Acclimation

Flowers bloom beneath the moonlight, their pure white stained with splotches of red. The bodies — a male and a female — from which the dreadful pigment seeps make their bed in a patch, and only further tarnish the innocent beauty of the field. Yet, they are not without an allure of their own.

Motionless, they lie amongst the floral sea, as if frozen in time. Once neatly kept dark locks are messily spread out like spilled ink. Their noble features, accentuated by the soft lighting, betray the implicit suggestion of modesty in their simple clothing. The ichor that now stains their robes even seems to create ornate patterns that are so obviously missing from the attire of individuals of their bearing.

Yet, the fire that burns in their still eyes rejects any notion of detachment from strife. It anchors them in all the world's grime as if to mock their nobility.

They don't belong.

Not here. Not anywhere. Barely even fit to nourish the earth, the flowers reciprocate their violence by forcing themselves through. First through the wounds, then the rest of the body, they blossom in a grotesque bastardization. Even as the blood filling the pores of their petals causes them to sag, they can't resist the allure of the light and desperately bend to soak it in.

Kosshi sets what few items she took along for decoration on the windowsill adjacent to her bed. One, the wooden doll her classmate gifted her. She was tempted to throw it out, given how deeply unpleasant their exchange had been. No, she was too used to the ridicule of a more deliberate nature to hold a grudge over a few clumsy words. The real issue is that, no matter how benign it may seem, a gift is never free.

Still, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Perhaps she appreciated the time and effort that went into it; at least it showed more respect for her than something carelessly purchased from the market. Or it could be the simple fact that she'd enjoyed the company of few such toys until now. It was far too late for her to play with dolls, but keeping it let her defy all of this in some small way.

The other is a particularly delicate-looking white flower whose petals seem to close up even more as the sun beats down on it. The only other items she brought with her are some clothes and a small wooden case, though the latter remains tucked away on her person. What little else she owned, she thought better to let remain at the dwelling her family had been provided.

"Why's it dead?"

Kurayami is the source of the inquiry, her head cocked as she looks on in confusion. It was too early to regret not placing a request, but she could feel that this girl would be trouble. From her toothy smile to the way she shamelessly jumped at chances to show off, it all carved out a rather unpleasant picture. One she hoped she was wrong about.

"It is not. When the sun sets, the petals will unfurl to embrace the moon's beams."

Kosshi casts her gaze across the room. The blonde girl's side is easily more adorned than her own, to a surprising extent even. Of course, she hadn't asked, but it didn't seem like her roommate was of any significant status, like that blind boy so obviously was.

A slight shake of her head and the subtle twitch of her lips precede a step forward towards the girl. It would be better if they could just pretend the other didn't exist while they were stuck together, but in lieu of that, they needed to have some kind of understanding of how they could coexist as seamlessly as possible.

"You may call me Kosshi. Hopefully, this arrangement proves harmonious."

As she bends forward, her eyes stay focused on Kurayami and watch for her reaction. What comes is a painfully wide grin and light giggling.

"Kurayami! I'm sure we'll be great friends in no time!"

...To call it disconcerting would be an understatement. The only person she'd know to look at her in such a way was her brother, and either this girl was really trying to flatter her, or this was going to be a bother in a way she had yet to conceive of.

Her faint smile yearns to fall and give way to naked suspicion, to push back, but she resists. Instead, she straightens out her back and offers a nod.

"Certainly, it will be a pleasure to become acquainted with you. If you don't mind, I'd like to set a few basic rules."

Although Kurayami's mouth opens, Kosshi gives her no time to question as she lays out her terms.

"First, you will be responsible for keeping your side of the room clean and picking up after yourself. Second, there is no reason for either of us to handle the other's possessions without prior permission. Third, should I prepare food, you are not to consume it without permission. If this comes to pass, you are to reimburse me for the value of the ingredients. The same applies to me, of course, but that's not something you have to concern yourself with. I trust that these are agreeable?"

The blonde girl blinks several times as she processes the list before her brow furrows and her face twists into a kind of pout, arms crossed.

"I guess those are alright... but I don't see why we have to be so serious about it. Friends shouldn't worry so much. As long as we don't act like jerks, everything else should work out! Right?"

Teeth clench, and Kosshi spends an agonizingly long second looking her roommate over.

