Next stop: Utopia Academy

[utopiamods]

You're falling, and you can't remember why. It's a sickening feeling that makes your insides lurch; the darkness and the vertigo combine, and all you can think of is a story you heard once, somewhere.

-I remember now. It's a simple story that everyone knows. A legend of a Princess, the Demon Lord who kidnapped her, and the Knight who fought to save her.

The Demon Lord had kidnapped the Princess countless times, but every time the Knight bested his challenges and rescued the Princess.

No matter what tricks and ploys the Demon Lord used, the Knight would always triumph in the end. This was because--

The world tilts on its axis one last time, and the dream slips from your mind as easily as it arrived. A new voice intrudes on your sleep.

"Next stop: Academy Main Entrance. This tramline terminates here; all change. Next stop: Academy Main Entrance. All change."

Sunlight streams through the windows of the long carriage, making the seats almost uncomfortably warm beneath its sleeping passengers. The air is muggy and thick, the atmosphere relaxing. Almost too relaxing; the warmth and the silence make it difficult to immediately muster any kind of reaction or thought. Your nausea settles, slowly. The last of the dream fades.

"We have arrived at Utopia. Repeat, we have arrived at Utopia Academy. Could all passengers please leave the tram, as it is terminating here."

Comments

[frozen_desires]

That caught his attention.

Tilting his head slightly and giving Sora a befuddled look, Tougyu actually spoke up in a quiet, curious voice.

"You can't remember?"

[allurprincess]

"Reiko," she repeated, in the hopes that it would spark some recognition. Her expression... the question had caused Reiko pain. She had caused that pain. A knife twisted somewhere in Sora's gut. "Reiko. I'm sorry, I'll try to remember--" and then Tougyu spoke, and three things happened at once.

Sora shook her head; the name she'd just relearned slipped from her mind; and she realised the second. Helplessly, she stared at the girl. Ra... Did it begin with R? She remembered saying something like that a few seconds ago. "I can remember yours," she said, to Tougyu. "Is it just... girls?"

[myownfuture]

"I'm your Weapon, Sora Himoto, how can you not..." Reiko's expression darkened and she gestured angrily at Tougyu. "You rescued me from him, and you remember him and not me?! What is this?!"

But even as she said it, something failed to click in her head. Sora had rescued her from Tougyu, she knew that in an academic sort of way, but... she didn't remember anything about it. How had Sora done that? It shouldn't have even been possible with the restrictions El had put on Tougyu...

[frozen_desires]

"Because it's important." Tougyu answered in a quiet, speculative voice as he eyed Sora this way and that, like a curious, uncertain owl looking at an even stranger creature. He had watched their exchange and seen the flickers of pain, confusion and hurt cross their faces. Seen how devastated Sora was by not remembering Reiko's name.

It was the same kind of guilt he was feeling for not knowing why he'd hurt his senpai. Not knowing why he'd brutalized her to the point she...

"Or you were forgotten because you're a deceitful bitch."

[allurprincess]

"That's not it!" Sora felt a surge of anger at the deadpan insult, automatic and boiling. "She..." and then she stopped, again, because this would be where she'd say her name. She gritted her teeth, fingers curling tightly around her princess's again. "Ngh. I don't understand!"

[myownfuture]

Reiko huffed in anger at Tougyu's comment. She knew he was just being an asshole, but it riled her up all the same.

She pulled her hands away from Sora and crossed her arms. "Let's get off this stupid train and find some answers, Sora." Do note that only one person was invited.

[frozen_desires]

It didn't matter. Now that Reiko was with Sora, Tougyu was more hesitant to be around them, if only because he didn't want to be seen with her. Or, worse, exposed to more of her.

So he stood there, blinking his wide, sleepless eyes at them and contemplated just going off on his own. It wouldn't be too bad and besides, he had something to do. Something... he couldn't remember. Something that was very important but was clouded in a hazy fog he couldn't break through.

This is starting to piss me off. Tougyu thought absently as he made a noise of irritation.