Rebellion of the Soul

Chapter 6: Rocket Drama

Who knew so much would come from so little. It was a strange sight, looking up to that door and seeing the glass that would eventually become my future. I nervously clasped the cold metal handle and raked my nails slowly along the side. For some reason, I completely forgot to ring the buzzer to call for the right floor. As I thought of this my glance shifted to where the buttons were, a metre or so to my right, and caught sight of a familiar pale figure already in the place I should have been. It was Musetsu Amami, with her ghostly reach pressing her finger into the buzzer. I nearly tripped as I felt myself being pulled towards where she stood to stop her from giving the introduction in my stead.

A light female voice carrying a refreshing tone parted the static. When the sound was clear, I could make out the woman's words.

"Hello? You must be Miss Kakushitsu, Kakushitsu Jakuna right? Mitsuhiro told me you'd be coming at some point. You are a little late though... but nevermind. You'll know which floor we're on because of the plaque by the door. I'll explain more when you're in. Hurry along now, I've already boiled the kettle."

A mechanical buzzing noise rang out from the inside, and the lock mechanism on the door flicked open. Musetsu pushed her way in, without so much as looking in my direction. I followed her in, warily tracing the shadows of the unfamiliar surroundings that crept about the corners of the dimly lit foyer.

Musetsu's footsteps made almost no noise as she floated up the narrow, hardwood staircase. The near silence of her movements was soon overcome by the clattering of my footwear as I began to ascend, slowing my pace each time. Once I'd made my way to the top of the staircase, my view was lined with a row of generic apartment doors. I scanned the brass plaques to the right of each door until my gaze caught a uniquely customised one, emblazoned with too many characters for it to be the surname of the resident inside. I shuffled my way over to this door, trying to swallow the anxiety that clung to the back of my throat.

I brushed off my clothes with my hands, sending short sharp ripples through them. Musetsu waited for me to knock, almost unaware that anything else would happen, as I watched her pupils trace the tiniest speck of dust descending from my clothing and falling through the empty space. I scanned the plaque reading 'Gendai Bunka Jinmin Undou' one last time to be sure I wouldn't embarrass myself. I clutched the slip of paper in my pocket tightly and tapped my knuckle on the layered material of the door. I flinched for a final time, suddenly turning my head to Musetsu like a child longingly looking to their uncaring mother for help.

The door swung open, casting the light from inside the room onto the melancholic hallway. Despite the fact that Musetsu's eyes were staring blankly straight ahead, the woman standing in the doorframe immediately turned to look at me. I could feel the emanating rays of her faint yet meaningful smile grace the side of my face before our eyes even met. A shade of warmth slid along my neck and spread across the room, dispersing the dark chill that hung around from the winter doldrums.

Once we were standing face to face, she gave a sly wink followed by a short and gentle chuckle. I stood there quietly, unsure how to react to anything, let alone the wink she just gave me. Seemingly immune from feeling any inkling of awkwardness, she began to talk soon after.

"So this is our newest member in the flesh? Oops, pardon me for being so friendly when we've just met. It's nice to meet you, I'm Ayanami Fumiho. You're probably a little bit more interested in this place though, right?" She stopped and tilted her head slightly to peer into the room. The three other members inside were distant to me, as I squinted to try and get a better look, to no avail. She turned back to me and spoke again.

"There's no need to introduce yourself right now, we'll have the official initiation and everything else soon enough. Besides, I already have the details you gave us written right here." She gave another sly wink followed by another short giggle. "Come in, we'll walk and talk."