13 SENTINELS: Aegis RIM: ANOTHER STORY - [PART I] (BOOK I)

9.12. Iori's Perspective: Sakura HS: Science Room: "W-What is this...?!"

Iori and Juro were in charge of cleaning duty in the old building science room today.
They have only been there for 9 minutes, and they were almost done cleaning the area before going back to class.
Iori stands with her hands on her hips, glad that their portion of their work is almost complete for the day.

Iori: "And that does it for the sweeping!"

Iori walks to Juro, smiling at him as she sees him already done with his part of his duty.

Iori: "Good going, Kurabe-kun."

He was by the storage door, with the keys in hand, trying to get the door to open.

Juro: "..."

Iori:  "What's wrong, Kurabe-kun?"

Juro: "The door won't open."

Juro moves away from the storage room, and checks the keys in hand once more.

Juro: "Gouto-senpai gave me a key ring, but..."
Juro: "None of these seem to open the storage room."

Iori: "Well, that's a problem."
Iori: "What do we do with all the equipment?"

Juro: "I guess just leave it."

Iori: "We can't do that..."
Iori: "Hm..."
Iori: "Well..."
Iori: "I guess I'll get the key from the teacher's lounge."
Iori: "You can go back to class, Kurabe-kun."
Iori: "I'll take care of the rest."

Juro: "Sorry about that."
He says, scratching the back of his head with his right hand before resting it on his right hip.

Iori: "Hey, no worries."
Iori: "Good job today."
Iori says before calmly walking off to the teacher's lounge.

Juro stays from where he is, seeing her take off.

Juro: "..."
Juro: "She's in the same grade as me..."
Juro: "But she talks like she's my older sister."
Juro: '...'
Juro: 'Perhaps, it may be a good thing...'

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...
...

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...

A few moments later...
Iori comes back with the storage key in hand.
When she came back though, a chilling feeling fell down her spine.
This is a really old building and there was no one here in sight.
She could feel the thrill and the weight of being absolutely alone in this place.

Iori: "..."
Iori: "This building is so old."
Iori: "And so..."
Iori: "Quiet..."
Iori: "It's kind of creepy."

Iori walks towards the storage room to her immediate left by the class door.
She takes the storage key and unlocks the door.
Iori: "There we go."
Iori: "Now I can put stuff away."

GLITCH!
Suddenly, a bright blue light flashed behind Iori.
It was so bright for a short moment, Iori didn't know what it was.

Iori: "Huh?"
Iori: "Who's there?"
Iori: "Kurabe-kun?"

Iori starts to walk around the classroom.
Iori: "Oh, I get it."
Iori: "You're trying to surprise me, right?"
Iori smiles, to which it quickly turned into a frown.

...
...
...

Iori: "Right...?"

Iori starts pacing each aisle of the classroom.
Iori: "Come on..."
Iori: "This isn't funny."
Iori: "Just come out, okay?"

As soon as Iori steps into the middle of the science room...

Iori: "!"

Holographs after holograph screens appeared in front of her.

What is this?
Since when was this here?
And...
Where did it come from?

She was confused.
Iori was so confused.
She had so many questions.
What was this thing she just discovered?
And why is it here?

Iori: "What the..."
Iori: "No one's here..."
Iori: "It's so bright."
Iori: "What's going on?"

Suddenly, a small glowing circle below her feet overwhelmed her.
One second it got brighter, another second it got brighter, another second it got brighter, then another second it got brighter...
Then finally...

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...
...

Everything turned white.