"...Right."

Fried eggs, grilled fish, rice, mushrooms, pickled eggplant...

Satisfied, Kosshi places the lid on the simple wooden box and wraps it in a blue-and-white cloth with a wave pattern, then stacks it on top of two other identical bentos before tying a length of around the trio. It wouldn't come to her mother's cooking, she was certain, but it would have to suffice.

With the meals prepared, there's nothing left but to set off towards the section of the dorms housing her male peers. Whatever the extent to which the Academy was willing to provide, she had no intention of allowing herself to become more reliant on them than was necessary — nor could she bear the thought of Motomu consuming something that wasn't crafted with love.

"Morning, Kosshi-chan! What are you doing up so early?"

Their pitch and tone leave no doubt who could be calling out to her, strange as it was. Still, the veins surrounding her eyes bulge as her Byakugan activates instinctively and reveals the familiar of Momika, enthusiastically waving at Kosshi from behind. Clinging to her back while shaking like a leaf is Nana.

Quickly, she weighs her options and ultimately turns around, giving the pair a once-over before her gaze relaxes.

"Preparing breakfast. What are you doing?"

Momika grins and rustles Nana's hair.

"We were just getting in some training to get the blood flowing, right, Nana-chan?"

"Y-Yeah..."

Neither of them appeared especially worn, but she did recall the awkward girl referring to the other as her 'sensei' for some reason. They couldn't have been doing anything physically taxing, and their pathways hadn't displayed notable strain either.

What exactly is she teaching her?

"I see."

Kosshi abruptly spins on her heel and starts to make off again, but it doesn't take very long before Momika appears at her left side. Surprisingly, Nana chooses the right side rather than clinging to her master, eyes lingering on the bound bentos.

"So, you like to cook? Didn't think a clan kid would be so good at it, honestly, but it smells great."

"Really good!"

'Because you're used to being served,' is the piece that's left out, but it reaches her all the same. Her lip curls, and she wants to scoff at the suggestion and the assumption of comfort that follows it.

"...Thank you."

Sensing something's wrong, Momika quickly redirects things.

"Hmm. Guess you're getting along well with Kurayami-chan?"

"...Why do you say that?"

Momika shoots Nana a glance, prompting the girl to take charge of the conversation.

"You... You made more than. One is for her, isn't it?"

"No."

"T-Then, they're all for you...?"

"You take me for a glutton?"

"I... I..."

Her master takes the reins again, positioning herself between Kosshi and Nana as the other glares at her. She waves her hands dismissively as she tries to smooth out this little bump.

"She just got a little confused. If it's not for Kurayami, then a big breakfast for a day of hard training makes sense, right?"

"I suppose."

"But... If it's not all for you, then who are you sharing with?"

"...If you must know, one is for my brother. The other is an offering for his roommate."

They were bound to meet eventually, and it would be rather impressive if one could miss the resemblance, so there was little use in obscuring it. Besides, if they even thought to involve him in their schemes...

"Brother? Is he also...um..."

A sideways glance. An audible sigh. Eventually, resignation. It had been made abundantly clear that the girl was... troubled, and that any energy Kosshi spent concerning herself with the nonsense that escaped her lips would be energy wasted.

"Yes, he is. Complications have prevented him from being present, but he is attending the Academy as well."

"Lucky him, having such a thoughtful big sis~ Unless— Eh, don't tell me he's a helpless big bro who needs his little sister to look after him."

Momika and Nana continue forward for a few steps before noticing that Kosshi has come to a stop in front of one of the rooms. She faces away from them and towards the door, but the dour edge to her usually icy tone conveys the knot in her heart more than any expression could.

"Family should care for each other; there is no shame in depending on another. Now, unless you also happen to have business here, this is where we part ways."

Momika smiles and puts her hands together, head slightly tilted as she bats her eyelashes.

"Since we're already here, it'd be a shame not to introduce ourselves, don't you think? Breaking the ice now will make things less awkward later, especially since he's staring late."

"Sensei is right...! She'll make sure he doesn't feel out of place... a-and help him study too."

If they were hoping for her approval, they wouldn't find it. She doesn't openly reject the suggestion either. Instead, she proceeds to knock on the door and listens for movement within.

"You will find yourselves disappointed if you expect a free meal."