Your Turn To Despair

The First Trial

   (Yes, this first little bit is going to follow the game but it will change it very soon)

   ". . .Hey hey, can you hear me?"

   Hinata opens his eyes, blinking rapidly as he pulls himself up into a sitting position, stretching out his now-aching back, straightening out his wrinkled school uniform. He groans, noting he must have passed out on one of the campus' benches yet again before looking up into the eyes of his best friend, the mysterious Nanami Chiaki.

   She yawns, slinging her backpack over her shoulder, offering the brunet a hand and helping him to his feet.

   "Ah-Nanami-san! Were you searching for me again?"

   She shrugs. "It wasn't that hard to find you. . .Anyways, I wanted to thank you."

   He frowns, tilting his head to the side. "Wh-Thank me? For what?"

   "I mean, you're the one who introduced me and Nevermind-san. . .I think. She's a great girl. Absolutely adorable!"

   "Huh? Oh, um, yeah, right. . .No problem?"

   "I'm telling you, I ate more than I usually do. . .yeah. But I didn't really mind."

   Hinata freezes. "Hey, wait a second. . .Are you telling me that you two went on a date?!"

   She smiles. "Ehehe-Just up until a second ago, actually. I came to find you this time so that I could brag about getting a girlfriend before you got a boyfriend. . .But that's enough of that, don't give me that look, Hinata. Let's head for home."

   ". . .Mhm."

-

   "And so, Nevermind-san and I-ah, I can tell you're disinterested."

   Hinata sighs. "No, you're good, Nanami."

   Besides, it's a good way for him to take his mind off of things. He doesn't often walk home when the sky is this dark at an hour as late as this-it makes him uneasy. . .especially with his stalker out there somewhere. . .but he definitely feels safer next to his best friend.

   Up ahead in the distance under a flickering light, stands a shadowy figure, the sight of which makes Hinata's muscles tighten up. . .The stalker. . ? It looks like. . .it's trying to say something.

   Regardless, it can't be anything good. . .He's got to get out of here!

   He grabs the peach-haired girl's wrist, effectively startling her. "Nanami-san, we need to run. . !" 

   "D. . .Home!"

   'What? Don't go home. . ? What?'

   There's no time to worry about that right now. 

   Hinata takes off in a cold sprint, dragging Nanami behind him as they race towards his house.

   When they arrive, they're appalled to find that all the lights are turned out, leaving the entire house pitch-black, including the porchlights.

   Hinata frowns. ". . .Huh? The lights. . .Why aren't any on? Everyone should definitely be home by now, and. . .my father is usually making dinner by now, so why?"

   Nanami shakes her head. "It's nothing. . .probably. Come on, I'll go inside with you, you'll see that everything's just fine."

   Hinata takes a deep breath, nodding and steadying himself. "Yeah, you're right. You're always right, Nanami. Thank you." 

   "Mhm."

   She smiles reassuringly at him, urging him forward. Hinata twists the handle and immediately recoils as if the mere touch of the metal knob had physically burned him. Nanami frowns.