaru energetic about the prospect of classes helps Iria keep her energy up too, even though she's so tired right now. ]

It's certainly an experience to learn other cultures' curriculum. It makes me wonder if this would be what studying abroad would have been like.

[ Just from a pure academic standpoint. Not feeling like she's a prisoner in an educational facility. ]

[He's happy to spread the energy! While he has it.]

Is that so? Well, I am glad that even the experience itself is educational for you! It is quite familiar for me, which makes sense as this appears to be a Japanese high school!

May I ask where you hail from? [A beat.] Come to think of it, I do not even know your name. Mine is Kiyotaka Ishimaru!

[ Be the shining sun for everyone, Ishimaru... Though his introduction makes her pause. She's vaguely familiar with the culture, so does she refer to him by family name? First name implies closeness, but she's from a place where referring to each other by first name is relatively common among her peers around her age.

...

She decides that it's much faster to just ask. ]

I'm Iria Severine, from England. How would you like for me to refer to you? "Ishimaru"?

Ah, from England! I see! [Ishimaru nods along pleasantly.]

Well, that would be customary within my own culture. But I will not hold you to it. I will not take offense if you call me by my first name. Similarly, I can use your first name if you are more comfortable with that... [He understands that it's different with other countries and is willing to accommodate.]

I'm used to being called by either name, so I wouldn't mind whichever you choose.

[ She's not that picky when it comes to her as compared to other people. Normally, she'd tell others to call her by her first name, only because she would have her siblings around, and calling out her family name would confuse them. Such is the life when you sometimes hang out with big shots... but she's alone here, so it's fine. ]

"Ishimaru" it is, then.

Then, ah... Iria-kun! If that's alright, I will go with that!

[He balls up his fist decisively! There is precedent for using the first name when speaking to one with a foreign name anyway.]

And I shall accept your name of choice in turn. There, we are already working together splendidly!

I hope there will be more students we can get along with.

[ So that she doesn't get a migraine over people not cooperating, even if it's unrealistic that everybody get along. People just be like that. ]

Ah, right... I'm sorry if this sounds out of the blue, but have you seen anything else that seems strange? Apart from people phasing in and out of doors or the void of sound past midnight or so.

You may be in luck in that department! At the very least, I knew that I have been! I have met quite a number of agreeable peers in these halls.

[The only ones who have troubled him so far have been that white-haired boy and that Bakugou guy. But at least Bakugou was somewhat helpful, if loud and rude about it...]

Strange things? Hmmmm....! Honestly, those happen to be the primary things that I have witnessed that would color as 'strange'! ...Well I suppose there is the fact that sometimes I feel as if I recognize people from this school and remember having attended here for a while, even though I know that is not true.

[ Funny, since she thinks Bakugou might be one of the more reliable transfer students.

Though she thinks on that... Ishimaru is right. Her memories felt like an absolute mess for a while. ]

It was a little like leading two lives at the same time. Very disorienting... I suppose other transfer students had the same experience.

Indeed. It is... quite disorienting. [He remembers helping to clean a classroom before the graduation ceremony... and seeing others as if they had always been his classmates.]

I have not discussed this particular oddity with many others, but it does seem to be an experience that some of us share! Quite peculiar. ...But then, none of us can recall how we arrived at this school to begin with. Could it be that memories are being messed with somehow? [But that's a ridiculous notion, practically impossible!]

Memories can be unreliable, even without outside manipulation, so I can see how it would be easily done if that was the case.

[ She'd cite the weather balloon memory case study on how the brain can create false memories, but she's slightly self-aware that it would make her seem like a huge nerd. It's as if she can hear her brother calling her out on that right behind her.

... ]

Speaking of which, I do recall a moment when a clumsy male student bumped into me and got my uniform soaked with mop water. I wonder where he is now...

[ #naegiluck ]

W-well I would like to think that the brunt of my memories are still reliable...!

[The idea that more of his past could have been messed with is just plain unsettling! It's something that he would rather not dwell on.]

Ah, I am sorry that happened! A uniform is a treasured garment of pride, after all, and for it to be messed with like that is shameful...! I certainly hope that the boy in question is found and atones for his accident! [He ponders.]

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